University System News:
www.virtual-strategy.com
Thousands of Students Who Left College May be Eligible for Associate Degrees
http://www.virtual-strategy.com/2015/10/28/parchment-and-university-system-georgia-announce-reverse-transfer-initiative#axzz3psBjYgSp
The University System of Georgia (USG) has joined forces with Parchment, a leading academic credentials management system, to help award the thousands of Georgia citizens who have some college but no degree, with an associate degree they may have unknowingly earned. “Today there are thousands of Georgians who have invested some time in college without completion of enough courses to earn a bachelor’s degree,” said Dr. Barbara L. Brown, assistant vice chancellor for transitional and general education with the University System of Georgia. “The courses these students did complete however, may qualify them for their associate’s degree.” USG has created a program, “Credit When It’s Due”, funded by a grant from Lumina Foundation, to increase the number of Georgia citizens with associate’s degrees by identifying former students who have met the requirements for an associate’s degree but have not actually received the degree. This project, a form of ‘reverse transfer’, is part of Georgia’s goal to increase the number of citizens with high-quality education credentials.

www.flagpole.com
Despite Glitches, Health Insurance Progresses for UGA Retirees
http://flagpole.com/news/pub-notes/2015/10/28/health-insurance-progresses
Pub Notes
By Pete McCommons
To recapitulate, University of Georgia retirees, like those throughout the University System of Georgia, currently have a Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance policy through USG that basically pays everything Medicare doesn’t cover. The retirees pay for the BCBS policy, as they also pay a premium for their Medicare coverage. They also have a USG drug coverage plan through Silverscript that considerably defrays the cost of prescription drugs.This is the same coverage the retirees had while they were working, and upon retirement they didn’t have to go through any readmittance process. Insurance while working and afterward was a part of their contract with the university and with the university system. …Many retirees are pretty well satisfied with the new plans they are getting, though they tend to be in the younger group. Unlike the current BCBS setup, the new plan gets more expensive the older the retiree is. Perhaps the biggest news that has come out of this whole ordeal so far is that university system retirees do not have to buy their insurance through the Aon exchange. Buying only one item, such as a drug plan, makes them eligible for the university system health maintenance supplement, leaving them free to find a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan through their own insurance agent on the open market. Indications are that there are better prices outside the Aon exchange.

USG Institutions:
www.albanyherald.com
Albany State University looking at deactivating 10 under-performing degrees
Falling enrollment numbers hitting Fine Arts programs especially hard
http://www.albanyherald.com/news/2015/oct/26/albany-state-university-looking-at-deactivating/
By Terry Lewis
ALBANY — Albany State University issued a statement Monday evening addressing a plan to deactivate eight low-performing undergraduate degree programs and two graduate degree programs because of declining enrollment numbers. ASU offcials said the intent of the statement was to “provide the facts, dispel the myths and clarify some key points” about Albany State University’s plan to “deactivate” low-performing degree programs. ASU Provost Abiodun Ojemakinde said deactivation of programs will allow the university to have a long-term plan to address institutional enrollment declines of the past four years and subsequent budget deficits.

www.live5news.com
Albany State gives reason for deactivating majors
http://www.live5news.com/story/30366499/albany-state-gives-reason-for-deactivating-majors
By Wright Gazaway
ALBANY, GA (WALB) – Albany State University officials are speaking out on their reason to get rid of, at least temporarily, almost a dozen undergraduate and graduate programs. “This a decision to strengthen the university, to better serve the students. It’s not intended to hurt them,” said University Communications Director LaNedra Carroll. Students will not be able to major in those programs beginning next Spring. ASU officials said it will save the university money and will not affect the quality of students’ educations. The university is deactivating majors that have averaged fewer than 10 graduates a year for the past 3 years. Officials said it’s so they can put more money where student interest is. “This is about strengthening the university. And you strengthen that by figuring out how to best use your resources,” said Carroll. The university made the announcement this week after recent studies showed interest in many fine arts programs has waned.

www.savannahnow.com
Forum Group donates $100,000 to Armstrong’s Aquaponics Research Center
http://savannahnow.com/your-good-news/2015-10-27/forum-group-donates-100000-armstrong-s-aquaponics-research-center
By Savannah Morning News
The Forum Group Charitable Foundation presented a $100,000 check to fund the creation of Armstrong State University’s Aquaponics Research Center on Oct. 1, whose mission is to conduct cutting-edge research, and to develop technologies and best practices that improve the sustainability and profitability of soilless farming techniques. This new facility, which broke ground in November 2015, will be located in the field adjacent to the Arts Drive parking lot. “We will learn what no one else has learned,” noted Loretta Cockrum, founder of the Forum Group Charitable Foundation, which provides funding to make aquaponic technology economically viable. “The leadership at Armstrong is extraordinary and will help us achieve our goals.” Aquaponics combines aquaculture (raising aquatic animals such as fish) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment.

www.pubmemo.com
New Center for Intellectual Property at Georgia State Law To Promote…
http://pubmemo.com/i/other-tidbits/opinion-editorial/2015/new-center-for-intellectual-property-at-georgia-state-law-to-promote_2229975.html
Building upon the reputation of its Intellectual Property program, Georgia State University College of Law has created the Center for Intellectual Property, which will coordinate intellectual property (IP) programs, initiatives and provide opportunities for students, academics and IP professionals to collaborate. “The center will allow us to expand our offerings by bringing in professors from the United States and foreign countries to lecture and broaden our international footprint, which will really put Georgia State Law on the global IP map,” said Michael Landau, professor of law and center co-director. “The Center for Intellectual Property is the culmination of extraordinary efforts that have been taking place at Georgia State Law over the last 23 years to build and expand our program,” said Yaniv Heled, assistant professor of law and center co-director. “The center will strengthen the academic component of our robust IP program and streamline its various components and many initiatives.”

www.sixmilepostonline.com
GHC Floyd campus F-Wing building renamed in honor of George Pullen
http://sixmilepostonline.com/?p=3560
BY CASSANDRA HUMPHRIES
A crowd gathered on the Floyd GHC campus to celebrate the dedication of the former F-Wing to be renamed in honor of W. George Pullen. Mary Transue, vice president for advancement and executive director for GHC Foundation, Inc., introduced President Donald J. Green, who recognized special guests in attendance: Pullen’s family and friends, GHC alumni, GHC Foundation members, retirees, Wendy Davis of the Rome City Commission and current faculty and staff. Green then spoke about why Pullen’s contributions are still important.

www.noodls.com
VSU Task Force to Address Retention, Student Success
http://www.noodls.com/viewNoodl/30539569/valdosta-state-university/vsu-task-force-to-address-retention-student-success
VALDOSTA – Valdosta State University is on a mission to develop a distinct plan of action to improve student retention and student success. In an effort to engage faculty, staff, students, and administrators in the process, Dr. Cecil P. Staton, interim president, recently announced the formation of the 15-member 70/80 Task Force on Retention. The group is charged with progressively increasing the university’s overall retention rate to 80 percent or higher by clearly defining the academic, social, and financial factors that contribute to a better educational experience for all students, from the moment they apply for admission to graduation.

www.northwestgeorgianews.com
GHC IT employee awarded by the chancellor of the University System of Georgia
http://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/rome/lifestyles/hometown_headlines/ghc-it-employee-awarded-by-the-chancellor-of-the-university/article_f5d3c32a-7cd0-11e5-945f-8fae1c2953dd.html
Linda Corbin has worked at Georgia Highlands College for almost 15 years. On any given day, she’s the first person you talk to when you call the IT department. University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby awarded Corbin with the Chancellor’s Service Excellence Award, which is given to employees for demonstrating consistently high levels of performance while accomplishing normal job responsibilities as it relates to service for the past year.

www.americantowns.com
CSU Help Desk Wins Service Award From University System of Georgia
http://www.americantowns.com/ga/columbus/news/csu-help-desk-wins-service-award-from-university-system-of-georgia-24426140
COLUMBUS, Ga. — Columbus State University’s Help Desk team won first place in the category of “Outstanding Front Desk/ Help Center Team Excellence Award” at the University System of Georgia Chancellor’s Annual Service Excellence Award ceremony last week.

www.lbpost.com
Cal State Long Beach Leadership Program Receives Innovation Award for Second Consecutive Year
http://lbpost.com/news/education/2000007397-cal-state-long-beach-leadership-program-receives-innovation-award-for-second-consecutive-year
byJASON RUIZ
he Leadership Fellows Program at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) was honored for the second year in a row by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) this week when it was named the winner of an Excellence and Innovation Award for its work in leadership development and diversity. The fellows program was given the Leadership Development and Diversity Award by AASCU, sharing that distinction with the University of West Georgia which was also awarded for its “Engage West!” faculty program.

www.onlineathens.com
Fewer UGA law students pass bar, but still best in state
http://onlineathens.com/mobile/2015-10-27/fewer-uga-law-students-pass-bar-still-best-state
By LEE SHEARER
University of Georgia law students posted the state’s best pass rates on the bar exam this summer, despite a nearly 7 percent drop in scores. Some 87 percent of first-time test takers from UGA law passed the exam in July. Georgia State University was second among state law schools at 84 percent, followed by Emory at 78.9 percent and Mercer Law School at 73.2 percent.

www.13wmaz.com
Middle Ga. State students build space telescope test part
http://www.13wmaz.com/story/news/local/bleckley-dodge-pulaski/2015/10/27/middle-ga-state-students-build-space-telescope-test-part/74706696/
D Hunter Joyce
Students at Middle Georgia State’s Eastman campus have been working on an out of this world project. The piece they built is a model of the support structure for the James Webb Space Telescope. The component is being sent for evaluation at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, where it will be tested at temperatures of up to 400 degrees below zero. Middle Georgia State bids on projects from NASA, giving students real hands-on experience in their field.

www.ajc.com
UGA reports more rapes amid an effort to better collect data
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/uga-reports-more-rapes-amid-an-effort-to-better-co/nn9wt/
Janel Davis and Shannon McCaffrey
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Reports of rapes involving Georgia’s largest colleges have jumped again, and nowhere more than at the University of Georgia, according to new statistics analyzed by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution UGA reported 72 rapes connected to students and employees for 2014, more than four times as many sexual assaults as it had tallied the year before. But that sharp increase is due, in large part, to significant changes in the way the school collects statistics. It now includes assaults reported to an off-campus rape crisis center as well as other cases that had previously been ignored. School officials said the change is designed to increase transparency on a sensitive issue that has attracted national attention. The White House has urged schools to crack down on sexual assault, and schools like UGA have invested countless hours and tens of thousands of dollars to launch better prevention, training and enforcement efforts. They face the loss of billions of dollars in federal aid if they do not.

www.onlineathens.com
UGA police officers save student from suicide attempt at Botanical Gardens
http://onlineathens.com/uga/2015-10-27/uga-police-officers-save-student-suicide-attempt-botanical-gardens
By JOE JOHNSON
University of Georgia police officers recently saved the life of a student who severely cut himself in a suicide attempt in the expansive State Botanical Garden of Georgia. When searching for the student, the officers followed trails in the dark, and the student’s screams, to where they found him lying in the woods, with both his wrists cut and suffering from several stab wounds. They rendered emergency first aid and then helped the student out of the woods to an awaiting ambulance.

www.healthnewsdigest.com
When it Comes to Children’s Ability to Think, Weight and Activity Level Both Matter
http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/Research_270/When-it-Comes-to-Children-s-Ability-to-Think-Weight-and-Activity-Level-Both-Matter.shtml
By Staff Editor
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Weight and physical activity levels are both factors in a child’s ability to acquire and use knowledge, a new study finds. “The question this paper asks that has not been asked before is whether it is just fitness that influences children’s cognition,” said Dr. Catherine Davis, clinical health psychologist at the Georgia Prevention Institute at the Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University. “What we found is weight and physical activity both matter.” Children who were lean and active scored better on cognitive tests than either their lean, inactive peers or overweight, inactive children, according to the study in the journal Pediatric Exercise Science. The study provides some of the first evidence that weight, independent of physical activity, is a factor.

Higher Education News:
www.insidehighered.com
Working Learners
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/10/28/study-calls-stronger-connection-between-jobs-and-education?utm_source=Inside+Higher+Ed&utm_campaign=7377b430ba-DNU201510028&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1fcbc04421-7377b430ba-197515277
By Ashley A. Smith
The days when the typical college student went from high school to college and then college to work are a distant memory. But a new report released today by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce paints a surprising picture of just how many of today’s students are already in the workforce — and argues that colleges and the business community must better integrate students’ academic and work experiences.

www.insidehighered.com
Positive News for HBCUs
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/10/28/survey-finds-big-differences-between-black-hbcu-graduates-those-who-attended-other?utm_source=Inside+Higher+Ed&utm_campaign=7377b430ba-DNU201510028&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1fcbc04421-7377b430ba-197515277
By Jake New
Black graduates of historically black colleges and universities are significantly more likely to have felt supported while in college and to be thriving afterwards than are their black peers who graduated from predominantly white institutions, according to the newest data from an ongoing Gallup-Purdue University study. The survey — which is the largest of its kind and has now collected data from 50,000 college alumni over two years — attempts to measure whether colleges are doing enough to help students’ well-being in life after they graduate.

www.nytimes.com
The Test-Optional Surge

By CECILIA CAPUZZI SIMON
For those who argue that the SAT and ACT should be dropped as criteria for college admission, this has been an affirming year. Forty-seven colleges and universities have announced test-optional policies, bringing the total to more than 850, according to FairTest, the National Center for Fair and Open Testing. There has also been a shift in the type and selectivity of institutions taking up the banner: 46 percent of top-tier liberal arts colleges, and a good number of large research universities, no longer require the tests. Temple, Montclair State, Brandeis, Wesleyan and George Washington University as well as Bryn Mawr and Ithaca College are just a few that have opened up their admissions processes since 2013. The appeal is twofold. Dropping the SAT/ACT requirement typically increases applications — an additional 250 on average, according to a 2014 study at the University of Georgia.

www.insidehighered.com
Student Debt, Rising Again
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/10/27/average-student-debt-rose-2014-and-grew-more-half-over-decade?utm_source=Inside+Higher+Ed&utm_campaign=7377b430ba-DNU201510028&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1fcbc04421-7377b430ba-197515277
By Doug Lederman
Students who took out student loans and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 2014 had an average debt load of $28,950, up 2 percent from the year before and 56 percent more than their peers from 10 years earlier, the Institute for College Access and Success says in a report released today. The 10th annual report from the institute, which is based on data reported by more than 1,000 individual colleges and universities representing more than three-quarters of all bachelor’s degree recipients, finds that 69 percent of those graduates in 2014 took out loans to help finance their studies. Their average debt of $28,950 was up from $28,400 for the class of 2013.

www.insidehighered.com
Obama’s Income-Based Repayment Expansion Finalized
https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2015/10/28/obamas-income-based-repayment-expansion-finalized?utm_source=Inside+Higher+Ed&utm_campaign=7377b430ba-DNU201510028&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1fcbc04421-7377b430ba-197515277
The U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday finalized the regulations carrying out President Obama’s expansion of the government’s most generous income-based repayment program to more federal student loan borrowers. Starting this December, all federal direct loan borrowers will be able to cap their monthly payments at 10 percent of their discretionary income and have any remaining undergraduate debt forgiven after 20 years of making payments. Borrowers with loans from graduate school would have to make payments for 25 years.

www.insidehighered.com
Debit Card Rules Finalized
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/10/28/obama-administration-finalizes-new-restrictions-campus-debit-cards-and-other?utm_source=Inside+Higher+Ed&utm_campaign=7377b430ba-DNU201510028&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1fcbc04421-7377b430ba-197515277
By Michael Stratford
The Obama administration on Tuesday completed its long-awaited crackdown on companies that offer debit cards and other financial products on college campuses, finalizing federal rules that ban certain fees, impose new marketing restrictions and require more public disclosures. The new regulations, most of which take effect next July, will affect how millions of students at thousands of colleges and universities gain access to their federal financial aid. The rules also require colleges for the first time to publicly disclose the agreements they have with financial institutions to market products on campus that are often branded with a university’s logo or mascot.