University System News:
Henry Herald
Georgia Legislature gave and took away in $1.13B bond package
By Dave Williams, Bureau Chief
Capitol Beat News Service
Despite cutting spending by $2.2 billion, the General Assembly found enough money in next year’s state budget to plow more funds into building projects across Georgia. The final version of the $25.9 billion fiscal 2021 budget lawmakers adopted late last week doubles the bond financing for a series of projects on university, college and technical college campuses. But it does so by zeroing out the funding for other projects. Throughout the budget review process, the legislature left alone the largest project in the $1.13 billion bond package for the coming fiscal year: a $70 million expansion of the Savannah Convention Center in Gov. Brian Kemp’s original budget recommendations. But the budget that emerged from a joint House-Senate conference committee last Thursday doubled the bond commitments for the following projects:
WTOC
Savannah State University to hold symposium on race relations
By Blair Caldwell
It’s been more than a month since the death of George Floyd which sparked a national movement towards racial equity. Savannah State University leaders say we cannot forget what happened and must continue to strive for change. “We want to be a part of the solution that this country needs so desperately so that our students, our staff, our faculty can live in a much better world,” says SSU Interim President Kimberly Ballard-Washington. While SSU leaders know change is needed, they feel what comes next is a thoughtful, engaging, and strategic discussion.
WSAV
Georgia universities making plans to return to campus this fall amid the pandemic
by: Ricardo Lewis
The University System of Georgia is being put to the test to keep students and staff safe while returning back to campus in the middle of a global pandemic. As schools across the state finalize plans for resuming in-person classes this fall, News 3 spoke with local universities about the steps they’re taking to get ready. “I don’t expect that we will be back to normal anytime soon,” Savannah State University Interim President, Kimberly Ballard-Washington said. Preparations are underway at Savannah State University and Georgia Southern University with only 49 days left to finalize plans. “We have about a 292 page guide that sort of spells out different steps that we’ll take,” Georgia Southern University Spokesman, John Lester said.
WRBL
Columbus State University takes extra steps to keep students safe this fall
by: Anjelicia Bruton
Columbus State University is currently in the process of planning for the fall semester. The University has already taken steps to possibly reopen. There’s signage placed all over the campus encouraging everyone to stay six feet apart along with disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizers. CSU spokesperson Greg Hudgison says things aren’t just changing for students, it’s for anyone that steps foot on one of their campuses.
Albany Herald
Phoebe Class of ’20 residents graduate; new class introduced
From staff reports
The Phoebe Family Medicine Residency program celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2020 with a virtual ceremony over the weekend. Seven graduating residents and their families joined PFMR leaders and faculty for an online program. … Although the typical community welcome ceremony was cancelled due to COVID-19, Phoebe also welcomed the PFMR Class of 2023. The members of the PFMR Class of 2023 are: Dr. Krystal Archer – Medical College of Georgia; …The residents will spend the next three years honing their medical skills in southwest Georgia. They will complete various specialty rotations as they train under a team of community attending physicians. Phoebe’s goal is that as many of them as possible will end up staying in the region to practice after they graduate.
Albany Herald
Norman Gay named honorary cohort member at ag education pinning ceremony
From staff reports
Norman Gay from Perry was named an Honorary 2020 Cohort Member at the virtual pinning ceremony for the 33 graduates of the bachelor’s degree in agricultural education held recently at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Gay, a 1968 ABAC graduate and the president of the Georgia FFA Alumni Association, is a longtime supporter of Agricultural Education and the FFA. “He has 60 years as a student, a leader, and as an unwavering supporter of Agricultural Education and ABAC,” Frank Flanders, ABAC’s Agricultural Education program coordinator, said.
Augusta CEO
Hocker, Groves to Lead MCG Graduate Medical Education
Jennifer Hilliard Scott
Dr. Michael Hocker, vice chair of clinical operations and business management for the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, has been named the medical school’s senior associate dean for graduate medical education. Hocker will also serve as MCG’s designated institutional official, leading the medical school and health system’s 51 residency and fellowship programs. “MCG’s Graduate Medical Education programs remain at the vital heart of Augusta University’s and the medical school’s teaching hospitals,” says Dr. D. Douglas Miller, MCG vice dean for academic affairs. “Our residents and fellows contribute daily to the high quality of patient-centered care in our hospitals and clinics. It is a privilege and honor to participate in their residency and fellowship training – to do so well is the true hallmark of an academic physician. MCG is fortunate to have many dedicated program directors and teaching faculty. I am confident that Drs. Hocker and Groves will continue the tradition of excellence.”
WFXG
Parsons sets course for new generation
By Jacob Peklo
Every day, Hunter Thomas and Brian McNulty are living out the vision of the Georgia Cyber Center and its growing educational partnerships. “The amount of resources in the area is absolutely phenomenal,” said McNulty, a second-year student at Augusta Technical College. “For someone focused on the cyber or software development area, there’s potentially no place better to be. This rivals even Silicon Valley, in my opinion.” McNulty is a pioneer for Parsons. He’s the first intern they’ve ever had from a two-year technical school. “I’m still shocked and I’m still hoping to prove useful enough, even though I’m behind in the experience of the other interns,” said McNulty. One resource both the interns can appreciate: access to the company’s director of operations. “Oh, it’s amazing,” said Hunter Thomas, a senior at Augusta University. “He’s the ‘boss’ boss, but he’s like a friend of mine.” What makes their journey so incredible was Parsons sought both of them out for the internship.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
UGA confirms 143 positive COVID-19 cases among students, staff
By Zachary Hansen
The University of Georgia confirmed Monday that nearly 150 students and campus workers have tested positive for COVID-19. The UGA Health Center said that 143 people tested positive, according to a news release. It is unclear how many of those positive cases are students and how many are staff members.
Other News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kemp pushes masks and extends state of emergency for the coronavirus
By Greg Bluestein and J. Scott Trubey
Gov. Brian Kemp on Monday extended the state’s public health emergency, certain business restrictions and his shelter-in-place order for the medically fragile amid a record spike in new cases of the coronavirus. The governor also announced Monday that he’s set to go on a statewide fly-around tour ahead of the July Fourth weekend to encourage Georgians to wear masks, but he said he doesn’t plan to require residents to do so. The extended orders and Kemp’s media blitz on masks comes after Georgia set a record last week with more than 11,000 cases of the coronavirus. The state Department of Public Health on Monday reported 2,207 new cases of the coronavirus, which almost matched Sunday’s single-day record of 2,225.Georgia had set daily records for three straight days prior to Monday.
WRDW
Kemp extends COVID-19 state of emergency for Georgia
Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp signed two executive orders extending the public health state of emergency and existing COVID-19 safety measures. “While we continue to see a decreasing case fatality rate, expanded testing, and adequate hospital surge capacity, in recent days, Georgia has seen an increase in new cases reported and current hospitalizations. Given these trends, I am extending previous COVID-19 safety requirements and guidelines that were due to expire on June 30 at 11:59 PM,” Kemp said in a statement Monday. Executive Order 06.29.20.01 extends the state of emergency through 11:59 p.m. Aug. 11. It allows for enhanced coordination across government and the private sector for supply procurement, comprehensive testing and health care capacity. A second order continues to require social distancing, bans gatherings of more than 50 people unless there is 6 feet between each person, outlines mandatory criteria for businesses and requires sheltering in place for those living in long-term care facilities and the medically fragile.
Gainesville Times
What COVID-19 looks like now as Gov. Brian Kemp extends measures to prevent spread
Megan Reed
In two executive orders signed Monday, June 29, Gov. Brian Kemp extended Georgia’s public health state of emergency and safety measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The state of emergency, which allows for the government to coordinate with businesses for supplies, testing and other resources, will be extended through Aug. 11. The safety requirements, which had been due to expire June 30, have been extended through July 15. The state Department of Health reports that 81,573 have tested positive for the virus, which is 8.3% of tests reported to DPH. A seven-day moving average shows an increase in cases statewide, with that average being 757 June 1 and 961 June 14; data for the past 14 days is considered incomplete as not all results have been reported.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Map: Coronavirus deaths and cases in Georgia (updated June 29, 3 p.m.)
An updated count of coronavirus deaths and cases reported across the state
DEATHS: 2,784 | Deaths confirmed in 140 counties. For 2 deaths, the county is unknown, and for 45 deaths, the residence was determined to be out-of-state. CONFIRMED CASES: 79,417 | A case’s county is determined by the patient’s residence, when known, not by where they were treated. Cases have been confirmed in every county. For 3,621 cases, the county is unknown. For 4,601 cases, the residence was determined to be out-of-state.
Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
Enrollments Largely Stable During Spring
Spring campus closures and the shift to remote learning did not have a major negative impact on student enrollments, finds the National Student Clearinghouse. But racial gaps emerge.
By Lindsay McKenzie
Widespread disruption to the spring semester did not result in an unusually large number of students changing their enrollment status, according to new research by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Most students maintained the same enrollment intensity — meaning whether they studied full-time, three-quarters-time, half-time or less than half-time — from the beginning of the semester to the end, regardless of their demographic characteristics or the type of institution they attended. Even after many colleges sent students home to continue their studies remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of students withdrawing, or increasing/decreasing their course load, remained consistent with recent years, the data suggest.
Inside Higher Ed
What Students and Colleges Should Know
More than 250 admissions deans issue statement valuing self-care and family care — and urging students to share the context to understand their situations.
By Scott Jaschik
The college admissions cycle that is (slowly) finishing for students entering in the fall has been unlike anything admissions officers have seen before. With campuses empty, colleges had to recruit admitted applicants without being able to do anything in person. A further complication was that most students applied before the pandemic but were asked to commit to a college as coronavirus spread. One way or another, the process is coming a close over the summer. But as unusual as this year has been, admissions officials are gearing up for one that may be more challenging. In the upcoming cycle, some students will still be studying online, some students physically in their high schools and some in a combination of the two. They will be looking at colleges in every state of operation — with some planning for classes in person, some not and some planning for a combination. Students’ families have been suffering as well — from the health impacts of COVID-19 and the economic impact of the pandemic and the recession. As a result, more than 250 admissions deans (and the number is growing) have come together with the Making Caring Common project at the Harvard Graduate School of Education to issue “Care Counts in Crisis: College Admissions Deans Respond to COVID-19.” In the document, the admissions officials attempt to reassure students — and themselves — about what’s really important this year.
USA Today
‘A scary reality’: Students react to colleges’ reopening plans with mix of optimism, fear
Suzanne Hirt
… Colleges and coronavirus: Colleges detail what it could look like for students when they reopen for fall 2020 Schools will try to discourage such gatherings when students arrive by providing information and personal protective equipment. For instance, all University of Florida students will receive a care kit that includes hand sanitizer and wipes, face masks and education material that explains the importance of being proactive to prevent spreading the virus, according to D’Andra Mull, vice president for student affairs. “We try to help students understand that this is a shared responsibility,” Mull said. “We have to protect one another.” But some are still wary of returning to campus, fearing both the risk to their health and that their studies will suffer from reduced interaction with peers and professors. Alexis Morris, a third-year student majoring in marketing and promotions at Western Michigan University, has considered not enrolling in upper-level courses required for her degree until she’s certain she can take them in person because she found the online learning environment to be lacking last semester. “It just wasn’t the same,” said Morris, 20. “You couldn’t really ask questions.”
WABE
The Wild Card For An In-Person Fall: College Student Behavior
Elissa Nadworny
When asked if he could imagine a college party where everyone is wearing masks, Jacques du Passage, a sophomore at Louisiana State University, laughs. “No. I don’t think they would do that,” he says. “I think [students] would just have the party and then face the repercussions.” That’s exactly what Apramay Mishra, student body president at the University of Kansas, is worried about when it comes to reopening campus amid the pandemic. …Around the U.S., coronavirus cases are rising among young people. The spread of the virus has been connected to college-related events such as fraternity parties, drinking at off-campus bars and athletic practices. For colleges planning to bring thousands of students together in the fall, student spread is a real worry. And the stakes are high: If there are outbreaks, campuses may once again be forced to shut down, scattering students and disrupting academics and college finances all over again. …Nearly every campus in America has a student handbook or code of conduct, explains Martha Compton, president of the Association for Student Conduct Administration. And for the most part, they work. “The vast majority of students do abide by guidelines, with an even higher level when they’re related to classroom conduct,” Compton says. But it’s imperative that colleges educate students on the rules, especially if they’ve changed. She also advises that colleges enforce the rules with compassion and leniency — for example, having masks available when someone forgets.
The Washington Post
By Valerie Strauss
With the coronavirus pandemic upending everything about going to college, more than 300 admissions deans from schools around the country just released a statement about what they want to see in applicants for fall 2021 — and what they don’t want to see. …This effort comes at a highly unusual time for colleges and universities. They are about to embark on unprecedented experiments welcoming to students to campus during a pandemic disease. Most have waived the requirement to include an ACT or SAT admissions score on freshman applications. According to the nonprofit National Center for Fair and Open Testing, more than half of four-year colleges and universities have waived the requirement for 2021, and many have done it as permanent policy.
Inside Higher Ed
Skills Over Degrees in Federal Hiring
Trump administration elevates skills over college degrees in federal hiring, but college groups say executive order will not lessen value of degrees.
By Kery Murakami
In signing an executive order Friday revamping how the federal government does hiring, President Donald Trump took aim at the necessity of having a college degree. Trump, in ordering that the government move away from requiring that applicants have degrees, said he wants to make it easier for those without a higher education to get federal jobs. But higher education leaders said they didn’t take the move as a blow. The government still will want applicants who have the skills they get from going to college. “I don’t think the federal government is going to start hiring public health specialists without a public health background or engineers without an engineering background,” said Terry Hartle, the American Council on Education’s senior vice president for government and public affairs. Trump is ordering that the federal personnel management office within six months revise qualifications it requires for jobs with the U.S. government. A college degree will be required only if mandated by law, or if agencies filling a position believe a college degree is necessary.