University System News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kennesaw State has 40,000 students, largest freshman class in Georgia
By Kristal Dixon
Student enrollment at Kennesaw State University continues to grow. The university welcomed more than 40,900 students for the fall 2020 semester, an 8% increase from the 2019 enrollment of about 38,000 students, the school said Tuesday in a news release. KSU’s freshman enrollment exceeds 8,100 students, which is a 25% increase from the 2019 freshman class. The university said KSU now has the largest freshman class enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program in the state. KSU President Pamela Whitten said the growing enrollment reflects the variety of degrees and programs the university offers and “the dedication of our faculty and staff who work every day to ensure the success of students.” “Given the current challenges and uncertainty, it is especially gratifying to see that our students and their families are prioritizing a college education,” she said.
WSAV
Large freshman class could break record at Georgia Southern
Preliminary enrollment projections for the fall 2020 semester at Georgia Southern University show a record-setting freshman class may be enrolled this year. Final figures will not be released until October, but officials say a larger freshman class has registered for classes this year and is pushing fall 2020 projections past last year’s final enrollment figure of 26,054. “While we cannot release any official figures until they are verified by the University System Georgia later this fall, I believe we will set a record in terms of first-year student enrollment,” said Scot Lingrell, Ph.D., vice president for enrollment management. Georgia Southern’s new freshman class in fall 2018 was 3,900 students; in fall 2019, it was 3,675. Lingrell predicted the fall 2020 freshman class will be approximately 35% larger than last year. Because of the size of the freshman class, Lingrell predicts the final fall enrollment figure for the fall 2020 class will end up slightly higher than the fall 2019 class.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia college leaders worry as COVID-19 cases rise before Labor Day
By Eric Stirgus
COVID-19 cases have surged on some of Georgia’s largest public campuses, impacting nearby communities and leaving school leaders worried about even more cases after the upcoming Labor Day holiday. The University of Georgia reported 821 positive cases between Aug. 24-28, part of its first full week of the fall semester. The number was four times higher than the prior five-day total of 189 cases. About one-half of the recent cases were self-reported by students and employees, which is required by the university. UGA announced Wednesday it’s expanding a plan to have about 500 rooms on and off campus for students to stay in isolation or quarantine if they are showing symptoms of, have tested positive for, or have come in close contact with someone who has contracted COVID-19. …Meanwhile at Georgia Tech, which reported 544 positive cases in August, its president announced plans this week encouraging students who share a room to move into a single room to slow the spread of the disease. Both schools are worried about an increase in cases after Labor Day, since there will be no classes for the holiday. Travel and gatherings over Memorial Day weekend contributed to Georgia’s summertime surge in coronavirus cases, a new report released this week found.
Athens CEO
UGA Details Housing Plan for Students with COVID-19
Greg Trevor
The University of Georgia has set aside nearly 300 dedicated rooms on campus and is supplementing those with hundreds more in the local community where students may stay in isolation or quarantine if they are showing symptoms of, have tested positive for, or have come in close contact with someone who has contracted COVID-19. The on-campus spaces comprise 99 rooms in University Housing and 195 more from the Georgia Center Hotel. In addition to these spaces, the University has secured nearly 100 rooms from a local private vendor and is finalizing arrangements with another vendor for nearly 100 more.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
University of Georgia sees major increase in COVID-19 cases
By Eric Stirgus
The University of Georgia on Wednesday reported 821 positive cases last week, nearly four times the total from the prior week. The one week total, from Aug. 24-28, is the highest reported by a Georgia college or university in such a stretch since the pandemic began. About one-half of the cases were self-reported by students and employees, as required by the university. About one-third of the cases — 283 — were diagnosed by university health officials. University President Jere Morehead released a statement Wednesday voicing his concern about the numbers.
WSB-TV
UGA reports 800+ COVID-19 cases on campus, expert says real number could be more than 3 times that
By: Jovita Moore, WSB-TV
Students at the University of Georgia are going to class knowing there are hundreds of new COVID-19 cases that were reported in just the past week. Officials reported 821 positive tests for the virus for the period of Aug. 24-30. Of those, 798 were students. On Wednesday, UGA quarterback Jamie Newman opted out of playing the 2020 season, citing fears over the virus. Channel 2 anchor Jovita Moore spoke with Dr. Mark Ebell, an epidemiology professor at UGA, about what the growing case count could mean for students and the future of in-person learning.
Bradenton Herald
Rising on-campus infections spark concern in Georgia
By Jeff Amy Associated Press
With more than 3,000 public university students and employees across Georgia testing positive for COVID-19 since Aug. 1, some schools are taking action to slow the spread of the respiratory illness. Georgia Tech is encouraging students to convert to single rooms, moving out roommates over coming weeks to reduce exposure to the coronavirus. Both Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia announced they are renting more off-campus rooms to isolate or quarantine students who have been infected or exposed to the virus. UGA reported 821 new infections for the week ended Saturday, a number that President Jere Morehead said Wednesday is “concerning.” He urged students to “continue to make every effort to prioritize their health and safety by taking the proper steps to avoid exposure to this virus. Around 4% of all cases recorded in Georgia in the last month have been associated with university campuses, according to figures kept by The Associated Press. The number could be higher because some schools, including the state’s largest — Georgia State University — are not posting full reports publicly.
Rome News-Tribune
Kennesaw State reports 181 COVID-19 cases over two weeks
By Ryan Kolakowski
Kennesaw State University is among the Georgia institutions seeing a rise in cases of COVID-19. Since the university concluded student move-in on campus residence halls Saturday, Aug. 15, it has reported 181 cases of COVID-19. Last week, KSU reported 130 new cases. “During the week of August 22 to August 28, there were 130 reported cases of COVID-19,” the university said on its coronavirus website. “Please note that this number includes individuals working or studying remotely.” Last week’s total more than doubles that of the prior week. During the week of Aug. 15-21, the week after approximately 5,200 students moved into KSU residence halls, the university reported 51 cases of COVID-19, according to university spokesperson Tiffany Capuano.
The George-Anne
AAUP claims members don’t feel safe on campus, calls for fully online instruction
AAUP: “It is not hyperbole to suggest that the lives of Georgia residents living in these locales are in the hands of USG Chancellor Wrigley and the Georgia Southern administration.”
Andy Cole, Editor-in-Chief
In a Wednesday Letter to the Editor, the Georgia Southern chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) expressed their concerns with GS and University System of Georgia (USG) administrations. Accompanied by praise for university officials, the AAUP also made weighty accusations and demands. “Many members do not feel safe coming to our campuses,” wrote the AAUP. “The Georgia Southern chapter of the AAUP calls on the university administration to contact USG Chancellor Wrigley to request a move to fully online instruction.” …Praise for university officials included providing low-cost testing for students, publishing weekly positive case data and providing work and learning accommodations. The praise was met with other demands including meeting guidelines outlined in the recent White House coronavirus task force state report, daily COVID-19 data reporting and additional course delivery accommodations.
The George-Anne
Letter to the Editor: “When the Institution Protects the Institution”
Anonymous Student Facilitator
Alarm, sanitize, drive to campus, sanitize, turn on computer, office, sanitize, drive home, sanitize. Then I’m finally done with the most anxiety inducing experience of my life. Until I have to do it again, later that week. And will continue to do so until Georgia Southern University goes to fully online classes. My story isn’t unique, exclusive, or uncommon to the other student workers who are facilitating the frontline of a global pandemic or to the other students who are learning in hazardous face-to-face environments. My hope is that after reading this you see the impact of what happens when an institution does everything it can to protect itself above the lives, health, and safety of the people it serves.
Patch
Students, Faculty Pitch In To Give Georgia Gwinnett College Microfarm New Life
More than two dozen students and faculty members gathered on a green, grassy plot of land in the center.
More than two dozen students and faculty members gathered on a green, grassy plot of land in the center of Georgia Gwinnett College’s (GGC) campus Saturday, August 29 to bring life back to the school’s microfarm, which had gone neglected in the months since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the college to move to online instruction during the middle of the spring semester and to a hybrid format for fall semester. The volunteers rolled up their sleeves to pull weeds, clear debris, mow the tall grass and replant eight raised gardens that, if all goes well over the next few months, will overflow with fresh, healthy produce that will be donated to local families in need.
11Alive
Why are college textbooks so expensive?
The price of a college textbook can be $200-$300 if not more
College students have many challenges as they return to class during the COVID-19 pandemic, and one of those challenges is the rising cost of textbooks. It’s tough to take a class without the required textbook. Those books can cost $300 dollars apiece, and sometimes even more. …A 2013 report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office says textbook prices increased 82% over a ten year period. Let’s look at why they’ve gotten so expensive. One issue is that three publishers control roughly 80% of the market. …The University of Georgia was recently ranked the number two school in the country for saving students money by offering free books from OpenStax.
Gainesville Times
Upcoming economic development virtual event at UNG to focus on agribusiness
Jeff Gill
Agribusiness will be the focus of the University of North Georgia’s third annual Regional Education and Economic Development Summit. “Growing North Georgia” will be held virtually Sept. 23, featuring Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black as the keynote speaker. The free event will feature breakout sessions, including one highlighting the poultry industry. Mike Giles, president of the Gainesville-based Georgia Poultry Federation, and John Wright, vice president and director of operations for Fieldale Farms, will discuss the industry’s impact on local and global economies. Other sessions will focus on how education increases earning power and bolsters a community’s economy; science, technology, engineering and mathematics and the American workforce; and Georgia’s life sciences industry, which includes companies in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, biomedical technologies, life systems technologies, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, food processing, environmental services and biomedical devices.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Cobb lawmaker: Drop ACT/SAT requirement for Zell Miller Scholarship
Get Schooled with Maureen Downey
State Rep. David Wilkerson says ’three-hour test should not be more important than 12 years’ worth of classroom work’
State Rep. David Wilkerson, D-Powder Springs, plans to introduce a bill during the 2021 legislative session to remove the SAT and ACT requirement to earn a Zell Miller Scholarship. “With SAT and ACT exams being canceled across the country, it is time to revisit the 2011 decision to have a testing requirement for the Zell Miller scholarship,” said Wilkerson in a statement. “A student who graduated high school with a 3.7 GPA has already demonstrated academic excellence. A three-hour test should not be more important than 12 years’ worth of classroom work.” Last week, the University System of Georgia waived its SAT and ACT test score requirements for spring, summer and fall 2021 admission to its 26 campuses due to uncertainty about the scheduling of SAT/ACT testing during the COVID-19 pandemic. But students still must have a test score to qualify for the Zell Miller Scholarship as that requirement was imposed by the Legislature; it is state law and can only be undone by the General Assembly.
Growing Georgia
Seven Students Selected as ABAC School of Agriculture and Natural Resources Leaders
Seven students have been selected as School of Agriculture and Natural Resources (SANR) Leaders at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. SANR Leaders include Chrys Kirby; Cole Patterson; Katibeth Mims, an agricultural communication major from Donalsonville; Jamya Barnett.; Youry Gonzalez; Meredith McGlamory; and Brittany Braddy. …SANR Academic and Career Coordinator Suzanne Bentley said the students play a key role in the growth of the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources. …Selection for the SANR Leaders was based on grade point average, club/organization activity, and leadership skills. The members of the group will be prominent at events sponsored by the SANR, Stallion Days, and other recruitment opportunities.
The Brunswick News
Georgia Tech group talks STEM with local students
By Lauren McDonald
Some possibilities are hard to picture without real-life representation. To help students envision the opportunities available to them to pursue a career in STEM — or science, technology, engineering and mathematics — the Golden Isles Development Authority recently partnered with the Brunswick Georgia Chapter of the Links, Inc., to host the Society of Black Engineers at Georgia Tech for a retreat at Epworth by the Sea on St. Simons Island.
The Brunswick News
College students adjusting to altered campus life
By Lauren McDonald
Ashari Sims enrolled this year as a freshman at College of Coastal Georgia, moving from Florida to the Golden Isles with plans to make friends in her new home. Sims, an early education major at the college, has struggled so far, though, to meet as many people as she’d hoped. The college experience she imagined, she said, has been slightly diluted because of the COVID-19 limitations.
11Alive
Georgia Tech grad named acting director for International Space Station
NASA named Robyn Gatens to the position last month.
Author: Donesha Aldridge
A Georgia Tech graduate is now the acting director of the International Space Station. NASA named Robyn Gatens to the position last month. Gatens has been the deputy director for the International Space Station. With her new role, NASA said she will lead strategy, policy, integration, and stakeholder engagement for the space station program at the agency level.
Other News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
CDC tells states: Be ready to distribute vaccines on Nov. 1
By Michelle R. Smith
The federal government has told states to prepare for a coronavirus vaccine to be ready to distribute by Nov. 1. The timeline raised concern among public health experts about an “October surprise” — a vaccine approval driven by political considerations ahead of a presidential election, rather than science. In a letter to governors dated Aug. 27, Robert Redfield, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said states “in the near future” will receive permit applications from McKesson Corp., which has contracted with CDC to distribute vaccines to places including state and local health departments and hospitals.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Map: Coronavirus deaths and cases in Georgia (updated Sept. 2, 3 p.m.)
An updated count of coronavirus deaths and cases reported across the state
DEATHS: 5,795 | Deaths have been confirmed all counties but one (Taliaferro). County is determined by the patient’s residence, when known, not by where they were treated.
CONFIRMED CASES: 274,613 | Cases have been confirmed in every county.
Higher Education News:
The New York Times
‘Nobody Likes Snitching’: How Rules Against Parties Are Dividing Campuses
As colleges reopen despite the pandemic, students must decide whether they are willing to blow the whistle on their classmates.
By Troy Closson
It looked to be a typical college party: a small group of students crammed in a kitchenette, cheering on as a shirtless guy arm-wrestled a laughing young woman. No one wore masks. The scene was posted on Snapchat by one of the partygoers, a first-year student at Cornell University, along with a selfie with a mocking caption: “The people who slide up saying ‘you’re not social distancing’ are the ones that wouldn’t have been invited anyway.” The response was swift and severe. Within days, an online petition was created demanding that the student’s admission to Cornell be revoked, and in the week since, the petition has collected more than 3,500 signatures. …In recent weeks, the coronavirus outbreak has spread swiftly on college campuses. The New York Times has tracked thousands of cases that were linked to returning students. Several schools, including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Notre Dame and the State University of New York College at Oneonta, suspended in-person classes after more than 100 students at each campus tested positive, often following large parties. As a result, growing numbers of college officials are realizing that there are limits to what they can monitor on their own — and are calling on students to help.
Inside Higher Ed
Airbnb Steps Up Student Party Prevention
By Lindsay McKenzie
The housing rental company Airbnb has introduced new rules to prevent college students from hosting parties in short-term vacation rentals. In an email sent to college administrators this week, Laphonza Butler, Airbnb’s head of public policy in North America, invited college leaders to work with the company to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Inside Higher Ed
Political Influence on Fall Plans
New analysis found that a college’s reopening decision for the fall term is tied to the red or blue shade of its state, even if political pressure may not be direct.
By Madeline St. Amour
Colleges and universities looked at several factors when determining whether to reopen their campuses to students for the fall, including local COVID-19 case numbers, campuses’ ability to physically distance students and what students said they wanted in surveys. But another factor seems to have played a major role in the decision-making process, one that is not being touted in news releases or letters to the community: colleges’ decisions appear to be closely tied to whether the state they are in is red or blue. Data from the College Crisis Initiative at Davidson College was able to predict the likelihood of whether an institution planned to be in-person or predominantly in-person for the fall term based on the political leanings of the state.