University System News:
Daily Citizen
University System welcomes public input on next strategic plan at forum
By Ryan Anderson
Community members — as well as educators from as far as Georgia Tech, the University of North Georgia and Kennesaw State University — gave feedback for the University System of Georgia’s next strategic plan during a public forum at Dalton State College Wednesday night. Margaret Venable, president of Dalton State; Tristan Denley, Dalton State’s executive vice chancellor for academic affairs; and Angela Bell, associate vice chancellor for research and policy analysis for the USG; all emphasized the value of public comments in shaping the strategic plan. As the president of a college in the USG system, it’s paramount for Venable to understand any areas that may have been overlooked, she said. “We are here to listen,” Venable said. The strategic plan “doesn’t just sit on a shelf,” either, Bell said. Instead, it will guide allocation of resources throughout the USG system from 2020-2024.
Savannah Business Journal
University System of Georgia to host Savannah regional forum on Sept. 19
Savannah Business Journal Staff Report
On Thursday, Sept. 17 the University System of Georgia invites the public to attend a Savannah regional forum, as part of the USG’s 2019 strategic planning effort. The forum will take place at 3:15 p.m. at the Savannah Convention Center in the Oglethorpe Auditorium. The new strategic plan will set USG’s agenda for the next four years and beyond. This is a chance to weigh in on how the system will face the challenges and opportunities of public higher education in Georgia. The strategic planning forum is being held in conjunction with the system’s annual interactUSG technology conference, which requires registration.
Albany Herald
New study shows Albany State’s economic impact on region more than $244 million
Albany State employed 2,818 people in 2018
From staff reports
Albany State University had a more than $244 million economic impact on the Albany region in 2018, a recent study released and commissioned by the University System of Georgia said. “It is imperative that Albany State University and the Albany community have a beneficial relationship,” Albany State President Marion Fedrick said in a news release. “As an educational institution, ASU creates and supports employment opportunities and provides services that contribute to the economic well-being of southwest Georgia and beyond. As I’ve said before, the community is critical to the success of ASU. “I look forward to growing ASU’s economic impact in the future by increasing our student and faculty population, increasing our academic programs and amplifying the campus community’s involvement in the surrounding community.”
Americus Times Recorder
GSW contributes $94 million economic impact on region
By Beth Alston
Georgia Southwestern State University’s (GSW) economic impact on the region was $93.6 million in fiscal year 2018, up nearly $5 million from the previous year’s total. This data was published in the recent annual study conducted by the Selig Center for Economic Growth in the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business. The study, commissioned by the University System of Georgia (USG), included economic data for all 28 System Schools and for the USG as a whole. Georgia Southwestern’s economic impact grew by 5 percent from fiscal year 2017, to 2018, while the USG’s economic impact also increased by 5 percent.
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Columbus State soars in U.S. News Best Colleges rankings
By Mark Rice
Columbus State University has made significant improvement in the latest U.S. News Best Colleges rankings compared to last year. CSU’s ranking increased 25 spots to 75th in the magazine’s 2020 undergraduate ranking of 136 regional universities in the South. Among public regional universities in the South , CSU’s ranking increased 12 spots to 30th.
Forsyth County News
UNG rises in US News & World Report rankings
From staff reports
The University of North Georgia (UNG) ranks 16th among all public regional universities in the South on the U.S. News & World Report 2020 Best Colleges list released Sept. 9, up four spots from the previous year’s ranking.
Athens CEO
UGA Ranked 16th by U.S. News & World Report
Leigh Beeson
The University of Georgia continues to rank among the nation’s top universities, according to U.S. News & World Report, which placed UGA at No. 16 in its latest list of Best Public Universities. UGA has ranked in the top 20 for four years in a row.
Griffin Daily News
Gordon State recognized for first-year student efforts
Gordon State College led among state colleges and ranked third in the system overall last year in percentage of first year students taking 15 or more credits in fall semester, according to a University System of Georgia report.
Daily Citizen-News
Margaret Venable: Living my passion so students can find theirs
Not every passion we have will turn into a career — which is evident because my penchant for singing in the shower has never translated to a record deal. But if we work hard enough, and if we’re lucky enough, we get to seek out those passions and live them daily. I often counsel people to find their passions, even if it’s not your career. Maybe it’s not an activity. Maybe it’s a place you feel especially connected to that makes you eager to wake up in the morning. Some people would say the beach, Disney World or that nostalgic summer vacation cabin is their “happy place.” But for me, it’s Dalton State College. I know school isn’t everyone’s happy place. But a college campus filled with students is mine. It’s one of the reasons I became a college president. Being at Dalton State fills me with joy, even on the most challenging days.
The Chronicle of Higher education
He Was the President. His Wife Was Getting Payments From the University. Is That a Problem?
By Michael Vasquez
As the new president of the Georgia Institute of Technology, Ángel Cabrera has a clear mission: Rebuild public trust. A highly publicized ethics scandal last year — involving questionable spending, conflicts of interest, and multiple employees’ losing their jobs — severely damaged the institute’s image. The repair has begun: Georgia Tech elevated its ethics-officer position, hosted an ethics-awareness week, and surveyed its employees about the issue. Cabrera, who started on the job this month, is a logical choice to lead the restoration campaign. An expert on business ethics, he previously served as president of George Mason University, Virginia’s largest public institution, where he was credited with raising the university’s enrollment and prestige. But records obtained by The Chronicle show that Cabrera’s tenure at George Mason also included an arrangement that some ethics experts now criticize. During his term, the university paid more than $120,000 to his wife, Beth Cabrera, a motivational speaker and author who teaches corporate executives the power of positive psychology.
The Inkwell
INTERVIEW WITH UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT DR. KYLE MARRERO
- MARRERO TALKS: COMMENCEMENT, 5-YEAR PLAN AND INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE REPORT
Madison Watkins, Editor-in-Chief
With October quickly approaching and a hurricane evacuation already disrupting the academic calendar, the fall semester is in full swing. With a new semester comes new updates to the university. Within the first month of classes, a new commencement plan was announced for the university. Administration announced a new strategic plan detailing how they will unite the three campuses. Lastly, the Inclusive Excellence Report on how the campus community felt (in terms of diversity) was published. The George-Anne Inkwell Edition sat down with University President Dr. Kyle Marrero and Director of Communications Jennifer Wise to discuss these topics.
Gwinnett Daily Post
Georgia Gwinnett College networks with city leaders to find new partnerships
By Taylor Denman
Georgia Gwinnett College President Jann Joseph has made concerted efforts in the early months of her tenure to network with students, local businesses and now elected officials of local municipalities. To lay the foundation of what GGC hopes will develop into a partnership, Joseph hosted representatives from seven cities in Gwinnett County at a breakfast in the boardroom of the presidents’ office on Tuesday. Joseph and city officials discussed what future partnerships between the college and city could look like. If the first step in the partnership is to engage with the community, the next step is to embed the GGC student and graduate pipeline into Gwinnett County’s commerce. That could come in the form of two-year programs and satellite classes.
Daily Citizen-News
Dalton State College adds engineering technology degree
Dalton State College’s new engineering technology degree will provide students with both the industrial and mechanical engineering skills needed to fill several industry jobs in Northwest Georgia, according to college officials. The state Board of Regents approved a bachelor of applied science in engineering technology on Tuesday. The degree will be offered spring semester. It is the college’s 25th bachelor’s degree. “This program was developed in cooperation with our industry and educational partners with the regional workforce in mind,” said Randall Griffus, dean of the School of Science, Technology and Mathematics. “The BAS in engineering technology will give our students an additional option to earn a high-demand degree and provide local businesses with access to graduates who possess the knowledge and skills to meet their needs.”
The Red & Black
UGA to offer a variety of new study abroad programs in 2020
Ansleigh Edwards | Contributor
With more than 2,000 University of Georgia students embarking on study abroad programs offered by the university per year, one in four graduating seniors will have studied abroad during their time at UGA. The Office of Global Engagement offers more than 100 study abroad programs during the fall, spring, Maymester and summer semesters, ranging from training courses on the physiological principles of muscle hypertrophy in Scotland to experiential fieldwork among the Australian wildlife.
The George-Anne
MOVE initiative strives to improve the college experience of African American men
By Nathan Woodruff
The MOVE Initiative at Georgia Southern provides a culture of academic support and success for African American men on the GS campus during the 2019-2020 academic school year. Aaron Tate, public relations chair of the MOVE Initiative, said that improving the academic success of African American men was the goal. “Our organization is basically about the holistic development of men. We are an African American male initiative so we focus on retention, progression and graduation rate,” Tate said. “We want to teach people, of course, how to be legendary.” MOVE is part of the University System of Georgia’s African-American Male Initiative, designed to increase the number of African-American males who complete their post-secondary education. Aaron Graham, MOVE Initiative historian, said that the initiative allowed him to make more friends and earn a better GPA.
The Sentinel
African American Male Initiative produces leaders of tomorrow
Candace Mitchell
The disparities between students at Kennesaw State is something universities seek to change, made clear at a meeting of KSU’s African American Male Initiative held Thursday, Sept. 12. KSU’s AAMI has created programs and services to aid African American men on campus toward success. AAMI has presented a plethora of programs that are open to everyone, but one of the more familiar programs is “Wings and Bowties.” The Wings and Bowties program teaches young men how to tie a bowtie or tie properly while also providing them additional information on the appropriate business casual and business professional attire. Among the many programs they hold, AAMI also has a social event called “Dab Wednesday” where they dress for success. AAMI Director and KSU Associate Director of Cultural and Community Centers Brandon Jackson explained the symbolism within black men dressing professionally on Wednesdays.
Albany CEO
Georgia Southwestern’s Carter Leadership Program Students Meet Former President Jimmy Carter
Staff Report
Twenty Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) students in the inaugural class of the President Jimmy Carter Leadership Program had the opportunity to visit Plains, Ga. on Friday, September 13 and speak with the program’s namesake, GSW alumnus and former President Jimmy Carter. During their first year in the program, the students, known as Mix Scholars, are focusing on individual growth and development, working to understand their own beliefs and values. In their private meeting at Plains High School, President Carter explained the importance of choosing one’s principles and values early in life and how his time at Plains High School helped him do just that.
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
Using Technology to Make College More Accessible for Veterans
By Janet Kline
After taking a pledge to serve their country on the often-dangerous front line, colleges and universities—both private and public—have been actively working to provide incentives to active-duty military and veterans to enroll at their institutions. The initiatives vary. They include providing a variety of academic and support services that focus exclusively on this demographic, such as daycare and child services, student programming and online courses. But enrolling these students has not always been easy. In recent years, a growing number of colleges and universities have reported a sharp decline in the number of military-affiliated students on their campuses. To address this growing concern, Georgia Southern University has made it easier for active-duty military or veterans to find out what courses they can receive credit for based on previous military experience.
Athens Banner-Herald
UGA law school continues financial aid program for vets
By Sarah Freund / Correspondent
For the second straight year, the University of Georgia School of Law commits to providing financial aid to every veteran who accepts its offer of admission for fall 2020 – a guarantee known as the “Butler Commitment.” Furthermore, the law school is pleased to share that 100% of veterans currently enrolled in the Juris Doctor program are receiving some form of scholarship aid from the school. The Butler Commitment was launched earlier this year to guarantee financial aid to 100% of veterans who matriculated in the fall 2019 class. The initiative and its expansion are supported by trial attorney and 1977 law school alumnus Jim Butler, who also helped establish the law school’s Veterans Legal Clinic in 2018.
WGAU Radio
UGA HOSTS LEGISLATIVE STAFFERS
By: Emily Pateuk
About 50 federal staffers representing Georgia’s 16 congressional offices visited the University of Georgia to get a firsthand look at how UGA makes a positive impact on the state and nation through its teaching, research and service missions. The retreat, held annually during the August congressional recess, is hosted by the UGA Office of Government Relations. “This event provides an opportunity to demonstrate UGA’s stewardship of federal research dollars and our dedication to serving Georgians,” said Carly McCallie, UGA’s director of federal relations. “We are able to highlight the university’s academic and public service initiatives and feature research addressing grand challenges facing our society.”
Savannah Business Journal
Georgia Southern to host STEMFest ‘19 on Statesboro Campus Sept. 21
Savannah Business Journal Staff Report
On Sept. 21, Georgia Southern University will host STEMFest ’19, complete with activities for the entire family. The event is free and open to the public. STEMFest ‘19 will be held on the Statesboro Campus in the Nessmith-Lane Center, located at 847 Plant Drive, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will provide exploration stations with hands-on STEM learning activities for elementary, middle and high school-aged children.
The Augusta Chronicle
Legislators discuss lifting restrictions on Georgia nurse practitioners at Augusta study session
By Tom Corwin
A joint legislative study committee on physician supervision of mid-level health care providers met Tuesday in Augusta and heard a plea from some to lift the state’s restrictions on what they are allowed to do for patients. Nurse practitioners would like the state to take the shackles off what they are allowed to do on their own, a joint legislative study committee was told Tuesday. But some aren’t sure the state should change those restrictions, as South Carolina did last year for nurse practitioners and last month for physician assistants. The House & Senate Study Committee looking at physician supervision of mid-level practitioners, such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants, met for a session at Children’s Hospital of Georgia to hear from health professions schools at Augusta University on their programs. College of Nursing officials made a strong plea for Georgia to join most other states in allowing greater flexibility for advanced practice nurse practitioners to be allowed to do more.
Growing Georgia
Horticulture Student Builds Website to Introduce New Generation to UGA Campus Arboretum
Usually, visitors to the University of Georgia associate trips to the Athens campus with the hedges and ball fields, but UGA horticulture student Kendall Busher wants them to consider the trees. Busher, a horticulture major in the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, is on a quest to introduce students and visitors to one of the university’s best-kept secrets, the UGA Campus Arboretum. While it is not necessarily a well-known fact, UGA’s entire campus is an arboretum — think a zoo or a gallery for trees. Busher had no clue that the campus trees were special until she was asked to develop an online map and a virtual tour of 115 of the campus arboretum’s most unique and exemplary trees. Busher is currently an intern in the UGA Office of Sustainability and a part of the campus arboretum committee. Kevin Kirsche, director of the UGA Office of Sustainability, believes that Busher’s work to help people appreciate the natural beauty around them will ultimately encourage more people to take better care of the UGA campus and the environment in general.
The Signal
Georgia State Convocation Center coming in over budget and undersized
By Signal Staff
Georgia State’s new convocation center is going to cost a bit more than officials thought. The project’s budget was reworked from $79 million to $85 million, after approval from the University System of Georgia Board of Regents on Sept. 10. The state-of-the-art facility at the corner of Fulton Street and Capitol Avenue was originally approved in August 2017. The new facility was planned as a 200,000-square-foot, 7,800-seat building that would host large assembly events, including academic conferences, concerts and convocation and graduation ceremonies. All future Georgia State Men’s and Women’s Basketball home games will be hosted there as well.
Savannah Morning News
Savannah State implements new visitor center, security measures
By Asha Gilbert
New security measures at Savannah State University are looking to deter violence the university has seen in the past. A new visitor center, fences and turnstile next to the Student Union are measures the university is taking to keep students safe. The new visitor center is open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. All visitors must sign in to retrieve a visitor pass before being allowed to go on campus. “Enhanced customer service is a focus for Savannah State University. The Visitor Center at T. A. Wright Stadium opened in the summer of 2019 and is the first place to stop when visiting the campus. We’ve used existing space – a stadium ticket booth – as a starting point for weekday campus visitors where they can get a visitor parking pass, directions and other campus information after signing in and presenting identification,” SSU said in a statement regarding to the new visitor center. In recent years, SSU has seen headlines in the media due to a fatal shooting of a student on campus in 2015, a $10 million lawsuit after a former student was raped on campus, and other violent crimes. SSU has a total of three entry gates on campus including the main gate at LaRoche Avenue, and others on Jasmine Avenue and Whatley Avenue. Both the Jasmine and Whatley Avenue gates close at 7 p.m. during the week.
WSAV
Vaping in Georgia: Everything you need to know
By: Jon Dowding
Morgan Capaldi, a sophomore at Georgia Southern University – Armstrong has a warning for her peers who vape. “If you’re going to do it, you need to know the repercussions of your actions,” Capaldi said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are reporting that, across the country, roughly 400 people have fallen ill due to vaping-related illnesses. Of those, the Georgia Department of Health tells News 3 that three confirmed, and ten potential cases are in Georgia. News 3 has been keeping you informed about recent illnesses as well as basic information about vaping and e-cigarettes. News 3 Digital Reporter Jon Dowding spoke with college students at Georgia Southern University – Armstrong to learn more about what concerns they have about vaping.
Athens Banner-Herald
Brumby Hall renovations ongoing
By Julia Sanders / Correspondent
Last year, Russell Hall, a dorm on the University of Georgia’s campus got a makeover. This year, Brumby Hall, Russell’s next door neighbor will get a new look. Brumby Hall is set to reopen in Fall 2020, according to UGA. Since Brumby Hall is closed, some first year students are living in East Campus Village and University Village apartment communities. Brumby Hall was originally an all female dorm when it was built in 1966. After it reopens, it will become home to about 940 first-year students. UGA requires first-year students to live on campus. Chris Johnson, a fourth year mechanical engineering major from Atlanta, lived at Brumby his first year of college. Even though he didn’t pick Brumby as his top dorm choice, he notes that the experience was a positive one.
WGAU Radio
UGA CUTS RIBBON ON ENGINEERING CENTER
By: Mike Wooten
The University of Georgia College of Engineering celebrates the completion of a major renovation of the Driftmier Engineering Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony . The project, completed in time for the beginning of fall semester classes, has transformed 21,000 square feet of 1960s-era classroom, laboratory and office space into state-of-the-art instructional labs and classrooms. The renovation also provides students with new study areas and spaces designed to promote project-based learning and teamwork. “These new classrooms, laboratories and other enhancements truly reflect the energy of our college and its students,” said Donald Leo, dean of the College of Engineering. “The project demonstrates UGA’s commitment to engineering education and serves as a dynamic launch pad for the future of our growing college.” The $5.5 million project was funded by the university and the college with support from private donors and industry partners.
Athens Banner-Herald
UGA to expand innovation district
By Aaron Hale
The next phase of the University of Georgia’s Innovation District is advancing. The University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents recently approved the renovation of the Spring Street Building, which will be transformed into a creative and dynamic space to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry engagement at UGA. The $4.4 million project is expected to conclude by January 2021 through the support of private donations. “First and foremost, we are grateful to the chancellor and the Board of Regents for supporting this critical next step in the development of UGA’s Innovation District,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “This exciting project will provide a unique space at the heart of North Campus and downtown Athens, where faculty, students, industry partners and community members can collaborate, innovate and develop solutions to real-world problems.”
Georgia Recorder
Dalton ‘Dreamer’ hopes court ruling lets him stay in adopted hometown
By Jamie Rangel
September marks not only the start of football season, but the start of the school year for many Georgians. Students from all walks of life will show up to their classrooms and lecture halls during this time. I’m one of those students, having recently started another year at Dalton State College. The beginning of September also marks the two-year anniversary of the rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program, which lets young people like me, who were brought to the United States as children, lawfully work and pursue an education in the country we call home. Due to various court injunctions, I’m allowed to continue my education at Dalton State — but the U.S. Supreme Court is set to take up three DACA cases this November. Their ruling, expected as soon as Spring 2020, could ultimately end the program, stripping me of my DACA protections, placing me at risk of deportation, and ripping me out of the workforce and away from my college courses. It would also result in thousands of others with DACA status being removed and a severe damage to Georgia’s economy – the removal of DACA-authorized workers in our state would result in a nearly $1 billion annual GDP loss.
WGAU Radio
By: Tim Bryant
The University of Georgia’s Volunteer Fair is underway at 10 o’clock this morning in UGA’s Tate Student Center: local social service agencies from the Athens area will be on hand to talk with students about various volunteer opportunities.
WRDW
Drop off points for Georgia Southern jeans and shoe drive
Georgia Southern University’s Alumni Association is hosting a jean and shoes drive across parts of Georgia, including Augusta. People can donate gently used jeans and shoes in both children and adult sizes to help local organizations, like Bridge Ministries of the CSRA and Soles 4 Souls. The drive runs from Sept. 1st until the 30th at the following locations:
Atlanta Business Chronicle
Georgia to host College GameDay for first time since 2013
By Eric Jackson – Sports Business Reporter, Atlanta Business Chronicle
ESPN’s College GameDay show is returning to Athens for the first time since 2013 this weekend. Georgia (3-0) is set to host Notre Dame (2-0) at Sanford Stadium Saturday night (8 p.m.) This is one of the most anticipated games of the season as the Fighting Irish arrive in Athens for the first time in program history. As of last week, prices for the non-conference matchup were averaging $513.61 per ticket, according to secondary marketplace TickPick. Both teams enter the game undefeated and ranked in the top ten of the AP Top 25 poll. This is just the second time this season there’s been a meeting between two top-ten teams (LSU-Texas) and both teams are backed by some the biggest fanbases in the nation. Just last week Georgia came ahead of Notre Dame in Forbes’ most valuable college football teams survey.
Gainesville Times
UNG general counsel calls Dahlonega rally ‘amazing win for the First Amendment’
Nick Watson
University of North Georgia general counsel Jenna Colvin worked Friday and Saturday to support the school’s efforts in protecting free speech in relation to a rally and counterprotest at the Dahlonega public square that connects to the school’s campus.
Savannah Morning News
Gulfstream East Campus to feature sheet metal, avionics and battery shops
By Katie Nussbaum
On Friday the snip of a ribbon helped to mark a new chapter for Savannah-based Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., as the company officially opened its new state-of-the-art service center, Gulfstream East Campus, on the grounds of Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. “It’s really been a story of our overall growth,” Gulfstream president Mark Burns told the Savannah Morning News earlier this week. “As our fleet has grown and we’ve built and sold more airplanes around the world, our need to expand our footprint for maintenance and service grew as well and part of our core competency is our ability to support the airplanes all around the world and provide maintenance services and upgrade services to our customers, so that need to grow our service infrastructure to help maintain our fleet is first and foremost a commitment to our customers.” …The Savannah and Brunswick workforce accounts for about 10,000 of those jobs and Burns attributes the success and growth through Gulfstream’s partnerships with area schools and universities. “To be able to train the skilled workforce that we need, you can’t do that without a commitment by the education system in the area adjacent to you. Savannah Tech, the Savannah school system, Georgia Tech, Georgia Southern, all those schools have helped us grow the workforce that we really need,” he said.
The George-Anne
Stacey Abrams to speak at Georgia Southern
By Kyle Clark
Stacey Abrams, the 2018 Democratic nominee for Governor of Georgia, will be speaking at Georgia Southern University on Sept. 24. Abrams will be speaking on behalf National Voter Registration Day. Lynn Westmoreland, former Georgia 3rd District representative, will also be speaking at the event.
Savannah CEO
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on The She Leads Investment Seminar Series
As part of his ongoing financial literacy platform, Secretary Raffensperger is pleased to announce the second “She Leads” program, which will take place in Tifton, Georgia on September 20, 2019. “It is truly my honor to host these seminars,” said Raffensperger. “I believe it is my duty to encourage Georgians on their journey to financial literacy and I am grateful we can provide this no-cost curriculum thanks to our generous sponsor, the Investor Protection Trust.” This free, educational seminar will be held at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and will feature expert speakers, interactive exercises, and facilitated group discussions designed to increase attendees’ knowledge about money, their own personal relationship to money, and financial issues and strategies for increasing their money confidence. …Presenters include industry experts, best-selling authors, Presidents and CEOs of multi-million dollar companies, small business owners, and government representatives. Our speakers, among others, are Tina K. Anderson, President of Wiregrass Technical College, Eshonda Blue, CEO of Innovative Senior Solutions, Elena Carne, CEO of Tepuy Activewear, and Jodie R. Snow, COO of the ABAC Foundation.
Albany Herald
Existing drug could treat aggressive brain cancer
By Charlene Betourney CAES News
A research team from the University of Georgia’s Regenerative Bioscience Center has found that a compound molecule used for drug delivery of insulin could be used to treat glioblastoma, an aggressive, usually fatal form of brain cancer. Glioblastoma, also known as GBM, is a fast-growing, weblike tumor that arises from supportive tissue around the brain and resists surgical treatment. Described by some as “sand in grass,” GBM cells are hard to remove and tend to reach out in a tentacle-like fashion through surrounding healthy brain tissue. According to the National Foundation for Cancer Research, more than half of newly diagnosed GBM patients die within the first 15 months. Late U.S. Sens. John McCain and Ted Kennedy both died from GBM, raising national awareness of the deadly disease.
Statesboro Herald
Claxton man charged in rape at GS apartment complex
GS police reports: Suspect has an Eagle ID number but is not currently a registered GS student
HOLLI DEAL SAXON
A Claxton man was arrested Wednesday on charges of rape three days after a woman told police she had been sexually assaulted at a Georgia Southern University apartment complex. According to Bulloch County Jail booking reports, Conner Hawkin Kennedy, 19, of Turnpike Road in Claxton, was arrested Wednesday by Georgia Southern University police on charges of rape. Jail records Monday showed Kennedy remains incarcerated without bond, awaiting further court hearings.
WJCL
Police make two arrests in deadly Statesboro shooting
Police say 27-year-old Dexter Dunbar was shot and killed at the Stadium Walk Apartments near Georgia Southern University
Sharon Johnson
Statesboro Police are investigating two shootings that happened Saturday night—with one turning deadly. Police say 27-year-old Dexter Dunbar was shot and killed at the Stadium Walk Apartments near Georgia Southern University. 20-year-old Thomas Israel Cooper and 22-year-old Brendyn Laroy Carter have been arrested and are facing homicide charges for the shooting near Stadium Walk. “It’s just kind of disgusting that it happened. It shouldn’t go that far. Especially around all the students. You know it’s a college town, and we’re all packed tight into this little area,” said student Jeff Craig. Two shootings within 24 hours at apartments that Georgia Southern students live in.
Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
Scaled-Back HEA Plan Coming Soon?
Senate GOP leader mulls piecemeal update to Higher Education Act tied to HBCU funding, which could include short-term Pell, student data, FAFSA simplification and lifting prison Pell ban. But plan might be tough sell for Democrats.
By Andrew Kreighbaum
GOP senator Lamar Alexander is expected to introduce legislation soon that would offer a path to piecemeal reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, after months of stalled talks over a bipartisan overhaul of the landmark law, which wasn’t expected to move until at least next year. Alexander, the chairman of the Senate education committee, has said he wants to pass an update to the HEA before he retires after next year. He’s particularly eager to simplify the application for federal student aid known as the FAFSA and the myriad repayment options for student borrowers. A scaled-back package of higher education bills — which could be attached to a funding bill for historically black colleges that Congress is under pressure to pass by Sept. 30 — could include a streamlined FAFSA application, the College Transparency Act, expanded Pell Grants for incarcerated students and the broadening of Pell eligibility to short-term programs, according to a wide range of individuals with knowledge of the discussions. Alexander’s office didn’t respond to questions about plans to introduce a broader HEA proposal.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
White House Officials Will Visit Campuses to Discuss Foreign Threats to Research
By Nell Gluckman
Research universities in the United States have felt increasing government pressure to confront the potential theft of intellectual property and national-security secrets from countries like China. Now White House representatives will visit campuses to discuss that effort. In the next few months, representatives from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy will hold meetings at academic institutions to speak with researchers and students about “matters of research security,” according to a letter the office’s director sent on Tuesday to universities and professional organizations. The letter warned about some nations’ “increasingly sophisticated efforts to exploit, influence, and undermine our research activities.” Kelvin K. Droegemeier, director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, said he would visit campuses in order to talk to faculty members. “The faculty would benefit by being part of that conversation,” he said. “That’s really the target audience.” Another goal would be to make sure researchers are aware of the rules and what they mean, Droegemeier said.
Inside Higher Ed
Commercial Student Housing Sector Is Struggling
By Paul Fain
The performance of student housing properties that back commercial mortgage-backed securities has weakened in recent years and turned negative last year, according to Moody’s, the credit ratings agency. The current delinquency rate of nearly 3 percent for student housing securities loans is much higher than the rate for other multifamily properties, Moody’s said….However, most colleges with student housing backed by commercial mortgage-backed securities have relatively high enrollment growth rates, which will help limit continued credit erosion in the student housing sector.
Inside Higher Ed
Free Speech Laws Mushroom in Wake of Campus Protests
After a rash of student protests against controversial and conservative speakers on college campuses, state lawmakers around the country are passing legislation they say protect everyone’s free speech rights. Not everyone agrees.
By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf
Free speech advocates were enraged when Middlebury College students in 2017 drowned out a planned talk by the author Charles Murray, whose writings many consider racist. The students’ chants prevented Murray from speaking. Some protesters surrounded and jumped on his car after he was ushered out of the lecture hall. Conservative lawmakers, academics and other observers pointed to that incident and several similar shout-downs of other controversial speakers at various campuses as proof that college administrators needed to beef up their free expression policies. Lawmakers, mainly Republicans, from states all over the country have subsequently intervened in matters of free speech in academe by proposing and helping to pass legislation that makes clear students can’t interfere with the speech of their peers or of visitors on campus.
Inside Higher Ed
Association of college administrators that deal with campus sexual assaults prompts controversy with a new recommendation not to over rely on the behavior of traumatized victims to determine the veracity of their claims.
By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf
Investigators of campus sexual assaults usually avoid bluntly asking victims to recall their attacks in vivid detail. This “trauma-informed” approach is used widely in investigations and is based on the belief that officials should not subject rape survivors to reliving such disturbing experiences without an empathetic ear. The theory of trauma-informed care also offers an explanation as to why survivors might behave oddly in an interview, such as remembering only vivid details or describing them out of order when discussing their assault. Campus administrators say using this investigative practice is the best way to gather information and figure out the timeline of an incident without greatly upsetting a victim. The association representing college administrators who investigate and adjudicate sexual violence cases on campuses has suggested some officials have taken this approach too far.
Inside Higher Ed
Texas State Admits to Misreporting Crime Numbers
By Elin Johnson
Texas State University has stated that it misreported crime numbers for its campuses, reports The Texas Tribune. The university is already under observation by the U.S. Department of Education and says that it will be updating the way it records and tracks crime numbers. Texas State’s crime data were suspiciously low for a university of its size. Administrators said that the old system prevented accurate statistics. The university could be in violation of the Clery Act, a federal statute that mandates that universities disclose on-campus crimes and alert students to potential safety concerns in a punctual manner. Violations can lead to hefty fines.
Inside Higher Ed
Alaska Regents Vote to Consider Other Options
By Elin Johnson
Regents at the University of Alaska voted Friday to consider other options beyond a consolidation of campuses, the Anchorage Daily News reported. The university system was the recipient of devastating cuts proposed by Governor Mike Dunleavy during the state’s most recent budget deliberations. While a compromise avoided the most severe outcome, the system will be operating on a much tighter budget moving forward. One option was to consolidate the system into one accredited university. That approach would mean that the university system would need to restrict some of the authority of the campuses in Fairbanks and Juneau and drive operations primarily out of the largest campus in Anchorage.