University System News:
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Campus round-up: Several Georgia colleges shuffle leaders
By Eric Stirgus
Here’s an occasional look at what’s been going on at Georgia’s colleges and universities.
Turnover at Georgia schools Monday was the start of a very busy for the human resource folks at several Georgia colleges and universities. Georgia Tech President G.P. “Bud” Peterson announced his plans to retire and teach after nearly 10 years on the job. University System of Georgia officials named an interim president at Georgia Gwinnett College and a finalist for the job at Georgia Southern University, but that person, Kyle Marrero, is the current president of the University of West Georgia. The Technical College System of Georgia promoted Erica Godbee Harden, executive vice president of Oconee Fall Line Technical College, to president.Colleges bracing for shutdown impact.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Speculation begins about who will be next Georgia Tech president
By Eric Stirgus
The job of Georgia Tech president is part educator, part administrator, part researcher, part fundraiser, part economic development leader and much, much more. Last week’s announcement that G.P. “Bud” Peterson plans to retire later this year marks the beginning of one of the most important job searches in the state. Georgia Tech has nearly 33,000 students, is consistently ranked among the nation’s top research schools, has a $1.5 billion annual budget, conducts top-secret government research and is a vital cog in the city of Atlanta’s economic development.“It’s a big challenge. Tough job,” said Fran Millar, outgoing chairman of the Georgia Senate’s higher education committee. “You are going to have to be one multitalented individual.”The Atlanta Journal-Constitution asked Millar and others what type of person and qualifications the University System of Georgia and state Board of Regents must look for in Peterson’s replacement. Frequent answers included someone who can think innovatively about higher education and easily adapt to industry changes; develop and maintain strong relationships with students, faculty, business leaders, politicians and trustees; has experience leading a major institution and is a prodigious fundraiser.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
State’s hiring of new Georgia Southern president locked out public input
Get Schooled with Maureen Downey
Matthew Boedy is an assistant professor of rhetoric and composition at the University of North Georgia and frequent AJC Get Schooled contributor. In this piece, Boedy discusses an increasingly common practice among public universities and school districts to skirt the spirit of transparency around searches for new leaders – releasing the name of a single finalist.Under Georgia law, state and local agencies are required to make public a list of up to three finalists for top jobs before they make a final decision. The law is intended to let the public express an opinion on job candidates. However, it is now standard in Georgia to release a list of finalists that contains just one name so no one — including the citizens who will be paying the salaries of these new hires — can second-guess the decision or offer feedback. The point of our Sunshine laws is to give the public a voice. Today, Boedy shares a disappointing example of the University System of Georgia silencing that voice in the hiring of University of West Georgia President Kyle Marrero to lead Georgia Southern.
By Matthew Boedy
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Why is student mental health at Georgia Tech and other schools worsening?
Get Schooled with Maureen Downey
Collin Spencer is a third-year biology major at Georgia Tech where he has served as a member of President G.P. “Bud” Peterson’s Campus Culture Action Team and as director of the Mental Health Student Coalition. After Collin and I exchanged emails about the deaths of two Georgia Tech students to suicide, I asked him to write about the efforts underway on campus to help students and what more needs to occur.Collin manages the Intercollegiate Mental Health Conference for Georgia Tech and oversees the allocation of a million-dollar fund for mental health as chair of the Joint Allocations Committee. He intends to pursue further graduate studies in public policy. Georgia Tech has long had a reputation as a school that demands excellence and where students work night and day to meet that expectation. While school leaders have been working to create a more holistic and humane culture, Collin says there is more to do to address what one report called a “shared despair.”Georgia Tech is not alone. Campuses across the country are grappling with a rise in suicides and depression. Today, suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. (Traffic accidents is first.) As The New York Times reported:
All on Georgia
Two Georgia Southern professors selected to work at National Science Foundation
Two Georgia Southern University professors have been selected to work at the National Science Foundation (NSF) at the same time this year. “Georgia Southern University now has two faculty members on temporary assignment at the NSF,” said Carl L. Reiber, Ph.D., Georgia Southern provost and vice president for academic affairs. “It is quite an achievement to have one professor asked to serve at NSF; it is unusual to have two there. This is a testament to the quality of the faculty we have at Georgia Southern. The experiences they will bring back to our students will be invaluable.” Professor of Biology Laura B. Regassa, Ph.D., is currently serving as director of the Innovations in Graduate Education program at the foundation. She will stay for a fourth year in 2019, which is unusual at the NSF, as faculty typically rotate in for three years. Professor of Biology Sophie B. George, Ph.D., will head to the NSF this spring for a three-year rotation in the Division of Biological Infrastructure. She also served in this role from 2012-2015.
Emanuel County Live
EGSC receives grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety
by Katelyn Moore
East Georgia State College is proud to announce the receipt of a $5,900 grant to participate in the GOHS Georgia Young Adult Program. The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety addresses young adult driver crashes, injuries and fatalities and partners with colleges and universities throughout the state to implement the Georgia Young Adult Program (GYAP). This program has proven to be successful using strategies such as peer education, providing educational speakers to schools, and encouraging schools to develop creative, innovative techniques to reduce young adult crashes, injuries and fatalities in their communities.
Statesboro Herald
Processing plastic a challenge, so ‘reduce, reuse’ receive priority
Al Hackle/Staff
Recycling of plastics in the Statesboro area, as in other places in America, isn’t dead, but it is struggling. China, which had been the world’s largest processor of recycled materials, effective in early 2018 banned importation of discarded plastics from the United States and other countries. As an indirect result, the Bulloch County government lost its buyer and stopped accepting plastics at the county’s 19 recycling convenience centers last summer. But these convenience centers continue to accept cardboard, aluminum and steel cans, paper, glass, motor oil and other items. Meanwhile, Georgia Southern University, in its recycling program for students and employees, continues to accept bottles made of two kinds of plastic, as well as paper, corrugated cardboard, aluminum and other metal cans, but not glass.
Savannah Tribune
Georgia Southern Opens New Health Professions Academic Building
Home to Waters College of Health Professions
By Savannah Tribune
Last Thursday, Georgia Southern University President Shelley C. Nickel, Gov. Nathan Deal, University System of Georgia Chancellor Steve Wrigley and Board of Regents Chair Don Waters cut the ribbon to open the University’s new Health Professions Academic Building on the Armstrong campus. All shared enthusiasm for the expansive new facility, which enables the University to provide exceptional education and training opportunities to help students succeed while addressing the healthcare needs of the region. “This new Health Professions Academic Building is not just a representation of our physical expansion here on the Armstrong Campus, it represents our commitment to training healthcare professionals to enter an area of great need in our region, in our state – even in our nation,” said Nickel. “This new 63,000 square-foot facility was built with a rapidly changing healthcare field in mind. It is designed to train healthcare providers in a state-of-theart interprofessional environment that encourages a team-oriented approach to healthcare – an approach that has been shown to improve delivery of care and patient outcomes.”
WJCL
Georgia Southern K-9 receives protective vest
Dave Williams
Often times police dogs are put into dangerous situations just like any officer, so giving them as much protection as possible is always a good idea. And, that’s exactly what’s happening with one of Georgia Southern’s K-9’s. Georgia Southern’s K-9 “Bear” and his handler Philip Garza have been a fixture around the Armstrong campus in Savannah since last April and now “Bear” will be safer on the job. He is now equipped with a protective armored vest thanks to a donation by Vested Interest in K-9’s Incorporated. “Bear goes into the room before I even get in there,” said Officer Philip Garza, Bear’s Handler. “So there’s anything to happen to go off I feel a lot better that he has the body armor on and having that there’s a chance he’s going to be okay after the bomb goes off or whatever the case may be.” Each of the protective vests cost $950, and with a limited budget, Georgia Southern’s Police Department wouldn’t be able to afford one for “Bear” without this donation.
The PE Hub Network
Campus Realty and T2 acquire four student housing communities
By Iris Dorbian
Campus Realty Advisors and T2 Capital Management have acquired a portfolio of four student housing communities. No financial terms were disclosed. Realiance International Real Estate Partners is also participating in the transaction. The properties in the four university markers include Central Washington University, Stephen F. Austin University, Austin Peay State University and Georgia Southern University. Asset Campus Housing will provide property management services.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Why some colleges don’t rely on SAT or ACT scores
By Eric Stirgus
The recent controversy surrounding a Florida high school student fighting a claim she cheated on the SAT after her score rose by 300 points brings to mind an ongoing question: Are such exams the best indicator of college aptitude? Some colleges don’t necessarily think so.Many of the nation’s top liberal arts and research colleges do not require SAT or ACT scores as part of their application. Of at least 7,000 U.S. colleges and universities, an estimated 1,000 do not require test results, according to The National Center for Fair and Open Testing.Agnes Scott College is among the Georgia schools that do not require SAT or ACT scores. It allows applicants to use instead an evaluative interview with a counselor or an analytical or critical writing sample.So why do some schools say they don’t need to see those scores? Three University of Georgia researchers — Andrew S. Belasco, James C. Hearn and Kelly O. Rosinger — explored the topic in a paper published in 2014. They said some schools relied too heavily on the exams to determine how students will do in college.
The Daily Tribune News
Educators list issues they hope legislature will address this year
BY DONNA HARRIS
With a new legislative session about to convene, officials with the school systems and colleges in Bartow County have their wish lists of what they hope the state’s senators and representatives will consider this year. The Georgia General Assembly will begin its 2019 legislative session Monday at 10 a.m. at the State Capitol in Atlanta. …College officials also are hoping for “continued support” of financial incentives like HOPE Grants and HOPE Career Grants for high-demand jobs, “which greatly support our communities,” Newcomb said. …Georgia Highlands College didn’t respond with its wish list for the upcoming legislative session, but President Dr. Don Green said officials were “especially thankful to our legislators for all they do for GHC, the USG [University System of Georgia] and education in the state.” “Their work both supports our communities and enhances educational and economic development opportunities across Georgia,” he said. He noted the college received funding to renovate its Winn Building in Dallas under the fiscal year 2019 state budget and recently opened a new $22.5 million academic building in Cartersville that was financed with state funding. “Without our legislators’ tireless support and dedication to education, these ventures would not have been possible,” he said.
Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
Does Admissions Testing Ignore Due Process?
Lawsuit against ACT says students are subject to a catch-22 in which they must give up their rights to demonstrate that they haven’t cheated. Litigation comes amid similar challenge to the SAT.
By Scott Jaschik
May 2 is date that should one of little stress for successful high school seniors. May 1 is the deadline to reply to admissions offers. But for Brendan Clare, May 2 was a day that nearly derailed his college plans. On that day he received a letter from ACT (sent a few days earlier) telling him that ACT had concerns about the validity of his test scores. As a result, Clare had a choice of either having his scores invalidated, offering evidence that they were valid or retaking the test. ACT suspected that the gains he made from the first to second times he took the ACT (in June and September of 2017) were the result of cheating. Clare was aware that Pennsylvania State University, which he planned to attend, could withdraw his admissions offer based on revoked ACT scores. He was also aware that he had just turned down other admissions offers, including one with a $25,000 scholarship offer. (He had gone up from a 21 composite score, slightly above the national average, to a 26, much better, but hardly record-setting on the exam where a perfect score would be 36.) …The suit accuses ACT of harming Clare in multiple ways, including by failing to notify him of its doubts about his test scores until just after he would have accepted or turned down offers of college admission — eight and 10 months after he took the test. He might have cleared up the situation well before he faced deadlines from colleges, the suit charges, and there is no reason for ACT to have waited until a time that it knew was the college decision day.
Inside Higher Ed
Selective Colleges Enroll Relatively Few Military Veterans
By Paul Fain
Veterans of the U.S. military tend to be underrepresented at the nation’s selective four-year institutions and overrepresented at community colleges and for-profit institutions, according to a new report from Ithaka S+R. Student veterans accounted for about 5 percent of all undergraduate and graduate student enrollment in 2016, the report found, but represented 13 percent of students enrolled at for-profits. And nearly one in three veterans who receive GI Bill benefits attend for-profits. In contrast, veterans are half as likely as their peers to enroll in colleges with high graduation rates. For example, the report said just 10 percent of veterans who receive the GI Bill attend institutions with a graduation rate of at least 70 percent (using graduation rates based on 150 percent of the normal time to degree).