University System News
www.bizjournals.com
Georgia House panel quickly OKs mid-year budget
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/blog/capitol_vision/2015/01/georgia-house-panel-quickly-oks-mid-year-budget.html
Dave Williams
Staff Writer-Atlanta Business Chronicle
The Georgia House of Representatives’ budget committee approved Gov. Nathan Deal’s $21.1 billion mid-year budget request Wednesday morning after just 20 minutes. The mid-year plan, which covers state agency spending through June 30, increases spending by $276 million over the current budget. The biggest chunk of that increase represents the annual adjustment for enrollment growth in public schools. …An additional $35 million for broadband Internet service to schools would mark the second installation of an initiative to bring live online instruction to every school system in Georgia. The mid-year budget also includes $2.6 million to jump-start the Georgia Film Academy, a program aimed at training workers to plug a labor shortfall in the state’s exploding movie, TV and video gaming industry.

www.universitybusiness.com
Georgia leads college consolidation movement
Around the country, institutions are merging at a slower pace, with some proposals facing local backlash
http://www.universitybusiness.com/article/georgia-leads-college-consolidation-movement
By: Matt Zalaznick
The University System of Georgia has worked to combine several more of its higher education institutions this year in what is likely the nation’s most aggressive and high-profile campus consolidation program. Around the country, institutions are merging at a slower pace, with some proposed consolidations collapsing under backlash from students and other community members. “I would expect a trickle rather than a wave” of consolidations, says Leslie McBain, a research analyst who has studied the issue for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. “There are many reasons behind consolidations. Demographics and finances intertwine as two primary ones; however, there are also potential academic benefits.” In January, the Georgia State System finalized Kennesaw State University’s absorption of Southern Polytechnic State University. At the same time, it launched a plan to make Georgia Perimeter College, a two-year school serving the Atlanta suburbs, a part of Georgia State University, already the system’s second largest institution. This move would affect more than 53,000 students, although specifics on campus structure and locations are still to be determined.

www.redandblack.com
Isakson co-sponsors bill to streamline financial aid process
http://www.redandblack.com/uganews/isakson-co-sponsors-bill-to-streamline-financial-aid-process/article_8d1b415a-a59e-11e4-92d5-3b35ca787cbf.html
Mollie Simon
If a bill co-sponsored by Senator Johnny Isakson survives this legislative session, filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid could become much easier. Titled the “Financial Aid Simplification and Transparency Act of 2015” or FAST Act, the bill, which was introduced by Senator Lamar Alexander on Jan. 7, would reduce the number of questions on the FAFSA from over 100 to just two.

www.universitybusiness.com
How colleges make the big LMS switch
Why six schools changed their learning management systems
http://www.universitybusiness.com/article/how-colleges-make-big-lms-switch
By: Nancy Mann Jackson
Stable, reliable and adaptable. Those are the key descriptors for a successful learning management system. When the current LMS doesn’t provide a needed functionality, schools can often add new features or configurations to achieve the desired outcome. But in some cases, it’s time to scrap the old system. …University System of Georgia
Why they switched: Each of the 31 institutions in the University System of Georgia can choose whether to use the LMS that’s implemented statewide. When the former LMS was being phased out, system leaders decided it was time to shop around. “We wanted something we could deploy across the enterprise, something that was deliverable to a mobile platform, and something agile that would remain current,” says Curt Carver, vice chancellor and CIO.

www.middlegeorgiaceo.com
Georgia Archives Launches New Quarterly Saturday Lecture Series
http://middlegeorgiaceo.com/news/2015/01/georgia-archives-launches-new-quarterly-saturday-lecture-series/
Georgia Archives launches new Quarterly lecture series on Saturday, February 14th. The Georgia Archives is pleased to announce the initiation of a new lecture series, or “Quarterlies.” Quarterlies will be a series of lectures held on four Saturdays throughout the year which will last from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., and will focus on history, archival collections, and other topics of interest to the state and region.

Editorials/Columns/Opinions:
www.insidehighered.com
Learning from a Bold Experiment
https://www.insidehighered.com/views/2015/01/29/essay-making-most-floridas-remedial-reform
Shouping Hu
Florida is one of several states where legislatures are exploring dramatic approaches to reforming developmental (remedial) education. A high percentage of students who enroll at the 28 state colleges (formerly the community colleges) in the Florida College System have remedial needs, and only a small fraction of those students actually earn college credentials. To try to combat this problem, the state’s Legislature in 2013 passed a new law mandating that the 28 state colleges provide developmental education that is more tailored to the needs of students.

USG Institutions:
www.rockdalecitizen.com
Georgia Perimeter College’s Newton Campus to have representation on GSU-GPC consolidation committee
http://www.rockdalecitizen.com/news/2015/jan/28/georgia-perimeter-college8217s-newton-campus-to/
By Ryan McKenzie
CONYERS — Georgia Perimeter College and Georgia State University have appointed a committee to lead consolidation of the two institutions. University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby has appointed the Georgia Perimeter College-Georgia State University Consolidation Implementation Committee, which will have its first meeting at the USG System Office on Jan. 30.

Related article:
www.covnews.com
Newton represented in merger committee
http://www.covnews.com/section/1/article/57941/

www.collegiannews.com
Town Hall Recap
http://www.collegiannews.com/2015/01/town-hall-recap/
Farhin Lilywala
Here’s what we know so far about the consolidation
By Naya Clark
On Jan. 12 at 1 p.m., GPC’s interim president Rob Watts, Georgia State’s President Mark Becker and University System of Georgia Vice Chancellor for Planning and Implementation Shelly Nickel gathered at GPC’s Dunwoody campus for a town hall meeting. The meeting highlighted many major concerns of students and faculty regarding the impending merger between the college and Georgia State. Questions regarding tuition have been a main concern among students. Many students are hoping that the merger with GSU wouldn’t make any drastic increases to GPC’s affordable tuition.

www.redandblack.com
State budget proposal includes HOPE increases, funds for capital improvement
http://www.redandblack.com/uganews/state-budget-proposal-includes-hope-increases-funds-for-capital-improvement/article_58fe60ba-a5b1-11e4-87e6-0f63cc348091.html
Allie Dean Mollie Simon
If all elements of Governor Nathan Deal’s budget proposal for 2016 make it through the state legislature, students at the University of Georgia may have cause for celebration. The proposal includes a 3 percent increase in the award amount for HOPE scholarship, salary increases for University System of Georgia employees, and funding for building projects including the Terry Business Learning Community.

www.usnews.com
Most Expensive Online Bachelor’s Programs for Out-of-State Students
At these 10 public schools, out-of-state undergraduates who attend online pay more than $650 per credit.
http://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/the-short-list-online-programs/articles/2015/01/27/most-expensive-online-bachelors-programs-for-out-of-state-students
By Devon Haynie
The U.S. News Short List, separate from our overall rankings, is a regular series that magnifies individual data points in hopes of providing students and parents a way to find which undergraduate or graduate programs excel or have room to grow in specific areas. Be sure to explore The Short List: College and The Short List: Grad School to find data that matter to you in your college or grad school search. …Below are the 10 most expensive public online bachelor’s programs for out-of-state students based on per-credit costs and the number of required credits. The total program cost doesn’t take into account any scholarships or other forms of student aid, nor does it include any of the extra fees that schools may charge. …
University of Georgia U.S. News rank 90 (tie)

www.world.einnews.com
Enrollment at Coastal Georgia, South Georgia State and 13 colleges has fallen from peaks
University System regent says stricter admission standards have caused declines that could result in less money for affected schools
http://world.einnews.com/article/246912920/Ovy0hu4ApReupIlC
By Walter C. Jones
ATLANTA | The financial future of 15 colleges and universities in South Georgia that experienced declining enrollment is dependent on a revised funding formula, the university system chancellor warns. The schools — which include College of Coastal Georgia, South Georgia State College in Waycross and Douglas, Georgia Regents University, East Georgia State College and Armstrong State University — have seen their peak enrollment drop anywhere from 7.65 percent to 33.89 percent. The Board of Regents has already decided that the largest, Georgia Perimeter College, will merge with Georgia State University to try to stem the tide. Hank Huckaby, chancellor of the University System of Georgia, presented the list last week to a joint meeting of the House and Senate appropriations committees along with a warning.

www.onlineathens.com
Scammers targeting UGA students with calls about bogus arrest warrants
http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2015-01-28/scammers-targeting-uga-students-calls-about-bogus-arrest-warrants
By JOE JOHNSON
Thieves this week continued to target University of Georgia students with a phone scam in which callers pretend to be police officers and ask for payment to squash arrest warrants.
A 20-year-old student reported to police on Tuesday that he’d been fleeced out of $4,500 when he gave the money to a scammer who threatened the student’s degree would be jeopardized if he didn’t pay.

www.chornicle.augusta.com
GRU-UGA dean stepping down
http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/education/2015-01-28/gru-uga-dean-stepping-down
Morris News Service
ATHENS, Ga. — Barbara Schuster, the first and only dean of the Athens branch campus of the Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University, will be stepping down in May, as the second class graduates from the medical campus in Athens. No reason was given for Schuster’s resignation in emails sent by UGA and GRU administrators to faculty and staff at the partnership campus in Athens, which enrolled its first 40 students in 2010. That first class graduated from the partnership campus graduated last May. Schuster was named the campus’ first dean in 2008 after a national search, shortly after the state Board of Regents approved the establishment of the campus in Athens as part of an effort to reduce the state’s physician shortage.

www.onlineathens.com
No answers from administrators on medical campus dean change
http://onlineathens.com/breaking-news/2015-01-28/no-answers-administrators-medical-campus-dean-change
By LEE SHEARER
A meeting with top administrators Tuesday did little to satisfy area physicians and others who wanted to know why the popular dean of the University of Georgia-Georgia Regents University is leaving. Dr. Barbara Schuster, dean of the Athens medical campus, announced earlier this month that she would be stepping down in May, after the second class of about 40 students graduates from the school, housed at the former Navy Supply Corps School in Normaltown. Many faculty and doctors believe she is being forced out, but Tuesday’s meeting failed to yield any answers to that question, said several people who attended. Medical College of Georgia Dean Peter Buckley, University System of Georgia Executive Vice Chancellor Houston Davis and UGA Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Pamela Whitten met with faculty, staff and Athens doctors who work with the Athens medical students.

www.savannahtribune.com
Savannah State University Celebrates The 100th Year of Hammond Hall
http://www.savannahtribune.com/news/2015-01-28/Front_Page/Savannah_State_University_Celebrates_The_100th_Yea.html
Savannah State University celebrated the 100th year of Hammond Hall on Friday, January 23, 2015. The stone structure, located on Alexis Circle, was built by the faculty and students of the school and completed in 1915. The building was named for W. R. Hammond, a judge from Atlanta who was a member of the college’s board of commissioners for several years.
Over the years, Hammond Hall has housed instruction for shoe making, home economics, industrial technology, and textiles. It is now the home of the Information Technology Office.

www.onlineathens.com
UGA gets $5.3 million to help develop new Chagas disease drug
http://onlineathens.com/uga/2015-01-28/uga-gets-53-million-help-develop-new-chagas-disease-drug
By UGA NEWS SERVICE
University of Georgia researchers in collaboration with Anacor Pharmaceuticals have received a $5.3 million grant from the Wellcome Trust to develop a new drug for the treatment of Chagas disease, which they hope will be ready to enter clinical trials by 2016.

www.chronicle.augusta.com
Augusta man shot at by GRU officer on trial
http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2015-01-28/augusta-man-shot-gru-officer-trial
By Sandy Hodson
Staff Writer
The first of two young men shot at by a Georgia Regents University police officer could learn today whether a jury believes he committed a series of crimes before and after the shots were fired. Keith J. James, 23, has pleaded not guilty in Richmond County Superior Court to theft, aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, driving without a license, reckless driving and driving too fast for conditions. The jury is expected to begin deliberations this afternoon. GRU Police Officer Wesley Martin testified Wednesday that just after midnight on Nov. 2, 2013, he was driving south on R.A. Dent near the new College of Dental Medicine when he spotted a blue Volkswagen Passat speeding in the northbound lane, forcing another vehicle off the road.

Higher Education:
www.insidehighered.com
Politics of the 529 Plan
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/01/29/white-house-retreat-529-savings-plan-changes-illustrates-politics-higher-ed-tax
By Michael Stratford
WASHINGTON — President Obama’s backpedaling this week on a provision in his tax plan that would have gutted benefits for college-savings plans highlights the challenges facing advocates for low-income students who want to overhaul higher education tax breaks. The collapse of the White House’s 529 savings account proposal, just days after it was announced, suggests that simplifying and retooling college tax breaks so they benefit more low-income families — and fewer wealthier ones — is an idea that enjoys third-rail status in Washington.

www.insidehighered.com
Sticking With Credit Hour
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/01/29/carnegie-foundation-says-credit-hour-although-flawed-too-important-discard
By Paul Fain
The credit hour is an inadequate unit for measuring student learning. Yet no better replacement for higher education’s gold standard has emerged, and getting rid of it right now would be risky. That’s the central theme of a high-profile report from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

www.diverseeducation.com
National Initiative Aims to Improve Future of Minority Men at Community Colleges
http://diverseeducation.com/article/69097/?utm_campaign=Diverse%20Newsletter%203&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&elq=a12de4d204a444e7b087f763bbd8f90a&elqCampaignId=415
by Jamal Eric Watson
In an effort to improve the outcomes for underrepresented men of color at community colleges, a new national consortium is being launched with the intended purpose of strategizing over how best to serve this growing demographic. The initiative is being spearheaded by Drs. J. Luke Wood and Frank Harris III, co-directors of the Minority Male Community College Collaborative (M2C3) at San Diego State University. Wood and Harris are experts on the experiences of minority students at community colleges. …The initiative comes amid calls by President Obama to make community colleges free and a year after Obama announced the creation of his “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative.

www.insidehighered.com
$100M Gift to Northwestern for International Efforts
https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2015/01/29/100m-gift-northwestern-international-efforts
Northwestern University on Wednesday announced a $100 million gift from Roberta Buffett Elliott, an alumna.

www.insidehighered.com
Market Up, Spending Up
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/01/29/endowment-funds-grew-donors-and-investments-came-through
By Ry Rivard
Strong stock markets and generous donors allowed colleges to spend more money from their endowment funds on campus operations last year. About 75 percent of North American colleges reported putting more money from their endowments into their 2014 operating budgets than they did in 2013, according to an annual survey of 832 institutions by the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) and Commonfund Institute.

www.insidehighered.com
U. of Florida to Change Name of ISIS Records System
https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2015/01/29/u-florida-change-name-isis-records-system
The University of Florida plans to rename its records management system to avoid a link to the terror organization that rules much of Iraq and Syria, the Associated Press reported.

www.diverseeducation.com
Grambling St. GSU Could Lose Undergraduate Nursing Program
http://diverseeducation.com/article/69114/?utm_campaign=Diverse%20Newsletter%203&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&elq=a12de4d204a444e7b087f763bbd8f90a&elqCampaignId=415
by Associated Press
GRAMBLING, La. — Grambling State University officials will meet with the Louisiana State Board of Nursing next month to learn the fate of the university’s undergraduate nursing program. For the past three years Grambling’s undergraduate nursing program has been on the board’s “conditional approval” list because it has not maintained an 80 percent passing rate by students taking the NCLEX exam, which is required to get a nursing license.

www.customwire.ap.org
Univ. of Florida may end midwifery, 2 other nursing programs
http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FL_UNIVERSITY_OF_FLORIDA_NURSING_PROGRAM_FLOL-?SITE=FLPET&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-01-28-05-53-06
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The University of Florida College of Nursing is not accepting admissions to three doctoral programs and may eliminate them. The Gainesville Sun ( http://bit.ly/15SsC5P ) reports the school announced that it will not accept applications for the fall term in the nurse midwifery, adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner and neonatal nurse practitioner programs. Nursing Dean Anna McDaniel says the college administration made the decision following a review of all eight doctoral tracks. The review reviewed declining enrollment numbers, program graduation rates, faculty resources, availability of clinical training sites and the college’s overall funding constraints.

www.insidehighered.com
Professionalism Required
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/01/29/appeals-court-backs-case-western-medical-school-revoking-degree
By Scott Jaschik
A federal appeals court ruled Wednesday that Case Western Reserve University may revoke a medical degree it was forced by a lower court to award. The reversal of the lower court is based on differing ideas on the deference that courts should give to colleges and universities on decisions about awarding degrees.

www.insidehighered.com
Colleges Investigate Most Sex Assault Cases, Study Says
https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2015/01/29/colleges-investigate-most-sex-assault-cases-study-says
Colleges are investigating the majority of reported cases of sexual assault and are finding less than half of accused students responsible, according to a report released Tuesday by United Educators, a risk management and insurance firm. The study examined 305 reported cases of sexual assault at 104 institutions between 2011 and 2014.