University System News:
The Augusta Chronicle
Hard work, long hours helped Augusta University lab develop coronavirus test
Tom Corwin
Hard work around the clock enabled a laboratory at Augusta University to come up with their own test for the virus that causes COVID-19, which will greatly speed up results for people in Augusta and potentially cut down on the spread of the disease. Dr. Ravindra Kolhe opened a small cooler and began pulling out vials Thursday of patients with suspected COVID-19 as workers behind him began preparing the latest two-hour test run that will be able to run six samples, a process that will be sped up next week with the arrival of new equipment. But it was all of the hard work and long hours by the dedicated personnel in the lab last week that got them to this point where they can provide much quicker results for patients in Augusta, said Kolhe, director of the Georgia Esoteric and Molecular Laboratory at Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. And that could make a critical difference in preventing the spread of the disease by patients who don’t know they have it, he said.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With campuses closed, Georgia college students want out of leases
By Eric Stirgus
College students renting apartments near their campuses are urging their landlords and management companies to end their lease agreements now that their schools have ended in-class instruction and many have no reason to be near campus for the rest of the semester. The response? No way. Many students are paying more than $1,000 a month for rent, money they say can be used for future educational expenses or emergency needs as the coronavirus pandemic impact grows. “I’m pretty mad about it,” said Lesly Alfaro, 19, a Georgia College & State University sophomore who rents an apartment with three roommates near the Milledgeville campus. “That’s money I could have used for my summer classes. That’s just around $2,000 I’m not getting back at all.”
Union Recorder
Since spring break was already scheduled for this week, it’s not so strange seeing the Georgia College campus devoid of activity — for now. The oddity begins next week when there will be no students enjoying the warmer temperatures on the campus’ picturesque Front Campus, and downtown parking will likely be in abundance. After initially sending students away until March 29 to try and curtail the spread of COVID-19, the University System of Georgia (USG) made the decision Tuesday to move its 26 member institutions, Georgia College included, to online instruction for the remainder of this semester, beginning March 30. On-campus housing is closed, and students have been asked to move out of their dorms/on-campus apartments beginning Friday through next week on a schedule laid out by the college.
Albany Herald
Albany State University cancels spring commencement ceremony
From staff reports
As Albany State University officials monitor and evaluate the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19), they’ve maintained that the priority is the health and safety of the university’s students, their parents, faculty, staff, alumni and the community. For this reason, and with the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all events at University System of Georgia institutions, including Albany State University’s planned spring 2020 Commencement activities on May 9, will not occur. Students will still graduate, consistent with academic standards, but the university will not hold a ceremony. ASU campus leadership is exploring virtual options to celebrate our graduates’ accomplishments.
KSU The Sentinel
University Postpones Commencement Ceremonies
Kennesaw State released a statement Wednesday, March 18, on its website stating that the Spring 2020 commencement ceremonies Tuesday, May 5, and Wednesday, May 6, would be postponed to a later date.
The ceremony will be scheduled later when the university can ensure the safety of the graduates from the COVID-19 virus. KSU has not detailed any specific date for the event to take place in its most recent update. The rescheduling of the ceremony will not deny graduates of their degrees, according to KSU’s commencement website, as students will still receive their degree after the completion of their final courses online. KSU is not the only Georgia institution altering its commencement ceremony date.
Forbes
Commencement Cancellation Tracker: Colleges Scrapping Or Postponing Graduation
Susan Adams Forbes Staff
Former Vice President Al Gore was going to speak at University of Michigan’s commencement, slated for May 2. The highly-ranked state school has one of the earliest graduation dates on the calendar and it was among the first to announce it would not hold its ceremony as planned in an effort to minimize the spread of the coronavirus. On Friday, March 13, university officials said the ceremony would be held at some future, unspecified date. More than 40 schools have followed suit, announcing they will either cancel, postpone or stage virtual ceremonies. The list will surely grow longer, says Scott Jaschik, longtime editor of Inside Higher Ed, a publication that reports on colleges and universities. “I think that most colleges will cancel or postpone, or come up with a creative way to do commencement from a distance,” he says. …Following is a list of colleges and universities that have cancelled or postponed their commencements or said they are holding their ceremonies virtually, in order of their announcement date.
20. University of Georgia – Announced March 17 (canceled) ; 23. Georgia Southern University – Announced March 17 (canceled); 35. Georgia Gwinnett College – Announced March 18 (canceled); 42. Valdosta State University – Announced March 19 (canceled)
The Brunswick News
Virus doesn’t stop people from going to the beach
By LARRY HOBBS
…But Georgia Southern University student Brea Rich was not about to spend Spring Break in quarantine. She and college besties Hayley Lovelace, Katie Bailey and Carely Ryan agreed that a day at the beach was just the distraction needed from the dire predictions about the pandemic. “Yeah, it’s definitely worrisome,” Rich said. “But it’s spring break.” “We’re not going to cancel it,” added Lovelace. “I’m not really worried,” chimed in Bailey. “We probably should be, I guess.” “I’m good with it,” Ryan said. “I’m getting my tan going.” Rich’s parents, both doctors, were not thrilled about their daughter’s decision to keep her spring break appointment with this beachfront community. “They’re definitely not glad we’re here,” she said. “But they told us to be safe, and we’re taking all the precautions. Washing our hands and all that.” With schools and colleges closed indefinitely because of the coronavirus threat, spring break has become an open-ended vacation. Teenagers and young adults have packed Florida’s seaside resort destinations, prompting city officials in Tampa, Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale to close public beaches. Florida Gov. Ron DiSantis has declined to order a statewide ban. Here in Coastal Georgia, state health officials say a day at the beach is not likely to spread the virus so long as the prescribed precautions for public interaction are observed.
The Red & Black
Family remembers Kent Lawrence, UGA football star and Georgia judge
Kyra Posey | Digital Producer
“Together, everyone achieves more,” is a motto Kent Lawrence lived by, Kelley Lawrence, his son, said. It can be seen in his time on the University of Georgia football field and in his creation of the first DUI/Drug Court in 2001 — Lawrence’s life revolved around his personal and professional teammates. “Everything was team based,” Kelley Lawrence said. Kent Lawrence, a former Georgia football player, lawyer and judge passed away on Friday, March 13 of what his family said was a longtime illness at 72. He’s remembered by his five children, fifteen grandchildren and wife. Although a native of Central, South Carolina, his son said “he loved Athens” as soon as he moved here in 1965 and never left. Lawrence was more than memorable on the UGA field — as a three-year letterman “who compiled offensive yards rushing, receiving and returning kicks” according to a UGA Sports press release, he set multiple records at the time during his career.
Other News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
BREAKING: 13 deaths, 420 cases of coronavirus confirmed in Georgia
By Chelsea Prince
Georgia again saw a sharp increase in new cases of the coronavirus Friday, with the state now reporting 420 confirmed cases and 3 additional deaths. The latest data from the Georgia Department of Public Health is a 46% increase from Thursday’s cases, which totaled 287. At least 13 Georgians have died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel virus. Among the victims are a man in Cobb County, four women in Dougherty County and two men in Fulton County. Deaths have also been reported in Early, Fayette, and Floyd counties. The victims range in age from 42 to 83, and at least eight had chronic health conditions before contracting the virus, according to state health officials.
GPB
Kemp: No Plans To Mandate Statewide Business Closures, Quarantine At This Time
By STEPHEN FOWLER
There are no plans currently to ban public events, institute a mandatory quarantine or shut down businesses in Georgia as both confirmed cases and testing capacity for COVID-19 continues to grow, Gov. Brian Kemp announced Thursday. However, the governor outlined a new reality for many Georgians in his digital briefing. “As you all know, life has drastically changed over the past few weeks here in our state, across our country, and certainly across the world,” he said. “Our Georgia children are now at home, many Georgians are working remotely, our public gatherings are few and far between, and that’s for a very good reason.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Trump suspends federal student loan payments for 60 days
By Eric Stirgus
President Donald Trump announced Friday he’s allowing borrowers with federally held student loans to suspend their payments for the next two months as the nation continues to grapple with the economic impact of the coronavirus. “These are anxious times, particularly for students and families whose educations, careers, and lives have been disrupted,” said U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. “Right now, everyone should be focused on staying safe and healthy, not worrying about their student loan balance growing. I commend President Trump for his quick action on this issue, and I hope it provides meaningful help and peace of mind to those in need.”