University System News:
www.myajc.com
Regents approve rules for student-conduct cases
http://www.myajc.com/news/news/local-education/regents-approve-rules-for-student-conduct-cases/nqhBH/
By Janel Davis – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The state’s Board of Regents approved uniform policies Wednesday outlining how Georgia’s public colleges and universities will handle sexual violence and other student-conduct violations. The new rules, which take effect July 1, provide guidelines for how investigations will be handled, the training required for investigators and other campus officials involved in adjudicating the cases, and protections for students who are either victims or accused of violations.
www.albanyherald.com
Georgia Regents OK mission statement for new Albany State University
Officials say this is the first step in moving the consolidation process forward
http://www.albanyherald.com/news/local/colleges_universities/georgia-regents-ok-mission-statement-for-new-albany-state-university/article_76a083cd-3625-510a-b51c-25ff4f9ab9b7.html
By Staff Reports
ATLANTA — The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia on Wednesday unanimously approved the mission statement for the new Albany State University. According to a joint statement released by ASU President Art Dunning and Darton State College Interim President Richard Carvajal, “the Consolidation Implementation Committee (CIC) worked hard to ensure that the mission is inclusive, clear, and raised the bar for the new institution. The mission statement is the first, and most important task to complete, and it forms the basis for the new world-class university we will build together.” A new mission statement for the combined institutions is consistent with the USG’s other consolidations and is regarded as the initial step in moving the process forward.
www.savannahnow.com
ASU to name health school for regent
http://savannahnow.com/news/2016-03-10/asu-name-health-school-regent
By WALTER C. JONES
ATLANTA — Armstrong State University won permission Wednesday to name its College of Health Professions for a longtime benefactor who happens to be on the Board of Regents. Don Waters earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1975, and his wife, Cindy, earned bachelor of business administration the next year. They are among seven family members that have attended the school. As their careers have flourished, the duo has become major supporters of the university. For 20 years, he has been the president of Brasseler USA, an international maker of dental and surgical instruments. Gov. Nathan Deal appointed him to the regents in 2013.
www.northwestgeorgianews.com
GHC gets approval for more bachelor’s degree programs
http://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/rome/news/education/ghc-gets-approval-for-more-bachelor-s-degree-programs/article_26d92d02-e635-11e5-95a4-7bc736038f52.html
The University System of Georgia Board of Regents approved Georgia Highlands College to start offering a Bachelor of Business Administration with a Major in Healthcare Management and a Bachelor of Business Administration with a Major in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. These new degrees will be available Fall 2017, pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. GHC Vice President for Academic Affairs Renva Watterson explained that she and GHC President Don Green commissioned a taskforce in 2014 to find new degree options that would meet the economic needs of GHC’s service area.
www.albanyceo.com
Georgia Power Philanthropic Efforts Reach $17M in 2015
http://albanyceo.com/news/2016/03/georgia-power-reaches-new-citizenship-milestones-2015/
Staff Report From Georgia CEO
Georgia Power continues its longstanding commitment to give back to the communities it serves, announcing today that the company and the non-profit Georgia Power Foundation together invested more than $17 million in communities and non-profit organizations across the state in 2015. In addition, 6,000 employees and retirees completed more than 160,000 volunteer hours – an all-time record for the company. $5.8 million for Education initiatives such as the Ron Clark Academy, University System of Georgia Foundation, Inc. and Berry College, Inc. This includes company matched employee donations to 86 institutions of higher education.
www.savannahnow.com
Editorial: Guns on campus: Shoot down reckless gun bill
http://savannahnow.com/opinion/2016-03-09/guns-campus-shoot-down-reckless-gun-bill?utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=Daily%20Newsletter&utm_campaign=SMN%20Morning%20Headlines#
State lawmakers should oppose a measure that would make Georgia’s college campuses more dangerous. On Monday, the state House approved a bill, HB 859, which would allow anyone over 21 with a weapons license to carry a concealed gun on public college campuses in Georgia, except in dormitories, Greek houses and at athletic events. The only firearms permitted on campus now are those that are secured inside private vehicles. That same day, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the bill, clearing the way for a floor vote on the Senate later this week. If that vote comes up, we encourage Chatham County’s two senators, Democrat Lester Jackson and Republican Ben Watson, to vote “no.”
www.ajc.com
Georgia Tech student leaders: Keep guns off campus
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local-education/georgia-tech-student-leaders-keep-guns-off-campus/nqhP4/
Maureen Downey, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As the state Senate prepares to take a vote on the campus carry bill, the presidents of the undergraduate and graduate student bodies at Georgia Tech have a message: Keep Tech gun free. In a MyAJC.com column today, the two student leaders urge lawmakers to vote “no” on House Bill 859, the campus carry bill, writing, “We hope they will be able to weigh the real day-to-day fear of our students against the generalities of Second Amendment rights advocated by others. We hope they will speak up for us.”
www.getschooled.blog.myajc.com
Get Schooled with Maureen Downey
Georgia Tech student leaders: We don’t want guns on our campus
http://getschooled.blog.myajc.com/2016/03/09/georgia-tech-student-leaders-we-dont-want-guns-on-our-campus/
The campus carry bill advancing through the Georgia Legislature has the backing of the gun lobby, the governor, the House and likely the Senate. Does it have the support of Georgia students? In this essay, student leaders at Georgia Tech say “no.” The authors are Jen Abrams, Student Government Association, Undergraduate President, and Marc Canellas, Student Government Association, Graduate President. To update where House bill 859 — campus carry — now stands: The state Senate is expected to vote on the bill soon. The Senate Judiciary Committee, after holding a three-hour hearing last week, took no public testimony Monday before a party-line 5-3 vote.
www.gareport.com
Regents revise procedures in student misconduct cases
http://gareport.com/story/2016/03/09/regents-revise-procedures-in-student-misconduct-cases/
By TOM CRAWFORD
The Board of Regents unanimously adopted a revised set of procedures Wednesday that they say will “provide more consistent and clearer practices” for the handling of student misconduct and sexual assault accusations at Georgia’s public colleges. “We are committed to providing safe and welcoming campuses for all of our students,” Chancellor Hank Huckaby said. “Our goal is simple, yet critically important to our campus communities – to provide more consistent and clearer systemwide practices to ensure fairness for all of our students.” The new policy was adopted after an influential legislator, Rep. Earl Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs), complained loudly and often about the dispensation of several disciplinary cases involving Georgia Tech students and a fraternity.
www.ajc.com
Immigrants without legal status file suit over Georgia’s tuition policy
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local-education/immigrants-without-legal-status-file-suit-over-geo/nqg6k/
Janel Davis and Jeremy Redmon, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A pair of Perimeter College students and a local immigrant rights group on Wednesday filed suit in federal court, reigniting the legal battle over whether people without legal status should be allowed to pay substantially lower in-state college tuition in Georgia. Lorena Guillen, Karla Lopez and the Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights are alleging the Georgia Board of Regents’ policy violates the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution and is preempted by federal law. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and a local law firm — Horsley Begnaud — are also involved in the case.
See also:
www.accesswdun.com
Denial of in-state tuition for certain immigrants challenged
http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/3/376167/denial-of-in-state-tuition-for-certain-immigrants-challenged
www.effinghamherald.net
Savannah Tech to join Georgia Film Academy
http://www.effinghamherald.net/section/6/article/33861/
Staff report
SAVANNAH—Savannah Technical College will join the Georgia Film Academy, as one of four locations in the state partnering with the Academy to develop a skilled workforce for the growing film industry. “We have been listening and engaging with film industry professionals throughout the region to determine the best fit for our instructional offerings,” said STC President Dr. Kathy S. Love. “Our commitment to students and to industry partners is to prepare students for careers with jobs that exist in our local economy, and we believe film production training with the Georgia Film Academy is an excellent complement to our hands-on learning tradition.”
USG Institutions:
www.ajc.com
State lawmaker, Georgia Tech president back on good terms
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local-education/state-lawmaker-georgia-tech-president-back-on-good/nqg9P/
Janel Davis, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A state lawmaker who had been critical of the way Georgia Tech handled student misconduct cases says he and the school’s president are back on good terms. State Rep. Earl Ehrhart said he and Tech president Bud Peterson had a very “cordial and productive” conversation this week about Ehrhart’s criticisms of the institution and new due-process policies being implemented for all schools in the state’s University System, including Georgia Tech.
www.statesboroherald.com
Sam Houston State provost vies for GSU president
Hebert’s visit last by five semifinalists; forum Thursday
http://www.statesboroherald.com/section/1/article/73297/
From staff reports
Dr. Jaimie L. Hebert, provost of Sam Houston State University, visits Georgia Southern University for three days beginning Wednesday, concluding a series of five candidates who have come to Statesboro over the past two weeks as part of the search for the next GSU president. Like the four previous contenders invited to campus by the Presidential Search and Screen Committee, Hebert has been given a busy schedule, including a campus and community tour, meetings and meals with Georgia Southern’s interim President Dr. Jean Bartels, with interim Provost Dr. Diana Cone and the other vice presidents, with student leaders and academic deans. The public’s best opportunity to hear from Hebert will be a 4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Thursday forum in the Carol A. Carter Recital Hall, inside the Foy Building on the Georgia Southern campus.
www.wfxg.com
Darton hosts ‘Move on When Ready’ information night
http://www.wfxg.com/story/31431851/darton-hosts-move-on-when-ready-information-night
By Shannon Wiggins
ALBANY, GA (WALB) – Some South Georgia high school students learned how they can take college courses while still in high school. Darton State College held a ‘Move on When Ready’ Information night for parents and students. Officials said high school sophomores, juniors and seniors can take a variety of courses at no cost and still earn college credit.
Higher Education News:
www.chronicle.com
Berkeley Is Under Fire, Again, for How It Handled Sexual Harassment
http://chronicle.com/article/Berkeley-Is-Under-Fire-Again/235653?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en&elqTrackId=14229121808947e6b361d8a4fde83d0b&elq=e48d344596ef42959c3c88bf35df07ea&elqaid=8194&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=2631
By Robin Wilson
For the second time in the last five months, the University of California at Berkeley is facing charges that it failed to adequately punish an academic, in this case, a law dean, whom it found responsible for sexual harassment. The university announced on Wednesday that the dean — Sujit Choudhry — would leave the post but would retain his faculty position at the law school. Last summer the university found Mr. Choudhry responsible for sexually harassing his executive assistant. It docked his pay by 10 percent, required him to attend counseling, and ordered him to write a letter of apology to her. But then, that changed.
www.diverseeducation.com
ACE Survey: Policy Change not Widely Enacted to Address Campus Racial Issues
http://diverseeducation.com/article/82222/?utm_campaign=Diverse%20Newsletter%203&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&elqTrackId=bc78126ffb194e7896c1a34d8da06651&elq=7c9808b07e554f26a4e6563bb7aea123&elqaid=88&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=771
by Jamaal Abdul-Alim
Roughly half of all college and university presidents say racial climate on campus is a “higher priority than it was just three years ago,” according to a new American Council on Education survey being released today. The finding is hardly a revelatory one given the social unrest that hit campuses nationwide last fall, most notably with the student-led protest against racism that ultimately led to the resignation of University of Missouri System president Tim Wolfe, whose resignation came after Black football players at Mizzou threw their support behind the cause and threatened to stop practicing and playing until Wolfe was gone. Be that as it may, the survey—titled “Racial Climate on Campus: A Survey of College Presidents” and conducted by ACE’s Center for Policy Research and Strategy—serves as a reminder of the fact that student-led efforts to root out racism and increase diversity on campus are likely to confront American college and university presidents for some time to come.
www.diverseeducation.com
CUPA Survey Shows Higher Ed Administrators’ Pay Increases
http://diverseeducation.com/article/82161/?utm_campaign=Diverse%20Newsletter%203&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&elqTrackId=ba9a8019c7b645a8b45e9a8e7ea373df&elq=f7efa33f1acd4f2c889eb472c83c5405&elqaid=88&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=771
Diverse Staff
The overall median base salary for individuals in higher education increased by 2.1 percent last year among the 92 percent of the institutions who participated in both the 2014-15 and the recently released 2015-16 Administrators in Higher Education Salary Survey. The College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR), which conducted the survey for the 49th year, received responses from 1,180 U.S. colleges and universities. The data is the result of compilation of the salaries of 53,981 administrators in 190 senior-level administrative positions.
www.chronicle.com
New Federal Rule Will Avert Deportation for Thousands of Students
http://chronicle.com/blogs/ticker/new-federal-rule-will-avert-deportation-for-thousands-of-students/109363?elqTrackId=b7384ab8c68f4f3eaa5361b9d2fbd216&elq=e48d344596ef42959c3c88bf35df07ea&elqaid=8194&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=2631
by Karin Fischer
Foreign students in science and technology will be able to extend their stay in the United States, under a new rule to be published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security this week. The regulation will be welcome relief to some 34,000 students — as well as to colleges and employers — who could have been forced to leave the country this spring because of a legal challenge to a program, Optional Practical Training, that allows them to work in the United States after graduation. All international students are permitted to work in the United States for 12 months, but a group of American workers challenged an extension of the program for graduates in select science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, arguing that the modification, put in place under President George W. Bush, had never gone through the official rule-making process. A federal judge agreed and last summer ordered the Obama administration to put a formal rule in place. She later gave the Homeland Security Department extra time to draft the regulation after the agency was swamped with more than 50,000 public comments.