University System News:
WSB-TV
Students return to Georgia Tech dorm after gas leak scare
ATLANTA — The Georgia Tech campus has returned to normal after an afternoon gas leak scare. Georgia Tech spokesman Joshua Stewart told Channel 2 Action News the Hopkins Residence Hall was evacuated at 711 Techwood Drive in Northwest Atlanta after there was a smell of gas. The Atlanta Fire Department, Georgia Tech police, and Atlanta Gas Light responded and shut off gas to the building.
AJC
AJC On Campus: USG says finances strong; Ga. pols blast college costs
State lawmakers return next week for their annual legislative sessions, and some of them are not happy with how things are going at the University System of Georgia. However, system leaders released some financial data this week that show a different picture.
WRDW 12
AU on a mission to recruit more African-American teachers
AUGUSTA, GA (WRDW/WAGT) — Augusta University says they are on a mission to recruit more African-American male teachers. It’s a big initiative by the university that is spreading statewide. There is research to prove this is needed. According to AU, there is only one African-American male student teaching candidate of the 50 in their program.
Seed Today
The path from wild weed to the carefully cultivated vegetables that fill our refrigerators is not always a straightforward tale of domestication. Different cultures have different priorities and growing conditions, and sometimes crops are domesticated more than once. Recently a large team of molecular biologists and computational data experts, led by University of Georgia horticulture Professor Esther van der Knaap, has unraveled part of the twisted history of the tomato.
WJBF 6
Intelligence experts warn about cyber threats following recent conflicts with Iran
President Trump defends his decision to kill Iran’s top commander. He says Iran appears to be standing down, but is still a threat. Cyberspace is an arena where those threats are likely. Cyber experts warn that attacks could be in the works or coming soon. Here at home, Augusta University is training the future leaders in cyber security. The school sent out an email reminding students, faculty and staff to pay extra close attention to what they do online because of recent events.
The Tifton Gazette
Research yields light bulb moments for greenhouses
Some greenhouse growers use artificial lighting. But to shine a light on a plant that’s already getting ample sunlight is a waste of energy … and money. After finishing his doctorate in bioengineering at the University of Georgia, Mattos teamed up with Marc van Iersel, the Dooley Professor of Horticulture, to develop a lighting controller that can respond to sunlight and provide just enough supplemental light to keep plants happy. The lights dim under sunny conditions and get brighter under cloudy conditions. The idea has the potential to give the nearly $15 billion greenhouse farming industry a reliable, energy-saving process, which could ensure peak growth and profit margins and provide a more stable global food supply.
Marietta Daily Journal
KSU cuts ribbon on new $2 million entrance at Kennesaw campus
In case you missed Kennesaw State University’s Kennesaw campus while driving down Chastain Road before, you likely never will again, thanks to the newly christened 30-foot-tall, $2 million entryway at the corner of Chastain and Frey roads. KSU President Pamela Whitten, KSU mascot Scrappy the Owl, Cobb County Commissioner JoAnn Birrell and Commission Chairman Mike Boyce, among others, gathered in front of the massive five-pillared structure this week to celebrate its construction with a ribbon-cutting.
Augusta Chronicle
Hess: New teaching, research, technology ahead for MCG
Medical College of Georgia Dean David Hess unveiled bold plans Thursday for a new curriculum and adding more research in his annual State of the College address. “We’ve got a huge, looming physician shortage,” Hess said, and many counties already lack physician services. Through its “3+” program, those students would be entering those primary care residencies a year earlier than before and, once funding is secured, after a number of years of service could have their tuition forgiven. “So free medical school,” Hess said. MCG would also be expanding from its current 240 students per class to 300 and its partnership campus in Athens is already set to expand from 40 students per class to 60 in two years.
Higher Education News:
Chronicle of Higher Education
Higher Ed’s Dirty-Money Problem: Colleges claim to use tainted money for noble ends.
In the modern university, all sources of money, be they gifts from donors, corporate grants, or investments, can be tainted in some way. As one headline after another exposes unsavory billionaires and corrupt companies, students, faculty members, and alumni say their colleges’ sources of funding should reflect better values. They are demanding that universities take responsibility for their role in laundering wealthy philanthropists’ reputations and allowing outside influence on research.
Athens CEO
Gov. Kemp Appoints Nine to State Boards
Governor Brian P. Kemp conducted swearing-in ceremonies for nine Georgians to serve on various occupational licensing boards.
Other News:
Fox 5
Georgia General Assembly to tackle difficult budget year
ATLANTA – As lawmakers head back to the State Capitol next week to begin the 2020 legislative session, they will have to think long and hard about how best to spend the state’s shrinking budget. “Cautious” is how Ralston described Governor Brian Kemp’s mandate that state agencies trim their budgets by six percent this year. That is on top of a four percent reduction in last year’s amended budget.
Saporta Report
Mobility in 2020: Voters may face transit tax votes, Atlanta may reshape traffic flow
Transit funding is poised to emerge in 2020 as a major discussion in Atlanta, DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. In addition, Atlanta is slated to try again to revamp traffic movement in the central business district, regulate e-scooters and possibly reduce the city speed limit to 25 mph – even as a push for transit on the Atlanta BeltLine remains in the mix.