University System News:
www.gareport.com
Two universities will now admit undocumented students
http://gareport.com/story/2016/11/21/two-universities-will-now-admit-undocumented-students/
By TOM CRAWFORD
Two of the state’s largest public colleges, Georgia State University and Augusta University, will now admit undocumented students who can’t prove they are legal residents of the U.S. The change was announced by the Board of Regents, who adopted the original policy on the admission of undocumented students in 2010.
www.onlineathens.com
Early applications to UGA reach new high, more than 15,800 early applicants for Class of 2021
By UGA News Service
Students have applied for early action admission to the University of Georgia in unprecedented numbers, and they’ve set records for academic accomplishment. More than 15,800 students from Georgia and across the nation applied for early action admission to America’s first state-chartered university, an increase of 9 percent over the previous year. The average GPA of the 8,000 students admitted to the Class of 2021 through early action admission was 4.14, which exceeds last year’s average of 4.11 and reflects rigorous coursework, such as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes. Students admitted to UGA through early action took an average of nine IB and AP classes, up from eight last year. Their average ACT score tied last year’s record of 31, and their average SAT R score is 1363.
www.bizjournals.com
Georgia Perimeter College graduation rate improves since merger with Georgia State
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2016/11/21/georigia-perimeter-college-graduation-rate.html
Dave Williams
Staff Writer, Atlanta Business Chronicle
Georgia State University is having a good influence on Georgia Perimeter College since the two schools merged at the beginning of this year. Associate degrees at Georgia Perimeter have risen by 5 percentage points since the consolidation, the largest increase in the college’s history. While Georgia Perimeter’s graduation rate still is only 11.9 percent, that’s up from just 6.5 percent two years ago. “We still have a long way to go but these gains will only grow exponentially,” said Tim Renick, vice president for enrollment management and student success. “We will continue to look proactively for ways to bring our student-success programs to all students.”
www.mdjonline.com
Kennesaw State among safest campuses in country
Mary Kate McGowan
Kennesaw State University’s 61 sworn police officers, working with KSU’s students, staff and faculty members, have created the 27th safest university in the country. CollegeChoice.net gave the university its ranking in the independent online publication’s list of top 50 safest large universities in America, which was released in September. KSU Police Chief Roger Stearns credits the department’s community outreach initiatives for keeping KSU’s 34,000 students safe on two campuses.
www.news.wabe.org
Commentary: Woodruff Grant Changing UGA Students’ Lives
http://news.wabe.org/post/commentary-woodruff-grant-changing-uga-students-lives
By MARIA SAPORTA
The University of Georgia kicked off its largest-ever fundraising campaign Nov. 17 at the Georgia Aquarium. UGA is seeking to raise $1.2 billion by 2020. It has already raised $680 million during the quiet phase of the campaign, including the largest single gift the university has ever received – $30 million from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation. Jere Morehead, the president of the University of Georgia, has a special understanding of students who fight the odds to get a college degree. Morehead was the first generation in his family to go to college – enrolling at Georgia State University when he was only 16 years old. He graduated and entered UGA Law School, earning his law degree when he was only 23. It’s no surprise Morehead has a special commitment to students who are struggling financially to stay in school.
www.fruitgrowersnews.com
$9.4M awarded to pest management research
http://fruitgrowersnews.com/news/9-4m-awarded-pest-management-research/
The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded $9.4 million to support 25 research and outreach projects that will help mitigate pests, weeds and diseases on farms and in communities. The awards are made through NIFA’s Crop Protection and Pest Management Program (CPPM) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. 2016 ARDP recipients include: University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, $324,615
www.accesswdun.com
UNG: Science ed initiative with Hall, Lumpkin schools extended with second grant
By AccessWDUN staff
For the second time in three years, the federal Mathematics and Science Partnership program is backing a partnership between the University of North Georgia and Hall and Lumpkin schools to strengthen student achievement in science, this time providing $126,494 in funding. “The impact that this interdisciplinary team of UNG faculty is having on the science educators — and by extension, the students — in our region is immeasurable,” said Dr. Susan Brandenburg-Ayres, dean of UNG’s College of Education. “Our partnerships with community schools continue to be a hallmark of our college, and this program is elevating that mission to a new level.”
www.northfulton.com
Community breaks ground on Alliance Academy for Innovation
New school serves as college and career academy
http://www.northfulton.com/stories/Community-breaks-ground-on-Alliance-Academy-for-Innovation,99184
Kathleen Sturgeon
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County’s groundbreaking new school, the Alliance Academy for Innovation, officially broke ground Nov. 17. A large group of community leaders gathered to kick off the college and career academy, which is set to open in Aug. 2018. The school is located at 1100 Lanier 400 Parkway off Ga. 400. The school will serve up to 1,200 students in grades 9 through 12 in a “creative and innovative environment,” according to Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Jeff Bearden. This campus will provide secondary, post-secondary and continuing education for individuals, organizations, small businesses and corporations, along with financial literacy and business ethics training for middle and high school students. The career development opportunities will not duplicate career pathways at existing high schools but will focus on high-demand, high-growth occupations in the region, allowing students to work in simulated environments of business and industry, earn industry credentials and college credit. …From the beginning of this project, Bearden said he has seen many partnerships form, including agreements with the University of North Georgia and Lanier Technical College which will provide programs and the option for dual enrollment. North Georgia’s President Bonita Jacobs said the synergy that will develop from the partnership will be “truly remarkable to behold.”
www.myajc.com
GSU student charged in off-campus rapes due in court
http://www.myajc.com/news/news/local/gsu-student-charged-campus-rapes-due-court/ntB8H/
By Joshua Sharpe
A 30-year-old now-suspended Georgia State University student suspected in two off-campus rapes is due in court Tuesday. Dominic Lawton, a reported U.S. Air Force vet and martial arts “expert,” faces charges of rape and kidnapping in DeKalb County in each case, according to jail records. Police have said he was considered a suspect in four rapes, but Maj. Stephen Fore said Monday morning that Lawton is only a suspect in two. Lawton is set to face a judge at 9 a.m. for a probable cause hearing to determine whether the state has enough evidence to proceed with the prosecutions.
Higher Education News:
www.news.wabe.org
MAP: Where Georgians With Higher Education Degrees Cluster
http://news.wabe.org/post/map-where-georgians-higher-education-degrees-cluster
By MARY CLAIRE KELLY
Over a quarter of Georgians – 28.3 percent – over the age of 25 have a bachelor’s degree or higher, according to the U.S. Census Bureau figures from 2010-2014. The nationwide figure for adults with high education degrees is 29.3 percent, but the percentage of Atlantans is a whopping 47.1 percent – nearly half the city’s adult population. For reference, the percentage of adults living in San Francisco who meet that criteria is 52.9 percent. As the above map from the Atlanta Regional Commission shows, that percentage figure alone does not tell the full story of Georgia’s college-educated population.