University System News:
www.wtvm.com
Regents approves consolidation for Georgia Southern, Armstrong State
By Jennifer Lifsey, Digital Producer
By Dal Cannady, Reporter
By WTOC Staff
The Board of Regents voted Wednesday morning to proceed with the consolidation of Georgia Southern University and Armstrong State University as recommended by University System of Georgia Chancellor Steve Wrigley. The combined institution will be named Georgia Southern University, according to Dr. Jaimie Hebert, President, Georgia Southern University. Georgia Southern President Dr. Hebert issued the following statement to all school Alumni after the consolidation approval was announced: After a great deal of consideration, the Board of Regents voted today to proceed with the consolidation of Georgia Southern University and Armstrong State University as recommended by University System of Georgia Chancellor Steve Wrigley. The combined institution will be named Georgia Southern University. With more than 27,000 students, Georgia Southern University will become the fourth largest public university in the state of Georgia.
www.statesboorherald.com
Regents green light Georgia Southern-Armstrong merger
18-month process to create state’s fourth largest university
BY Al Hackle
The state Board of Regents voted unanimous approval Wednesday to consolidate Georgia Southern University and Armstrong State University under the Georgia Southern name. Actually making it happen is expected to take about 18 months, GSU President Jaimie Hebert said in his message to “the Georgia Southern community.” It can be found online at http://consolidation.georgiasouthern.edu. …Presidents of both universities issued statements welcoming the move and said town hall meetings will be held Thursday, Nov. 19, on both campuses.
www.savannahnow.com
Growth promised as Armstrong, Georgia Southern merger made official
Regents vote to consolidate two universities; long road ahead as concerns loom
By Dash Coleman
ATLANTA — The upcoming consolidation of Armstrong State University in Savannah and Georgia Southern University in Statesboro is designed to expand programs, save money and increase graduation rates — but officials, students and professors have plenty of concerns and questions as the year-long process officially begins. The University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents voted for the merger Wednesday. The recommendation to consolidate the two universities, which are about 50 miles apart, came from USG Chancellor Steve Wrigley. Armstrong would inherit both Georgia Southern’s name and president after a process that would likely take more than a year. No current campuses would be closed, Wrigley said. None of the Board of Regents’ 19 members voiced any objection to the proposal, but Don Waters, the Savannah area’s representative, requested that Armstrong’s namesake and history be honored in some way at the combined institution. The vote came on the heels of social media outcry from Armstrong students and two days of small protests on campus. Perhaps chief among complaints was that the USG did not seek input from students before crafting a proposal for consolidation and that there was very little time for the public to voice concerns ahead of the vote. Wrigley’s office did not announce the measure would be on the board’s agenda until Friday morning — the tail end of winter break for students, giving only two full business days for constituents to share their opinions. …Waters and Charlie Sutlive, the USG’s vice chancellor of communications, said after the meeting that it was unlikely basic programs would disappear from either institution. “That is not the plan,” Waters said. “The plan is to grow both campuses.”
www.wjcl.com
Georgia Board of Regents Consolidation Statement on Athletics at Armstrong State/Georgia Southern
BOE approves merger of two schools
Frank Sulkowski
The Georgia Board of Regents released the following statement following Wednesday’s announcement that Georgia Southern University and Armstrong State University would merge. Athletics is an aspect of the consolidation that has to be decided upon early in the process because of the seasonality of athletics. This is a priority and we will get answers to students and coaches as soon as possible. We will work within conference requirements to resolve issues for student athletes.
www.thepostsearchlight.com
Former students share thoughts on ABAC, potential to merge with BSC
By Powell Cobb
With news that Bainbridge State College might be merging with Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College after a vote from the Georgia Board of Regents on Wednesday, some people may be asking, “Why ABAC?” Decatur County being an agriculture community, a fair show of its residents are familiar with the college and its prestigious programs. Many are alumni. Darren Deal, a vegetable seed salesman, graduated from the school in 1988 with an associate’s degree in agribusiness. He has been on ABAC’s Ag Alumni Society for the better part of a decade, serving as chairman for six years. Needless to say, he loves his alma mater and was excited to hear the news that BSC might become a second campus. “It would offer (an education) to students that were unable to move to dorms and save them money,” Deal said. “Maybe they could work on their family’s farms and get a degree at the same time.” Deal said if the merger went through, he would like to return to complete his bachelor’s degree at the Bainbridge campus. He praised ABAC for preparing him in his field, and appreciated the smaller classes and knowledgeable professors that guided him along the way.
www.getschooled.blog.myajc.com
Get Schooled with Maureen Downey
State merges more campuses. Georgia saves money, but is something lost?
The University of System of Georgia is merging four more campuses, sealing its reputation as a pacesetter in college consolidations. An article in University Business said Georgia had “what is likely the nation’s most aggressive and high-profile campus consolidation program.” What is lost and what is gained when colleges consolidate? The obvious gain is financial, but are there intangibles that are sacrificed when a campus loses its identity and leadership? Many Southern Polytechnic State University alums fought that school’s merger in December of 2014 with Kennesaw State University. The Regents talked a lot about what Southern Polytechnic students would gain from the KSU brand and leadership, but never spoke about what might be lost in the merger. …A new MIT study examining five recent mergers within the University System of Georgia found positive results. Researcher Lauren Russell in the MIT Department of Economics looked at persistence in those merged campuses, whether students stayed in college.
www.bizjournals.com
Gov. Deal proposes record $25 billion state budget for fiscal 2018
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2017/01/11/gov-deal-proposes-record-25b-state-budget.html
Dave Williams
Staff Writer, Atlanta Business Chronicle
Gov. Nathan Deal Wednesday proposed a record $25 billion state budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The budget is based on a healthy projected revenue growth rate of 3.6 percent for fiscal 2018. The spending plan recommends huge pay raises for Georgia law enforcement officers and child welfare caseworkers and more modest increases for other state employees as well as teachers. …The list of expedited projects includes $50 million for a new Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center to be located in Augusta on state-owned property that formerly housed the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame.
www.wabe.org
$50 Million State Plan To Boost Ga. Cybersecurity Industry
http://news.wabe.org/post/50-million-state-plan-boost-ga-cybersecurity-industry
By JOHNNY KAUFFMAN
Georgia is set to boost the cybersecurity industry in Augusta with a state-owned training facility that’s part of a $50 million plan combining public and private interests, according to a source who was not cleared to speak about the plan until a more formal announcement Wednesday. Georgia colleges and universities, the U.S. Department of Defense and the National Security Agency are set to be involved in the plan. “This invaluable resource will put Georgia at the pinnacle of our efforts to enhance American cybersecurity in the public and private arenas,” said Gov. Nathan Deal Tuesday at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s annual policy breakfast, Eggs and Issues.
www.gwinnettdailypost.com
Gwinnett projects included in governor’s proposed 2018 budget
By Curt Yeomans
The proposed $25 billion fiscal year 2018 state budget released by Gov. Nathan Deal’s office on Wednesday includes some treats for Gwinnett County. Among the budgeted items is a facility to provide prison alternatives for drug treatment, an expansion of a Georgia Regional Transportation Authority XPress bus park and ride lot in Lawrenceville and an expansion of an academic building at Georgia Gwinnett College. Deal’s office released the budget proposal shortly after he delivered his annual State of the State Address to a joint session of the Georgia General Assembly. It will go before the state House of Representatives and Senate for approval this spring, meaning dollar amounts could change and projects could be dropped or added in the coming months. …Deal is also asking the legislature to approve the $11.5 million Phase IV expansion of Georgia Gwinnett College’s Academic Building C as one of the University System of Georgia’s capital outlay bond projects. The expansion has been talked about for awhile. The building offers classroom space for GGC’s schools of business, education and transitional studies.
www.mdjonline.com
Cobb Chamber of Commerce hears leaders’ goals for the new year
Jon Gargis
CUMBERLAND — Three of Cobb’s newest leaders — Kennesaw State University President Sam Olens, Cobb Chairman Mike Boyce and Powder Springs Mayor Al Thurman — discussed their goals for their institutions during a panel discussion on Monday. Speaking in front of several hundred in attendance at the Cobb Chamber of Commerce’s First Monday Breakfast, held at the Cobb Galleria Centre, the three were the featured guests on a panel focused on the year ahead. Olens, who previously served as the state attorney general, was appointed as KSU’s president last year, taking office Nov. 1. After serving as president for just over two months, he said one thing he has learned is that students are much more engaged than many people give them credit for, striving to learn about their community with an impact that reaches beyond the county. “The global effect on our university, the global reach, is very true, and a lot for us all to be very proud of,” Olens said. “If anyone in the room goes up to me and says, ‘KSU is a Cobb institution,’ I’m going to take your head off, because KSU is not a Cobb institution, it is a state institution, and we are striving to have an even greater effect than that.”
www.dailyreportonline.com
Olens Brings Chief Deputy to KSU
Kristen Rasmussen, Daily Report
Kennesaw State University president Sam Olens has brought his No. 2 lawyer from the state Office of the Attorney General to lead the school’s legal department. KSU announced on Jan. 10 that Jeff Milsteen has been appointed as the university’s chief legal affairs officer, effective immediately. In that role, he will oversee KSU’s legal affairs and advise senior leadership on both legal and business matters, the university said in a statement. Milsteen succeeds acting general counsel Andrew Newton, who will now resume his duties as associate GC, spokesperson Tammy DeMel said in an interview.
www.wgauradio.com
Grant money for marine biologists at UGA
http://www.wgauradio.com/news/news/local/grant-money-marine-biologists-uga/ntXsC/
By Tim Bryant
A $1.3 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation will allow University of Georgia researchers to uncover answers about an important metabolic link that takes place in the Earth’s oceans.
Microorganisms in the largest microbial habitat on Earth, the ocean microbiome, function similarly to microorganisms in the human gut; they perform chemical transformations that keep the whole system healthy.
www.onlineathens.com
UGA launches MBA-engineering dual degree program
http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2017-01-10/uga-launches-mba-engineering-dual-degree-program
By UGA News Service
The University of Georgia is launching a new dual degree program that will allow students to earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering and an MBA within five years. The program, offered through the university’s Terry College of Business and its College of Engineering, is the first and only combined Bachelor of Science and MBA degree offered at an institution in the University System of Georgia. “We are pleased to add the new engineering and MBA dual degree combination to our innovative educational offerings to provide motivated engineering students with the business skill set that will equip them to excel in today’s workforce,” said Terry College Dean Benjamin C. Ayers. Students enrolled in the program will begin with bachelor’s degree courses in the College of Engineering during years one through three. In their fourth year, students will continue their engineering coursework while completing statistics and data analytics courses in Terry College. At the end of their fourth year, students will complete an internship in either a business or engineering setting. Students will be fully immersed in Terry’s MBA program during year five.
www.ajc.com
New Georgia Tech, Atlanta venture fund to put city on tech map
Leon Stafford Scott Trubey The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The city of Atlanta, Georgia Tech and 10 of the metro area’s biggest corporations, including Home Depot and Delta Air Lines, announced Thursday they are combining resources to launch a technology incubator and venture fund that they hope cements Atlanta as a tech powerhouse. Engage will launch with $15 million right off the bat and be open to start ups around the country to lure top talent to Atlanta, Georgia Tech said. Applications will be available this spring.
www.insidehighered.com
Georgia Tech’s Model Expands
Three years after its low-cost MOOC-inspired master’s degree program in computer science launched, the institute announces a new program in analytics priced at less than $10,000.
By Carl Straumsheim
The Georgia Institute of Technology will this fall offer an online master’s degree program in analytics for less than $10,000, a new investment in the institute’s model for low-cost, online graduate education. The interdisciplinary program, called OMS Analytics, follows the blueprint the institute created with its online master’s degree program in computer science, known as OMSCS, which launched in 2014 and has grown to about 4,000 students. Last year, Georgia Tech announced plans to expand the model into new fields. Since offering the program online greatly increases the number of students Georgia Tech can enroll, the institute will charge students a fraction of the cost of the residential program to study the same curriculum online. The 36-credit-hour program, split into 10 courses and a semester-long analytics capstone project, will cost in- and out-of-state students “less than $10,000,” the institute said. Georgia residents and out-of-state students pay about $36,000 and $49,000, respectively, for the yearlong residential program.
www.dailyreportonline.com
GSU Team Celebrates Long-Awaited Deal to Transform ‘The Ted’
Meredith Hobbs, Daily Report
Georgia State University’s transformative deal to buy the 68-acre Turner Field site from the city of Atlanta in a partnership with Carter & Associates and other private developers took a lot of lawyering. Kerry Heyward, the university attorney for GSU, said she started working on the project three years ago, when the Atlanta Braves announced they were leaving for Cobb County. “I feel like I birthed and raised a toddler in this deal,” she said. The public-private mixed-use project will include a sports complex with football and baseball stadiums for GSU. Carter, with Oakwood Development and Healey Weatherholtz Properties, plans to redevelop its portion of the vast tract, now covered with parking lots, into a thriving neighborhood with housing for students and local residents, plus retail businesses lining Hank Aaron Drive and Georgia Avenue just south of downtown.
www.wjcl.com
GS Football great headed to College Football Hall of Fame
http://www.wjcl.com/article/untitled-content-1483979408/8578029
Former Georgia Southern star Adrian Peterson added another honor to his already sparkling resume’ Monday when he was named to the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017. Peterson’s No. 3 jersey is retired at Georgia Southern and he still stands as the NCAA’s Division I all-time leading rusher with 6,559 yards in regular-season contests. He is already a member of GS’s Athletics Hall of Fame and was a four-time All-American for the Eagles. “What an amazing honor to be recognized for such a prestigious award,” Peterson said. “I am grateful for the chance to represent my hometown of Alachua, Florida, and my parents, Porter and Reatha Peterson, who set me up for success from the very start. Thank you, Georgia Southern University, for the opportunity to further my education and receive a college degree while playing the game of football. Lastly, sincere thanks to the committee for considering me worthy and allowing me to join such an elite class of men.”
Higher Education News:
www.insidehighered.com
Rational Actors
Study suggests that number of students taught has relatively little to do with faculty salaries, but that universities act efficiently in allocating resources to teaching and research.
By Colleen Flaherty
A common criticism of the faculty reward system is that it tends to value research over teaching. A just-released working paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research offers new evidence in support of that contention, suggesting that the number of students a professor teaches has relatively little to do with their compensation.
www.customwire.ap.org
Florida Gov. pushes again to cut college costs for students
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Rick Scott is renewing his push to eliminate sales taxes charged on college textbooks. Scott said Tuesday he would ask state legislators to enact proposals aimed at helping students graduate from college within four years. Legislators will consider the proposals during their session that starts in March. Scott has been firm about blocking tuition hikes at the state’s public universities. But Scott says he also wants to freeze other fees charged to students, and he wants to cap tuition charged at Florida’s 28 state colleges.