University System News:
www.onlineathens.com
Future of textbooks increasingly looks digital
http://onlineathens.com/uga/2015-06-16/future-textbooks-increasingly-looks-digital
By Lee Shearer
Students and teachers in some University of Georgia introductory biology courses experimented with using a free digital textbook instead of expensive paper texts in fall 2013 courses, and liked it. About 86 percent of nearly 700 students surveyed after the courses said their online textbook was as good as or better than a traditional paper textbook. But that experiment was just a fraction of what’s coming, according to Houston Davis, executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer of the University System of Georgia. People in the university system and at many of its colleges have developed free online texts and other “open educational resources” for years, but the University System last year launched a more systematic initiative administrators dubbed “Affordable Learning Georgia.”
www.mdjonline.com
Overdue: East Marietta Library gets $2 million grant for rebuild after 10-year wait
http://mdjonline.com/view/full_story/26700673/article-Overdue–East-Marietta-Library-gets-%242-million-grant-for-rebuild-after-10-year-wait
by Chandler Morgan
MARIETTA — East Marietta Library has received a $2 million grant for a rebuild after spending 10 years on a waiting list, according to the commissioner who represents the area. Commissioner Bob Ott said the library on Lower Roswell Road was awarded the grant from the Georgia Public Library Service for a complete rebuild of the library. The grant will be added to the $8.6 million in funding from special purpose local option sales tax funds earmarked for the rebuild.
USG Institutions:
www.wsfa.com
CSU students, faculty meet new president
http://www.wsfa.com/story/29324980/csu-students-faculty-meet-new-president
Posted by Courtney Smith
COLUMBUS, GA (WTVM) – Some members of the Columbus State University community had their first major interaction on Monday with the college’s new president. The university hosted a special hot dog lunch at the campus’ clock tower to allow the CSU students and faculty to get to know their new leader, Dr. Chris Markwood and his wife Bridgette. Dr. Markwood has now been in office for two weeks and says he’s been touched by the support the community has shown him so far.
www.noodls.com
VSU Receives Recycling Bin Grant from Coca-Cola, Keep America Beautiful
http://www.noodls.com/viewNoodl/28681968/valdosta-state-university/vsu-receives-recycling-bin-grant-from-coca-cola-keep-americ
VALDOSTA – Valdosta State University is the recipient of a 2015 recycling bin grant from Keep America Beautiful and the Coca-Cola Foundation. More than 3,600 recycling bins are being distributed to 37 colleges and universities as part of the Coca-Cola/Keep America Beautiful (KBA) Recycling Bin Grant Program. VSU received 30 bins.. …Grant recipients were selected by Keep America Beautiful based on their potential to collect the most cans and bottles as well as other considerations such as the extent of their need, recycling experience, and their ability to sustain the program in the future.
www.onlineathens.com
UGA student arrested for allegedly assaulting Athens police officer
http://onlineathens.com/breaking-news/2015-06-15/uga-student-arrested-allegedly-assaulting-athens-police-officer
By Joe Johnson
A University of Georgia student is facing a felony charge for allegedly assaulting an Athens-Clarke County police officer during the weekend. Michael Gregory Roquet, 19, was said to be intoxicated when he allegedly grabbed the officer and also struck him in the chest, according to police. The officer at one point pepper-sprayed the student, but police noted it had little effect on him. The officer reportedly had to strike the student with a baton to gain compliance.
Higher Education News:
www.chronicle.com
Students in Free Courses Study, but Not as Much as Most Students Do
http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/students-in-free-courses-study-but-not-as-much-as-most-students-do/56935?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en
by Mary Ellen McIntire
Most students in free online courses don’t spend as much time doing classwork as do traditional college students, but they do log a significant number of hours, according to a new survey of more than 4,500 MOOC students by Class Central, a website that reviews free courses. More than 55 percent of the students surveyed said they studied two to five hours per week, and 22 percent said they spent six to 10 hours per week studying.
www.insidehighered.com
A Step Forward for Philosophy
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/06/16/philosophy-association-board-reaches-out-victims-sexual-assault-and-harassment
By Colleen Flaherty
It’s hard these days to talk about women in philosophy without talking about sexual harassment and assault and sexism in general. Whether conditions for women in the discipline are actually worse than they are in the humanities overall is up for debate and likely impossible to quantify, but philosophy has attracted much criticism in recent years for what some have called a systemic discrimination problem.
www.insidehighered.com
Report: Giving to Education Up in 2014
https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2015/06/16/report-giving-education-2014
Donations to education institutions hit $54.62 billion in 2014, a 4.9 percent increase over 2013, according to the annual “Giving USA” report.