University System News:
www.bizjournals.com
Georgia Board of Regents set to consider significant business-related initiatives
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2016/08/07/georgia-board-of-regents-set-to-consider.html
David Allison
Editor, Atlanta Business Chronicle
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia is scheduled to consider a number of significant business-related initiatives at its meeting on Aug. 10. The Regents will vote on requests by a several state universities to create new business-related programs. These include a master of science with a major in information security management at Augusta University, a master of science/doctor of philosophy with a major in translational biomedical aciences at Georgia State University, and a bachelor of business administration with a major in entrepreneurship at Kennesaw State University. …In addition to these new business programs and others, the Regents on Aug. 10 will vote on a proposal to establish the John F. Brock III School Chair at Georgia Tech. Brock is CEO of the newly formed Coca-Cola European Partners. The chair will be in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering within the College of Engineering and aims to attract and retain eminent teacher-scholars to a senior position of academic leadership. …The Regents are also scheduled to vote Aug. 10 on a number of real estate transactions. Among these is a project related to the new Cell Manufacturing Facility at Georgia Tech, which is expected to be the first of its kind in the United States. The project involves the build-out of clean room space in the Marcus Nanotechnology Building with a total project budget of $4 million to be funded from $3.5 million in grant funds from the Marcus Foundation and $500,000 in institution funds.
Ratings from James Magazine
Ratings are based on a review of national and regional rankings, plus consultations with education and business leaders around the state. Criteria include admissions standards such as standardized test scores, career-placement after graduation, and more.
Top Overall
1 University of Georgia
2 Georgia Institute of Technology
3 Emory University
4 Georgia State University
5 Augusta University
6 Mercer University
7 Clark Atlanta University
8 Kennesaw State University
9 Georgia Southern University
10 University of North Georgia
Top Regional
1 Covenant College
2 Agnes Scott College
3 Morehouse College
4 Young Harris College
5 Berry College
6 Brenau University
7 Spelman College
8 LaGrange College
9 Emmanuel College
10 Clayton State University
How the Nation Views Us
1 Georgia Institute of Technology
2 Emory University
3 University of Georgia
4 Mercer University
5 Georgia State University
Best Value
1 Clayton State University
2 Valdosta State University
3 Armstrong Atlantic State University
4 Columbus State University
5 University of West Georgia
USG Institutions:
www.getschooled.blog.myajc.com
Get Schooled with Maureen Downey
University of Georgia welcomes its most academically qualified freshman class ever
The University of Georgia welcomes a new freshman class this week. Here is what UGA had to say about the students: In addition to being the first class at the University of Georgia to benefit fully from the university’s experiential learning initiative, the more than 5,400 students who will begin classes next week are the institution’s most academically gifted to date. The average high school grade point average of first-year students at the nation’s first state-chartered university is 3.98, which greatly exceeds last year’s average of 3.91. In addition, the average SAT score for the incoming class reached a new high of 1302 this year. The average score for students who took the ACT was 29, which ties last year’s record. In 2011, for comparison, the average SAT score for incoming students was 1226, and the average ACT score was 28. The rigor of students’ high school curriculum remains a key factor in admissions decisions, and members of the Class of 2020 enrolled in an average of seven College Board Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in high school. Nearly 23,000 students applied for admission into the Class of 2020, an increase of 3 percent over the previous year. UGA attempted to meet this unprecedented demand through a measured increase in the size of the freshman class, which was nearly 5,300 last year. UGA’s acceptance rate for fall 2016 was 53 percent, compared to 63 percent in 2011. “I am excited about the outstanding qualifications and broad diversity of backgrounds represented in this year’s incoming class,” said President Jere W. Morehead.
www.bizjournals.com
Brainy Bulldogs: Guess the average GPA and SAT scores of this year’s UGA incoming class?
David Allison
Editor, Atlanta Business Chronicle
The more than 5,400 students who will begin classes next week at The University of Georgia are the institution’s most academically gifted to date. UGA reported Aug. 8 that the average high school grade point average of first-year students is 3.98, which greatly exceeds last year’s average of 3.91. In addition, the average SAT score for the incoming class reached a new high of 1302 this year. The average score for students who took the ACT was 29, which ties last year’s record. In 2011, for comparison, the average SAT score for incoming students was 1226, and the average ACT score was 28, UGA said.
www.valdostadailytimes.com
Students first at VSU
Retention, graduation lagging
By Jennifer Dandron
With retention and graduation rates below the state average, Valdosta State University’s convocation focused on creating an atmosphere of success for its students. “Student success is a shared responsibility,” said Dr. Kelli Brown, interim president. “Each and everyone of us must be committed to the success of our students. All of us must know that our first job is the success of our students … I am asking we become much more aware of our students and the behaviors that may be signaling failure on time … We need to be intentional and strategic with how we identify and assist those who are struggling.” VSU has a first year retention rate of 69.7 percent compared to the state average of 79.1 percent, a four-year graduation rate of 15.5 percent compared to the state average of 17.9 percent and a six-year graduation rate of 35.9 percent compared to the state average of 49.7 percent. The numbers mean only 1,038 of the 1,487 new freshman will return for a sophomore year and only 230 of those students will graduate in four years. Members of VSU’s faculty and staff said they are working to combat those numbers through different initiatives, such as the newly opened Solutions Center — a call center that streamlines common questions fielded by the Welcome Center, Admissions Office and IT, according to the interim president.
www.ajc.com
Kennesaw State opens first-of-its-kind housing for homeless students
Janel Davis, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When fall classes begin later this month, Kennesaw State University will open with a new housing option to help homeless students attending the college. The school is opening an on-campus suite for emergency housing for these students and those at risk of homelessness. The one-bedroom apartment, mixed in with KSU’s existing University Village student residences, is designed as temporary housing for up to 14 days while school officials find permanent residences for students. “Across the state and country there aren’t many options for homeless college students. The sacrifices and risks they are taking just to go to college are hard,” said Marcy Stidum, coordinator of KSU’s Campus Awareness, Resource & Empowerment center that helps homeless students.
www.ajc.com
Georgia Tech AD Bobinski leaving for Purdue
http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/college/georgia-tech-ad-bobinski-leaving-purdue/nsCdL/
Ken Sugiura, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Tech athletic director Mike Bobinski will be named to the same position at Purdue, school president G.P. “Bud” Peterson confirmed Tuesday morning. “While I regret that Mike is leaving us, I appreciate his tremendous efforts the last three years to forge a unified, strategic direction for the Georgia Tech Athletic Association and to energize our coaches, student-athletes and fans,” Peterson said in a statement. “He has led with integrity, and we wish him the best.” The release said that Bobinski will begin at Purdue later in August and that a search committee will be named to find his successor. For the search that produced Bobinski, Peterson convened a search committee that was led by Tech graduate and prominent donor Steve Zelnak. …Bobinski was hired as Tech’s athletic director in Jan. 2013, replacing Dan Radakovich. Perhaps the most notable event of his tenure was his decision to fire basketball coach Brian Gregory and hire coach Josh Pastner in April and May of this year. He also oversaw the compilation of a strategic plan for the athletic department, a guiding document with a mission statement and objectives that was completed in June.
www.myajc.com
Mike Bobinski won’t be leaving Georgia Tech in great shape (update)
By Jeff Schultz
(Updated below with email sent to Georgia Tech athletics staff.)
Georgia Tech athletics director Mike Bobinski is leaving the school to take the same position at Purdue, as first reported by our Ken Sugiura. Sometimes when a top administrator, general manager or coach leaves a program or team, the first response is, “How will they survive this?” but I’m fairly certain that won’t be the case here. I never had any personal problems with Bobinski (OK, maybe a “spirited” interview or two centering on his relationship with football coach Paul Johnson.) But those who worked for him didn’t view him as either affable or engaging as his predecessor, Dan Radakovich. Georgia Tech athletics has gone through quite a bit of turnover of late, whether due to the struggling economics in the department or the relatively detached management style of Bobinski and/or the administrators he hired. Tech coach Paul Johnson told Sugiura that the Jackets were “way behind” in terms of quality of facilities and staff. “If you look at the other schools, we’re probably behind in most every aspect, from facilities to staff to salaries to whatever.” We may never know if Bobinski knew or cared about what some at Tech thought of him or the situation, or if this was simply a case of him wanting to return to the Midwest. He went to school at Notre Dame and was an athletic director at Akron and Xavier before being hired at Tech in 2013 when Radakovich left for Clemson.
www.bizjournals.com
GRU signs coming down
http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/education/2016-08-08/gru-signs-coming-down?v=1470708247#
By Doug Stutsman
Staff Writer
One of the final memories of Georgia Regents University was removed Monday from its Summerville campus. Carl Cody, an employee at Mahoney Stucco, took down the GRU lettering at the corner of Walton Way and Fleming Avenue. New Augusta University signage is scheduled to be put up within the next two weeks. The other GRU signage near Katherine Street and the four-way stop near McDowell Street have also been removed. “We’re getting it all down,” Vance Mahoney said of the front entrance. According to Vance, his brother Norman Mahoney is in the process of acquiring the metal and plastic lettering to redo the main entrance. …In mid-June, the illuminated GRU sign on the Annex 1 building was the first to be changed to Augusta University’s new logo in what an official said was a test case for how the other large, illuminated signs on campus would be replaced. Changing out the three signs on the Annex I building took about a week and cost about $65,000.
The cost of changing the signage at the front of the Summerville campus was not immediately available.
www.bizjournals.com
GSU researcher gets $1.8 million to study gut bacteria’s link to obesity
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2016/08/08/gsu-researcher-gets-1-8-million-to-study-gut.html
Ellie Hensley
Staff Writer, Atlanta Business Chronicle
The National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases gave Georgia State University researcher Andrew Gewirtz $1.8 million to study how changes in intestinal bacteria can lead to obesity and metabolic syndrome. Gerwitz’ project has three goals: to test whether previous findings from mice studies apply to human metabolic syndrome, understand how an altered microbiota promotes inflammation and how to protect the liver against this low-grade inflammation and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and to examine how dietary fiber can affect gut bacteria and protect against obesity. The second and third aims will be tested in mice. …Gewirtz will collaborate with Emory University’s Shanti Srinivasan for the portion of the project involving human subjects.
www.greencarcongress.com
Vanderbilt, Nissan and Georgia Tech partner on new low PGM electrospun nanofiber catalysts for improved automotive fuel cells
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2016/08/20160809-vanderbilt.html
Vanderbilt University, Nissan North America and Georgia Institute of Technology are collaborating to test a new technique to electospin low-platinum-metal-group (low PGM) electrocatalysts with a proton-conducting binder to improve durability and performance of fuel cell electrodes. The project is one of four awarded a combined $13 million by the Department of Energy program to advance fuel cell performance and durability and hydrogen storage technologies announced last month. … =Meanwhile at Georgia Tech, biomedical engineering professor Younan Xia has developed a method for carefully controlling the shape of nanoparticle catalyst for fuel cells. In particular, he has produced platinum-nickel nanoparticles with a regular octagonal shape.
www.wgxa.tv
Lead levels down in water at MGSU Cochran campus
http://wgxa.tv/news/local/lead-levels-down-in-water-at-mga-cochran-campus
BY JALYNN CARTER
COCHRAN, Ga. — Middle Georgia State University’s Cochran campus has its own well for a waters source. Each year, facilities are tested to ensure their water supply is safe to drink. Lead levels are evaluated during the test. Last year, MGA Cochran had 20 buildings tested and received an average lead level score of 16 parts per billion. The state allowed amount is 15. The school provided free water bottles to students who had concerns of the drinking water available. To help the problem, administrators implemented a phosphate in the water filters to help reduce the amount of lead contaminating the waters through the pipes. In June, the school’s water was tested again by the state. Tyler Warren, Interim Multi-Campus Director, explained multiple buildings returned a lead level reading of 0.
Higher Education News:
www.insidehighered.com
Stress and Student Success
We in higher education now serve more students with more stress than ever before, yet we have done little to learn about the strategies to help them better manage it, argues Karen Costa.
By Karen Costa
I’ve spent a decade teaching college success strategies to mostly nontraditional first-year students. At times, I would stare at my course roster, hoping that an answer to the success riddle would appear. “Why do you leave?” I’d ask. “What else can I do to help you?” While I use countless teaching strategies in my courses, I’ve been tracking something even more fundamental: a unified field theory for student success in higher education. An insight from John Medina’s Brain Rules was a bread crumb on this search — one that has led me to conclude that stress is the underlying reason for the majority of student withdrawal: “Stressed brains don’t learn the same way,” Medina argues. In addition to the numerous physical consequences of stress (heart attack, stroke, poor immune response, etc.), chronic stress also negatively impacts student learning. Years of anecdotal educational experiences flashed before me when I first read this rule: a parade of students’ faces, at once ambitious and discouraged. I would argue that higher education is now serving more students with more stress than at any prior point in history, yet we have done little to educate ourselves about the strategies that brain science knows can help students better manage their stress, induce relaxation and consequently improve their learning experiences. As students despair and ultimately withdraw, we are sitting, unknowingly, on a silver bullet.
www.diverseeducation.com
Diverse Conversations: Is the Federal Government Behind the Rising Cost of Higher Education?
by Matthew Lynch
If it seems like college is more expensive than ever before — and with less return on investment than in previous generations — it’s not your imagination. Consider this: today, a degree is a requirement for more entry-level jobs than before. This will be even truer in the future. In fact, according to the Committee for Economic Development, in 1965, just 11 percent of jobs required postsecondary training, but by 2020, 65 percent of U.S. jobs will require postsecondary training. The problem is that those degrees are much more expensive than the degrees of 10 or 20 years ago. This is even after taking inflation into account. What’s happening? Are colleges inherently worth that much more than they have been in the past? While it’s true that the demand is higher, the truth is that there are many factors driving the costs of higher education in America. Here, you’ll see some of what’s going on behind the scenes. You will find out exactly what’s leading more students (and their parents) to take on hefty loans for a chance at success in life.
www.insidehighered.com
Digital, Verified and Less Open
More colleges are issuing digital badges to help their students display skills to employers or graduate programs, and colleges are tapping vendor platforms to create a verified form of the alternative credentials.
By Paul Fain
Digital badges aren’t replacing the bachelor’s degree any time soon. But a growing number of colleges are working with vendors to use badges as an add-on to degrees, to help students display skills and accomplishments that transcripts fail to capture. Illinois State University is an early adopter. Students in the university’s honors program have earned roughly 7,400 digital badges as part of the experiment, which just began at full scale last year. The university brought in Credly, a badging platform provider, for the project. Administrators at Illinois State said the badges serve as a form of verified “three-dimensional transcript,” which augments the traditional degree. “It’s a way for them to organize all of their experiences, all of the skill sets they learn,” said Rocio Rivadeneyra, the honors program’s interim director. Students control which badges are public, and the credentials are aimed at helping students position themselves with potential employers or graduate programs, said Amy Oberts, the honors program’s associate director, who helped create the badging project.
www.chronicle.com
What $500 Tuition Could Mean for 3 UNC Campuses
By Sarah Brown
Three campus leaders in the University of North Carolina system have been charged by lawmakers with carrying out a college-affordability experiment that has drawn both praise and criticism for its ambition: $500 tuition per semester for in-state students. At a time when the average published cost of in-state tuition and fees at four-year public colleges nationwide is nearing $10,000 annually, many see the measure, dubbed “NC Promise,” as a bold move. Others support the legislation’s stated purpose — keeping a lid on college costs and student debt — but remain skeptical that the legislature has the best interests of the university system at heart. In recent years, UNC leaders have clashed at times with conservative lawmakers keen on shaking up public higher education. In May, Tom Apodaca, a Republican state senator who retired last month, introduced the bill. Initially it would have lowered tuition to $500 at five UNC campuses. That draft stirred widespread concern because it seemed to single out minority-serving institutions and included no language about additional state money to make up for lost tuition revenue. The loss of tens of millions of dollars could have led to financial turmoil at several universities that were already strapped for cash.
www.insidehighered.com
How Much Does Higher Ed Spend on IT?
By Joshua Kim
Do you know what percentage of your institutions budget goes for central IT spending? My guess is that very few of us on campus can reel off this figure. How might we enlarge discussions of academic IT spending outside of campus technology professionals? What steps can we take so that more of us in higher ed have a common understanding of technology spending, and indeed total institutional spending, so that we can have conversations about appropriately investing our ever scarcer resources? What resources can you point us towards that put academic IT spending in context to other types of higher ed budget allocations? The EDUCAUSE Core Data Service (CDS) is an invaluable resource in understanding levels and trends in higher ed IT spending. According to the latest CDS Benchmarking report (2015), an average of 4.2 percent of institutional spending goes to IT (averaged across all institution types).
www.insidehighered.com
Research Universities’ Advice for Clinton, Trump
The Association of American Universities has released a series of recommendations for Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in the presidential campaign. Among the recommendations: sustained 4 percent annual real growth in support for key research agencies, restoration of summer Pell Grants, comprehensive immigration reform and elimination of some regulations that govern higher education and research.