University System News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
AJC College COVID Tracker: UGA reports large decline in new cases
By Eric Stirgus
Here are the latest developments of COVID-19 cases on metro Atlanta’s college campuses and in other parts of Georgia:
University of Georgia
The university on Wednesday released its weekly update on COVID-19 cases among its students and employees, which showed a significant decline in new cases. UGA reported 421 positive cases between Sept. 7 to 13. The university reported 1,490 positive cases between Aug. 31 to Sept. 6. About one-half of the new cases were self-reported by students and employees. UGA conducted 1,655 tests on campus during the last week and reported 126 positive COVID-19 cases. The number of positive cases, 7.6%, was lower than the prior total of 9.1%, according to UGA’s data.
MSN
Hiring event looks to bring more nurses to CSRA
Sydney Heiberger
Nursing shortages around the country existed well before COVID, and the pandemic certainly created a new set of considerations when it comes to providing the best patient care. Our local hospitals have experienced this crisis first-hand. With each hospital comes a unique set of challenges, but there’s one thing most have in common — they’re all hiring nurses. Augusta University says they currently employ 1,500 nurses but need about 200 more. They said COVID patients require one nurse per one patient. Normally nurses in the ICU treat two patients per nurse.
WTOC11
Savannah State University offering COVID-19 testing on campus
By Blair Caldwell
Battling the coronavirus on a college campus can be a challenge, but Savannah State University is working to better serve and protect their community daily. While they require masks, social distancing, and more, they are now offering a new program – testing. Savannah State University is now offering COVID-19 testing for students and staff at no charge. They feel this is just one more way to stop the spread. “We want to make sure that our campus community is safe,” said Annette Ogletree-McDougal, V.P. for Marketing and Communications. Starting Tuesday, Tigers at SSU could get a free COVID-19 saliva test. Students can get tested on Tuesdays and Thursdays while staff has the option on Wednesdays.
Athens CEO
UGA Professor: Information Key to COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance
Sarah Freeman
Glen Nowak, director of the Center for Health and Risk Communication at the University of Georgia, co-authored a Perspective article addressing one of the most pressing topics facing the United States: achieving high acceptance of a vaccine for COVID-19. The article, “When Will We Have a Vaccine? — Understanding Questions and Answers about Covid-19 Vaccination,” was published Sept. 8 in the New England Journal of Medicine. It is co-authored by Barry R. Bloom of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and Walter Orenstein of the Emory Vaccine Center at Emory University School of Medicine. The Perspective calls attention to the activities and outcomes that need to be achieved before a COVID-19 vaccine is recommended and available for use in the United States.
Douglas Now
SGSC TO OFFER NEW BACHELOR DEGREE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
South Georgia State College has received approval from the University System of Georgia Board of Regents to offer a new Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology (BSMET). The highly anticipated degree was approved September 15 at the Board of Regents meeting in Atlanta. The program is scheduled to launch fall 2021. “South Georgia State College’s spring 2014 commencement was a pivotal moment in the history of the college,” said SGSC President Dr. Ingrid Thompson-Sellers. “The first cohort of students walked across the stage to receive a bachelor’s degree in nursing. That historic event set SGSC on a path to grow its baccalaureate degree portfolio over the next six years, with Mechanical Engineering Technology being SGSC’s eighth bachelor’s degree. We are grateful to the University System of Georgia and for the support of our local employers for helping to make this happen.”
Times-Georgian
UWG Alumni Relations launches new business directory
By Sam Gentry
When a student graduates from the University of West Georgia, they go steadfast into the working world equipped with the tools they need to make life-changing career moves. UWG alumni can expect boundless resources to be available to them throughout their careers. A new resource has been added, as the university’s Alumni Association has developed a new, virtual directory for alumni and supporters who own or operate businesses. The directory is designed to not only help alumni network with each other but also to aid the community in locating and supporting UWG alumni-owned and operated businesses.
Albany Herald
Georgia Tech creates new school focused on cybersecurity and privacy
By Mea Watkins, WGCL
Georgia Institute of Technology has created a new school focused on cybersecurity and privacy. It is the first of its kind among top research universities and will build on the school’s considerable investments in cybersecurity and privacy education and research. Tech already has three cybersecurity degree programs and is named number one in undergraduate cybersecurity education by U.S. News and World Report. The school plans to weave the cybersecurity degree programs together with other interdisciplinary programs. “The new School of Cybersecurity is a reflection of Georgia Tech’s strengths and commitment to serving the needs of our society and our state,” Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera said.
Albany Herald
Four UGA students serve as Agricultural Fellows
By Sean Montgomery CAES News
Four undergraduate students from the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are representing the college in Washington, D.C., serving as 2020 CAES Congressional Agricultural Fellows. The 12-week fellowship allows these students to have a voice in the nation’s capital, with hands-on learning opportunities in the offices of Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler and Georgia Reps. Doug Collins and Sanford Bishop.
Valdosta Daily Times
Black colleges fight pandemic with limited funds
Serve students who are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19
Riley Bunch
As higher education institutions rushed to return to in-person instruction, historically Black colleges and universities have been left to mitigate COVID-19 spread on campus with fewer resources. In Georgia, colleges and universities faced mounting pressure to reopen in-person instruction for the fall as Gov. Brian Kemp continues phasing the state’s economy back to full swing. All 26 University System of Georgia schools offer some degree of in-person learning by regent mandate and the 22 institutions in the Technical College System of Georgia are all returning to in-person instruction for the fall semester. But the state’s HBCUs face the pandemic with historically fewer resources to serve their student populations that — because of their demographics — are disproportionately affected by the virus.
The Signal
Students protest reopening USG campuses by hosting a die-in
By Olivia Nash
The month of August consisted of several protests against institutions that planned to reopen amid the pandemic. Die-ins from the University of North Carolina, the University of Georgia and other University System of Georgia institutions persisted, as students demanded that schools reconsider their plans for the fall. Students and faculty members from each institution laid in the center of their campus for an hour to silently protest the universities. Similar to a sit-in, a die-in or a lie-in is when protesters simulate being dead as an act of protest. In this case, it was the reopening of campus.
Gwinnett Daily Post
Georgia Tech plan for football opener: no tailgating, discounted concessions for early arrivals
From staff reports
In conjunction with schools officials, Georgia Tech athletics announced Tuesday that on-campus tailgating will not be permitted for the Yellow Jackets’ 2020 football home opener Saturday against Central Florida. “Through our continuing discussions with Institute leadership and with the health and safety of our entire community continuing to be our top priority, we have decided that it is in the best interests of our entire Georgia Tech family to not allow tailgating for Saturday’s opener against UCF,” Tech director of athletics Todd Stansbury said. “This is not a decision that was made lightly. However, at this time, we feel that the safest course of action is to invite fans to come straight from their vehicles to Bobby Dodd Stadium, where we can better safeguard the health and safety of our students, staff and visitors through the protocols that we have in place designed to mitigate the risk of the transmission of COVID-19.” Chairs, grills and coolers will not be permitted outside of an individual’s vehicle and no loitering or gatherings of any size will be permitted in any on-campus area outside of the Bobby Dodd Stadium footprint for Saturday’s game.
MedicalXpress
Scientists explore the obesity paradox, cardiovascular risk of HIV
The newer generation of HIV drugs have turned the once-lethal infection into a chronic condition, and cardiovascular disease has emerged as the leading cause of death in these individuals. Now, Medical College of Georgia scientists are dissecting the also emerging obesity paradox that the newer drugs appear to cause weight gain, which appears to limit, rather than increase patients’ already significant risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Fox 28 Media
UGA Skidaway scientists measure hurricanes with ocean gliders
by Ariana Mount
Scientists are using hurricane gliders to track hurricanes. The U.S. Navy and the University of Georgia Skidaway Institute are launching the gliders in the ocean to measure temperature and the salinity of the water. The data helps scientists better understand the strength of a hurricane as it approaches. “Getting the influence of the ocean, and its potential to force and fuel hurricanes is critical for understanding the intensification problems. That information is really vital to people living in coastal areas,” said Dr. Catherine Edwards, a UGA Skidaway Institute scientist.
Other News:
11Alive
Kemp renews Georgia coronavirus restrictions again, new guidance for long-term care facilities
The latest order takes effect on midnight Sep. 16 and will remain in effect through 11:59 p.m. Sept. 30.
Gov. Brian Kemp has once again extended the coronavirus restrictions in place for much of the state for another 15 days. The latest executive order extends the current COVID-19 restrictions – including limited occupancy – in place for businesses, restaurants, bars, movie theaters and others. The shelter in place provisions for people who live in long-term care facilities and the medically fragile also remain in place, however, the order does allow for new guidance for relaxing restrictions at long-term care facilities. Under the latest order, people required to shelter in place in long-term care facilities may be soon allowed to engage in certain activities – including visitations – approved by the State of Georgia Department of Public Health’s Reopening Guidance Administrative Order.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Map: Coronavirus deaths and cases in Georgia (updated Sept. 15)
An updated count of coronavirus deaths and cases reported across the state
DEATHS: 6,398 | Deaths have been confirmed in all counties but one (Taliaferro). County is determined by the patient’s residence, when known, not by where they were treated.
CONFIRMED CASES: 296,833 | Cases have been confirmed in every county.
Higher Education News:
The Chronicle of Higher Education
Let’s Give a Kiss Goodbye to These 10 Pandemic-Endangered Practices
Some of the replacements and adjustments reflect a more equitable approach, writes Goldie Blumenstyk. Did it take a pandemic to see that?
Bye-bye to these 10 practices already endangered by the pandemic.
Goodbye to traditional class lectures, in-person faculty office hours, and the college visit. Likewise, how about a fond farewell to inflexible academic calendars, the face-to-face faculty meetings filled with pontification, and the place-based conferences — with all their exclusionary trappings. Dozens of you responded to my question over the past two weeks about what higher-ed practices paused by the pandemic should never come back. Thank you! The suggestions I cited above, along with four others, are the ones that stood out to me because they point to a more efficient or engaging way to operate. Also, in many cases, the replacements and adjustments reflect a more equitable approach. Hmm. Did we really need a pandemic to see that? Several of these 10 ideas relate directly or indirectly to teaching.
Inside Higher Ed
More Pandemic Consequences for Underrepresented Students
A large survey and a series of reports from a group of research institutions found that students of color and low-income students are in a worse state than white and higher-income peers during the pandemic.
By Greta Anderson
Students of color and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds have been more likely to suffer hardships as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and are in need of support from their colleges, a new survey of students at large, public research institutions found. The Student Experience in the Research University Consortium conducted a comprehensive survey of undergraduate, graduate and professional students from May to July that asked a series of questions about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on their academic and personal lives. The survey, which received responses from about 30,000 undergraduates and 15,000 graduate and professional students, measured student mental health, financial stability, food and housing insecurity, and their ability to adjust to online learning in the spring, when campuses shut down due to the pandemic. About 26 percent of undergraduate students said they lost wages from an off-campus job, and 18 percent lost wages from a campus job, according to survey results. About 36 percent of these students also said their families experienced a loss or reduction in income since the pandemic began, and 21.7 percent of graduate and professional students said a family member had reduced income, the survey results said.
Inside Higher Ed
[insidehighered]‘Close to Open Revolt’
Graduate students and RAs at the University of Michigan are on strike over the university’s COVID-19 response.
By Lilah Burke
President Mark Schlissel and Provost Susan Collins of the University of Michigan recently acknowledged growing tensions on campus over the university’s response to the pandemic and an increasing lack of trust in the administration. “We write to you today out of a deep concern for our university community — one that feels fractured, with some expressing frustration, anger and distrust,” they wrote in an email to the campus last Friday. “We recognize that we must do more to engage with and include members of our community as we grapple with the complex decisions to be made going forward.” Anger from faculty members, staff and students toward the Michigan administration had been brewing for months, but in early September, that anger bubbled up and over. The graduate employees’ union went on strike Sept. 8, followed closely by student resident assistants. Student dining workers have engaged in their own actions, and faculty will have the chance to vote no confidence in the administration today.