University System News:
The Signal
USG announces Georgia State’s presidential taskforce
By Mary A. Brassfield
On Sept. 15, The Signal reported that a nationwide search had begun for Georgia State’s next president after the announcement of Georgia State University President Mark Becker’s retirement. On Oct. 29, the University System of Georgia named the members of the Georgia State University Presidential Search Committee to find Becker’s replacement. “[Georgia State] is a national leader in student success with significant increases in graduation rates. Our national search seeks someone with the knowledge, energy and skills to lead [Georgia State] to greater heights. We are excited about the future of [Georgia State],” Chancellor Steve Wrigley said. The committee will contain 23 members ranging from professors, counselors and even Georgia State’s Student Government Association University-Wide President Kaelen Thomas.
AllOnGeorgia
Study reveals Columbus State’s latest economic impact exceeds $290 million
The annual economic impact study revealed every dollar spent by Columbus State University generates an additional 21 cents for the regional economy.
A recent economic impact study commissioned by the University System of Georgia and released in early October estimates Columbus State University’s regional economic impact as $290.5 million for fiscal year 2019. The annual economic impact study revealed every dollar spent by Columbus State University generates an additional 21 cents for the regional economy. …CSU’s regional impact is part of the USG’s collective statewide impact of $18.5 billion — a 4.5% increase from fiscal year 2018. The report credits the entire USG system with generating 157,770 total jobs statewide. Of those, Columbus State generated 3,056 jobs — 33% of which are on campus, while the remaining 67% are community-based. On average, each on-campus job led to the creation of two additional off-campus jobs as a result of spending by the institution.
Georgia Trend
Economy: Three-phase National Recovery
In 2021, the new normal will begin to resemble the old normal.
Jeffrey Humphreys
The pandemic that brought about an economic recession may still be with us, but absent another lockdown of the population and shutdown of businesses, the 2020 COVID-19 recession is over. It lasted three months – March through May – making it the shortest U.S. recession on record thanks to massive fiscal and monetary policy responses. The peak-to-trough plunge in gross domestic product (GDP) was 10%. That’s two and a half times larger than the 4% drop experienced during the Great Recession – December 2007 through June 2009. I expect the economic recovery from the COVID-19 recession to occur in three distinct phases: first, an initial bounce in activity due to the lifting of stay-at-home restrictions and business re-openings; second, an extended period of choppy growth that lingers until a medical solution to the virus is widely adopted, which I assume will occur in mid-2021; and third, a period of steady, sustainable, above-average growth.
The Red & Black
New master’s program in film, television and digital media at UGA
Colin Bergen | Contributor
The University of Georgia and the Georgia Film Academy have joined together to start the first Master of Fine Arts program in film, television and digital media at UGA, according to a recent press release. The program started this fall and is currently accepting applications for the fall of 2021. According to the release, the program is set to be taught by a list of industry professionals, including “Watchmen” screenwriter Damon Lindelof and “The Man in the High Castle” director David Semel. Students involved with the program will spend their first year in Athens. In their second year, they will be able to create projects in Trilith Studios, which is the second largest purpose-built studio in North America. Jeff Springston, an associate dean for research and graduate studies at UGA’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications, stated that the idea had been discussed with GFA as long as five years ago.
WGAU
UNG plans digital town hall to update plans for spring
Virtual session on Nov 12
By Tim Bryant
The University of Georgia sets next Thursday as the date for a virtual town hall to discuss plans for spring semester classes at UNG.
From the UNG website…
University of North Georgia (UNG) students along with their parents, guardians and family members will have the opportunity to hear updates on spring term modality and health and safety on campus next week. UNG will host a virtual Parent, Family and Student Town Hall at noon Thursday, Nov. 12, at https://go.ung.edu/pfs-town-hall . The town hall will focus on instructional changes for spring, on-campus experience, and resources available to aid in the success of each student.
The Gainesville Times
560-bed student housing complex at UNG’s Gainesville campus gets first OK
Jeff Gill
Update, Nov. 2: A 10-building, 560-bedroom student housing complex off Tumbling Creek Road near the University of North Georgia in Oakwood was given initial approval Monday, Nov. 2. The Hall County Planning Commission recommended approval of the project, which would include a road between Tumbling Creek Road and Mathis Drive, which encircles UNG’s Gainesville campus. The matter now goes before the Hall County Board of Commissioners. Mallory and Evans Partners LLC is asking for a rezoning of 21.4 acres from residential to planned residential development for the project. The DeKalb County-based company developed The Bellamy, a housing complex that serves UNG students in Dahlonega. If all is approved, the housing at Gainesville’s campus could open in 2022, attorney Jonathan Beard told the planning board.
Athens CEO
Participation in Surveillance Testing at UGA Rebounds; Positivity Rate Remains Low
Greg Trevor
Participation in surveillance testing for COVID-19 at the University of Georgia has rebounded to near-record highs, while UGA’s positivity rate remains low. A total of 1,944 volunteers were tested at the Legion Field surveillance site last week—an increase of 42% over the preceding week—with only 28 individuals, or 1.44%, testing positive. Of the total 92 positive cases reported through the University’s DawgCheck system for the week of October 5-12, 80 were students, 10 were staff and two were faculty. “We are really pleased to see such a significant increase in the number of individuals being tested this week,” said Dr. Garth Russo, executive director of the University Health Center and chair of UGA’s Medical Oversight Task Force. “It can be easy, when cases have dropped as much as they have from the start of the semester, to let down your guard and become complacent. We can’t afford to let that happen.” UGA Student Affairs, with private support from the President’s Venture Fund, has launched a campaign to motivate interest in the free surveillance testing program.
AP News
Georgia College’s Andalusia Institute has robust virtual opening
It was a bizarre time to begin a new job—let alone launch an organization from scratch. COVID-19 quickly turned Dr. Irene Burgess’ new position as inaugural executive director of Georgia College’s new Andalusia Institute into a quagmire of possible pitfalls. But the opening was ‘virtually’ flawless. “It’s gratifying that we’ve been able to develop the start of an Andalusia Institute culture, despite the challenges of the time,” Burgess said. “Actually, COVID was one of the better things that happened to us. It gave me time to work on our virtual presence, create a Facebook page and establish ourselves in a way that’s really unique.” Putting events online turned out to be a smart move—amplifying the works of famed author and alumna Flannery O’Connor, while introducing the institute to a wider audience. People worldwide tune in for lively discussions about O’Connor’s novels, short stories and essays. Before the pandemic, Burgess planned to begin slowly, building up the institute with author visits and readings. COVID changed that direction, and Burgess couldn’t be happier with the results. More than 200 people are registered to participate in virtual events—the most popular given by English Professor Dr. Bruce Gentry.
The George-Anne
Georgia Southern announces 18 positive COVID-19 cases during eleventh week
Mitch Smith, Print Managing Editor
Georgia Southern officials reported a week of increased positive COVID-19 cases, reporting 18 cases during the eleventh week of school. “After completing 11 full weeks of classes at Georgia Southern, the report below reflects that positive case reports remain low and stable with 3 university-confirmed and 15 self-reported cases last week.” said a disclaimer on GS’ reporting website. “We must remain vigilant with our adherence to public health guidelines if we want this trend to continue.” Five cases were reported from employees, from the Armstrong campus or from the Statesboro campus.
News Break
Dementia and other cognitive disorders may lead to severe COVID-19
Dementia and other cognitive disorders now appear to be risk factors for developing severe COVID-19, according to research from the University of Georgia. The findings highlight the need for special care for populations with these preexisting conditions during the pandemic. In a blind study, the researchers analyzed data from nearly…
The George-Anne
Statesboro Mayor McCollar advises GS community to continue following COVID-19 guidelines
Fernanda Camacho Hauser, Correspondent
In June, prior to our return to campus, The George-Anne spoke with Statesboro’s Mayor Jonathan McCollar about what Georgia Southern University and Georgia Southern students could do to help flatten the curve of COVID-19. On Friday, October 30, we spoke with McCollar in order to get an update about the ongoing situation from his perspective. As a quick summary of how the university had done so far, McCollar said, “I think Georgia Southern has done a phenomenal job, as far as being able to keep the numbers down. …He went on to say how GS’s case tracing, additional testing, and quarantining procedures put everyone in a great position to begin and continue the return to campus.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Grayson’s ‘senior senior’ shares valuable life lesson
By Nancy Badertscher
Scott Lawrence was asked one day to share a real-life lesson with 40 classmates in his beginning finance class at Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville. His professor told the class: “I can only teach you out of the textbook. Mr. Lawrence can teach you from his own life.” Lawrence could have offered engaging stories about his travels, years in the military, or his many jobs. But instead, he spoke candidly of a regret: during most of his working life, he spent everything he made and hadn’t worried about retirement until his 50s.
WSAV
Georgia Southern celebrates homecoming with virtual parade, some in-person events
Georgia Southern University is celebrating homecoming with the “Soaring 20s” on its three campuses through Nov. 7. …Larger events, such as the homecoming parade, will be virtual this year. However, there will still be some in-person events including a glow party at the Russell Union Rotunda in Statesboro and a performance by an illusionist on the Armstrong Campus. “For our in-person events, we have increased our security measures, which include tons of Do Right signage and a pre-registration process which enables us to collect data on attendees, in the event that contact tracing is necessary,” Littles said. “Students are also required to complete a health screening on the day of the event via the LiveSafe App, attesting that they feel well, are not exhibiting symptoms of and have not been diagnosed with COVID-19.” The university says alumni will have plenty of opportunities to get involved with homecoming this year.
The Gainesville Times
Hall election files leaked by hackers, reports show
Megan Reed
Updated at 5:18 p.m., Oct. 30: A computer hacker who took over Hall County networks in a ransomware attack earlier this month has released election files after a ransom was not paid, the Wall Street Journal has reported. But a state voting system expert says the attack did not penetrate a voter registration database. The website of the DoppelPaymer ransomware group claims that Hall is one of several organizations whose “time to pay is over.” The Wall Street Journal’s review of the files found named individuals with provisional ballots that were flagged for signatures not matching; voter names and registration numbers; and an election equipment inventory. The Times has been unable to independently confirm the Journal’s reporting. …The DoppelPaymer ransomware is an “advanced cyberattack” because it combines the “ransomware approach and the data breach approach in one event,” according to Ash Mady, department head for computer science and information systems at the University of North Georgia. Ransomware attacks, which cut off file access and demand a payment in exchange for restoring access, do not always involve stolen information, Mady said. But DoppelPaymer both locks files and accesses information, he said. “This software runs a process on the computer to prevent the computer from acting to protect itself. It stops everything to react,” Mady said. “Then, the malware starts extracting the files and encrypting these files to prevent access to it.” Mady said hackers usually start by releasing a few files.
Other News:
13WMAZ
Georgia’s COVID-19 case curve as of November 1st
For the first time, Georgia is seeing a small plateau in new cases, while some central Georgia counties report recent increases.
Author: Katelyn Heck
For the first time, Georgia’s COVID-19 case numbers appear to have reached a short plateau. The state numbers started climbing at the end of September, but somewhat level off seven to ten days later, hovering around 1,250 new cases a day. That holds true even into the state’s two-week preliminary data window. That is more than double the average at the beginning of April when the state’s shelter in place order took effect, but it is a third to a quarter below the peak in July. …Meanwhile, Georgia hospitals dipped back below an average of 100 new patients per day. Hospitalizations started increasing through mid-October, but so far, appear to be steadily dropping.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Map: Coronavirus deaths and cases in Georgia (updated Nov. 2)
An updated count of coronavirus deaths and cases reported across the state
DEATHS: 7,999 | 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: 362,921 | Cases have been confirmed in every county.
Higher Education News:
Henry Herald
Georgia Lottery sets record for profits in first quarter
By Dave Williams Bureau Chief Capitol Beat News Service
The Georgia Lottery set a record for profits during the first quarter, Gov. Brian Kemp announced Monday. The lottery brought in almost $383.4 million during July, August and September, the most profitable quarter in the program’s history. That brought the total the lottery has transferred to education to about $22.7 billion. “The Georgia Lottery continues to produce strong results for Georgia’s HOPE and Pre-K programs,” Kemp said. “Students and families throughout the Peach State benefit greatly from the Lottery’s continued success, and we appreciate their hard work to support education in Georgia.”
Inside Higher Ed
Continued Problems With Taking the SAT
By Scott Jaschik
Of 312,000 students registered for the Nov. 7 SAT and SAT Subject Tests, 96,000 registered students are unable to take the test because of testing center limits or closings, the College Board announced. Of test centers initially scheduled to administer the tests, 70 percent are currently open for November, though some have reduced capacity; 15 percent of open centers are at capacity; and 30 percent of centers announced they are closed. The College Board has had difficulty with test centers since the pandemic broke out.
Inside Higher Ed
Survey: Students Are Anxious but Not Seeking Colleges’ Help
By Greta Anderson
Though 56 percent of students say they are “very” or “somewhat” anxious about the coronavirus pandemic, a majority of them have not used mental health support services at their colleges, according to a new survey report released by NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, Course Hero, a course material sharing website; and College Pulse, a research company. Colleges and universities have expanded their mental health services to include teletherapy and virtual support groups to accommodate students who are away from campus, but 77 percent of the 3,500 undergraduate students surveyed said they haven’t used the resources, the report said. About one-third of students surveyed responded that they were “not sure” about what resources for mental health and emotional well-being their college offers, the report said. Only about half of students said they believed their college “cared about them as a person.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
OPINION: In race for White House, education remains on the sidelines
Get Schooled with Maureen Downey
Donald Trump and Joe Biden hold divergent views on value of public schools
As they cast their ballots for president, voters have many big issues on their minds. Unfortunately, education doesn’t appear to be among them. A Pew Research Center poll two weeks ago found the most important issues to voters are the economy, health care, Supreme Court appointments, the coronavirus, violent crime, foreign policy, guns, racial inequality and immigration. The absence of education on the list could mean Americans understand public schools are largely funded and controlled at the state and local level and not from Washington or the White House. It could also reflect the sentiment that education is a private good rather than public one, and thus the responsibility rightfully belongs on families, rather than communities.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
Trump’s 2016 Victory Sparked Unrest on College Campuses. What Might 2020 Bring?
By Sarah Brown
In 2016, the election of President Trump caught colleges off guard. On many campuses, protests exploded late into election night and lasted several days, with students often clashing across political lines. Racist and hateful incidents escalated throughout November. Some students’ mental health worsened, as they felt like their very identities were under attack by the nation’s endorsement of a man who had made offensive comments about people of color and other groups. This time around, college officials want to be prepared. As the country braces for another contentious election — this time in the throes of a pandemic — administrators want higher ed to serve as a venue for thoughtful discussion. Campuses are promoting opportunities to learn from experts about the political process and to talk about the election, mostly virtually. Counseling centers are creating support groups and drop-in spaces for students to air their anxieties, whichever way the election results go. But in 2020, political conversations haven’t always remained thoughtful. Many institutions — especially those in major cities and swing states — are beefing up their public-safety plans, in case rioting and violence touch college campuses.