University System News:
www.onlineathens.com
Georgia colleges on target to graduate 250K by 2025
http://onlineathens.com/uga/2015-03-30/georgia-colleges-target-graduate-250k-2025
By LEE SHEARER
The University System of Georgia is currently on target to achieve a more educated workforce for the state by steadily increasing the number of Georgia college graduates. The goal is to have to 250,000 more college graduates by 2025. That means raising the annual number of graduates from about 53,000 four years ago to 80,000 — an increase of about three percent a year, said Houston Davis, chief academic officer and executive vice chancellor of the university system. Last year, the system produced 58,798 graduates, he said Monday.
USG Institutions:
www.ajc.com
Tech student teams can get $20k to start business
http://www.ajc.com/news/business/tech-student-teams-can-get-20k-to-start-business/nkhyF/
Matt Kempner
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Picture this for a Georgia Tech undergrad: taking classes in physics and thermodynamics, eating at the food court, scurrying for computer time at the library. Oh, and getting $20,000 to launch a startup company.
Entrepreneurs have become a hot commodity to boost the economy and create new jobs. That’s pushed U.S. universities to try harder to become fertile grounds for new business ideas. Usually, they focus on igniting entrepreneurship by faculty, grad students or outside business people. Now, Atlanta technology entrepreneur Chris Klaus is spending $2 million to help Georgia Tech churn out more startups and boost the entrepreneurial chops of undergrads. Half of that money is a donation to fund operations of a new program called CREATE-X, which university officials plan to unveil Wednesday.
Higher Education News:
www.insidehighered.com
Stomping Out Sports Subsidies
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/03/31/university-senate-report-calls-rutgers-athletics-become-self-sustaining
By Kaitlin Mulhere
Some Rutgers University sports fans, including state politicians, say that if the Scarlet Knights want to compete with the big-name programs in their new Big Ten athletic conference, the university has to pony up for improved facilities. But a legislative body on campus last week urged the opposite, recommending that the university postpone spending on any new projects until the athletics department solves a multiyear budget deficit. The University Senate voted overwhelmingly on Friday to back a report that recommends creating a five-year plan to reduce the amount of student fees and university funding that goes to the athletics department.
www.chronicle.com
Indiana College Presidents Speak Out Against ‘Religious Freedom’ Law
http://chronicle.com/article/Indiana-College-Presidents/228955/?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en
By Madeline Will
Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act has stoked national controversy and outrage since Gov. Mike Pence signed it into law, on Thursday. Meanwhile, for university leaders in the state, it’s become a public-relations nightmare. The ramifications of the law are unclear. Advocates say it’s meant to protect religious liberty, but many others have expressed concern that the law will become a tool of discrimination — a way to allow businesses to turn away lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender customers.