University System News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Board of Regents votes not to raise pay for college leaders
By Eric Stirgus
The Georgia Board of Regents voted Tuesday not to raise the salaries of the University System of Georgia’s 26 presidents and its chancellor as the system works on a plan to cut its budget to meet state revenue shortfalls caused by the coronavirus pandemic. State leaders have given the University System and other agencies a May 20 deadline to submit plans to cut their budgets by as much as 14% for the budget year that begins July 1. For the University System, the cuts amount to $361 million. The board last week gave the University System authority to potentially furlough employees, with those earning higher salaries – including presidents – taking larger cuts. The furlough plan would save the system about $40 million, officials said.
Augusta CEO
Augusta University College of Nursing Ranks among Best in the Nation
Danielle Harris
As health care systems work overtime under the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, reports show there are not enough nurses to meet the demands of the health care crisis. Augusta University’s College of Nursing is working to fill that gap by producing high-quality nurses, and their efforts have landed them in the top 150 of U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 best nursing schools. The college’s Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs were both ranked in the top 100 in the nation in their respective categories.
Gwinnett Forum
Fifteen years ago, Georgia Gwinnett College was authorized
By Jacqueline Todd
Fifteen years ago, the Xbox 360 gaming console first made its way into teenagers’ bedrooms. A new video-sharing platform called YouTube was created. And 15 years ago on May 10, 2005, former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue signed Senate Resolution 33, authored by Sen. Don Balfour, which officially created a new, unnamed college in Gwinnett County. It became Georgia Gwinnett College, created by those who know best the needs of its citizens and its economy. Gwinnett was the largest county east of the Mississippi without a four-year college. Within 15 months, Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) opened its doors as the first baccalaureate-degree granting public college founded in the 21st century with only 118 students and 11 charter faculty. Those students and faculty were pioneers – participating in what some called “an experiment.” GGC was not yet accredited, so students could not receive federal financial aid. Faculty left tenure-track teaching posts or gave up tenure at Ivy-league institutions to help build the new college.
11Alive
Georgia Gwinnett College nursing graduates receive commencement parade
The college’s nursing school held a parade to celebrate class of Spring 2020.
Author: Brittany Kleinpeter
On Monday morning, Gwinnett Georgia College School staff and faculty celebrated the nursing class of Spring 2020 as they drove through the parking lot. The parade was held to honor the recent graduates after their ceremony was postponed. The celebration was set up in front of one of Building B on GGC’s campus. Students, joined by their family and pets were cheered on by their teachers and college faculty.
WSB-TV
As university system set to make major cuts, Georgia Tech hires 18 new HR employees
By: Richard Belcher
The University System of Georgia’s decision to order possible furloughs for thousands of employees has triggered a whistleblower complaint about hiring at Georgia Tech. Channel 2 investigative reporter Richard Belcher found a complaint accuses one department at Tech of hiring new human resources employees even as it became clear that state employees were in jeopardy. Records provided by the whistleblower show that Georgia Tech’s human resources department hired 18 new people since mid-December. Their salaries and benefits totaled more than $1.3 million and all were deemed critical.
Forsyth County News
Georgia Highlands Medical Services to offer free, drive thru COVID-19 testing on Wednesday
Kelly Whitmire
What: Georgia Highlands Medical Services will offer free COVID-19 testing as part of a partnership with Forsyth County and Forsyth County Emergency Management.
When: Wednesday, May 13 at Central Park, located at 2300 Keith Bridge Road.
WJBF
Augusta University receives donation from Georgia Power Foundation in COVID-19 fight
Another large donation to Augusta University as it continues to increase its responsibility for statewide screening and testing. The Georgia Power Foundation has given $100-thousand dollars to Augusta University to help offset costs that come from the large scale effort.
Saporta Report
UNG faculty, staff and alumni make 3-D printed face masks – Photos by Peggy Cozart
Megan Anderson
University of North Georgia faculty, staff and alumni are making 3-D printed face masks. A team led by visual arts professor Jon Mehlferber and Enes Aganovic, assistant director of technology integration, is creating hundreds of masks to be distributed to healthcare professionals and to UNG facilities and public safety staff. Cumming dentist Mark Causey, a UNG alum, worked with engineer Daniel Bauen and a lab technician from Causey’s office to devise this PPE mask.
Athens CEO
UGA’s 72nd Georgia Science and Engineering Fair Held Online
Sue Myers Smith
The premier annual science and engineering competition for Georgia middle and high schoolers was quickly transitioned to an online judging format for 2020 because of growing concerns about the spread of COVID-19. Normally, the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair is held at the Classic Center in downtown Athens, with about 750 students, and hundreds of judges and volunteers in attendance. Despite the major changes to the format of presentations and judging, 593 students from across the state participated in the online competition by recording videos of their projects and uploading their supporting materials. Spread out over several weeks, more than 200 judges evaluated the senior division projects in late March and junior division projects in early April. Finalists were judged in additional rounds, and 225 students were awarded nearly $25,000 in prizes. This year’s main event sponsor was Burns & McDonnell, with individual awards sponsored by a host of organizations.
WGAU
UGA Social Work school helps east Athens during COVID pandemic
By: Laurie Anderson
On a recent morning outside the offices of the East Athens Development Corporation, a line of volunteers wearing protective face masks lifted heavy boxes of groceries from a truck to tables inside the building. They were answering a call from the EADC, a local enterprise that supports the economic well-being of people in Athens’ most impoverished area. The nonprofit had recently increased its food distribution program from once to twice a month in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The individuals – all volunteers – represented local organizations, including the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office, the Athens Neighborhood Leaders Program, the Athens Alliance Coalition, 3D Champs, the Evelyn C. Neely Leadership Program and People Living in Recovery, among others. After sorting and re-boxing the food into equal mixes of staples, the volunteers carried the goods back outside to a line of waiting cars. Each vehicle received one or two boxes, depending on need.
Metro Atlanta CEO
Georgia Tech: Immunity of Recovered COVID-19 Patients Could Cut Risk of Expanding Economic Activity
John Toon
While attention remains focused on the number of COVID-19 deaths and new cases, a separate statistic – the number of recovered patients – may be equally important to the goal of minimizing the pandemic’s infection rate as shelter-in-place orders are lifted. The presumed immunity of those who have recovered from the infection could allow them to safely substitute for susceptible people in certain high-contact occupations such as healthcare. Dubbed “shield immunity,” the anticipated protection against short-term reinfection could allow recovered patients to expand their interactions with infected and susceptible people, potentially reducing overall transmission rates when interactions are permitted to expand. …“Our model describes ways in which serological tests used to identify individuals who have been infected by and recovered from COVID-19 could help both reduce future transmission and foster increased economic engagement,” said Joshua Weitz, professor in the School of Biological Sciences and founding director of the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Quantitative Biosciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology. “The idea is to think in advance about how identifying recovered individuals could help serve the collective good, using information collected on neutralizing antibodies in new ways.”
Moultrie Observer
COVID-19 guidelines for agricultural operations
By Laurel L Dunn
Farmers and food processors take routine steps to reduce the likelihood of foodborne pathogens, like Salmonella and E. coli, contacting our food and causing illness. The procedures that our food industry takes on a daily basis are also effective in reducing the chances that the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19 will come in contact with the food we eat. There is currently no evidence that the coronavirus is spread through contaminated food. This is in part because the virus primarily targets cells in the respiratory tract (lungs) rather than organs in the gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines), and because acids in the stomach likely inactivate ingested virus before it can cause harm. During the current pandemic and other viral outbreaks, there are further considerations that farms and agricultural businesses must take in order to protect their workers and customers despite the usual safety of our food supply.
The Red & Black
UGA to distribute $12 million in federal student grants to offset expenses from COVID-19
Jacqueline GaNun | City News Editor
The University of Georgia will distribute cash grants to students to offset expenses related to COVID-19, according to an email from the Office of Student Financial Aid sent Friday to students who qualify for the aid. The grants come from funds through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. Each eligible student’s grant amount will range from $200 to $1,000 for the spring semester. The amount that students will receive is determined by their expected family contribution from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, according to the email. Students may receive another grant ranging from $125 to $500 if they are enrolled in Maymester or certain summer class sessions.
Georgia Health News
Georgia Tech model predicts jump in COVID cases, deaths
Andy Miller
A new COVID-19 model from Georgia Tech projects increases of thousands of cases and deaths in the state by mid-August. The university’s Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems and Health Analytics Group say that depending on how much the public follows physical distancing measures in the coming weeks, Georgia’s total number of COVID-19 deaths could range from 6,100 to 17,900 by that August time frame. On the peak day, the state could see 44,800 to 77,700 new cases, according to the analysis.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Good news for students applying to University of Georgia: You can use Common App
By Maureen Downey
UGA joins the crowd with decision to finally accept Common App
The University of Georgia will, at long last, accept the Common Application, better known as the Common App. The Common App is a single undergraduate college admission application that about 900 colleges and universities accept, including most in Georgia. Because a high school senior only has to fill out one application, it simplifies the process. The UGA freshman application for admission for fall of 2021 will open up Sept. 1.
WJBF
By: Ashley Flete
Students at the Medical College of Georgia are ready to take what they have learned in the past four years and apply it as they continue on. Some graduates are staying in state and some are going across the world. Class President Miller Singleton and Dr. Doug Miller share some of the experiences learned while working in the mist of the pandemic.
WTVM
CSU to hold virtual graduation ceremony, schedules in-person ceremony
By Alex Jones
Columbus State University has announced their plans for a virtual ceremony to confer degrees to graduates. CSU President Dr. Chris Markwood and Provost Deborah Bordelon will host the virutal ceremony on Friday, May 15 at 3:30 p.m. Graduates and their families can watch this ceremony online here. “We are deeply proud of this very special class of students, who have overcome great odds to complete their degree during this challenging time,” said President Markwood. “There are few experiences that are as important to them — and us — than celebrating their graduation together.” …If the August ceremony must be cancelled, a special ceremony just for Spring graduates has been planned for the December commencement ceremonies.
Douglas Now
South Georgia State College Announces Virtual Commencement Ceremony For Graduates
The faculty, staff and administration at South Georgia State College will honor the graduates on Thursday, May 28, 2020, at 5:00 pm through a virtual commencement ceremony. The event will be broadcasted via the Internet. A link will be posted on www.sgsc.edu prior to the event. Eligible associate and bachelor’s degree candidates from summer 2019, fall 2019 and spring 2020 will be recognized. The virtual ceremony will include many of the elements of a traditional commencement exercise and will feature SGSC’s esteemed faculty and staff. Graduates and their families can expect to have a very meaningful experience. Dr. Ingrid Thompson-Sellers, SGSC president, will share highlights from the academic year and congratulate the graduates on conferring their degrees.
Albany Herald
Donaldson recipient honored at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College spring commencement
From staff reports
Joshua Allen Wilkinson from Haddock received the prestigious George P. Donaldson award at the recent virtual spring commencement ceremony at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. The award goes to the top associate degree student graduating during a semester. Majoring in agriculture with a concentration in animal science, Wilkinson maintained a 3.5 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. …Heavily involved in extracurricular activities on the ABAC campus, Wilkinson served as outreach chairman for the Baptist Collegiate Ministries, sentinel for ABAC FFA, political director for the ABAC Republicans, and speaker/chairman for the ABAC Inter-Club Council.
The Daily Tribune
Lunch and Learn program includes videos on course topics
By Donna Harris
Georgia Highlands College is offering students and community members alike a chance to learn some things they may not have ever heard before. As part of the brand-new Lunch and Learn streaming event, the college posts a new video on various course topics that aren’t typically common knowledge every Wednesday at noon. “Georgia Highlands College’s new Lunch and Learn series was created as an educational streaming opportunity for those who may have had to move in some capacity to begin working from home during these challenging times,” Chief Academic Officer and Provost Dana Nichols said. “The weekly episodes give viewers free access to recorded course topics in history, music, science and more, provided by GHC’s amazing faculty.” The videos were pre-recorded for other classes, and subjects were mentioned as supplemental course material, Nichols said.
Growing America
UGA Food Scientist Yen-Con Hung Named First Koehler-Ayers Professor
By: Sharon Dowdy
University of Georgia food scientist Yen-Con Hung has been named the first recipient of the Koehler-Ayers Professorship. The Koehler-Ayers Professorship was recently established through a donation to the UGA Foundation from UGA food science alumnus Balasubramanian Swaminathan and his wife Mangal Swaminathan. The professorship in food science at the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) is named in honor of Swami’s mentors, UGA food scientists Philip Koehler and John Ayers. The Koehler-Ayers Professorship is designated for a UGA faculty member with an outstanding record in externally funded research and/or scholarly publications who is engaged in teaching, research, public service or a combination of such duties.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Tech athletes set GPA record amid coronavirus pandemic
By Ken Sugiura
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic that drastically changed the institute’s education format mid-semester, Georgia Tech athletes set an athletic department record for GPA. Tech’s 405 athletes turned in a 3.23 mean GPA for the spring semester. The previous record was 3.00, which Yellow Jackets athletes had earned the previous three semesters. Tech’s 113 freshman athletes earned a cumulative 3.27, also a record for the department. Of all varsity athletes, 70% earned a 3.0 or higher. Twelve of Tech’s 13 teams earned a 3.0 or higher, and eight of the 13 set team records –
WSAV
UGA, Georgia Grown program connecting local seafood producers to customers during COVID-19 crisis
The University of Georgia (UGA) Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant has teamed up with UGA Cooperative Extension and the Georgia Department of Agriculture to help the seafood industry as farmers and food distributors struggle to get their products to consumers amid the coronavirus outbreak. The Ag Products Connection is a partnership between UGA Extension and the state agriculture department’s Georgia Grown program. It is designed to connect farmers and seafood producers with customers around the state looking for local food products. Businesses can also sign up to have their companies promoted through the platform.
SciTech Daily
Reversible “Gecko” Adhesives Ready for Easy Mass-Production
Why did the gecko climb the skyscraper? Because it could; its toes stick to about anything. For a few years, engineers have known the secrets of gecko stickiness and emulated it in strips of rubbery materials useful for picking up and releasing objects, but simple mass production for everyday use has been out of reach until now. Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed, in a new study, a method of making gecko-inspired adhesive materials that is much more cost-effective than current methods. It could enable mass production and the spread of the versatile gripping strips to manufacturing and homes. Polymers with “gecko adhesion” surfaces could be used to make extremely versatile grippers to pick up very different objects even on the same assembly line. They could make picture hanging easy by adhering to both the picture and the wall at the same time. Vacuum cleaner robots with gecko adhesion could someday scoot up tall buildings to clean facades.
WALB
Tifton UGA campus receives cotton research grant
By Matthew Crumley
Tifton is one of several University of Georgia campuses to receive a cotton research grant. At its April board meeting, the Georgia Cotton Commission Board of Directors approved an over $600,000 grant. It’s for research funding for the 2021 crop year. Tifton is one of several University of Georgia campuses to receive a cotton research grant. (Source: WALB)
According to a press release, the money will fund 16 projects. Researchers and extension specialists will conduct those from the University of Georgia campuses based in Tifton, Athens and Griffin.
Other News:
accessWDUN
Kemp and team to update Georgia’s COVID-19 battle today
Gov. Brian Kemp and members of his team will give an update Tuesday afternoon on Georgia’s battle against COVID-19. The briefing is scheduled for 4 p.m. in the North Wing of the State Capitol in downtown Atlanta.
Albany Herald
Phoebe sees significant drop in new coronavirus patients
By Alan Mauldin
After weeks of double-digit admissions of COVID-19 patients through much of the coronavirus crisis, the Phoebe Putney Health System has seen more than two weeks in which new cases numbered less than 10. The health system reported the largest date of admissions — 44 — on April 1, according to information provided Monday to The Albany Herald. Those figures include confirmed and suspected cases of patients admitted to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Phoebe Sumter Medical Center and Phoebe Worth Medical Center through the crisis. …The number did not fall below 10 until April 9, when there were nine new admissions, and in the three weeks since then have remained in the single-digits with the exception of April 24, when there were 10 admissions. …This week, Phoebe will recognize National Hospital Week, although the continued presence of the coronavirus will mute the traditional approach of that week, health system CEO Scott Steiner said.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Latest Atlanta coronavirus news: COVID-19 cases pass 34K in Georgia
There are now 1,444 deaths from COVID-19 and 34,002 confirmed cases
7 a.m.: Georgia is among the first states to reopen broad parts of its economy, but Gov. Brian Kemp is likely to announce Tuesday he will keep bars and nightclubs closed until the outbreak subsides. Greg Bluestein will keep you updated.
Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
Survey: 4 of 5 Students Face Disruption From Virus
By Madeline St. Amour
Students whose lives were significantly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic may change their plans to remain or re-enroll in college. A survey from ReUp Education, a company that helps institutions retain and re-enroll students, found that only one out of five of the 678 students surveyed said they are facing no disruption from the virus. About 40 percent of those who said they are facing major disruptions are either significantly or moderately less likely to re-enroll in college. Only 12 percent of those who face no disruptions said the same, and 22 percent of those who face moderate disruptions. Students at two-year institutions were more likely than those at four-year institutions to say they expect to face significant disruption from the health crisis.
Inside Higher Ed
Colleges Want No Repeat of the Last Recession’s Cuts
Colleges are urging Congress in the next stimulus package to push states to avoid cuts.
By Kery Murakami
During the last recession more than a decade ago, states slashed about $33 billion in funding for the nation’s colleges and universities from 2008 to 2012. The cuts were so bad that even though states have been gradually spending more on higher education since then, a recent study found colleges have gotten back only about two-thirds of the state funding per student they lost. So as House Democrats work on another massive coronavirus relief package, and states are again being forced to slash their budgets, a major emphasis for lobbyists representing colleges is to try to prevent a repeat of the devastating state cuts of the last recession. Though it faces opposition in the Republican Senate, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said a major priority for the Democrats’ proposal, expected next week, is to give states billions in federal aid as they reel from the financial hit caused by the pandemic. Her home state, California, announced Thursday it has a $54.3 billion budget deficit, which is the equivalent of a little more than a third of its entire budget.
USA Today
Growing number of students suing colleges that moved classes online amid pandemic
Arika Herron
Indianapolis Star
An Indiana University student is suing the school, asking for a reimbursement of some tuition and fees paid for the spring semester that was disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. Like most colleges and universities around the country, IU moved to online instruction to address concerns about the potential for the virus to spread quickly through classrooms and campuses. Now, many of those schools are being sued by students who say they paid for services, facilities and opportunities they were not able to take advantage of. Purdue University is facing similar legal action.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Emory student sues university for refund over COVID-19 coursework
By Eric Stirgus
An Emory University student has filed a class action lawsuit against the school, saying the virtual learning it has provided since the coronavirus pandemic has been an inadequate substitute for the tens of thousands of dollars students paid in tuition this semester. The lawsuit, filed Friday in federal court in Atlanta, is calling for the university to refund students an estimated $5 million and pay additional legal fees. The plaintiff is Willa DeMasi, a Massachusetts native who just completed her first year at Emory. Emory, Georgia’s largest private university, is the latest school in recent weeks to be sued on such grounds.
Inside Higher Ed
Is the fight against cheating during remote instruction worth enlisting third-party student surveillance platforms?
By Colleen Flaherty
Online proctoring has surged during the coronavirus pandemic, and so too have concerns about the practice, in which students take exams under the watchful eyes (human or automated) of third-party programs. Chief among faculty and student concerns are student privacy and increasing test anxiety via a sense of being surveilled. Pedagogically, some experts also argue that the whole premise of asking students to recall information under pressure without access to their course materials is flawed. This, they say, may only motivate students to game the system, when cheating is what online proctoring services seek to prevent. Of course, concerns about academic dishonesty are what gave rise to online exam proctoring in the first place. And the switch to rapid remote instruction provides new opportunities and motivations to cheat: everyone is away from campus, under considerable stress.
WGXA
Relaxed teaching requirement could mean more Georgia educators
by Brittany Miller
The road to becoming an educator in the state of Georgia may include one less step. The Georgia Performance Standards Commission proposed the elimination of the edTPA requirement. EdTPA is a Teacher Performance Assessment in the form of a portfolio. It’s completed at the collegiate level, while students are working inside of the classroom for student-teaching. State School Superintendent Richard Woods says, “I commend the PSC on this common-sense decision, which is in the best interest of teachers and students in our state.” Over time, according to Woods, the assessment has caused unintended barriers and burdens for teachers. Tonya Maddox, the Director of Personnel for Houston County School District, says that colleges and universities are seeing fewer people entering their Educator Preparation programs leading to fewer candidates for school systems to hire.
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
NCAA President: No Fall Sports if Campuses Are Online Only
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) president Mark Emmert said on Friday he doesn’t expect college sporting events will take place this fall if students don’t return to campuses around the country, reported USA Today. Emmert’s comments came as part of a conversation on the NCAA’s Twitter channel. “College athletes are college students, and you can’t have college sports if you don’t have college (campuses) open and having students on them,” said Emmert. “You don’t want to ever put student-athletes at greater risk than the rest of the student body.” Emmert also said he anticipates colleges will resume sporting events at different times and this could mean shorter schedules that could impact postseason selections.
Inside Higher Ed
Senator Alexander: Testing Levels Inadequate to Open Campuses
By Paul Fain
Senator Lamar Alexander, the Tennessee Republican who chairs the Senate’s education committee, on Sunday praised coronavirus testing in the U.S., citing Johns Hopkins University research that eight million tests have conducted, more per capita even than South Korea. But Alexander said current testing capacity remains inadequate for reopening large college and university campuses for in-person instruction. The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions plans to hold a hearing today with Trump administration health experts on safely reopening schools and workplaces.