University System News:
www.wrgarome.com
GHC inaugurates Dr. Donald Green as fourth president
http://www.wrgarome.com/common/page.php?feed=1&id=59031&is_corp=1
By David Crowder
A new era has begun for Georgia Highlands College as Dr. Donald Green was inaugurated as the college’s fourth president. Chancellor of the University System of Georgia Hank Huckaby officially installed President Green during Friday’s ceremony. During his address, Dr. Green noted recent accomplishments for GHC, including a 7% increase in enrollment for the fall semester and the news that the college, along with Georgia Tech, has been named the “Best Return on Investment” in the state by the federal government.
www.chronicle.augusta.com
Augusta University will take time on changes
http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/education/2015-09-18/planning-moves-forward-georgia-regents-changes-name-augusta-university
By Tom Corwin
Staff Writer
With a single vote, Georgia Regents University was changed to Augusta University this week, but don’t expect to see a lot of visible evidence of the name change any time soon, a university official said. After a meeting of President Brooks Keel’s Cabinet on Friday, the decision was to begin prioritizing issues and assembling task forces to address them over the next two weeks, said Chief Marketing Officer Karla Leeper. The university wants to hear from its faculty, staff, students and community on many of those, she said.
www.myajc.com
Casinos and the HOPE scholarship
http://www.myajc.com/news/news/opinion/casinos-and-the-hope-scholarship/nnhSX/
By Jay Bookman – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Save the HOPE scholarship!” has become the rallying cry for those trying to bring large-scale casino gambling into Georgia. With the introduction of slot machines, blackjack tables, roulette wheels and even a horse-racing industry that is dying everywhere else in the country but will somehow prosper here, gaming is supposed to inject hundreds of millions of dollars a year into the beleaguered HOPE program. As its backers know, it’s a politically potent message. However, before we wander too far down that road, let’s review how we got here in the first place, because it might be instructive. A quarter century ago, then-Gov. Zell Miller used the HOPE scholarship in much the same manner that it is being used today, to sell Georgia voters on a state lottery.
www.nique.net
Safety awareness classes made mandatory
By Hasit Dewan
Recently, the University System of Georgia Task Force on Campus Safety and Security, which is co-chaired by Tech president G.P. “Bud” Peterson, instituted a plan to properly inform incoming students regarding sexual assault and misconduct. Starting this fall, all incoming undergraduate students enrolled in University System of Georgia (USG) schools will be required to complete two online courses: “AlcoholEdu” and “Haven: Understanding Sexual Assault”; graduate students need only complete Haven. AlcoholEdu provides students with important information regarding how to make informed decisions with alcohol as well as ways to cope with the drinking habits of their peers. The course is designed in a way that students who choose to consume alcohol and those that choose not to can both benefit. Haven addresses the issues of sexual assault, relationship violence and stalking.
www.chronicle.augusta.com
Jaguar athletics can’t use Augusta University just yet
http://chronicle.augusta.com/gru/2015-09-18/athletics-continue-use-gru-augusta-name-now
By Chris Gay
Staff Writer
Despite a name change earlier in the week to Augusta University, the athletic department will have to wait a little longer to officially use its new moniker. For now, per Augusta University officials, the school’s athletic teams will compete as the “GRU Augusta Jaguars” through the end of the 2015-16 academic year. All of the school’s logos and colors will remain the same. On Tuesday, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents changed Georgia Regents University to Augusta University, the move taking place “effective immediately.” The name switch left athletics department personnel wondering what to do, especially with teams having already purchased – and some already wearing – GRU Augusta jerseys for the fall semester, which began in August.
USG Institutions:
www.news-daily.com
Clayton State reports record fall enrollment
http://www.news-daily.com/news/2015/sep/21/clayton-state-reports-record-fall-enrollment/
From staff reports
MORROW — A record number of new freshmen began their college experience at Clayton State University this fall semester. Fall semester figures also showed a record number of applications, a record number of new students, a record number of graduate-level students, and a record number of dual-enrolled students. “The growth in new enrollments reflects a good deal of excellent work by many of our colleagues — a faculty consistently matching academic programs and learning with the dreams our students have for brighter futures,” said Clayton State President Tim Hynes.
www.tiftongazette.com
Ellington speaks to ABAC students on Constitution Day
http://www.tiftongazette.com/news/ellington-speaks-to-abac-students-on-constitution-day/article_b7a4323a-5e0b-11e5-8250-8b9ec4f0c7e9.html
TIFTON – Georgia Court of Appeals Judge John Ellington emphasized the importance of a document signed 228 years ago at the annual Constitution Day event at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College on Thursday.
“The ideas on which America was founded are embodied in the Constitution,” Ellington told a full house of ABAC students in the Chapel of All Faiths. “America’s founding fathers knew the Constitution was not a perfect document so they created a way to amend it. …“The quality of life in any country depends on the quality of the judicial system,” Ellington, a 1980 ABAC graduate, said. “Our system of justice separates us from every other country on earth. We settle our disputes peacefully at the courthouse.” The Constitution is the oldest and shortest national constitution in existence today. Abraham Baldwin, the namesake for Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, and William Few were the only Georgia signers of the 4,543-word document. Ellington was the student body president and the winner of the prestigious Donaldson Award when he was a student at ABAC from 1978 through 1980.
www.news-daily.com
Clayton State unveils new science center
http://www.news-daily.com/news/2015/sep/18/clayton-state-unveils-new-science-center/?community
From staff reports
MORROW — In what is sure to lead to an economic boost for South Metro Atlanta and fill much-needed job vacancies in the science industry, the doors of the new science building at Clayton State University are officially open.A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Thursday for the $25.15 million Lakeview Discovery and Science Center building. It will benefit the university’s 7,000 students as well as the growing population of undergraduate research students. Atlanta’s Southern Crescent has a critical need for more graduates with STEM skills, especially in the areas of nursing, healthcare management and science education.
www.onlineathens.com
GA business school dedicates one building, breaks ground on another
http://onlineathens.com/mobile/2015-09-18/uga-business-school-dedicates-one-building-breaks-ground-another
By LEE SHEARER
“Today is a great day for the University of Georgia,” proclaimed UGA President Jere Morehead Friday afternoon as he stood in front of the university’s newest building. It was, too, a great day — about $92 million worth of great. Morehead spoke at the dedication of Correll Hall, the new home for the Terry College of Business’s administration and graduate programs — a $35 million, 74,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art academic building, funded entirely with donated money, near the intersection of Baxter and Lumpkin streets. After Morehead and other speakers dedicated Correll Hall, they moved nearby to ceremonially break ground for another building — $57 million Amos Hall, the second phase in what UGA calls the “Business Learning Community.”
www.newtoncitizen.com
Ann Brewer estate endows scholarship at Georgia Perimeter
http://www.newtoncitizen.com/news/2015/sep/18/ann-brewer-estate-endows-scholarship-at-georgia/
From staff reports
COVINGTON — A new scholarship is available to Newton Campus students, thanks to a passionate supporter of Georgia Perimeter College. Ann Brewer, a long-time Covington resident who died in January at the age of 85, endowed a $50,000 gift for the college from her estate. The Oby T. and Ann C. Brewer Scholarship provides $2,500 for tuition, fees, books and educational expenses each year to a qualified student. The deadline to apply for the scholarship is Oct. 1, 2015.
www.myajc.com
Georgia Tech receives $30M Kendeda Fund grant for green building
http://www.myajc.com/news/news/local-education/georgia-tech-receives-30m-kendeda-fund-grant-for-g/nnh5T/
By Janel Davis – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Tech has received a $30 million commitment from The Kendeda Fund to build what is expected to be the most environmentally advanced education and research building in the Southeast. The building will be integrated into Georgia Tech’s Eco-Commons, a series of campus green spaces designed to conserve natural resources and provide educational and recreational uses for the community. The building is expected to meet the rigorous Living Building Challenge 3.0 environmental sustainability building performance standards. The project is also expected to help Georgia Tech manage stormwater runoff and help protect drinking water sources.
www.dailyreportonline.com
Second-Years Practice Law in New GSU Course
http://www.dailyreportonline.com/id=1202737517733/SecondYears-Practice-Law-in-New-GSU-Course?kw=Second-Years%20Practice%20Law%20in%20New%20GSU%20Course&cn=20150921&pt=Morning%20News&src=EMC-Email&et=editorial&bu=Daily%20Report&slreturn=20150821123027
Meredith Hobbs, Daily Report
Thanks to a new rule allowing second-year law students in Georgia to practice under attorney supervision, state Supreme Court Justice Harris Hines swore in 15 second-year law students from Georgia State University at the Cobb County Superior Court on Wednesday. The swearing-in, which also included a third-year student, occurred because of a major overhaul to the state’s student practice rule that went into effect Aug. 15. It previously allowed only third-years to practice under supervision of an attorney licensed in Georgia. The Georgia Supreme Court approved the new rule, which was two years in the making, in March. The 16 GSU students will be representing domestic violence victims in Cobb Superior Court as part of an innovative experiential learning class, Transition to Practice, made possible by the rule changes. GSU law and ethics professor Clark Cunningham, who helped craft the new student practice rule, is offering the class for the first time this semester.
www.dailyreportonline.com
UGA Law to Launch Atlanta Externship Program
http://www.dailyreportonline.com/id=1202737634410/UGA-Law-to-Launch-Atlanta-Externship-Program?kw=UGA%20Law%20to%20Launch%20Atlanta%20Externship%20Program&cn=20150921&pt=Morning%20News&src=EMC-Email&et=editorial&bu=Daily%20Report&slreturn=20150821100906
Meredith Hobbs, Daily Report
The University of Georgia School of Law is opening an Atlanta campus next semester to give students more opportunities to gain real-world legal experience. Starting in January, second- and third-year students can gain practical skills through full-time, unpaid externships with Atlanta courts, government agencies, nonprofits and businesses. Possible placements could be with the offices of the governor or the attorney general, the Georgia Supreme Court or the House Democratic Caucus, according to the law school.
www.redandblack.com
UGA ranked No. 24 for helping low-income students
http://www.redandblack.com/uganews/uga-ranked-no-for-helping-low-income-students/article_af3d8a24-5d89-11e5-a53d-b737e8be4253.html
Lindsey Conway
The University of Georgia was ranked as the No. 24 institution in the nation for helping low-income students, according to the 2015 New York Times College Access Index. The ranking, among all public and private universities, is based on the share of students who receive Pell Grants at the institution, the graduation rate of those students and the cost of attendance for low- and middle-income students.
www.tiftongazette.com
Tractors donated to UGA Tifton Campus
http://www.tiftongazette.com/news/tractors-donated-to-uga-tifton-campus/article_de18474c-5e2b-11e5-aa63-1b88398b8c4f.html
By Clint Thompson UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
TIFTON — A partnership with a local farm equipment supplier has netted the University of Georgia Tifton Campus two new tractors for farm use. Agriculture Implement Machinery and Tractor Company, or AIMTRAC, recently loaned a 2015 CASE IH Maxxum 140 and 2015 CASE IH Puma 165 to UGA to be used on the multiple farms the UGA Tifton Campus uses for research purposes. The larger of the two tractors, the Puma 165, will be used for heavier work on the five different research farms in Tift County. The UGA row crops teams will operate the Maxxum 140.
www.ajc.com
High costs vs. poor students, which Georgia university helps most?
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local-education/high-costs-vs-poor-students-which-georgia-universi/nnhp3/
Christopher Quinn
The increasing cost of putting a student through college has become a hot political issue, as well as a real problem for working families. The New York Times did some research to figure out which colleges are doing the best work at helping poor students get through. Georgia has a few schools in the list, including the University of Georgia (24) and Georgia Tech (54).
www.albanyherald.com
Albany State University recognized as top public HBCU in Georgia
U.S. News & World Report ranks ASU at number 13 among all public HBCUs
http://www.albanyherald.com/news/2015/sep/18/albany-state-university-recognized-as-top-public/
Staff Reports
ALBANY — U.S. News & World Report has released this year’s list of top ranked colleges and universities, including ranking Albany State University as the No. 1 public Historically Black College and University in Georgia for the second year. It also lists ASU among the nation’s top HBCUs. ASU made the cut at No. 13 among all public HBCUs in the nation. “We provide an excellent education at Albany State University, an education that prepares our students to compete on a global level,” said Interim President Art Dunning. “ We are delighted that the work of our faculty, staff and students is being recognized on a national level; we are working diligently to provide even more opportunities for student success.”
www.onlineathens.com
Athens startup a finalist for $100K Ocean Exchange prize
http://onlineathens.com/mobile/2015-09-19/athens-startup-finalist-100k-ocean-exchange-prize
By WALTER C. JONES
ATLANTA | An Athens startup is among the finalists heading to Savannah to compete for one of two $100,000 prizes for the best environmentally friendly innovations. Athens-based PhytoSynthetix will face off against companies from Canada, England, Israel, Germany and other countries in a range of industries like construction, data management, transportation and agriculture to win an Ocean Exchange prize. PhotoSynthetix’s entry uses biofeedback to change the output of LED lights to match plants’ actual periods of photosynthesis, saving energy by switching off when not needed. …Erico Mattos and Ryan Hunt, bioengineering students from the University of Georgia, founded PhotoSynthetix in 2013, according to the company’s website.
www.thebrunswicknews.com
Criminal Justice degree a reality at college
http://www.thebrunswicknews.com/news/local_news/criminal-justice-degree-a-reality-at-college/article_205ff942-4b3a-592c-987c-12c0da2a3e38.html
By Sarah Lundgren
College of Coastal Georgia has officially added another major to its expanding repertoire – a baccalaureate degree in criminal justice. Since becoming a four-year institution, the college has continued to grow in its offerings for students. The new bachelor of science in criminal justice degree, now effective, is the latest. The University System of Georgia Board of Regents approved the decision this past week. It’s the fourth, four-year degree offered at the college.
Higher Education News:
www.chronicle.com
New Fafsa Changes Will Bring Unintended Consequences for Colleges
http://chronicle.com/article/New-Fafsa-Changes-Will-Bring-/233137/?cid=cr&utm_source=cr&utm_medium=en
By Jon Boeckenstedt
The college-selection process has always seemed backward: Colleges encourage students to apply without regard to costs, and delay revealing the final net price (that is, expenses minus grant aid) until March of the senior year, or sometimes later. The process has resulted in confusion, broken hearts, and many college searches that end with unpleasant surprises. Until now, the federal student-aid process has always served as a convenient excuse for doing things that way. But this week, President Obama took executive action allowing students and their parents to use prior-prior year income information when completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as the Fafsa. This new policy is likely to shift the behavior of both applicants and colleges, shaking up admission practices that have changed little in the last half-century.
www.chronicle.com
A Better Plan for Debt-Free College: Give Money Straight to Students
http://chronicle.com/article/A-Better-Plan-for-Debt-Free/233237/?cid=cr&utm_source=cr&utm_medium=en
By David P. Haney
The presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have each proposed plans during their campaigns to funnel federal and state funds to public institutions so that needy students (under Clinton’s plan) or all students (under Sanders’s plan) could receive a free or very-low-cost college education. If these plans gain serious traction, both public and private colleges below the top tier should be alarmed. Having spent most of my career in state universities, I firmly believe that states need to support public universities as an incontrovertible public good and that the devastating cuts of recent years should be restored. However, if state institutions become free or close to free through federal subsidies, many small private colleges will have to close their doors.
www.washingtonpost.com
Is bigger better? 54,000 students and growing, U. of Central Florida storms higher ed.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/with-54000-students-and-growing-u-of-central-florida-storms-higher-ed/2015/09/20/0db73380-4cbd-11e5-bfb9-9736d04fc8e4_story.html
By Nick Anderson
ORLANDO, Fla. — A small state school launched here in the 1960s to develop employees for the space program has morphed into one of the nation’s largest universities, using accessible admission policies and online instruction to fuel extraordinary growth in an era when many public colleges face fiscal uncertainty. The University of Central Florida will have about 54,000 undergraduate students this fall, up 90 percent since the turn of the century. The only public university with more is Arizona State, counting at least 67,000 on five campuses. UCF and ASU are in the vanguard of an insurgency that aims to demolish the popular belief that exclusivity is a virtue in higher education.
www.diverseeducation.com
State Program Helps Students Reach Higher Education
http://diverseeducation.com/article/77852/?utm_campaign=Diverse%20Newsletter%203&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&elq=2ff323bf1cf14d75ac0fa5e0ec92185e&elqCampaignId=771&elqaid=88&elqat=1&elqTrackId=0960d39d30ab4522abe0b331fd72eeea
by Associated Press
LARAMIE, Wyo. — Today’s economy and job market are making a college degree or trade school education almost mandatory, and one group is helping students reach their goal of a higher education. The national organization GEAR UP—or Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs—helps income-eligible students apply and enter a college or university. “The support the students get from us is amazing,” said Chrissie Henschler, public relations and professional development coordinator for GEAR UP Wyoming. “We help them get through school and into higher education.”
www.wsj.com
Why More U.S. Students Are Going Abroad for College
High tuition rates at home drive students to seek cheaper alternatives in countries like Canada and the U.K.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/why-more-u-s-students-are-going-abroad-for-college-1442800929
By ANDREW BLACKMAN
As the cost of college in the U.S. soars to record levels, American students in growing numbers are enrolling in schools abroad, where tuition fees are substantially lower—and in some cases nonexistent. Annual tuition and fees for a private, nonprofit four-year university in the U.S. last year averaged $31,231, according to the nonprofit College Board. In Germany, universities receive so much in government subsidies that most students—including international students—pay no tuition at all.