Atlanta Business Chronicle

Regents OK master’s degree program for UGA film students

By Dave Williams  – Staff Writer, Atlanta Business Chronicle

The University of Georgia has been given the go-ahead to launch a master’s degree program aimed at training students to join the creative professions within the entertainment industry. The University System of Georgia Board of Regents voted Tuesday to authorize UGA to offer a master of fine arts degree with a major in film, television and digital media. The program will train writers, directors, producers, cinematographers, production designers, editors and other personnel involved in creating film and TV content. While Georgia has excelled in training students for the technical jobs involved in film and TV production since the state’s entertainment industry began to take off a decade ago, industry insiders say the state’s universities need course offerings that will lead to careers in content creation on the front end of those productions. The new UGA program is aimed at filling that gap.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Budget to demolish Georgia State space doubles to nearly $10 million

By Eric Stirgus

It’s not pretty, many students say, and Georgia State University wants to demolish the old building. But the costs to do so has gone up, nearly twice the initial estimate.University officials discussed the rising price tag to demolish Kell Hall, built in 1925, with the state’s Board of Regents Tuesday. The total cost to demolish the building and remake it into greenspace is now nearly $10 million. The original cost estimate was about $5 million. Georgia State officials said the reason for the higher budget is the cost to relocate utility lines, which was higher than anticipated. Georgia State will pay for the cost increase. A Regents committee approved the revised demolition and plans for the space.

See also:

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Georgia State building demolition to cost $10 million

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia Regents hear plan for $7 million KSU baseball field renovation

By Eric Stirgus

A Georgia Board of Regents committee on Tuesday reviewed Kennesaw State University’s plans to spend $7 million to renovate Stillwell Baseball Stadium. University officials say the money is coming from private and philanthropic donations, including a public fundraising campaign.“The Stadium, which was built in the late 1980s, is outdated and no longer meets the needs of the student-athletes for daily use or the expectations of its patrons seeking an enjoyable game day experience,” according to state documents. The first phase would includes installing a turf field, a batting lane and new fencing. The second phase includes planned dugout improvements, updated space for media, concessions, and other game day operations.

Decaturish.com

Four Decatur residents arrested during protest at Georgia Board of Regents meeting

Dan Whisenhunt

Four Decatur residents were among nine people arrested for disrupting a Georgia Board of Regents meeting on Feb. 12. The protestors were supporting undocumented students banned from Georgia colleges and universities. Freedom University advocacy group and “freedom school” for undocumented students, coordinated the protest. “At approximately 10:15 am on Tuesday, February 12, nine community leaders – including four clergy members – disrupted a Georgia Board of Regents’ public meeting in support of undocumented students banned from public universities in Georgia,” the group said in a press release. “Following the opening invocation at the Board of Regents meeting, nine individuals stood up to continue the prayer in an act of nonviolent civil disobedience.” The Capitol Police made the arrests.

Times-Georgian

Crafton named UWG interim president

FROM STAFF REPORTS

University of West Georgia Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Micheal Crafton was named interim president of the institution on Tuesday. Crafton will officially assume the role on April 1, following the departure of Dr. Kyle Marrero to Georgia Southern University.

Daily Report

UGA Law Receives Record $3M Gift for First-Gen College Grads

The First-Start Scholars Program is being funded by the biggest at one time gift in UGA law school history, made by 1982 alumna Kathelen Amos, a former Aflac Inc. in-house lawyer, and the Daniel P. Amos Family Foundation.

By Katheryn Tucker

With a $3 million gift—calling it the “largest outright donation” in its history—the University of Georgia School of Law plans to build a scholarship and mentoring program to assist all new law students who are first-generation college graduates. The law school announced Tuesday the creation of the First-Start Scholars Program, funded by a lead gift from 1982 alumna Kathelen Amos and the Daniel P. Amos Family Foundation. Dan Amos is chairman and chief executive officer of Aflac Inc. The company was founded in 1955 in downtown Columbus as American Family Life Insurance Co. of Columbus by John Amos and his brothers, Paul and Bill Amos. …The new UGA program will begin awarding scholarships in the fall of 2019, the law school announced. Students will receive a partial tuition scholarship as well as a professional development stipend, according to the school. The law school plans to hire an adviser to work exclusively with first-generation college graduates.

Access WDUN

UNG named to 2019-2020 Military Friendly Schools list

By Alyson Shields Reporter

The University of North Georgia has been designated as a 2019-2020 Military Friendly School by Victory Media. In Georgia, the UNG received a designation, alongside Gwinnett Technical College in Lawrenceville. Financial aid and assistance was UNG’s top mark, exceeding the standard for military friendliness by 82 percent. UNG was also 67 percent above the standard in academic policies and 54 percent above the standard for culture and commitment.

Douglas Now

GOOD THINGS ARE HAPPENING AT SOUTH GEORGIA STATE COLLEGE

South Georgia State College recently released a new strategic plan covering 2019-2024. Entitled Moving Forward, the plan is built on the college’s legacy and articulates key goals for the next five years. Commitment to strengthen the economic health of the region remains one of its core goals. The commitment comes in many forms — from providing strong academic programs delivered by talented faculty and staff to establishing and maintaining relationships through collaborations with our community and region.

World Economic Forum

6 ways to future-proof universities

Jaci Eisenberg

The members of the Global University Leaders Forum community convened at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2019 to discuss their role in our ever-changing world. Here are six topics that were top of the agenda as the members considered the future of the university and its role in society… Companies are also leveraging university expertise to retain their workforce. AT&T launched a $1 billion initiative called “Future Ready” to retain the nearly half of its employees that no longer had the right skills. Carried out in partnership with traditional universities such as Georgia Tech, the University of Notre Dame and the University of Oklahoma, and online course providers Coursera and Udacity, Future Ready allows AT&T workers to pursue new qualifications, culminating in either MA or MSc degrees or badges that attest to attainment of specific competences.

Albany Herald

ABAC economic impact swells to $530 million

Growth of Tifton college brings more jobs, money into region

From Staff Reports

Thanks to a higher number of students, more employees, and more expensive off-campus housing, the economic impact of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College on south Georgia soared to a record $529,838,507 in Fiscal Year 2017, according to a recent statewide study. …Tifton and the South Georgia area certainly benefited as the 2017 report revealed that 444 jobs at ABAC resulted in 1,382 jobs off campus for a total impact of 1,826 jobs in the area. The previous fiscal year report in 2016 showed ABAC with 230 on-campus jobs resulting in 886 off-campus jobs for a total impact of 1,116 jobs in the area.

Savannah Business Journal

Volunteer Nonprofit Organized by Georgia Southern Students Selected as Finalists for World Trade Center Competition

Savannah Business Journal Staff Report

IVolunteer International Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded by three Georgia Southern University students in 2017, is working to launch a geo-connecting mobile application that will connect individuals to volunteer projects in their local communities, around the world. IVolunteer International was selected as the local winner for the Peace Through Trade Competition, a global student contest hosted by the World Trade Centers Association (WTCAF).

The George-Anne

“Émilie” wins several awards at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival

By Shiann Sivell

Georgia Southern University’s theater program won awards in designing and lighting teamwork and its director at the 50th Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival last Thursday. KCACTF is a national theater program involving 20,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide annually. The competition part of the festival is broken down by regions, said Director Lisa Abbot. GS is part of region four. “The festival celebrates all aspects of the theater process,” Abbot said. “It’s a way to fellowship in all areas and network.” Abbey Hutcheson won second place for her Émilie’s set design, an award she said she didn’t expect. …Mary Flott, lighting director, won first place for her work with “Émilie.” She went to the festival two days early with the rest of her crew to help set up the production and faced several challenges along the way.

Athens Banner-Herald

UGA opens virtual reality lab

By Dayne Young

Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication can now get hands-on experience with virtual and augmented reality. Grady College recently opened the Virtual Environment Room and Gaming Experience lab to allow students and faculty members to engage in the VR world. “VERGE allows students to experience a state-of-the-art lab and be able to better discuss what audiences and target markets are experiencing,” said Grace Ahn, advertising associate professor and VERGE co-director. The lab features 15 immersive stations that allow up to 20 students to experience virtual reality at the same time. Some stations are capable of full body tracking. Others simply require wearing goggles.

American Inno

University of Georgia in Early Stages of Tech-Centered Innovation District

By Melanie Preis

Innovation is the lifeblood of universities, fostering talent and developing the next big thing. The University of Georgia, already focused on driving new products and systems into the marketplace, has doubled down on its mission of innovation and economic development in the local community by creating its upcoming vibrant Innovation District. This “campus of the future,” located in and around north campus and downtown Athens, is planned to enhance the school’s, city’s and state’s competitiveness in a knowledge-based economy, as well as promote a collaborative vibe, raise entrepreneurial thinking and garner support from businesses. “This project will be grounded in the unique academic strengths of the University of Georgia and the creative culture of its host city,” Kyle Tschepikow, UGA’s special assistant to the president and director for strategy and innovation, said. “The inspiration for the project is the institution’s land-grant mission and aspiration to become an even more powerful driver of innovation and economic development in Georgia and beyond.”

Athens Banner-herald

UGA, partners launch Clinical Informatics Fellowship

By Rebecca Ayer

With the use of electronic health records and other systems, medical professionals have access to more patient and population health information and data than ever before. Yet many who work in health care settings are not properly trained to interpret the variety of information at their fingertips. To address this need, the Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership and the University of Georgia College of Public Health have partnered with Athens-area health care providers — St. Mary’s Healthcare System, Piedmont Athens Regional and the University of Georgia Health Center — to create the first Clinical Informatics Fellowship for physicians in Georgia.

Commonwealth Magazine

Law bars most immigrants from carrying self-defense spray

Student discovered obscure provision, now seeks to repeal it

SARAH BETANCOURT

It isn’t every day that a college student’s research leads to a bill being filed in the Massachusetts Legislature. But that’s exactly what happened when research conducted by Tony Tan, a student at Georgia Institute of Technology, found that Massachusetts law prohibits the possession of self-defense spray by most lawful immigrants. The penalty is imprisonment for up to two years and a fine of not more than $1,000. The only immigrants exempted from the penalty are green card holders and those who have been victims of domestic violence.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Kennesaw State investigating racist social media images

By Eric Stirgus

Kennesaw State University officials are investigating some racist social media posts that are raising concerns about student safety at the school. One post showed the face of what appears to be an African-American student sitting in a classroom with a red arrow pointed at his face, with the comment: “Need to call the Klan to solve this issue.” Other images included disparaging messages about Jews and about Islam. The images were sent to some African-American KSU students, leaving some fearful about their safety, students told Channel 2 Action News.

Macon Telegraph

Test reveals what made Georgia College students, 100 others so sick

BY LAURA CORLEY

A highly contagious stomach bug that sickened more than 120 people after it was first reported last week by a cluster of Georgia College students was identified Tuesday as a norovirus. Though the origin of this one is still being investigated, noroviruses are the No. 1 cause of disease outbreak from contaminated food in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The probe started Feb. 6 when Baldwin County Health Department’s environmental health specialists inspected the Milledgeville campus after a cluster of 13 students reported having a gastrointestinal illness. It is a standard public health response to a cluster, which the CDC defines as “an unusual aggregation, real or perceived, of health events that are grouped together in time and space and that are reported to a health agency.” The college closed its campus dining halls after students reported stomach pain, Georgia College spokeswoman Brittiny Johnson said in an email to The Telegraph.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia Tech campus on alert after rabid fox attacks students

By Chelsea Prince

Georgia Tech is warning students and staff to be on alert after a rabid fox attacked two students. The students were on a pathway behind the Molecular Science and Engineering building last week when they came upon the animal, according to school officials. The fox was later captured and tested positive for rabies, Georgia Tech spokesman Lance Wallace said. The injured students are being treated. A third student who was with them was not hurt. Over the weekend, a fourth student had a “similar encounter” with a different fox in the same area, which is near the school’s track and field facility.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Lawsuit targets Georgia Tech’s handling of campus dining contract

By Eric Stirgus

Georgia Tech’s recent selection of a new vendor to manage its multimillion-dollar campus dining operations has the company that lost the bid wondering if something was rotten in the decision-making process. The company, Sodexo, filed a lawsuit late last month against Georgia Tech President G.P. “Bud” Peterson and the University System of Georgia, accusing the school of withholding documents that it believes may show some top officials who resigned last year in an ethics scandal favored the other company, Aramark, in the selection process. The University System oversees operations at Georgia Tech and 25 other state colleges and universities. The lawsuit is the latest in a string of questions about Tech’s ethics that have emerged in recent months, including several violations discovered by the school’s chief auditor that led to the resignations.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

On Campus: Power moves at the Gold Dome and at the courthouse

By Eric Stirgus

There were some interesting developments pertaining to colleges in Georgia, but much of it took place in various courtrooms and at the state Capitol. Here’s what happened and other noteworthy news and notes from the AJC’s weekly On Campus roundup. Lawmakers review bills designed to help students in need Georgia lawmakers heard two intriguing pieces of legislation its authors hope will help students. One Senate bill would give students grants with the agreement that they would pay the money back with a specific portion of their future earnings. The official term is “income sharing agreements.” A bill in the House would specify ongoing efforts to prevent the state from revoking various business licenses if the person has fallen behind on their student loans.

New developments in KSU cheerleader lawsuit

The controversy surrounding some African-American cheerleaders at Kennesaw State University who knelt during the National Anthem in silent protest of police brutality in 2017, and the reaction to it, was back in the news last week. You may remember that one of the cheerleaders last year sued some heavy hitters in Cobb County, including Sheriff Neil Warren and former state lawmaker Earl Ehrhart, for what the student felt was a discriminatory effort to curtail her speech rights when they complained about it to KSU’s president. …Later Thursday, the judge in the case ruled Ehrhart and Warren should not be part of the lawsuit. …Regents shakeup Let’s go back to the state Capitol, where the new governor and lieutenant governor said three last-minute re-appointments by outgoing Gov. Nathan Deal to the state Board of Regents were improperly done. The  longtime board members are apparently out. We’ll see who the new governor, Brian Kemp, picks for this powerful board, which oversees the state’s largest public colleges and universities and will determine Georgia Tech’s next president. Georgia Tech mental health conference Georgia Tech has had trouble helping students grappling with the intense pressure to succeed at the renowned research institute and those dealing with mental health issues. In some instances, the situations ended tragically. The school is hosting a conference this weekend. Students from nine schools, experts and others will be on campus to share advice and best practices. Dining virus at Georgia College Georgia College briefly shut down its campus dining facilities last week after several reports of stomach pain by an unspecified number of students.