University System News:
www.myajc.com
Chancellor demands removal of GBI agent from Fort Valley investigation
GBI complies, says agent who spoke to reporters is off the case
By Ernie Suggs and Ty Tagami – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The chancellor of the University System of Georgia on Thursday took the unusual step of demanding that a GBI agent be removed from a criminal investigation at Fort Valley State University because, the chancellor said, the agent spent more time talking to reporters than questioning students and officials. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation responded by taking the agent off the case and pushing supervision of the investigation up the chain of command. Chancellor Steve Wrigley lambasted the GBI special agent in a letter to the agent’s boss, GBI Director Vernon Keenan. “(He) has from the moment he got on the case been talking to the media. He has talked to more reporters than Fort Valley State University students and officials. Such behavior damages the quality, credibility and integrity of the investigation,” Wrigley wrote. His office shared the letter with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He went on to ask that the agent be removed and replaced by “a professional team to complete the investigation.” …Wrigley’s complaint got the GBI’s attention. “I have elevated the case to the command staff level of our investigative division,” Director Keenan wrote in a letter to Wrigley. He said an inspector who reports directly to the deputy director will oversee the case. Keenan ended the letter with an assurance of a thorough investigation.
See also:
www.georgianewsday.com
University system asks GBI agent to be pulled from Fort Valley investigation
www.13wmaz.com
‘You don’t want to see anything negative happen to the University,’ says Fort Valley businessman
The GBI’s investigation into Fort Valley State University continues and business owners and others are keeping an eye on it.
Author: Jacob Reynolds
Local businesses are taking a “wait and see” approach over whether or not to be concerned about allegations of misconduct and an ongoing investigation at Fort Valley State University. There are a lot of questions swirling about the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s active investigation at the university, and those in town are left wondering with what to make of it. For 25 years at Wellston Pawn, Fort Valley State University students have been an important part of Gary Borosky’s business. Among the pawned TVs, guitars and other knickknacks he says you can’t ignore the University’s impact. “They buy a lot locally, the students are probably an excess of 10 percent of my total clientele,” Borosky says behind his jewelry counter. In his 25 years, Borosky says he knows firsthand how important the University is to education for minority students, local education efforts and as a source of jobs. He says the University provides jobs for the community in security, food service and of course, teaching. It’s why he’s concerned about the University’s future.
www.bizjournals.com
University System of Georgia may expand privatized student housing
By Dave Williams – Staff Writer, Atlanta Business Chronicle
The University System of Georgia is considering expanding a student housing privatization initiative launched nearly three years ago. The agency overseeing the state’s public colleges and universities has released a request for qualified concessionaires (RFQC) to gauge interest in bringing the program to seven additional campuses across Georgia. System officials expect to pre-qualify up to four concessionaires to take part in a detailed request for proposals (RFP) process. The university system began privatizing student housing during the 2015-16 school year on seven campuses, including Georgia State University. The move began paying dividends immediately, with four of the seven campuses reporting increases in occupancy.
www.ajc.com
2 KSU football players kicked off team after campus armed robbery
By Raisa Habersham, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Two Kennesaw State University football players have been dismissed from the team amid their alleged involvement in an on-campus armed robbery, according to school officials. One of the athletes, Akebren Rall, is also accused of running an illegal gambling house, according to Cobb County jail records. Rall and teammate Jai’len Edwards were booked into the jail Thursday morning and face armed robbery charges. Edwards also faces a misdemeanor gambling charge; Rall faces a misdemeanor maintaining a disorderly house charge. They are accused of robbing someone at gunpoint about 4:30 a.m. Friday at the Austin Residence Complex, KSU spokeswoman Tammy Demel said in a statement. Demel said the parties involved were known to each other. Authorities are searching for others who may be connected to the robbery.