University System News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
AJC On Campus: Oglethorpe backs Dreamers; pay for Georgia athletes?
By Eric Stirgus
One of the most vigorous debates on college campuses in recent years has been whether student athletes should be compensated in some way for the billions of dollars schools make annually from athletics. The conversation took a new direction in Georgia last week, thanks to a state lawmaker from Stone Mountain. Here’s a little more about that and other matters in this week’s AJC On Campus.
Georgia State’s faculty diversity push
Georgia State University’s student body is about 60% female and 75% non-white. Its faculty is 51% female and 30% non-white. University leaders want to improve the numbers and have some ideas about how they can do so.
UGA grad rates at record highs
The University of Georgia said Monday its six-year completion rate – the measure monitored by the federal government – is 87%. Its four-year completion rate is 69%. Both are records, the university said.
Scholarship created for LGBT students at the University of Georgia
Here’s some more news from UGA. Its law school announced last week the first scholarship endowment in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students. The school received $100,000 from various donors.
Dean Alford’s mounting legal troubles
Former Georgia Board of Regents member Dean Alford, who resigned several weeks ago after turning himself in on racketeering and theft by taking charges, is now facing a civil lawsuit by a group of about 40 people who say he bilked them out of about $6 million as part of a Ponzi scheme for his energy company.
African American sororities give back to alma maters
Two African American sororities were in different parts of Georgia last weekend making major contributions to two universities. The Zeta Psi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority at the University of Georgia commemorated its 50th anniversary last weekend with several events to support current students on campus.
Inside Higher Ed
Fresh Guidance for Merging Colleges
Mergers are “one more tactical arrow in a strategic quiver,” according to authors of new book offering practical advice on higher ed M&A.
By Rick Seltzer
Mergers between colleges and universities should not be viewed only as last resorts. So says a new book published today, Strategic Mergers in Higher Education (Johns Hopkins University Press). Instead, merging should be “a tactic to be considered proactively, deliberately, and without fear,” it says. But fear tends to creep in when knowledge is lacking. And the book’s authors found little existing practical guidance on the process of merging two institutions. They seek to add to the available resources by drawing on an analysis of over 100 mergers in the United States since 2000, interviews with more than 30 leaders involved in higher ed mergers and their own considerable experience. The book’s authors are Ricardo Azziz, who led a merger creating what is now Augusta University, in Georgia, and who is now a research professor at the University at Albany in the State University of New York system; Guilbert C. Hentschke, who served as dean at the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education from 1988 to 2000 and is chair emeritus there; Lloyd A. Jacobs, who led a merger between the University of Toledo and the Medical College of Ohio and who is president emeritus of the university; and Bonita C. Jacobs, who led the merger that formed the University of North Georgia and who still serves as founding president at that institution.
Tifton CEO
Dr. David Bridges on Projects at the Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation
Dr. David Bridges, Director of Georgia’s Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation, talks about the great year they have had at the center. Dr. Bridges also discusses a few of their projects, including an economic impact analysis and a study on historic downtowns.
Athens CEO
UGA Achieves Best-ever Graduation Completion Rates
Khristina Gallagher
Completion rates at the University of Georgia continue to set records, thanks to a number of ongoing initiatives to enhance the academic environment and student support. The latest data shows the six-year completion rate at UGA has increased to a record 87%, and the four-year completion rate has increased to a record 69%. In addition, the first-year retention rate, another important measure of student success, has matched the university’s all-time high of 96%. For comparison, the average six-year completion rate for UGA’s peer institutions is 79%, while the average four-year completion rate is 56%. UGA also far exceeds the completion rates for Southeastern Conference institutions. “These outstanding completion and retention rates demonstrate the University of Georgia’s commitment to our students and their success,” said President Jere W. Morehead.
WGXA
New agreement to ease student transfers between CGTC and MGSU
by Michael Rakestraw
A new formal agreement will allow Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) students, who complete the institution’s Associate of Science in General Studies, to more easily transfer into a bachelor’s degree program at Middle Georgia State University (MGSU). Leaders at CGTC and MGSU signed an articulation agreement on Thursday which provides graduates of that specific program a clear pathway to a four-year degree. CGTC students who complete their associates degree are eligible to transfer credit provided they meet the admission requirements of MGSU.
The George-Anne
University sends safety email about fraudulent attempts
By McClain Baxley
The Georgia Southern University office of public safety sent an email out to all GS campuses announcing University police department receiving reports of staff and faculty members having their address changed. “University police believe the goal of this large-scale fraud is to attempt to obtain fraudulent credit cards by having the cards sent to the new address,” the email reads.
The Brunswick News
CCGA’s radiologic science program to host open house
By LAUREN MCDONALD
College of Coastal Georgia’s radiologic science program plans to host an open house for students and community members Nov. 7 in celebration of National Radiologic Technology Week. …National Radiologic Technology Week takes place during the first week of November and aims to shine a light on the important role medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals play in patient care and health care safety. …The college’s open house will give attendees a closer look at the work of soon-to-be radiologic technologists.
WGAU
UGA’s student-run student court deals with first-time offenders
By: Leigh Beeson
It feels like a real court proceeding.
There’s a judge and a bailiff. Attorneys consult with their clients, first-time offenders who’ve committed minor crimes like shoplifting or fighting. Jurors determine how respondents will make restitution for their crimes. But there’s one distinct difference between this court and others: All the participants are teenagers. Created by Emily Boness, a public service associate at the University of Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, and Athens-Clarke County Juvenile Court Judge Robin Shearer, Athens’ peer court has tried more than 580 cases. A partnership between the Fanning Institute, a UGA Public Service and Outreach unit, and the Athens-Clarke County Juvenile Court System, the peer court is in its seventh year. Although such courts are relatively common throughout the U.S., there aren’t many in Georgia. The goal is to hold juvenile offenders accountable while also giving them an opportunity to perform community service that can expunge their records rather than having them serve jail time for minor offenses.
The Champion Newspaper
Commissioner pay increase case heard in Supreme Court
Horace Holloman
DeKalb County resident Ed Williams said he struggled to find an attorney who would help present a case against the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners for allegedly violating the Open Meetings Act by not giving proper notice of the board’s intent to pass a pay increase for themselves. However, Williams received the help he needed when a group of University of Georgia School of Law students represented Williams in a hearing before the Supreme Court of Georgia Oct. 22 in Atlanta. On Feb. 27, 2018, DeKalb County commissioners approved a salary increase by a vote of 6-to-1 that would increase commissioners’ salaries from approximately $40,000 to $65,000. County officials advertised the vote for a pay increase for three consecutive weeks in The Champion—DeKalb County’s legal organ—but the proposed pay increase did not appear on the board’s published agenda. “All expected items, items that you know will be voted on at the meeting, must be placed on the public meeting agenda [according to state law],” said UGA law student John Kenerly. Kenerly also argued county commissioners do not have the authority to increase their pay without a prior referendum.
WTOC11
Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council visits Savannah
By Sean Evans
White House staff paid a visit to Savannah Monday to get a closer look at opportunity zones on the west, east and south sides of town. Scott Turner, Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, toured the areas alongside Savannah Mayor Eddie DeLoach and city staff. Qualified Opportunity Zones are a product of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The government’s website says the zones are designed to spur economic development and job creation in distressed communities in every state. Here in Savannah, those areas are the west side and the canal district, the east side including the Waters Avenue corridor and the south side near Georgia Southern’s Armstrong Campus. “The uniqueness of this is not just a public, private partnership, but also the long-term sustainability of this vision. Because programs come and go. We all know there’s been revitalization, urban revitalization programs historically. But this initiative brings everybody to the same table,” said Turner. Turner is on a tour of cities across the U.S., 47 cities in 27 weeks, and is making Savannah one of his stops to help City leaders and other stakeholders in these opportunity zones collaborate.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Cops: Drunken man dies after fight with security inside GSU student housing
By Zachary Hansen
A man who was staying with a Georgia State University student died Sunday morning after getting into a fight with “building security” at an apartment complex for students, authorities said. About 6:30 a.m., police responded to 112 Courtland Street after the man, who was not a GSU student, got “into an altercation with building security,” Atlanta police said. The GSU student he was with, Ronald Myers, told Channel 2 Action News the man who died was 24-year-old Deionte “JR” Davis .Myers said they were among a group of four friends who had been drinking at a birthday party earlier that morning, and they were returning to his apartment. While walking into the apartment building, they began bickering among themselves. …A security guard for the apartment complex heard the commotion and followed them onto an elevator, he said. That’s when the group began to argue with the security guard, and a fight broke out on Myers’ floor.
WJCL
Police report: Woman was sexually assaulted at Georgia Southern student housing center
Georgia Southern police are investigating after a woman claimed she was sexually assaulted on campus.
Graham Cawthon, Digital Media Manager
Georgia Southern police are investigating after a woman claimed she was sexually assaulted on campus. The incident allegedly happened Oct. 19 at Centennial Place student housing at the Statesboro campus.
Savannah Morning News
Savannah Pride celebrates 20 years with special guests, first-ever parade
By Asha Gilbert
Savannah Pride will be celebrating its 20th year with its biggest celebration ever and includes its first ever parade. “It’s really exciting but there’s a lot of pressure and duty due to this one being the biggest one yet,” Savannah Pride board member Jesse Hall said. On Thursday Oct. 24, Savannah Pride kicks off its 20th celebration with the MasQueerade Ball. Returning for a second time, Jason Rodriquez from the hit show ‘Pose’ will be hosting the ball at the Starland Yard. “The ball is a great way to educate folks and bring the community together,” Hall said. “We are always striving for diversity and to celebrate the impact of queer and transgender people of color to this community.” …Hall said inclusion and diversity have been huge goals for Savannah Pride and this year Georgia Southern University and Savannah State University’s Gay Straight Alliance will have booths at the festival.
Patch
Inaugural Milton Wall Of Fame Induction To Be Held Saturday
Each inductee is from Milton or was involved in youth recreational programming, or at a Milton high school, and excelled in their sport.
By Kathleen Sturgeon, Patch Staff
Six names will be forever etched in stone at Bell Memorial Park, 15245 Bell Park Dr, Milton, GA 30004, as the inaugural inductees to the Milton Wall of Fame, on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. Each inductee is from Milton or was involved in youth recreational programming in Milton or at one of the Milton high schools, and excelled at a high level in their sport. The six inductees are: …Lydia Witkowski: Softball; played at Hofstra University and Georgia Southern University.
The purpose of the Wall of Fame is to recognize and honor the achievement and success of deserving athletes, coaches, and contributors. There were 15 individuals nominated in 2019.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Are Brian Kemp’s listening sessions with teachers more than lip service?
Get Schooled with Maureen Downey
You can’t fix public schools while promoting increased options for families to flee them
Brian Kemp arrived in the governor’s office 10 months ago with no history as an education advocate. In his first year in office, he wooed teachers with a pay raise, but dismayed public education supporters with his embrace of a school choice bill that would use taxpayer money to send students to private schools. The Senate rejected Senate Bill 173 in March, in part because it was predicted to eventually cost as much as half a billion dollars annually. However, the bill enjoyed the backing of both Kemp and Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, suggesting Georgia will likely continue to see a push for a greater diversion of tax dollars to private schools. Georgia already has vouchers that allow students in special education to attend private schools, and a private school funding program in which taxpayers “contribute” money to designated private schools through nonprofit organizations and see their money returned in a state tax credit. The loser is the state treasury, which collects less tax dollars as a result of those generous tax credits.
This month Kemp continued his campaign to win over teachers, holding three listening sessions with State School Superintendent Richard Woods. About 400 teachers and counselors met with the governor during sessions at Georgia Gwinnett College, Valdosta State University, and the University of North Georgia.
GPB
Georgia State Research Shows Link Between Racial Discrimination And Accelerated Aging, Depression
By Virginia Prescott & Jake Troyer
Many studies have shown how childhood experiences can have profound effects on physical and mental health later in life. Now, a new study from Georgia State University, is showing how racism affects children over time. Dr. Sierra Carter is assistant professor of psychology at GSU and co-author of a study finding that African American children who experience early life stress from racial discrimination are at elevated risk for accelerated aging and depression later in life.
WABE
What You Need To Know About The 2020 Census In Georgia
ROXANNE SCOTT
Census Day, on April 1, is less than six months away. The census is a decennial survey that counts every person living in the United States. For 2020, organizations in Georgia are working to ensure an accurate count in the state. According to the Pew Research Center, a majority of U.S. adults are at least aware of the census. …You can fill out the paper questionnaire or take the census over the phone. If a household doesn’t respond by April, a census worker may go to that home to get responses in person. Also, the 2020 census will be the first where all households can reply online. But some are concerned that this could be a barrier for those with limited internet access. …Libraries may also be critical in this effort. According to the Center for Urban Research, there is a public library within five miles of nearly 99% of hard-to-count census tracts. “By having a public library in every county, we have the opportunity to make sure people have access to that free internet connection,” says Wendy Cornelisen, assistant state librarian at Georgia Public Library Services. “They don’t have to own their own device; they don’t have to have an internet connection at home.”
Higher Education News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
NEW DETAILS: Morehouse drops furloughs to stop planned faculty walkout
By Eric Stirgus
Morehouse College is dropping planned cost-cutting measures that included employee furloughs, its president told staff and students in an email Monday. In exchange, faculty at the historically black college in Atlanta will not proceed with a walkout scheduled later this week, the email said. “Effective November 1, the requirement for faculty and exempt employees to take one furlough day per month is no longer in effect,” wrote Morehouse’s president, David A. Thomas. “We are also ending our plan to discontinue the College’s contribution to the 403(b) retirement plan. My decision corresponds with the faculty now having voted to end the planned walkout. It also reflects my conclusion that a walkout would have done irreparable harm to the College at a time when we are gaining positive momentum to place ourselves on an accelerated upward trajectory.”
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
Trump Touts Relationship With HBCUs With Eye on 2020
by Sara Weissman
President Donald J. Trump spoke at the Presidential Justice Forum at Benedict College on Friday, where he received an award from the 20/20 Bipartisan Justice Center for the First Step Act, prison reform legislation passed in 2018. It was Trump’s first appearance at a historically Black college. But it wasn’t his first time publicly touting his relationship with HBCUs. He previously took the step of moving the White House Initiative on HBCUs from the Department of Education to the White House when he took office, and he spoke at the White House Initiative on HBCUs conference in September, where he called his administration’s commitment to historically Black colleges “bigger and better” than any prior administration. In his speech at Benedict College, Trump praised his administration for its financial support of HBCUs and for low unemployment rates for African-Americans, making multiple references to the 2020 election.
Inside Higher Ed
Mental Health Challenges Require Urgent Response
They are serious and complex problems and should not be the sole purview of our campuses’ counseling centers, write Ted Mitchell and Suzanne Ortega.
By Ted Mitchell and Suzanne Ortega
An 18-year-old freshman, overwhelmed at the start of the college semester, takes his own life. A 20-year-old intercollegiate athlete and academic all-star follows suit. A senior with a limitless future ends her life just weeks from graduation. It is impossible to fully comprehend such tragedies, to understand why a young person would feel so lost that they would make the decision to end their life. But with suicides now the second leading cause of death for college students, it is incumbent on college leaders, along with our faculty members and students, to understand how we can make a difference and take action. …To their credit, senior college and university leaders recognize these rising mental health challenges. A recent American Council on Education survey found that more than 80 percent of college presidents indicate mental health is more of a priority on their campus than it was three years ago.
Inside Higher Ed
IBM Looks Beyond the College Degree
The tech company is looking for different ways to fill “new-collar” jobs in its 360,000-employee workforce by adding digital badges and apprenticeships and deepening partnerships with community colleges.
By Paul Fain
Few major companies have been as aggressive as IBM in experimenting with different ways of hiring tech workers. Citing a serious skills gap, the multinational International Business Machines Corporation is looking for different recruiting channels for its workforce of 360,000 employees. IBM’s view is that “new-collar” jobs in cybersecurity, cloud computing and other high-demand fields don’t necessarily require a traditional college degree. The company also has created one of the most developed digital badge portfolios for an employer, which both its workers and those outside IBM can earn, and it is adding more and different apprenticeship opportunities as well launching its own boot camp-style offerings. At the same time, IBM continues to partner with traditional colleges, particularly through its expanded work with community colleges.
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
University of Texas Opens Center for Black Male Students
by Sara Weissman
University of Texas has announced its new Heman Sweatt Center for Black Males, named after the school’s first Black law student. Previously known as the African American Male Research Initiative, the center is a part of the school’s Division of Diversity and Community Engagement. The center offers programs like Black Male Orientation, hosts weekly power hour conversations and connects students with Black male faculty and staff.
Inside Higher Ed
As Fires Rage, More Campuses Close
Across California, institutions are grappling with how best to provide for students and employees while combating power outages and poor air quality. For many, this is the new normal.
By Elin Johnson
California’s Kincade fire — and the state power company Pacific Gas & Electric’s subsequent controversial power shutoffs — have led to some college campuses closing and others fearing damage. Poor air quality, power outages and fire danger have led to several institutions in Northern California to restrict operations out of safety concerns — while institutions in Southern California are facing similar closures due to another fire.