University System News
USG NEWS:
www.bizjournals.com
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/blog/capitol_vision/2014/09/regents-look-to-georgia-taxpayers-for-1-99b-budget.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bizj_atlanta+(Atlanta+Business+Chronicle)
Regents look to Georgia taxpayers for $1.99B budget
Dave Williams
Staff Writer- Atlanta Business Chronicle
The University System of Georgia Board of Regents Tuesday requested $1.99 billion in state funding for the fiscal year starting next July, an increase of $46.4 million over this year’s budget. The largest part of the additional spending – $24.4 million – would go to cover the rising cost of health insurance for university system employees and retirees, John Brown, vice chancellor for fiscal affairs, told board members.
www.chronicle.augusta.com
http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/government/2014-09-09/georgia-regents-seek-2-billion?v=1410273850
Georgia regents seek $2 billion for state schools
By Walter C. Jones
Morris News Service
ATLANTA — Taxpayers will fund an additional $46 million for public colleges and universities, or 2.4 percent more, if the Legislature approves a request that the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents unanimously authorized Tuesday. The total appropriation would come to $2 billion and represent one-quarter of the annual budget for Georgia’s 31 schools. Tuition, fees and research grants make up the rest. Two-thirds of the requested increase is to cover health insurance and other benefits, even though the board also voted to raise health premiums, deductibles and co-payments that faculty and staff pay.
Related article:
www.wsav.com
http://www.wsav.com/story/26489249/199-billion-requested-to-fund-ga-universities
$1.99 billion requested to fund Ga. Universities
www.wsbtv.com
http://www.wsbtv.com/ap/ap/georgia/199-billion-requested-to-fund-ga-universities/nhJsX/
$1.99 billion requested to fund Ga. universities
www.onlineathens.com
http://onlineathens.com/breaking-news/2014-09-09/regents-request-2-billion-taxpayers
Regents request $2 billion from taxpayers
www.myajc.com
http://www.myajc.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/georgia-regents-ok-higher-health-care-costs-for-un/nhJx6/#4be17439.3566685.735486
Georgia regents OK higher health care costs for university workers
By Janel Davis – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Members of the University System of Georgia’s health insurance plans will likely see some of the highest cost increases ever next year as the system moves to control the climbing cost of health care.
www.wsbtv.com
http://www.wsbtv.com/ap/ap/georgia/ga-system-forms-campus-safety-review-committee/nhJqy/
Ga. system forms campus safety review committee
The Associated Press
ATLANTA — The University System of Georgia is forming a new committee to review campuses’ response to sexual harassment, violence and other public safety issues. Chancellor Hank Huckaby announced the group on Tuesday in Atlanta. The committee members will also study campus law enforcement agencies and crime statistics reporting. They are expected to make recommendations to Huckaby by May.
www.walb.com
http://www.walb.com/story/26479293/demolition-almost-complete-after-jesup-fire
Demolition almost complete after Jesup fire
By Dal Cannady
JESUP, GA (WTOC) – Heavy equipment has finsihed what a massive fire started in downtown Jesup, leveling a half block of buildings that housed seven businesses and a church. On Monday, an excavator and a skid stear knocked down brick walls and loaded piles of debris into a dump truck. Graham Williamson, owner of the Whaley Center, said that he plans to rebuild the section of Cherry Street destroyed by a fire on August 4. …”We’re working with the city and with the University of Georgia on a design that will look like an older, historic time,” he said. “We’re ready to get to a new and improved downtown.”
CONSOLIDATION NEWS:
www.chronicle.augusta.com
http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/government/2014-09-09/georgia-regents-univeristys-ricardo-azziz-deems-consolidation-success?v=1410324858
Georgia Regents University’s Ricardo Azziz deems consolidation a success
By Walter C. Jones
Morris News Service
ATLANTA — Things are looking up since the consolidation of Augusta’s two universities, Georgia Regents University President Ricardo Azziz told the University System of Georgia Board of Regents on Tuesday. “In summary, this consolidation has been able to demonstrate that we can bridge significant gaps between different schools when we consolidate,” Azziz, who presided over the merger of Georgia Health Sciences and Augusta State universities, told the panel of gubernatorial appointees. “This has been, as far as we can tell today – the numbers are speaking for themselves – a successful consolidation.”
GOOD NEWS:
www.ajc.com
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local-education/georgia-perimeter-college-celebrating-50th-anniver/nhDnS/
Georgia Perimeter College celebrating 50th anniversary
By Janel Davis
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Georgia Perimeter College, which opened in 1964 as DeKalb College. The school was the first and only public two-year college in the state controlled by a local school district. The college joined the University System of Georgia 22 years later, and was renamed GPC in 1997.
Related article:
www.wsbradio.com
http://www.wsbradio.com/ap/ap/georgia/georgia-perimeter-college-marks-50th-anniversary/nhD8L/
Georgia Perimeter College marks 50th anniversary
www.onlineathens.com
http://onlineathens.com/breaking-news/2014-09-09/uga-ranked-20th-best-colleges-list
UGA ranked 20th on ‘Best Colleges’ list
The University of Georgia ranked at No. 20 on the Best Colleges 2015 list released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report. “While specific numerical rankings will vary from year to year, I am pleased that the University of Georgia continues to be recognized among the leading public universities in the nation,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead in a news release. “Our high standing overall, and in specific programs, provides more evidence of the outstanding academic experience offered at this institution.”
RESEARCH:
www.redandblack.com
http://www.redandblack.com/uganews/new-science-learning-center-to-increase-student-collaboration-active-learning/article_5b223400-37a9-11e4-87b0-0017a43b2370.html
New Science Learning Center to increase student collaboration, active learning
Lauren McDonald
The new Science Learning Center will transform the college learning experience for the growing number of science majors studying at the University of Georgia. The 122,500 square-foot building, which had its groundbreaking ceremony Aug. 26, will have 33 instructional labs, two 280-seat lecture halls and two 72-seat Student-Centered Active Learning Environment with Undergraduate Programs, or “SCALE-UP,” classrooms. Danny Sniff, associate vice president for facilities planning, said the new facility will be a “transformative element” for the University of Georgia’s campus.
www.nsf.gov
http://nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=132548
Ocean Acidification: NSF awards $11.4 million in new grants to study effects on marine ecosystems
Oceans may be acidifying faster today than in the past 300 million years
With increasing levels of carbon dioxide accumulating in the atmosphere and moving into marine ecosystems, the world’s oceans are becoming more acidic. The oceans may be acidifying faster today than at any time in the past 300 million years, scientists have found. To address concerns for acidifying oceans, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded new grants totaling $11.4 million through its Ocean Acidification program. The awards are supported by NSF’s Directorates for Geosciences and Biological Sciences.
…NSF 2014 Ocean Acidification awardees, their institutions and projects are: …Konstantinos Konstantinidis, Georgia Institute of Technology: Collaborative Research: Ocean Acidification: microbes as sentinels of adaptive responses to multiple stressors: contrasting estuarine and open ocean environments …C. Brock Woodson, University of Georgia: Ocean Acidification: Collaborative Research: Interactive effects of acidification, low dissolved oxygen and temperature on abalone population dynamics within the California Current
www.wjcl.com
http://wjcl.com/2014/09/08/loggerhead-crawls-to-natural-environment/
Loggerhead crawls to natural environment
By Chelsi McDonald
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WJCL) — A 3-year-old loggerhead crawls back to its’ natural habitat. Curators at the UGA Marine Extension released the turtle from the shores of Wassaw Island Monday morning. …What started as a straggler hatchling, the size of a half dollar, has grown into an impressive 40 pound turle, ready to take on the sea. “We’re just happy that Ossabaw was able to make its way to the water, and give us one last breath and look to say goodbye before it went out to its natural environment,” said Devin Dumont, UGA Aquarium Curator. Dumont has taken care of Ossabaw since it was a hatchling. Along with feeding, weighing, and examining the loggerhead, they have a pretty special bond.
www.news.discovery.com
http://news.discovery.com/animals/sharks/shark-population-expected-to-nosedive-in-2100-140909.htm
Shark Population Expected to Nosedive in 2100
BY JENNIFER VIEGAS
By the year 2100, shark populations could undergo steep declines — by up to 44 percent — and remaining sharks may lose much of their ability to sense the odor of food, predict two new studies. The first experimental investigation on the effects of climate change and ocean acidification on sharks is published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B … “The sharks’ tracking behavior and attacking behavior were significantly reduced,” said lead author Danielle Dixson, who is an assistant professor in the School of Biology at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
www.insights.wired.com
http://insights.wired.com/profiles/blogs/wearable-s-and-enterprises-are-they-a-match-made-in-heaven#axzz3Cuslc6Rc
Wearables and the Enterprise: A Match Made in Heaven?
Posted by Nile Lars
As technology drives us forward, we are able to achieve things that were once thought impossible. Those accomplishments make us realize that man is not going to stop at any accolade, big or small. The introduction of mobile phones was indeed a game changer, but now we are at the brink of a technological revolution where computers are aiding us in every facet of our life. This brings us to the future of computing and Internet of Things application that is already existent in the present … Folks at Georgia Institute of Technology have been developing smartphone applications for construction management to work with wearables like Google Glass. With the help of augmented reality, workers can visualize a building before any actual groundwork happens through a digitally constructed virtual model.
www.futurity.org
http://www.futurity.org/synthetic-platelets-bleeding-760802/
FAKE PLATELETS COULD KEEP YOU FROM BLEEDING TO DEATH
EMORY UNIVERSITY, GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Posted by John Toon-Georgia Tech
A new class of synthetic platelet-like particles could give doctors a new option for curbing surgical bleeding and addressing certain blood clotting disorders without the need for transfusions of natural platelets. Based on soft and deformable hydrogel materials, the clotting particles are triggered by the same factor that initiates the body’s own clotting processes. Tests conducted in animal models and in a simulated circulatory system suggest they are effective at slowing bleeding and can safely circulate in the bloodstream … “When used by emergency medical technicians in the civilian world or by medics in the military, we expect this technology could reduce the number of deaths from excessive bleeding,” says Ashley Brown, a research scientist at the Georgia Institute of Technology and first author of a paper describing the research published in Nature Materials.
www.blogs.edweek.org
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/marketplacek12/2014/09/parsing_the_language_that_leads_to_success_in_kickstarter_fundraising.html
Choosing the Right Words to Lure Financial Backers
By Sean Cavanagh
Startups and other businesses across the education space are used to having to fight, claw, beg, and borrow to raise the capital needed to build and sustain their operations, especially in the early stages. A recent study examines a popular platform to help entrepreneurs round up money—the crowdfunding vehicle Kickstarter—and suggests that aspiring business owners would be wise to follow one bit of advice in particular: Choose your words carefully. The study, conducted by researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology, in Atlanta, finds that the language used by aspiring entrepreneurs through the crowdfunding tool “plays a major role in driving the project’s success.”
www.scientificamerican.com
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/jupiter-s-moon-europa-has-plate-tectonics-like-earth-s/
Jupiter’s Moon Europa Has Plate Tectonics like Earth Does
The discovery could buoy bids for a mission to the Jovian moon
By Alexandra Witze and Nature magazine
If you have got an idea for how to study Europa, then NASA wants to hear from you. The agency has no official plans for a mission to the Jovian moon, whose icy crust covers a watery ocean in which life could theoretically exist. But spurred by intense congressional interest and several recent discoveries, NASA is seeking ideas for instruments that could fly on a mission to Europa … The strategic down-shift has disappointed some scientists. “It’s really frustrating to talk about $1-billion concepts” as if researchers hadn’t already considered that, says Britney Schmidt, a planetary scientist at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta who worked on the Clipper idea.
www.saportareport.com
http://saportareport.com/blog/2014/09/memorial-drive-planners-face-mash-up-of-serene-homes-scenes-compared-to-ukrainian-civil-war/
SaportaReport
Memorial Drive planners face mash-up of serene homes, scenes compared to ‘Ukrainian civil war’
By David Pendered
Memorial Drive was buzzing a decade ago as homebuyers picked up units located close to Downtown Atlanta and Midtown, but at prices that reflected the street’s gritty urban texture. These days, humming may be a better word to describe the pace of development. Another difference? Now there’s a bona fide effort to plan for the future of the corridor along a 5.5-mile stretch from I-75/85 to Candler Road. A group of Georgia Tech graduate students, working under the guidance of Mike Dobbins, a Tech professor of practice, are devising a framework plan for the Memorial Drive corridor
STATE NEEDS/ISSUES:
www.myajc.com
http://www.myajc.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/budget-passes-with-a-last-minute-surprise/nfGFL/
Budget passes, with a last-minute surprise
By James Salzer – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With primaries two months away, the House and Senate gave final approval Tuesday to an election-friendly budget that gives a little something to pretty much everyone. Including, at the last minute, the Atlanta Falcons. The spending plan for fiscal 2015 — which begins July 1 — pours more than $300 million extra into schools to eliminate furloughs, lengthen the school year and, if there’s money left over, give teachers pay raises. Some state employees will also get merit raises.
Editorial/Columns/Opinions
www.mdjonline.com
http://www.mdjonline.com/view/full_story/25740259/article-Dalton-State-a-major-player-in-area-s-economic-rebound?instance=lead_story_left_column
Dalton State a major player in area’s economic rebound
by Dick Yarbrough
Remember the story of “The Little Engine That Could?” That could well describe the city of Dalton, a town of about 34,000 nestled in the corner of northwest Georgia not far from the Tennessee line. In the oft-told tale, a long train must be pulled over a high mountain. Larger engines refuse to do it. The little engine takes on the task and tugs at the load, saying, “I think I can. I think I can.” When it finally gets the load over the mountain, it exults and says, “I knew I could.” For Dalton, the long train is the area’s quality of life. The mountain is the economic downturn which severely impacted the area, and particularly the carpet industry. …Even though the unemployment rate has dropped, it still hovers around 8 percent. But there is a renewed energy about the place. For that, give much credit to Dalton State College and to some much-needed and long-missing political clout in the General Assembly in the person of Republican State Sen. Charles Bethel, who has managed to get the attention of his colleagues under the Gold Dome. Dr. John Schween, Dalton State’s president, says the four-year college, which offers 18 bachelor degrees and 22 associate degrees, has one of the lowest in-state tuition rates in the nation at roughly $4,000 a year. It belies the myth higher education is out-of-reach financially. “It is one of the best educations you can get at one of the lowest tuition costs in the nation,” he says proudly.
www.onlineathens.com
http://onlineathens.com/opinion/2014-09-09/purcell-helicopter-parents-flight-now-over-colleges
Purcell: ‘Helicopter’ parents in flight now over colleges
By TOM PURCELL
Ah, college is back in session — which means, says The Washington Post, that “helicopter parents” are in full flight. Helicopter parents, says the Post, are parents who have “watched their (children’s) every move, checked their grades online hourly, advocated for them endlessly and kept them busy from event to activity to play date … .” And now, as their kids head off to college, they are meddling with that, too — going so far as to call and complain to their kids’ university presidents every time the kids face a minor unpleasantry, such as a sloppy dorm mate.
Education News
www.accessnorthga.com
http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=279357
Gainesville public hearing shows Common Core not held in common
By Marc Eggers Staff
GAINESVILLE – The debate over education standards and measures was not settled at Tuesday night’s Georgia State Board of Education public hearing held in the Pam Ware Performing Arts Center on the campus of Gainesville High School. Rather, the scope of the polemic seemed to grow wider.
www.macon.com
http://www.macon.com/2014/09/09/3296267_3-midstate-education-institutions.html?sp=/99/148/198/&rh=1
3 midstate education institutions finalists for STEM award
BY MARK VANDERHOEK
Three Middle Georgia institutions are being recognized for their efforts to advance science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in the state. Houston County’s Eagle Springs Elementary School, the Museum of Aviation’s National STEM Academy and Mercer University’s School of Engineering are finalists for the third annual STEM Education Awards, given by the Technology Association of Georgia and the TAG Education Collaborative.
www.usnews.com
http://www.usnews.com/news/stem-solutions/articles/2014/09/09/attracting-more-women-to-stem-fields-is-a-matter-of-national-security
The Lack of Women in STEM Is a National Security Issue
It’s important to show young women that non-STEM interests can still lead them to STEM fields.
By Allie Bidwell
Attracting more women to study science, technology, engineering and math isn’t just an aspirational goal for education leaders and the business community – it’s a “national security prerogative,” according to the chief operating officer of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. It’s no secret that women and minorities are significantly underrepresented in the STEM fields. Although women make up about half of the American workforce, they represent less than one-quarter of those employed in STEM fields, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.
www.insidehighered.com
https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2014/09/10/could-cal-state-system-admit-only-transfer-students
Could Cal State System Admit Only Transfer Students?
Trustees of the California State University System warned Tuesday that, if the system doesn’t get enough state funds, it could be forced to admit only transfer students, The Los Angles Times reported.
www.insidehighered.com
https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2014/09/10/princeton-weighs-ideas-help-low-income-students
Princeton Weighs Ideas to Help Low-Income Students
Princeton University may soon take several steps to create a campus that is more inclusive to lower-income students, including featuring socioeconomic diversity in freshman orientation and diversity programming, incorporating sensitivity to socioeconomic status in residential housing assignments, and forming a standing committee of administrators to consider polices that affect the educational and social experiences of low-income and first-generation students.
www.chronicle.com
http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/mooc-provider-gets-into-college-counseling/54485
MOOC Provider Gets Into College Counseling
By Steve Kolowich
The providers of massive open online courses mostly cater to adults who already went to college. Now one provider, edX, is setting its sights on high-school students who are trying to get in. The nonprofit organization just announced a raft of free, online courses for high-school students.
www.insidehighered.com
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/09/10/maximize-graduation-rates-colleges-should-focus-middle-range-students-research-shows
The ‘Murky Middle’
By Charlie Tyson
Colleges and universities trying to improve retention and graduation rates may be directing academic support services to the wrong students, emerging research suggests. Researchers at the Education Advisory Board, a Washington-based company, think predictive analytics can inform the student-success strategies institutions employ.
www.insidehighered.com
https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2014/09/10/new-payscale-salary-ranking-includes-2-year-colleges
New Payscale Salary Ranking Includes 2-Year Colleges
Rankings week continues with today’s release of Payscale’s annual salary report, which rates more than 1,000 colleges on the early career (through five years post-graduation) and mid-career (through 10 years) median salaries reported by their graduates.
www.diverseeducation.com
http://diverseeducation.com/article/66803/?utm_campaign=Diverse%20Newsletter%203&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&elq=fc3bbae8a3fb4ef9b1ac7958f909cf89&elqCampaignId=358
Regents Rescind President’s Bonus at His Request
by Associated Press
University of Alaska regents have rescinded a proposed bonus to UA President Pat Gamble at his request. KTUU-TV reports the vote Monday was 9-1 to rescind the $320,000 bonus that the board had approved if Gamble remained in the post through 2016. Gamble last week said the timing of the bonus ― equal to a year of his salary ― was not right. He said that, with budget concerns and enrollment challenges, the bonus had become a negative distraction.
www.online.wsj.com
http://online.wsj.com/articles/napolitano-looks-for-new-ways-to-boost-university-of-californias-coffers-1410215163
Napolitano Looks for New Ways to Boost University of California’s Coffers
UC President Asks System’s Alumni to Give Back as Part of Effort to Counter Decreased State Support
By DOUGLAS BELKIN
As she prepares to begin her second year as president of the University of California, Janet Napolitano is turning her attention to finding ways to generate additional revenue for a system racked by budget cuts—including a big push to tap the largess of the system’s 1.7 million alumni. The decision comes as the UC system—made up of 10 universities, five medical centers and three national laboratories—continues to operate with significantly less state support than it enjoyed before the recession.
www.diverseeducation.com
http://diverseeducation.com/article/66795/?utm_campaign=Diverse%20Newsletter%203&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&elq=fc3bbae8a3fb4ef9b1ac7958f909cf89&elqCampaignId=358
College Savings on the Rise as Plans Average $20K
by Anne Flaherty, Associated Press
WASHINGTON ― The good news is that Americans are saving more than ever for college. The bad news is that the average amount still isn’t enough to cover one year at a four-year public university. In a report released Tuesday, the College Savings Plans Network found that the average college savings or prepaid tuition account is now worth about $20,671 ― almost double what these “529” accounts were worth during the dog-days of the recession.
www.insidehighered.com
https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2014/09/10/gao-urges-pentagon-better-evaluate-colleges
GAO Urges Pentagon to Better Evaluate Colleges
The U.S. Department of Defense has not done enough to guide the work of the contractor it used to evaluate the quality of colleges where service members enrolled using federal military education funds, the Government Accountability Office said in a report Monday.
www.insidehighered.com
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/09/10/accreditors-role-expansion-competency-based-education
Tugged in Two Directions
By Paul Fain
WASHINGTON — A surge in new competency-based degree programs has created challenges for the accreditors tasked with approving them. They must seek to ensure academic quality without quashing promising ideas, while also dealing with sluggish and sometimes confusing guidance from the federal government.