University System News:
www.macon.com
Georgia College education programs land national rankings
http://www.macon.com/news/local/education/article99500967.html
BY JEREMY TIMMERMAN
Georgia College’s education programs picked up some honors recently. The college’s early childhood education and special education degree programs were ranked in the top 20 nationally by the website www.teacher.org, which uses the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System for its data. The early childhood program was ranked fourth in the country out of 425 programs evaluated, according to a news release. Also ranking in the top 20 on the list were the University of North Georgia at 12th, Valdosta State at 15th and Armstrong State at 17th.
www.tiftongazette.com
UGA Tifton records highest enrollment ever
By Kyle Dawson
TIFTON — The University of Georgia Tifton Campus recorded its highest enrollment ever this fall semester with 82 students, said Jason Peake, director of academic programs at UGA Tifton. “Increased enrollment is not our primary goal for UGA Tifton, but it is rewarding to see. Growth in student enrollment is a reflection of the quality that UGA Tifton brings to south Georgia; students want the prestige and recognition that comes from earning a UGA degree. I anticipate that our enrollment will continue to grow as we increase opportunities for rural south Georgia.” Small class sizes are a major benefit for students at the Tifton Campus, part of UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Students receive one-on-one training from their professors that they might not have the chance to experience at other schools. Though students are not located in Athens, they still receive the same UGA rigor and education in Tifton. They also get to experience the “student life” aspect of being at UGA.
www.thepostsearchlight.com
Bainbridge State College sees third consecutive enrollment increase
By Susanne Reynolds
Special to The Post-Searchlight
Classes are back in full swing at Bainbridge State College and this year there have been more students walking beneath the Georgia Pines and Live Oaks on campus. The increase BSC has seen this fall is the rounding out of three consecutive increases in enrollment. There was a 6.3 percent increase in enrollment from spring 2015 to spring 2016. Summer of 2016 saw a 13.6 increase over summer of 2015—and current numbers show a 4 percent increase from fall 2015 to fall 2016. A total of 2,490 students are taking classes this fall at Bainbridge State College—and the institution is striving to meet each student’s need for a quality education not far from home. “We are excited about the increase in enrollment,” said Dr. Stuart Rayfield, BSC Interim President. “These increases demonstrate that we are working hard to meet the workforce demands of our region.” Bainbridge State hopes students will chose to attend their “hometown” college by offering courses that are directly related to the job market of southwest Georgia, northwest Florida and southeast Alabama.
www.myajc.com
Immigrants without legal status sue for access to Georgia universities
By Janel Davis and Jeremy Redmon
Three Georgians who have received a special reprieve from deportation are suing the University System of Georgia over its policy of barring them from attending five of the state’s top universities. Filed Friday, their federal lawsuit says Georgia’s 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 — filed the case. “The defendants’ policy excludes some of Georgia’s best and brightest students from its top schools,” Burth López, a MALDEF staff attorney, said in a prepared statement. “Not only is the policy contrary to the very fairness embedded in our constitutional system, but it ultimately hurts Georgia by diminishing the overall quality of its classrooms.” A spokesman for the university system declined to comment.
www.albanyherald.com
Albany State University’s Art Dunning, Fort Valley State’s Paul Jones presidential investitures set
Dunning’s ceremony to take place Sept. 30; Jones’ set for Oct. 7
By Terry Lewis
ALBANY — Albany State University President Art Dunning and Fort Valley State University President Paul Jones will be formally ushered into their respective offices during presidential investiture ceremonies in September and October. Dunning, who came to Albany State as interim president 2013, will don the trappings of the office on Sept. 30 at 2 p.m. at the Albany Municipal Auditorium. Jones, who spent two years as interim President at Darton State College, will have his investiture at 11 a.m. on Oct. 7 at Fort Valley. Dunning had the “interim” removed from his title earlier this year. …As interim president of Darton, Jones focused on improving the administrative functions of the college by creating an enrollment management division, legal affairs and internal audit departments, restructuring academic divisions into three schools and resolving some audit, accreditation and fiscal challenges. During his interim presidency, Darton expanded its online degree offerings by adding four new baccalaureate degrees. He also established new articulation agreements with Albany State University, which allow Darton State College students to seamlessly earn a bachelor’s degree.
www.ledger-enquirer.com
Columbus State economics faculty earns high ranking
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/education/article99528737.html
BY MARK RICE
Columbus State University’s economics faculty in the D. Abbott Turner College of Business ranks among the most prolific researchers at regional institutions, according to a new study. CSU is ranked No. 6 out of more than 200 Southern colleges and universities classified as regional by U.S. News & World Report. …CSU is ranked highest in Georgia, followed by No. 10 Augusta University, No. 15 Kennesaw State University and No. 17 University of West Georgia in the top 30.
www.globaltlanta.com
More than 1,000 GSU Students Participated in Study Abroad Programs During the 2015-16 Academic Year
PHIL BOLTON
Georgia State University had the greatest number in its history of students participating in its study abroad program during the 2015-16 academic year with 1,010 participants. According to a news release celebrating the one year anniversary of the university’s International Center, Georgia State awarded this academic year $915,000 in study abroad scholarships. Georgia State President Mark Becker had to leave his offices in Dahlburg Hall on Courtland Street last year to make way for the university’s International Center, which was honored by Gov. Nathan Deal with the 2015 International Education Program of the Year award. But he didn’t seem to mind since attracting more international students and generally raising a global consciousness on campus is a prime facet of the university’s strategic plan. Also, he was able to move into a new office in Centennial Hall on Auburn Avenue, the university’s new administration and event facility.
www.globaltlanta.com
UGA Study-Abroad Students Arrive in Oxford at a Historic Moment in U.K.-EU Relations
PHIL BOLTON
The 96 undergraduate and six graduate students from the University of Georgia arriving on June 26 in Oxford, England, for their study-abroad experience three days following the dramatic “Brexit” vote, came at a time of extreme political and economic bewilderment throughout the United Kingdom and Europe more generally. While their predecessors may have looked forward to student life in one of Europe’s academic centers soaking up the many cultural and educational resources, the current batch’s attention is more likely to be on current affairs and the profound realignment of U.K.-European Union relations. “We are all stunned,” was James McClung’s immediate reaction following the results of the referendum that cast the U.K. out of the EU by a narrow margin. …The students will have a front row seat on the fallout from what can only be regarded as a historic moment.
www.myajc.com
Megabus offering free rides around Georgia State and Georgia Tech
By Helena Oliviero – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Megabus is offering free rides now through October around Georgia State University and Georgia Tech University campuses. Megabus, a discount bus service known for its double-decker buses, curbside stops and fares that start at $1, will be offering a free shuttle service — not an actual “bus” — but instead 6-person open air vehicles at popular spots at the two Atlanta universities. Coined “Gotcha RIDE,” the shuttle service is a“hop on and ride” situation. The drivers will stop at high traffic areas including dorms, student centers, and Greek houses, but they will also stop when a student flags them down and give them a ride anywhere around campus.
www.food-management.com
7 Ways Georgia Tech Reduces Waste
http://food-management.com/build-better-operation/7-ways-georgia-tech-reduces-waste
Non-commercial foodservice operators spend lots of time anticipating and analyzing food and dining trends. They consider whether the “next best thing” has a place in their operation and if so, where and how does it best fit? Many trends find their way to operations in all segments of noncommercial foodservice—especially colleges. Food trucks, small plates, sustainability, freshness and local cuisine have all changed the landscape for the better. But each has had a measurable effect on the back of house. As the industry continues to evolve, and new trends replace old trends, it’s critical to not only consider the impact on back of house efficiencies, but also to plan for and leverage strategies and equipment in ways that will reduce waste and improve operations. Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta offers a perfect example of an operation that leverages waste management initiatives for a front of house impact. As an almost $30 million operation run by Sodexo, serving nearly 4,600 students on a meal plan, the school provides a distinctive culinary experience concentrating on fresh, local, and sustainable dining. …Here are seven of the schools most important waste initiatives:
www.onlineathens.com
UGA researchers find compound that can cure tropical disease
By UGA NEWS SERVICE
Researchers at the University of Georgia are working to find the fastest way possible to treat and cure human African trypanosomiasis, long referred to as sleeping sickness. By working to improve chemical entities already tested in human clinical trials, they hope to have a faster route to field studies to treat the disease using drugs that can be taken orally.
Higher Education News:
www.ajc.com
No, college isn’t best for all, but a degree holds many benefits
Maureen Downey, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Americans apparently give a lot of credence to sobering media accounts of student loans bankrupting college graduates and philosophy majors only finding jobs as waiters. Maybe too much credence. Because more people now support career and technical education in high schools than advanced academics. That was among the findings of the last week’s annual Phi Delta Kappa International Poll of the Public’s Attitudes Toward the Public Schools. Only 45 percent of the respondents believe the main goal of public education should be preparing students academically. And 68 percent declared it was better for their public schools to offer more career-technical or skills-based classes than more honors or advanced academic classes. …There’s nothing wrong with career-tech if that’s where a student’s interests lie, but we should not steer kids away from four-year colleges out of a belief degrees lead to a dead end. While a cap and gown may be an ill fit for some students, college graduates still face brighter prospects in everything from how much they earn to how long they live.