University System News:
www.chronicle.com
U. of Georgia Bets $4.4 Million That Small Classes Can Bolster Learning
http://chronicle.com/article/U-of-Georgia-Bets-44/232889
By Dan Berrett
The University of Georgia, seeking to improve the classroom experience of its undergraduates, has begun a faculty hiring spree to reduce enrollments in hundreds of courses. The university will hire 56 full-time, teaching-focused lecturers and professors over this academic year. It is one of several recent efforts at the research-focused institution to improve its educational environment. Others include the creation of a series of freshman seminars and the requirement that incoming students participate in a hands-on learning experience.
www.news.money.ca
Gov. Nathan Deal Appoints Sachin Shailendra to the Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH) Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors
http://news.money.ca/2015/09/06/gov-nathan-deal-appoints-sachin-shailendra-to-the-realizing-educational-achievement-can-happen-reach-foundation-inc-board-of-directors/
ATLANTA— Sachin Shailendra, president of SG Contracting, has been appointed to the Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH) Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors by Gov. Nathan Deal. SG Contracting is a full-service construction management and general contracting company based in Atlanta. “My appointment to this prestigious board, filled with men and women whom I highly respect, is such an honor,” Shailendra said. “I look forward to contributing to this distinguished group in efforts to expand access to higher education to students in Georgia who otherwise would not be able to afford it.” The Georgia Student Finance Authority Board of Directors unanimously approved Shailendra on May 1. The newly created board includes 14 members that will support the REACH program that works to identify academically promising, low-income eighth grade students to receive REACH Scholarships.
www.cherokeetribune.com
Local attorney tapped for university board
http://cherokeetribune.com/view/full_story/26843341/article-Local-attorney-tapped-for-university-board?instance=home_top_bullets
by TCT Staff
Local attorney and philanthropist Billy Hasty has been elected to the Board of Trustees of the Board of Regents University System of Georgia Foundation. “We are very fortunate to have Mr. Hasty join us in our efforts to achieve our strategic objectives in support of the University System of Georgia’s staff, faculty and students,” said Chairman Sachin Shailendra. Hasty said he is looking forward to helping students across the state of Georgia. …The foundation’s mission is to support and advance the work of the university system, which is made up of 30 universities and colleges across the state, including the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech, according to a press release. The foundation uses strategic planning to accomplish its mission.
www.ajc.com
Georgians can still work their way through college (if they live at home)
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/education/georgians-can-still-work-their-way-through-college/nnYYx/
Adam Carlson, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
College tuition is rising in Georgia, as it has been nationally, for a variety of reasons. Median family income in the state has simultaneously declined, giving rise to an interesting juxtoposition: Just how many hours would someone have had to work, at minimum wage, to afford their four-year public college degree — in, say, 1965, 1975 or 1985? The AJC has the answer, and the data points help illustrate some complex political and economic forces, all working at once: wage stagnation, the decrease in state funding for education, the rise in student populations and the rise in tuition
USG Institutions:
www.chronicle.augusta.com
Commissioner Sias vows to continue fight on Augusta’s Gold Cross contract
http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/government/city-ink/2015-09-06/commissioner-sias-vows-continue-fight-augustas-gold-cross
By Sylvia Cooper
Columnist
5th article – WELCOME TO AUGUSTA: University System of Georgia Board of Regents member Jim Hull hosted a reception for new Georgia Regents University President Brooks Keel and his wife, Dr. Tammie Schalue, at the Augusta Country Club last week. Among those present were Davis; Brae Boardman; state Sen. Harold Jones; Augusta commissioners Ben Hasan and Mary Davis, with her husband, Scott; City Administrator Janice Allen Jackson; attorney Pat Rice and his wife, Susan; U.S. District Court Judge Dudley Bowen; developer Barry Storey; state Rep. Barbara Sims; state Department of Transportation board member Don Grantham; Cedric Johnson, GRU’s director of community affairs; developer Rodger Giles and about a hundred more VIPs. A MAN OF THE PEOPLE: Dr. Keel and his wife were seen pushing the garbage bins in front of the Milledge Road president’s house away from the curb and back to the house, which might just be a first in the history of MCG, GHSU and GRU.
www.nique.net
Peterson looks to future in annual address
By David Raji
On Aug. 27, Tech President G.P. “Bud” Peterson gave his annual institute address. The main focus of Peterson’s speech was an administrative initiative given the name “The Next.” According to Peterson, the initiative’s success will be hinged upon Tech’s ability to stay on the cusp of emerging and developing technologies. Peterson added that initiative, while most relevant in arenas such as research — where it is necessary that Tech stay competitive in fields in order to receive grants — “The Next” also applies to Tech’s residential housing. Peterson expressed that administration is looking for avenues through which to improve the on-campus housing situation, since a large portion of Tech’s student population continues to reside in Tech‘s campus housing options. Peterson also discussed how the newly admitted freshman class of 2019 broke new ground for Tech. He noted that the percentage of the incoming class that was female was the highest in the institution’s history.
www.growinggeorgia.com
FVSU Professor Oversees International Journal
http://growinggeorgia.com/news/2015/09/fvsu-professor-oversees-international-journal/
By Russell Boone, FVSU
Dr. Young W. Park, a professor of food science at Fort Valley State University, is heading an international journal that provides up-to-date information about animal sciences. Park is serving as editor-in-chief of the Open Journal of Animal Sciences (OJAS). The journal is an international publication focusing on the latest advancements in various fields of animal sciences. Subject matters include animal behavior, production, feeding, nutrition, breeding, genetics, hygiene and animal products of all domesticated and wildlife animal species. The FVSU professor said editor-in-chief indicates that the person possesses expertise in the field of animal science and is recognized by a scientific audience.
www.thebrunswicknews.com
CCGA, GCSS reach out to help special education, traditional students
http://www.thebrunswicknews.com/news/local_news/ccga-gcss-reach-out-to-help-special-education-traditional-students/article_fedb838a-eea0-5243-af62-28cae2758920.html?_dc=748030285816.6396
By Anna Hall
Reaching out to shake hands with several individuals contributing to his growing popularity on campus, Emory Hatcher grinned his signature bright grin and nodded in his signature sign of respect. “Good afternoon, sir, good afternoon,” Hatcher said, speaking with College of Coastal Georgia President Greg Aloia. Every day, Hatcher can be found in the college’s central hub of activity, working in the college’s cafeteria, mingling with students and performing his daily duties in the food service department, which includes wiping down tables and helping with clean-ups. …A 21-year-old Glynn Academy special education student, Hatcher is playing a lead role in a collaborative program between the county school system and the college to help special education students gain real world work and learning experiences. These students are on the cusp of being ready for working environments but need a few extra years to further develop soft skills. Known as the Reaching Educational and Career Heights, or REACH, program, the effort is part of a national transition movement aimed at students with cognitive disabilities.
www.13wmaz.com
University allows police training to count toward degree
http://www.13wmaz.com/story/news/education/2015/09/06/police-training-toward-degree/71824386/
Karli Barnett
A new partnership between Middle Georgia State and the Georgia Public Safety Training Center will allow police cadets to train to be an officer, while completing a college degree. They say this is the first program of its kind in Georgia and will save law enforcement hopefuls both time and money.
www.times-herald.com
It’s Greek To Me. Or Maybe Martian.
http://www.times-herald.com/opinion/20150906-Alex-column
ALEX MCRAE
Bad news is a blessing if it reminds us things could be worse. Let’s talk education. Public schools have been praised and condemned by parents and taxpayers since the first dunce cap was plopped on little Doofus Dogood’s head in the School for Pilgrim Kids at Plymouth Rock. I’m glad to say I have no complaints. My kids’ education was second to none. Mostly because they worked under teachers whose professional credentials included a PhD in Common Sense. …If my children were finishing high school today, they wouldn’t even have to leave home to get a college degree. Thanks go to the Carrollton-based University of West Georgia, which just opened a new campus in our hometown of Newnan. This took a lot of hard work by a lot of good people and the new college is not just a showplace, but a huge benefit for Newnan and Coweta County. From what I’ve seen and heard so far, I’d recommend the University of West Georgia-Newnan to anyone. Mostly because I know many of the school’s teachers and administrators.
www.thebrunswicknews.com
Georgia Tech freshman class represents STEM diversity work
http://www.thebrunswicknews.com/news/state_news/georgia-tech-freshman-class-represents-stem-diversity-work/article_48d7852d-2f74-5019-b545-ee4a4aa0df6c.html?_dc=609920026268.81
Associated Press
ATLANTA — Amid a push to attract more women and minorities to technical industries, female students make up the largest share of this year’s Georgia Institute of Technology freshman class since women first were admitted in 1952. Black students make up about 7 percent of the freshman class— a 35 percent jump from last year. Officials at the Georgia Institute of Technology said the benchmarks prove their recruitment efforts are paying off, including current female or black students who write notes or get coffee with prospective students and alumni who follow up.
www.daltondailycitizen.com
Dalton State can attract regional students
http://www.daltondailycitizen.com/opinion/dalton-state-can-attract-regional-students/article_377947a8-55c8-11e5-a3de-8b6728f8796d.html
Last week, Dalton State College (DSC) announced that its enrollment has surpassed 5,000 students this semester. Officials said it was the first time since fall of 2010 that the college saw its enrollment increase. They credited the increase to, among other things, the expansion of bachelor’s degree programs, the construction of new facilities and the success of their athletics department. This achievement is certainly significant after five years of no growth in enrollment. In fact, low enrollment has been a problem across the University System of Georgia, mainly in the southern part of the state, one that colleges have been trying to solve by offering waivers for students who come from outside Georgia. Out-of-state student tuition is almost three times more than in-state tuition in some schools. By offering these waivers, the schools hope to attract students from nearby states, such as Alabama and Florida, to enroll.
Higher Education News:
www.insidehighered.com
Support for Free
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/09/08/survey-finds-support-college-presidents-free-tuition-plans?utm_source=Inside+Higher+Ed&utm_campaign=2113a17b07-DNU20150908&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1fcbc04421-2113a17b07-197515277
By Scott Jaschik
While Bernie Sanders has been attracting considerable support on campuses, few college presidents have been speaking out on behalf of his plan to make public higher education free. And although college association leaders have applauded Sanders and Hillary Clinton for highlighting public concerns about college affordability, they have been tepid in endorsing the specifics of the plans. But a Gallup/Inside Higher Ed poll of college and university presidents has found that half of college presidents back or partly back an early version of Senator Sanders’s plan that would provide $18 billion to states to pay for two free years of public higher education (at both two- and four-year institutions).
www.chronicle.com
Everyone’s Talking About Simplifying the Fafsa. Here’s What You Need to Know.
http://chronicle.com/article/Everyone-s-Talking-About/232899/?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en
By Goldie Blumenstyk and Beckie Supiano
The movement to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is trending. Well, maybe not literally — although Bill Gates himself did take to Twitter last month to spread the message to his 24.4 million followers. The tweet linked to a New York Times editorial advocating changes in the “torturous and perplexing” form, bestowing some unusual national prominence on an issue that has until now been seen mostly as one of those in-the-weeds topics that occupy only policy wonks. But simplifying the Fafsa isn’t as simple as it might sound.
www.latimes.com
Soaring student loan debt poses risk to nation’s future economic growth
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-student-debt-20150906-story.html
By JIM PUZZANGHERA
Jorge Villalba was a construction worker when the housing market began slowing in 2005, so the Glendale resident changed jobs and decided to invest in his future by going to college. So far, the investment hasn’t paid off. Villalba, 34, owes $158,000 in student loans for his four-year degree in multimedia, 3-D animation and graphic design at ITT Technical Institute. He isn’t earning enough to keep up with the payments, so the amount keeps rising with interest. He figured he’d get a great job and pay off the loans. “It hasn’t happened that way,” said Villalba, who is married with two young children but can’t afford to move from their cramped one-bedroom apartment. Students around the country — and often their parents — have racked up so much college debt since the recession that it now threatens the nation’s economic growth. …The amount of outstanding student loans has skyrocketed 76% to almost $1.2 trillion since 2009 as college costs have shot up and graduates have had difficulty finding good-paying jobs.
www.insidehighered.com
Students Shout Slurs During College Play on Sex Assault
https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2015/09/08/students-shout-slurs-during-college-play-sex-assault?utm_source=Inside+Higher+Ed&utm_campaign=2113a17b07-DNU20150908&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1fcbc04421-2113a17b07-197515277
Greensboro College has been using a student-written and -directed play, It Stops Here, to educate students about sexual assault. All freshmen are required to attend a performance, as are many returning students who are athletes and whose coaches have required all team members to attend. During a performance last week, some students shouted out sexually related slurs during the performance, comments that suggested the women being portrayed in the play deserved to be raped. Lawrence D. Czarda, president of the college, sent an email to the campus stating that the college was investigating and that the students who shouted may well be found to have violated the college’s anti-harassment rules.