University System News:
Albany Herald
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp offers congratulations to Governor’s Honors finalists
From staff reports
Gov. Brian Kemp congratulated the 2020 Governor’s Honors Program finalists recently. In an effort to place the health and safety of students and instructors as highest priority, the 2020 Governor’s Honors Program originally scheduled for June 14-July 11 at Berry College will be cancelled for the first time since its inception in 1964. Though COVID-19 has changed the landscape of business as usual, it should not overshadow recognition for those who are passionate about learning and demonstrate outstanding aptitude throughout the wide range of disciplines represented in the Governor’s Honors Program. “It is my honor to congratulate this year’s Governor’s Honors Program finalists,” Kemp said in a news release. “Several members of my staff participated in past programs, so I know first-hand about the intelligent and talented individuals who are chosen to participate. These finalists are our future leaders, and we celebrate and encourage their continued educational growth.
Albany Herald
UGA ag economics instructor named Distinguished Professor
By Josh Paine CAES News
Gopinath “Gopi” Munisamy, a University of Georgia professor of agricultural and applied economics, was recently named Distinguished Professor of Agricultural Marketing in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Spanning more than 35 years in academia and government, his work includes topics in agricultural policy, markets, trade and economic development.
Valdosta Daily Times
Library preparing curbside service for patrons
By Terry Richards
The South Georgia Regional Library continues to serve patrons remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic and is making plans for a slow return to normalcy. The library plans to roll out curbside service May 14, said Eric Mathis, library information consultant. “Call & Haul” curbside services allows patrons to pick up items on hold and craft projects from the safety of their vehicles. To place items on hold, patrons can call (229) 333-0086 or do it themselves online with their PINES account at gapines.org. …The library is partnering with the Georgia Public Library Service and the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents to provide laptops to students who don’t have computers or an Internet connection as they transition to online courses.
WJBF
Augusta University Health to modify visitation with new safety precautions
As elective surgeries and some patient appointments begin again this week, AU Health is modifying visitation restrictions and adding safety measures to protect patients, families and staff. Starting Wednesday, May 6, 2020 patients are allowed one family member or support person for inpatient and outpatient appointments, except for COVID-19 positive patients. Patients and their support person will be screened before entry and must wear a face covering while in the hospital or clinics.
Albany Herald
COVID-19 impacts Georgia’s poultry industry
By J. Faith Peppers CAES News
While many were watching the price of poultry plummet, workers in processing plants began testing positive for COVID-19, causing temporary shutdowns at more than 30 meat processing facilities across the nation, according to the MEAT+POULTRY’s website, which has been mapping the cases at meatpoultry.com/articles/22993-covid-19-meat-plant-map. Together, that caused a complex problem for the poultry industry and for consumers.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Coronavirus creates glut for Georgia vegetable growers
By Christopher Quinn
Cows are munching down zucchini, yellow squash and cabbage that Southern Valley Fruit and Vegetable farms grew and picked for restaurants and other institutions. It’s one way the company is trying to make use of the glut of south Georgia vegetables caused by the closure of dining spots, schools and other big buyers. South Georgia farmers ship food from Florida to Canada, but the closures cost them 40- to 50% of their market. Growers are caught between being unable to sell all their crop and selling what they can in a flooded market with dropping prices. The pandemic has put farmers in line for a third — for some a fourth — tough year thanks to bad weather and the Chinese tariff war blockages. Georgia’s $13.7 billion agricultural industry is likely to see losses that will ripple up and down the economic ladder, especially in rural communities like Colquitt County, where Southern Valley is located.
Gwinnett Daily Post
Coronavirus pandemic puts Georgia Gwinnett College’s international athletes in limbo
By Will Hammock
In the world of college athletics, where the coronavirus pandemic impacted present seasons and cast doubt on future ones, the challenges have been plenty. For international student-athletes, like many at Georgia Gwinnett College, the disruption has been even more difficult. … Travel home has been the norm for a large number of GGC athletes, though the trips have been shorter for most of the Grizzlies’ baseball and softball players, who are mostly from the U.S. However, the men’s and women’s soccer teams, and the men’s and women’s tennis teams are heavily international, meaning their athletes scattered over the world when the pandemic shut down in-person college classes and athletics. …The GGC women’s soccer team, also with a majority of the roster featuring international players from places like England, Germany, Sweden and New Zealand, also saw most of its players return home. Only two chose to remain in Gwinnett.
The Augusta Chronicle
UGA athletics takes financial hit from pandemic, but no pay cuts implemented
By Marc Weiszer
Football and basketball coaches at schools including Minnesota, Louisville, Washington State, Syracuse, Rutgers and Kansas are taking pay cuts as athletic departments take financial hits during the coronavirus pandemic. No similar steps are anticipated for now at Georgia. “Some institutions are doing so just to be whole in this fiscal year, which ends June 30,” athletic director Greg McGarity said. “Some institutions are struggling, obviously, to get to that point so they have no alternative. Other schools are dependent on state funds. The only fees we receive outside of what we generate ourselves are our student fees. That’s a very small portion of our total budget.” In the SEC, Missouri’s highest paid athletic staff members are taking voluntary pay cuts during a three-month period starting May 1, according to the Columbia Daily Tribune. Georgia athletics will receive about $800,000 less from university student fees that were refunded after the school went to online-only instruction in March, according to McGarity. Those fees go toward football, basketball, gymnastics and baseball tickets and for upkeep of Stegeman Coliseum and Spec Towns track used by students.
Tifton CEO
Florida Surgeon Named Distinguished Alumnus by ABAC Alumni Association
Staff Report
Dr. Glen Arthur Barden from Lakeland, Fla., has been selected as the 2020 Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient by the ABAC Alumni Association at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. This award is normally presented at the Alumni Awards Luncheon at Homecoming in April but the luncheon was postponed due to the pandemic. The event will be rescheduled, possibly during the fall term. The Distinguished Alumnus Award is presented annually in recognition of alumni who have distinguished themselves through professional achievement, community service and service to ABAC. It is the highest honor bestowed on an alumnus by the Alumni Association. It was first presented in 1969.
Growing America
Samuel Aggrey named Richard B. Russell Professor in Agriculture
University of Georgia Professor Samuel Aggrey has earned the Richard B. Russell Professorship in Agriculture. Established by the Richard B. Russell Foundation through a generous gift, the endowed professorship is meant to support innovative research and teaching that advances agricultural science, research and conservation. Aggrey is internationally known for his research in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) Department of Poultry Science.
The Red & Black
UCWGA calls for UGA to protect workers during USG budget cuts
Sherry Liang | Enterprise Reporter
The United Campus Workers of Georgia has called for the University of Georgia to protect university employees as the University System of Georgia cuts 14% of its budget due to the coronavirus, UCWGA announced in a press release Monday. USG Chancellor Steve Wrigley instructed all 26 university system institutions to submit plans to reduce their budgets by May 20, according to an email sent to USG faculty and staff on May 1. UCWGA is asking UGA to commit to a plan protecting “vulnerable workers” at UGA, such as maintenance workers and technicians. The union asks for the plan to include no layoffs or program and department closures. Wrigley noted in his May 1 email that the university system’s plan may include layoffs or furloughs.
Other News:
The Augusta Chronicle
May 4: COVID-19 cases seem to slow for Augusta, Georgia and South Carolina
By Tom Corwin
The number of patients with COVID-19 appeared to slow overnight in Augusta and Georgia, with about a dozen of cases in Augusta-area counties and a modest increase across the state. After big increases to end last week, the number of patients with COVID-19 increased slowly in Augusta, Georgia, and South Carolina, with Augusta gaining about a dozen cases and moderate increases Monday for both states. The Georgia Department of Public Health reported 29,438 confirmed cases of COVID-19, an increase of 767 since Sunday, and 1,246 deaths, an increase of 67 from the previous day’s toll.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
CDC report suggests Georgia’s COVID-19 fight is far from over
By Alan Judd
Despite weeks of social distancing to contain the coronavirus, the outbreak continues to worsen in many parts of Georgia, a federal report shows. The report, presented to the White House by the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, estimates deaths from the virus will reach 3,000 a day nationwide by June. That is significantly higher than the current daily average of about 1,750 and foretells an ultimate death toll far exceeding 100,000.
WSB
Antibody tests touted as way to combat coronavirus, but are they accurate?
By: Michael Seiden
As officials across the country and here in Georgia continue the process of reopening states for business amid the coronavirus pandemic, antibody tests have been suggested as a key to getting back to normal. However, it remains unclear if antibodies can provide protection against reinfection. That hasn’t stopped hundreds of thousands of Americans from taking the antibody blood tests.
Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
Public Higher Ed Funding Still Has Not Recovered From 2008 Recession
Latest state higher education finance report provides a 2019 baseline as higher education braces for a recession.
By Emma Whitford
State funding for higher education remains below pre-recession levels and will likely stay that way, a new report from the State Higher Education Executive Officers association shows. The fiscal 2019 State Higher Education Finance report was well underway before the coronavirus pandemic tore through higher education budgets. But Sophia Laderman, senior policy analyst at SHEEO and lead author of the report, considers it a useful tool as higher education braces for a recession. “Think of this year’s report as the next baseline for the recession we’re coming into. Public funding for higher education has never been so low going into a recession,” Laderman said.
Inside Higher Ed
House Democrats Oppose Proposed Changes to Borrower-Defense Form
By Kery Murakami
Changes the Education Department is proposing to the forms borrowers have to fill out to have their loans forgiven when they have been defrauded by their institutions could deter some from applying, said Democrats on the House education committee Monday. Under the borrower-defense rule, the Education Department examines whether students in an institution’s program were harmed by misconduct, like falsely advertising students’ chances of finding well-paying jobs after graduation. However, in March, the Education Department proposed making a number of changes to the application form, including asking those applying for relief how they were individually harmed by their institution’s conduct, the Democrats wrote in a letter to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. That “may deter a borrower with a valid claim from completing or submitting the application,” wrote the Democrats, led by education committee chairman Bobby Scott.
Inside Higher Ed
DeVos Makes $1.4 Billion Available for Minority-Serving Institutions
By Kery Murakami
The U.S. Department of Education announced it is making available nearly $1.4 billion Congress set aside in the CARES Act for minority-serving institutions, including historically black colleges and tribal colleges. The department also released a spreadsheet detailing out how much institutions will receive, with North Carolina A & T State University receiving the most, $18 million. The money, under the terms of the $2.2 trillion stimulus bill approved by Congress and signed by President Trump last month, can be used to pay for technology as classes move online during the pandemic, as well as other costs from campus closures, such as lost revenue associated with the transition to distance education, grants to cover the costs of attendance for eligible students and faculty and staff training. Additionally, funds may be used to cover operational costs, such as lost revenue, reimbursements for prior expenses and payroll. Minority-serving institutions, however, are seeking an additional $1.5 billion to cover the financial hit they’re taking during the pandemic.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
Why You Shouldn’t Try to Replicate Your Classroom Teaching Online
By Beckie Supiano
Not Translation. Adaptation.
When colleges shut down in-person classes this spring, many instructors took pains to say that what was offered instead was not online learning. Other terms have been offered up — emergency online teaching, remote instruction — though probably none is quite right. The distinction between online learning and the scrambling to adjust courses midstream was initially pushed by instructors and experts who know that well-designed online courses and programs are effective. They were worried that students’ and professors’ experiences this semester would give online learning a bad name. But maybe the distinction also mattered to professors who never imagined they would teach online. Perhaps that’s why some of them tried so hard to replicate their existing course in synchronous video conferences, despite the many arguments against this format from online-teaching experts.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
Will the Coronavirus End the SAT?
The current crisis could — hopefully — be the tipping point in a test-optional landslide
By Jon Boeckenstedt
This year, a virus has swayed the hearts, if not the minds, of many in higher education with an agility and swiftness unmatched by decades of research. The novel coronavirus has started a flood of America’s colleges adopting test-optional policies in undergraduate admissions. This spring alone, over 70 institutions have adopted test-optional policies, falling into one of three categories. Some are pilot programs, like those at Tufts University and Davidson College, that have been designed to monitor results closely, presumably with the intent of making the policy permanent if it appears to work well.
Inside Higher Ed
With hundreds of colleges extending their deposit deadlines due to the pandemic, May 1 means less than ever this year.
By Elizabeth Redden
It’s May 1, National College Decision Day, the day high school seniors commit to a college. But for many seniors — and the colleges that are courting them — National College Decision Day will come and go with no decision. “At this point, May 1 is just another spring Friday,” said Robert Kelchen, an associate professor of higher education and co-chair of the Department of Education Leadership Management and Policy at Seton Hall University, in New Jersey. “It doesn’t have much special meaning anymore.” More than 400 colleges have extended the deadline for admitted students to submit deposits to June 1 or later to give students and families more time to make their decision amid the uncertainty — financial and otherwise — caused by the coronavirus pandemic. In an Inside Higher Ed survey of college presidents, 39 percent said they had delayed admission deadlines in response to the pandemic. But even before the pandemic, May 1 was going to be different this year.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
Admissions Field’s New Leader Hopes to ‘Reinvent Enrollment and College Access’
By Eric Hoover
The National Association for College Admission Counseling on Monday named Angel B. Pérez as its new chief executive, placing an outspoken proponent of education equity at the helm of the organization during an unprecedented enrollment crisis that could permanently change the way many students apply to college. Pérez, currently vice president for enrollment and student success at Trinity College, in Connecticut, will succeed Joyce E. Smith, who is retiring after more than 30 years of leadership in the association, known as NACAC. The group’s 15,000-plus members include admissions officers, high-school counselors, college-access advisers, and independent educational consultants. In an interview with The Chronicle on Sunday, Pérez said he intends to lead a collaborative effort to “reinvent enrollment and college access in America and across the globe.” He also described his hope that NACAC could convene a global conversation on rethinking the admissions profession and its role. …Pérez will start his new job in July, in the middle of what promises to be a summer of continuing turmoil within his profession.
Inside Higher Ed
Colleges Reopen Admissions for the Year
It’s not too late to apply to some private colleges that say they are recruiting students who may have originally planned to go far from home.
By Scott Jaschik
Since surveys of student behavior during the pandemic started coming out, one finding has been clear: the number of students going to college far from home was dropping. Some suggested this was a dramatic change, and others thought it would be minor, but there was agreement on the general trend. For some private colleges, this opens up a way to recruit students. And as a result, at least four private colleges have reopened admissions for this year. …M. Brad Pochard, associate vice president for enrollment and dean of admission and financial aid at Furman, said the university in recent weeks received inquiries from students in the region (North and South Carolina, Georgia, and eastern Tennessee) who had originally wanted to go to college far from home. Now they want to go to college close to home.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
Covid-19 Changes the Calculus of Grad-Student Activism
By Megan Zahneis and Vimal Patel
… The calculus of activism and agitation for change has shifted, not only in Santa Cruz but across academe. Graduate students nationwide are finding their positions more precarious as their institutions face financial deficits in the millions, as the job market dries up and hiring is frozen, and as they face their own financial and personal burdens brought on by the pandemic. At the same time, the work of labor activism has become more challenging. Graduate students’ traditional forms of protest are hampered by social-distancing protocols and empty campuses — picket lines aren’t easily replicated on Zoom — and they worry that alternative methods they’ve devised make them vulnerable to retaliation. All the while, the universities they’re pressuring for support are operating on bootstrapped budgets. But one expert looking at historic precedent thinks they may come out ahead.
Inside Higher Ed
Students Enrolled Part-Time Are More Likely to Stop Out
By Madeline St. Amour
Students who attend college part-time are much more likely to drop out without earning a credential, according to a new report. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center analyzed six-year completion rates for students who attended college part-time and full-time, beginning in the fall of 2013. It included those who enrolled at four-year and two-year institutions. Researchers found that part-time students stopped out of college at about twice the rate of full-time students.
Inside Higher Ed
Faculty members concerned about health and safety want a say in the conditions under which they’ll be working if they are expected to teach in person next fall.
By Colleen Flaherty
As colleges and universities agonize over whether students will return in the fall, either to campus or online, they’re making a big assumption: that faculty members will show up to teach. The expectation isn’t ill founded. Faculty jobs, especially the good ones, were hard to come by even before hundreds of institutions announced pandemic-related hiring freezes. No one wants to be out of a job right now. But no one wants to get sick, either. Teaching online for another semester is so far outside many professors’ original job descriptions that it is nearly as unpalatable, to some, as being shut in a room with students. Even so, many professors say they’d prefer a remote term, or even a delayed academic year, to teaching face-to-face again too soon.