University System News:
www.myajc.com
South Georgia college campuses closing in preparation of Hurricane Michael
By Eric Stirgus
More than a dozen South Georgia college and university campuses are closing and another one is extending its fall break due to potential damage from Hurricane Michael.
Here’s the list as of 4 p.m. Tuesday:
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College announced campus closures starting 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. Classes are scheduled to resume on Wed., Oct. 17. The college previously scheduled fall break for Oct. 15 and Oct. 16.
Albany State University closed its East and West campuses and satellite campuses in Cairo and Cordele at noon Tuesday in preparation for severe weather conditions. Campuses are set to reopen on Friday.
Georgia College has extended its fall break to Oct. 15.
Georgia Southern University has cancelled classes Wednesday and Thursday.
Georgia Southwestern State University has cancelled classes Wednesday and Thursday.
South Georgia Technical College will close Wednesday and Thursday.
Valdosta State University is also planning to close Wednesday and Thursday.
www.savannahnow.com
Georgia Southern closes campuses on Wednesday and Thursday ahead of Hurricane Michael
By Savannah Morning News
UPDATE: All three Georgia Southern University Campuses will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday due to Hurricane Michael.
FROM EARLIER:
GS issued the following statement on social media on Tuesday: “Georgia Southern University’s Statesboro Campus, Armstrong Campus and Liberty Campus will be closed and classes will be canceled on Wednesday, Oct. 10, due to Hurricane Michael. Georgia Southern sponsored events are also canceled on Wednesday, Oct. 10. Only essential personnel should report to work.
www.myajc.com
Ga Regents approves $53.8 million renovation plan for UGA’s Brumby Hall
By Eric Stirgus
The Georgia Board of Regents on Tuesday approved the University of Georgia’s $53.8 million plan to renovate one of its oldest dorms, Brumby Hall.
The plans consist of updating all living and bathroom spaces, as well as addressing federal Americans with Disabilities Act regulations, said Greg Trevor, the university’s spokesman. The enhancements will include community kitchens and more study space to encourage interaction and engagement, officials said. UGA will soon solicit bids from companies interested in providing design services, Trevor said.
www.myajc.com
Georgia Tech to give Condoleeza Rice honorary degree at fall commencement
By Eric Stirgus
The Georgia Board of Regents on Tuesday approved a request from Georgia Tech to give former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice a honorary degree at its fall commencement ceremony.
Rice will deliver the keynote address at the Dec. 15. ceremony, Georgia Tech officials said. “We encourage our students to serve as leaders prepared to address some of society’s greatest challenges. I can think of no greater role model to speak to our new graduates than Condoleezza Rice,” Georgia Tech President G.P. “Bud” Peterson said in a news release.
www.ajc.com
University professor offered extra credit for students who attended Abrams’ event
By Zachary Hansen, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
An associate professor at Clayton State University acknowledged she made a mistake by offering students extra credit if they attended a campaign event for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, Channel 2 Action News reported. The rally took place at the university Tuesday morning, and it also hosted U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren. …The university sent an emailed statement to the news station that said it just became aware that extra credit was being offered, and that “university administrators have advised the professor that extra credit should be offered on an equal basis to those participating in events by all political parties.” Allen could not be reached by Channel 2 for comment, but the Clayton State email also said: “The professor acknowledges she had made a mistake and agreed to fix it by offering extra credit for all political events.” The university also said it does not provide support to political candidates or parties.
www.redandblack.com
How UGA freshmen are dealing with homesickness, balancing work and play
Foster Steinback | Contributor
Starting college is a big transition, especially when accompanied by 5,750 other freshmen. As the UGA freshman Class of 2022 settles into college life, some are having an easier time than others adjusting to their new environment. Harris Green, an international affairs major from Raleigh, spoke about her first few weeks at UGA and how she struggled with homesickness. “[At] the beginning of college, you’re always busy with [sorority] rush and everything, but after a month, I think it hits you the most, and you get really homesick,” Green said. However, Green said participating in Sigma Delta Tau has improved her college experience. …For Emily Hannan, a pharmaceutical science major from Newnan, finding a group has especially helped her transition, not unlike Green’s. She began attending Freshley at UGA Wesley about a week ago. …Despite all the difficulties, UGA has a world of opportunities for freshmen to make the most of their time here.
www.wgauradio.com
UGA HELPING RURAL GEORGIA ADDRESS HEALTHCARE NEEDS
By: UGA Public Service and Outreach
The University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government has launched two regional partnerships in south Georgia to address the growing need for healthcare workers in rural communities. WorkSource Southern Georgia, which includes 18 counties, and WorkSource Southwest Georgia, with 14 counties, bring employers, educators, government agencies and potential employees together in a targeted approach to meeting the human capital needs of the communities. Eleven of the 15 fastest-growing jobs in south Georgia this decade are in the healthcare sector, according to the Department of Labor.
www.cutimes.com
Georgia Wants to Create Talent Pipeline With FinTech Academy
This statewide initiative wants to create a talent pipeline for Georgia’s fast-growing financial technology business sector.
By Roy Urrico
The American Transaction Processors Coalition, consisting of 70 companies in Georgia’s Transaction Alley, including 60% calling the Peach State home, saw its advocacy for a university-sponsored fintech curriculum realized in September. The ATPC, consisting of fintech companies that develop the products and provide resources supporting much of the financial service industry’s technology needs, played a critical role in organizing support for the establishment of a University System of Georgia sponsored financial technology program and the establishment of a FinTech Academy beginning in early 2014. Chancellor Steve Wrigley and the Board of Regents of the USG announced the formation of the academy, a statewide initiative to create a talent pipeline for Georgia’s fast-growing financial technology business sector. H. West Richards, executive director of ATPC and adviser to both employers and the state on the merits of such a program, maintained talent development is critical to the continued growth of the financial technology industry in Georgia, and help meet the significant demand for fintech-educated employees, both in the state and nationally. Additionally, the public/private partnership between employers at the state will influence curriculum; and this initiative could put Georgia at the forefront as a global talent magnet.
www.wsbtv.com
Investigation finds decades-long illegal deal at Georgia Tech
By: Richard Belcher
An investigation by Channel 2 Action News and our investigative partners at the Atlanta Journal Constitution and AJC.com has found that Georgia Tech repeatedly gave Coca-Cola exclusive rights to sell on the Tech campus without giving other companies a chance to bid. Tech emailed Channel 2 investigative reporter Richard Belcher to acknowledge that the deals were improper and the latest deal has been ended. Another problem is that most, if not all, of the millions of dollars that Coke has paid went into accounts controlled by the Georgia Tech Foundation not the university. The foundation has fewer controls on spending than the controls that govern spending at the public university. In its statement today, Tech acknowledged that the deals going back to 1933 should have been competitively bid and will be in the future, and the money should not have gone to the Tech Foundation.
www.marketplace.org
Google Plus users exposed to security vulnerability
https://www.marketplace.org/2018/10/09/tech/google-users-exposed-security-vulnerability
By Jed Kim
A Wall Street Journal report finds that the private information of nearly half a million Google users was vulnerable from 2015 to March 2018. Google did not disclose the security flaw when it was discovered earlier this year. The problem was related to the Google Plus social network, which, if you aren’t familiar with that, you’re not alone: It failed to catch on. Marketplace’s Jed Kim reports on the vulnerabilities of orphaned products. Story includes interview with Georgia Tech’s Peter Swire. (w/audio)
Higher Education News:
www.chronicle.com
How Faculty Advisers Can Be First Responders When Students Need Help
By Alexander C. Kafka
…Faculty advisers’ core job is to help students plan their schedules, be successful in their course work, and prepare for their careers. But professors like Tafari, who has 52 advisees, know that the role also entails being a first responder to family tragedies, mental illness, substance abuse, learning disabilities, relationship struggles, and other problems. That has been especially true as depression and anxiety rates among college students have risen sharply. …Professors can’t be experts in the myriad things that can go wrong with their students. But they should be experts in the art of referral, says Charlie Nutt, executive director of Nacada, an international association for academic advisers. They should know where on their campus a student should go and whom they should see for health, housing, career, financial-aid, work-study, campus security, and other problems.