University System News:
www.myajc.com
Governor signs new Georgia budget that finally fully funds schools
By James Salzer – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Educators long complained that the state shorted public schools, but a booming economy is helping Gov. Nathan Deal and lawmakers keep that from happening again in the upcoming year. Deal on Wednesday signed a historic $26.2 billion budget that for the first time in more than a decade fully funds the formula used to pay for the public schooling of about 1.7 million Georgia children. The mood at the Statehouse bill signing was in stark contrast to revolts in Kentucky, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Arizona in which teachers have marched out of schools and into statehouses to demand higher pay and more money for education. In Atlanta, Capitol bill-signing ceremonies are typically formalities, but it was a big moment for Deal, who is retiring after this year and has been the target of attacks over “austerity cuts” in school funding that began long before he took office. …Here are some of the construction/capital projects included in the budget for fiscal 2019, which begins July 1:
$34.8 million to build an interdisciplinary STEM research building, University of Georgia
$30.6 million to renovate Price Gilbert Library and Crosland Tower complex at Georgia Tech
$5.3 million for construction and renovations at Clayton State University
$5 million to design a new convocation center at Georgia State University
$5 million to renovate and equip Engineering Lab Building G at Kennesaw State
$5 million for design, construction and equipping a renovation of Library North, Georgia State University
www.myajc.com
Governor Deal signs Georgia distracted driving bill in emotional ceremony
By David Wickert – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
STATESBORO – Many people shed tears in recent months as the General Assembly debated legislation designed to crack down on distracted driving and stem a tide of death of Georgia highways. Families wept as they told of losing loved ones to drivers paying more attention to their phones than the road in front of them. Lawmakers teared up as they described the toll of distracted driving, as measured in lives lost. On Wednesday it was Gov. Nathan Deal’s turn. Surrounded by the families of five Georgia Southern University nursing students who died in a 2015 truck accident, the governor choked up as he described their efforts to win approval of House Bill 673. “I know this legislation does not mend your broken hearts,” Deal said, pausing to collect himself. “But hopefully it will prevent the same kind of pain and tragedy being suffered by other families in the future.” HB 673 prohibits motorists from handling their cell phones and other electronic devices while driving. When it takes effect July 1, it will be the most significant change in driving rules since lawmakers banned texting while driving in 2010.
See also:
www.statesboroherald.com
Deal signs ‘Hands-Free Act’ in Boro
Governor honors families of GSU nursing students
www.thebrunswicknews.com
Don Waters to speak at CCGA graduation
Don Waters, the vice chair of the University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents will be the keynote speaker at College of Coastal Georgia’s spring commencement ceremony on May 13.
www.onlineathens.com
Olyn Gee, 70, to receive UGA degree at Friday graduation
By Leigh Beeson
Olyn Gee knew he had to find better things to do. He worked as a wedding photographer for 13 years, but when he retired, most nights ended on the sofa watching television with his wife. “That’s just a slow death,” Gee said. “There’s only about half an hour of good TV on every night, another half hour if you add in Netflix.” So, the then-62-year-old decided it was time to go back to college. It had been awhile since Gee was last in a college classroom. He’d gotten a degree in business from Lander University in South Carolina, but education wasn’t really his highest priority at the time. This time his end goal was different: Gee just wanted to learn. …Gee’s tuition was paid for by the state’s senior citizen assistance program, so he could take all the classes he wanted without committing to a major or worrying about finances. But after a few years, Gee found out he had enough credits to qualify as a junior, inspiring him to set a new goal: obtaining a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia. …As for his immediate future, Gee will be walking across the stage at Sanford Stadium on Friday with his fellow Class of 2018 graduates. Although he’ll have a political science degree from the School of Public and International Affairs in hand, Gee isn’t ready to quit learning. “I’ve gotten really interested in the things that Grady College teaches,” he said.
www.thebrunswicknews.com
College president hosts final Q&A with students
By LAUREN MCDONALD
Meg Amstutz, the interim president of College of Coastal Georgia, hosted what will likely be here final question-and-answer session with students on Wednesday. Amstutz joined the college administration in July to serve one year as the college’s president. Throughout the year she has hosted several Q&A sessions with students, through the presidential student ambassadors program.
www.moultrieobserver.com
ABAC to house new Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation
Staff Reports
TIFTON, Ga. — Gov. Nathan Deal opened a new door of opportunity for economic revitalization for rural Georgia on Wednesday afternoon when he signed House Bill 951, creating a Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation that will be housed at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. “On behalf of all Georgians who live in rural Georgia or who grew up in rural Georgia, I want to thank Governor Deal and the legislators who turned this idea into reality,” ABAC President David Bridges said. “Rural communities face many challenges, hurdles, and obstacles as they attempt to revitalize and strengthen their situations.”
See also:
www.wfxl.com
Deal comes to Tifton to sign budget, bills intended to boost rural Georgia
http://wfxl.com/news/local/deal-comes-to-tifton-to-sign-budget-bills-intended-to-boost-rural-georgia
www.bizjournals.com
UGA Law School expanding in Atlanta
By Mark Meltzer – Executive Editor, Atlanta Business Chronicle
The University of Georgia Law School is expanding its offerings in Atlanta. UGA’s School of Law will offer a Master in the Study of Law program in Atlanta beginning this fall. “In today’s highly regulated, legislated and litigated work environments, there is a growing need for a broader understanding of the law,” said Peter B. “Bo” Rutledge, dean of the School of Law. “By offering this program in Atlanta, we will provide a valuable, yet affordable, option for those working in the metro area whose careers would benefit from a greater familiarity with legal principles but for whom commuting to Athens would be a barrier to pursuing an M.S.L. degree.”
www.northwestgeorgianews.com
Learn to earn: WCS and GNTC partner to prepare educated workforce
Mike O’Neal, assistant editor
The symbiotic relationship between Walker County’s public schools and the local community college will grow stronger during the new school year when the two partner for a new program, Launch Academy, offering dual enrollment to 50 students. Those high school juniors and seniors — 25 from LaFayette and 25 from Ridgeland — will attend classes on the Georgia Northwestern Technical College campus. In addition to earning their high school diploma, graduates will earn one or more technical skills certificates and possibly an associates degree. Addressing those attending the Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Tuesday, April 24, Walker County Schools Superintendent Damon Raines described how Launch Academy will be another tool in preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s world. …ESPLOST is a voter-approved 1 percent special purpose local optional sales tax that is collected over a five-year period and is earmarked for construction, technology upgrades and major maintenance. None of the proceeds can fund day-to-day operations or salaries. Rather than build and staff a program-specific facility that could be outdated shortly after opening, Walker County has decided to partner with a technical college and draw on resources available through the University System of Georgia. …Harris said Georgia Tech will be involved in offering mentoring and helping with committees that combine educators with representatives from business and industry. A collaborative program of the University System of Georgia established with the goal to make higher education more accessible to all Georgians, eCore makes textbooks and instructional material available in digital form that allows flexible scheduling, saves money and is a common platform used by 23 institutions statewide.