University System News:
www.onlineathens.com
UGA dedicates its latest science building, with more to come
http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2017-09-20/uga-dedicates-its-latest-science-building-more-come?utm_source=eGaMorning&utm_campaign=ec4431bc9c-eGaMorning-9_21_17&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_54a77f93dd-ec4431bc9c-86731974&mc_cid=ec4431bc9c&mc_eid=32a9bd3c56
By Lee Shearer
University of Georgia officials dedicated the school’s new Center for Molecular Medicine building Thursday, the latest in a string of science buildings in the university’s drive toward the major leagues of research. The $25 million building, next the UGA Complex Carbohydrate Research Center on Riverbend Road, follows by a year the opening of the $48 million Science Learning Center, with their modern teaching labs that replaced labs in 1960s-era biology and chemistry buildings. Coming up: a $65 million STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) building at the edge of UGA’s East Campus that will bring together researchers in the fast-rising College of Engineering and chemistry department. The state Board of Regents was set to approve a design firm for the 100,000-square-foot Interdisciplinary STEM Research Building at this month’s Regents meeting, but that was postponed until October after the meeting was canceled due to Tropical Storm Irma.
www.thegeorgeanne.com
“Vibrant Living Laboratory” donated to GS
http://www.thegeorgeanne.com/news/article_23fe4dff-01f9-5993-9577-0c59121d8d3f.html
By George Andersen The George-Anne Staff
A 1,400-acre scientific field station has been acquired by Georgia Southern University which will work as a “Vibrant Living Laboratory” for students and professors. Known as the Effingham wetlands and donated by the Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land, the land consists of 841 acres of cutover and regenerating pine; 231 acres of riparian wetlands; 68 acres of hardwoods; 40 acres of mature pine; 15 acres of open grasslands and about 7 acres of small ponds, according to a press release from GS. “Because this large tract of undeveloped natural wetland is embedded in one of the most rapidly developing areas in Georgia, just 12 miles northwest of downtown Savannah, we felt compelled to take advantage of the opportunities this property provides for the University. It will become a tremendous resource over time for our student and faculty scientists, especially those in the College of Science and Mathematics,” President Jaimie Hebert said in a press release. The donated wetlands will act as a place of research for GS, allowing for the monitoring and studying of the varied ecology that exists inside its borders.
www.webmd.com
Mom Pushes for Bed Rail Safety After Son’s Fall
http://www.webmd.com/first-aid/news/20170920/mom-pushes-for-bed-rail-safety-after-sons-fall
By Kristen Linsalata
The picture is meant to scare people into action. In it, Clark Jacobs lies on a hospital bed, head wrapped in bandages, in a coma. He remained like that for nearly 3 months after he fell out of his 7-foot-high loft bed in his fraternity’s house at Georgia Tech in January 2015. The bed had no safety rails. “The thought of a world without Clark was not a place we wanted to live,” says his mother, Mariellen Jacobs. “It was just horrible to have to face that all because of a safety rail. It caused a lot of emotional fallout for our family.” Since Clark’s accident, she has spoken out about the dangers of loft beds, especially to first-year students. “They look at the picture of Clark in the hospital bed, and they can’t believe that all of that ensued because of the lack of a safety rail.” …Now, Mariellen and Clark Jacobs, through their nonprofit organization, Rail Against the Danger, are determined to spread awareness about the importance of safety rails on lofted and bunk beds and to change college dorm policies. …Clark says that after speaking with first-year students this summer, Georgia Tech had to order an additional 500 rails to keep up with requests. Mariellen and Clark’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. In January 2016, the University System of Georgia passed a resolution that all public colleges and universities had to have rails available to students free of charge.
www.insidehighered.com
www.myajc.com
Steep bonds for 3 suspects in violent riot on Georgia Tech campus
http://www.myajc.com/news/crime–law/steep-bonds-for-suspects-violent-riot-georgia-tech-campus/M2v4CHmaLzCC2Dv0QvjXeJ/
By Alexis Stevens – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The three people arrested during a protest on the Georgia Tech campus were all granted bond Wednesday. But getting out of the Fulton County jail will come with a price: The bonds range from $20,000 to $107,500. Vincent Castillenti, 31, of Decatur; Jacob Wilson, 22, of Atlanta, and Andrew Monden, 20, of Marietta, were arrested Monday night as a violent scene erupted at what began as a peaceful memorial to Scout Schultz, a student shot and killed by a campus officer. The vigil later evolved, fueled in part by outside protesters, Tech’s president, G.P. “Bud” Peterson said. But attorney Don Samuel said Wilson, a 2013 graduate of The Paideia School, is a lifelong Atlanta resident and Georgia State University student and was exercising his right to protest and isn’t guilty. …Wilson’s bond was set at $107,500. …As part of their bond conditions, none are allowed to return to the campus, including Monden, a Tech student. …Bond for Castillenti was set at $50,000. …Bond was set at $20,000 for Monden …All three are scheduled to to be back in court Oct. 4.
www.wsbtv.com
Bond granted for suspects in violent Georgia Tech protests
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/bond-granted-for-suspects-in-violent-georgia-tech-protests/612003846
by: Tyisha Fernandes
A judge set bond Wednesday for the three people arrested in the protest that broke out Monday night on Georgia Tech’s campus. The protests erupted after a peaceful vigil was held to honor Georgia Tech student Scout Schultz, who was killed by a Tech police officer over the weekend. During the protests, a Georgia Tech police cruiser was set on fire. …Jacob Wilson was already dealing with legal trouble before he decided to attend the protest at Georgia Tech. He was arrested for arson a year and a half ago and the judge said he was out on bond for that charge. “He was never sentenced for that charge, in fact the arson charge is going to be dismissed entirely,” Wilson’s attorney, Don Samuel, said. He said his client had nothing to do with officer’s car being set on fire. He said his client was already under arrest when someone threw a flare at the cruiser. But the judge told the attorney there’s video of the incident. “I don’t know anything about a video, I haven’t seen a video,” Samuel said. Wilson, a Georgia State University student, got the highest bond out of all three suspects. …Georgia Tech student Andrew Monden was visibly emotional during the first appearance when the judge said Monden isn’t allowed on campus while out on a $20,000 bond. “I’m just curious if his enrollment is going to continue, given what he’s been charged with,” the judge said Wednesday. If Georgia Tech allows Monden to stay enrolled, the judge said he’ll modify the bond conditions. The judge set Vincent Castillenti’s bond for $50,000.
www.getschooled.blog.myajc.com
Get Schooled with Maureen Downey
Sign at University of Georgia about Georgia Tech shooting upsets students
Sign at University of Georgia about Georgia Tech shooting upsets some students
This sign displayed outside the Tate Student Center at the University of Georgia Wednesday shocked some students. I assume the sign writer was asking students whether the shooting of Georgia Tech student Scout Schultz was justifiable in its reference to a “clean shoot.” UGA senior Alli Carton told me: “Today this sign was on campus at UGA. Front and center in the student center’s outdoor space. I’m outraged by this, as are many students here.” I reached out to UGA to understand the process under which students can post signage. Spokesman Gregory Trevor said, “The sign was located in the Tate Student Center Plaza, an open area of campus where expressive activity is permitted in accordance with the First Amendment. Although the language on this sign was insensitive and offensive to many members of the university community, it is protected expression. We do not know who posted the sign, but we do know that it was voluntarily removed. ” Here is part of an email of concern Carton sent to UGA administrators. I think she says it all:
www.statesboroherald.com
GSU investigating reported rape
Alleged incident took place at Eagle Villas Apartments
http://www.statesboroherald.com/section/1/article/81785/
By HOLLI DEAL SAXON
A Georgia Southern University student was reportedly the victim of a “strong arm rape” this past weekend, according to Georgia Southern University Police reports. A “strong arm rape’ is when a person is raped by physical force and no weapons are used. GSU Police Chief Laura McCullough was “out of the office” Tuesday and “cannot provide comment as this an active ongoing investigation” said Jennifer Wise, public relations spokesperson for Georgia Southern. According to reports, the incident took place at Eagle Villas Apartments between 10 p.m. Saturday and 2 a.m. Sunday. While no arrest was made, a 21-year-old man listed as “non-affiliated” with the university was named as a suspect. Two witnesses were also named in reports. Wise said police would not comment on the suspect or whether an arrest is pending due to the ongoing investigation.
www.wjcl.com
Statesboro Police investigating 2 armed robberies near GSU campus
http://www.wjcl.com/article/statesboro-police-investigating-2-armed-robberies-near-gsu-campus/12442949
Two armed robberies near the Georgia Southern University campus has university leaders warning students to beware. According to Eagle Alerts they sent students, the first robbery happened around 3 a.m. Thursday on College Walk. The second happened around 5 a.m. at The Palms apartment complex on Lanier Drive. University leaders say in both cases, the victim claim they were robbed by three men, carrying guns, with their faces covered.
www.usnews.com
Think Outside the Box to Reduce College Costs
Prospective students can consider honors colleges, ROTC and other options to save money.
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2017-09-20/think-outside-the-box-to-reduce-college-costs?utm_source=eGaMorning&utm_campaign=ec4431bc9c-eGaMorning-9_21_17&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_54a77f93dd-ec4431bc9c-86731974&mc_cid=ec4431bc9c&mc_eid=32a9bd3c56
By Courtney Rubin, Contributor
Alyssa Ruffa was halfway through college when she realized she’d need money. Her parents were no longer able to contribute as much, and she wanted to continue on to vet school. She considered borrowing and working, but then found an option that would pay for school, give her a career boost and satisfy her strong sense of patriotism: The Reserve Officers Training Corps. In exchange for her commitment to serve one weekend a month for eight years in the Army Reserves, Ruffa, now a senior majoring in biological sciences at the University of Georgia, receives tuition plus books and a living stipend through ROTC, for a total of some $14,000 per semester.
www.vsuspectator.com
Student success series motivates students
by Eboni Register, Staff Writer
On Tuesday October, 19 Valdosta State University’s African American Male Initiative presented The Student Success Series by Kalan Norris. He is a self proclaimed Millennial Motivator and VSU Alum. This debut of the series highlighted many key points to manifest your dreams. Valuing your vision, improving your skill set, being involved on campus, and staying motivated were some topics discussed. Success Series is not only geared towards young men pursuing degrees, but also students in need of guidance and professional development in order to secure a great career.
Higher Education News:
www.insidehighered.com
More Scrutiny of Colleges’ Finances? Education Department Says No
Even as GAO and others say department needs to do more to monitor institutions for financial risks, department doesn’t plan changes.
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/09/21/department-ed-rejects-calls-update-oversight-measures?utm_source=Inside+Higher+Ed&utm_campaign=1fa5baa87c-DNU20170921&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1fcbc04421-1fa5baa87c-197515277&mc_cid=1fa5baa87c&mc_eid=8f1f949a06
By Andrew Kreighbaum
The Department of Education rejected two recent calls to improve its monitoring of the financial health of colleges and universities — despite findings that its metrics predicted only half of institutional closures in recent years. A Government Accountability Office report released Wednesday found that the risk measure the department uses to assess colleges’ financial health is badly out of date. While the department agreed to improve communication about how it calculates that measure, it rejected a call to improve the metric. And the Office of Federal Student Aid separately turned down recommendations to strengthen the data it collects for oversight of institutions. Both developments came weeks after Secretary Betsy DeVos and her Federal Student Aid chief, A. Wayne Johnson, announced with few accompanying details that FSA was taking a more “comprehensive” approach to oversight. Departmental oversight applies to all colleges that receive federal aid, but those seeking more scrutiny have been concerned about for-profit institutions and some financially troubled small private nonprofit colleges at risk of closure.