University System News:
www.13wmaz.com
Ga. governor, UGA president denounce Blue Cross Blue Shield, Piedmont squabble
Governor Nathan Deal and UGA President Jere Morehead are demanding the two companies come to a decision over coverage as their own employees’ lives and wellbeing remain in the balance.
http://www.13wmaz.com/article/news/ga-governor-uga-president-denounce-blue-cross-blue-shield-piedmont-squabble/93-535445834
Author: Christopher Buchanan
The governor of Georgia and the president of one of it’s largest universities are taking aim at a dispute between an insurance company and the owner of several area hospitals. In a letter to the heads of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia and Piedmont Healthcare, University of Georgia President Jere Morehead described his disappointment in their current quarrel. And in a separate letter, Governor Nathan Deal demanded the two return to the negotiating table. …For state employees, Deal plans to “absorb out-of-network claims for affected employees” for up to 30 days to help soften the blow. The university system is already working on their end of the deal to also offer a brief reprieve to its employees who are caught in the middle. “We want to make sure University System of Georgia families have access to the care they need and this 30-day extension is a necessary step to provide coverage for our employees,” university system chancellor Steve Wrigley said. …Of that half-million, President Morehead spoke up for the nearly 10,000 represented by faculty, staff and retirees of UGA and urged the two parties to find a resolution soon. “This disruption is very challenging for our institution and jeopardizes the health and financial stability of your UGA clients,” Morehead said. “Healthcare selections were made last fall with the understanding that the terms of enrollment would be honored through 2018.”
www.albanyherald.com
Consolidation moves forward for ABAC, Bainbridge
Bainbridge alumni welcomed as part of ABAC ‘family’
http://www.albanyherald.com/news/local/consolidation-moves-forward-for-abac-bainbridge/article_9ad7ca6e-b8ef-5ebd-a709-a0df7a88116b.html
By Rachel Lord
TIFTON — On May 10, the final commencement ceremony for Bainbridge State College will be held. All future graduations of Bainbridge students will take place as Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College commencement ceremonies. BSC officially became “ABAC at Bainbridge” on Jan. 1. The former interim president of BSC, Stuart Rayfield, was reassigned to be the interim president at Gordon State College, making ABAC President David Bridges the president of both campuses. The idea for the consolidation of these institutions came from the University System of Georgia Board of Regents as a way to better serve the students in the southwest and coastal regions of Georgia. …While students in Bainbridge may not have their own commencement ceremonies after this May, the consolidation does provide students of ABAC at Bainbridge more degree offerings. “Students attending ABAC-Bainbridge, ABAC-Donalsonville, and ABAC-Blakely will have a more comprehensive range of academic programs that are offered by ABAC compared to the former Bainbridge State College,” Bridges said. …He acknowledged that while a loss of identity may be felt by Bainbridge alumni, employees and the community, he noted, “ABAC will welcome Bainbridge alumni into the ABAC ‘family.’”
www.tiftongazette.com
UGA Tifton to host rededication ceremony for Agricultural Research Building today
http://www.tiftongazette.com/news/uga-tifton-to-host-rededication-ceremony-for-agricultural-research-building/article_e1d6311c-37a1-11e8-aff8-6bf664f73491.html?utm_source=eGaMorning&utm_campaign=3d3deca493-eGaMorning-4_5_18&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_54a77f93dd-3d3deca493-86731974&mc_cid=3d3deca493&mc_eid=32a9bd3c56
By Clint Thompson
The University of Georgia Tifton campus will celebrate the renovation of the Agricultural Research Building with a rededication ceremony on Wednesday, April 4. UGA President Jere W. Morehead, UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Dean and Director Sam Pardue, and local and state government officials instrumental in funding the renovation process will be in attendance. Student ambassador Kelly Paulk, a native of Inaha, will speak at the event. “The Agricultural Research Building is an important piece of our campus history. Not only was it the second structure built on campus, it also housed some of the best scientists in the world, including Glenn Burton, who was recognized globally for his work with Bermuda grass and numerous other crops,” said Joe West, assistant dean for UGA-Tifton. “This is a time in our campus history in which we can all be proud.”
www.athensceo.com
Terry College Student Team Wins $30K with ‘Real Confidence’
http://athensceo.com/news/2018/04/terry-college-student-team-wins-30k-real-confidence/?utm_source=eGaMorning&utm_campaign=3d3deca493-eGaMorning-4_5_18&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_54a77f93dd-3d3deca493-86731974&mc_cid=3d3deca493&mc_eid=32a9bd3c56
Staff Report From Athens CEO
A team of undergraduates from the Terry College of Business outperformed 37 other university competitors to capture first place in the 2017 Real Confidence University Challenge, an annual real estate investment contest sponsored by the Altus Group. The four-member team won the $30,000 grand prize for managing the best commercial real estate investment portfolio with a return of 35.38 percent over four quarters ending in 2017. The team’s strategy of investing in infrastructure projects generated the big return, said Andrew Kahn, who was the team’s captain last year and has since graduated in real estate and finance.
www.thegeorgeanne.com
Statesboro walks for sexual assault awareness in annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event
http://www.thegeorgeanne.com/camayak-content/article_22d6b27d-10a1-57e9-bd28-ea94b2f9394a.html
By Shiann Sivell The George-Anne staff
Students, faculty and the Statesboro community put on their high heels for the sixth annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event Tuesday. Each year, the Statesboro Regional Sexual Assault Center, also known as the Teal House, puts on the award-winning event that strives to raise awareness about the causes, affects and solutions to sexual assault and gender violence. Participating men wore made-for-men heels to literally walk in women’s shoes. The route started at the Rotunda, down the pedestrian, circled around the Foy building and back to the Rotunda. Michele Martin, Event Coordinator for the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, said that the event is very prominent in a college setting like Georgia Southern University. “It’s important for students in the college and Statesboro community to be aware of sexual assault and gender violence and be aware of their role to end it,” Martin said. The event gathered approximately $3,200 this year from registration fees and donations, making the total amount GS has gathered in the six years they’ve had the event over $10,000. All proceeds go to the Teal House to help victims and survivors of sexual assault in the Statesboro community.
www.thebrunswicknews.com
CCGA to host International Festival
https://thebrunswicknews.com/news/local_news/ccga-to-host-international-festival/article_08c26014-0186-52d7-89ed-72ecd2923ab7.html
By LAUREN MCDONALD
College of Coastal Georgia will hosts its seventh annual International Festival on Friday to celebrate the diverse cultures that can be found in the Golden Isles. The event will take place from 2-7 p.m. at the Southeast Georgia Conference Center on campus. The Robert S. Abbot Race Unity Institute hosts the event, which will feature international food, music, a marketplace and more. “This collaboration brings the community together to highlight and appreciate different cultures in an environment of fun,” said Diane Knight, the festival coordinator for the Robert S. Abbot Race Unity Institute, Inc. The event aligns well with the mission of the Abbot Institute. …“The College of Coastal Georgia is honored to once again host the International Festival,” said Meg Amstutz, interim president at CCGA. “We hope to welcome many members of the community onto campus to explore and celebrate the diverse cultures that will be represented at the festival.”