University System News:
WRDW
Regents launch cyber Ph.D. program at AU, hold off on tuition hikes
By Staff
University System of Georgia regents decided to launch a doctoral degree program in computer and cyber science at Augusta University. Also this week, they opted not to raise tuition for 2021-22 schools in the system, which include AU in Augusta as well as East Georgia State College in Swainsboro.
Gwinnett Daily Post
Georgia Gwinnett College to offer ‘fully online’ information technology degree
By Curt Yeomans
College degrees traditionally require students to spend at least some time in a classroom, but Georgia Gwinnett College is trying something different. The Lawrenceville-based school announced this past week that it will begin offering its first “fully online” degree, which will be available for information technology-software development majors. The school already offered an IT major that students could take in a classroom setting, which it will continue to officer, but the new online-only version of the degree will launch this summer.
WJBF
Augusta University’s new online course tackling race & politics
by: Taylor Leverett
A new class at Augusta University is bringing attention to the topic of race and politics. Talking about race and politics can be hard for some people. but students at Augusta University can now take a class to help them explore these difficult topics. Professor Mary-Kate Lizotte says “it’s really important that as a society…and I see it in students all the time, they’re uncomfortable when talking about race and as a society we are often uncomfortable talking about race and these sorts of issues and acknowledging that.”
yahoo!news
Apprentice info session planned at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Ag Museum
The Albany Herald, Ga.
Young adults seeking adventures in the past and present can enjoy immersive experiences and gain skills for the future as part of the Youth Apprentice Program at the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Georgia Museum of Agriculture. “The program is designed to offer youth an opportunity to learn about the past, gain hands-on experience for the modern professional environment, and prepare them to take an active role in volunteering,” GMA Assistant Director Sara Hand said in a news release. “Along the way, apprentices make new friends, discover new skills, and have countless fun memories.”
Savannah CEO
Georgia Southern University engineering students are helping mentor local high school students from Herschel V. Jenkins High School, Calvary Day School, Portal Middle High School and home school students as they design drone attachments as part of this year’s Engineering Design Challenge (EDC) on the Armstrong Campus in Savannah. The high schoolers have spent months working with their STEM teacher, a practicing engineer, and a Georgia Southern engineering student, to design an excavation tool for the EDC 2021 theme “Eagle Remotely Operated Aerial Recovery 2.0 (ROAR).” When attached to a drone, the tool can be used to collect lunar soil and rock samples. Josiah Hacker, a sophomore civil engineering student, is one of the seven student coaches participating. He’s spent at least one day each week since January working with a team of home-schooled high school students.
AllOnGeorgia
GSU’s National Youth Conference Reflects New, Asset-Based Name
The National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference (NYAR) is the new moniker for Georgia Southern University’s annual event that offers relevant training for professionals who help empower youth to overcome at-risk conditions.
The Brunswick News
College to host virtual service-learning symposium
By Lauren McDonald
College of Coastal Georgia will host its annual Service-Learning Symposium in a virtual format again this year. The ninth-annual symposium will showcase more than 100 student service-learning projects and will go live at 9 a.m. Monday. College faculty, students, staff, community partners and the community at-large are encouraged to attend the virtual symposium and vote on their favorite presentation. The Service-Learning Symposium highlights the partnerships between the college and local agencies which have benefited the community and contributed to the students’ education.
WJBF
President Keel talks about growing enrollment during State of the University address
by: Deirnesa Jefferson
2020 was a very different year for Augusta University with many changes for students and faculty. With 2020 behind us, Augusta University president Dr. Brooks Keel now looking ahead. ” We want to look to a fall that’s going to that’s a complete normal as best we can semester,” Keel said. During Friday’s state of the university address, Dr. Keel covered a number of issues, including enrollment.
Daily Iowan
UI presidential search: Georgia State University Provost Wendy Hensel named finalist
Kelsey Harrell and Sabine Martin
Wendy Hensel, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Georgia State University, will visit campus on Monday as the third of four finalists for the University of Iowa presidency. She helps lead a research institution with roughly 53,000 students, which ranked No. 3 in most innovative universities and best in undergraduate teaching in the 2021 U.S. News and World Report rankings.
News Medical
Reviewed by Emily Henderson
People with cystic fibrosis are living better and longer, and now investigators want to further enhance quality and longevity by better understanding the role of nutrition, body composition and exercise in their health across an increasing lifespan. While CF may be viewed primarily as a lung disease, the abnormally thick mucus that clogs patients’ airways also obstructs other fundamentals like digesting food and absorbing nutrients, producing sufficient insulin, sleeping and exercising, says Dr. Ryan A. Harris, clinical exercise and vascular physiologist at the Georgia Prevention Institute at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University.
accessWDUN
UNG to host community town halls about COVID-19 vaccines
By Tara Brolley, Anchor/Reporter
This week, the University of North Georgia will host four community town halls to provide information and answer questions about COVID-19 vaccines. The events will take place on UNG’s Blue Ridge, Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses and they will be accessible online via Zoom. “UNG Community Conversations: Truths About Vaccines” will feature UNG biology faculty members who will discuss the science behind the vaccines. They will discuss how vaccines work, how to know what COVID-19 vaccines are safe and what herd immunity means.
WTOC
Pandemic taking a toll on college students
By Sarah Winkelmann
Commencement ceremonies at colleges and universities are just a few weeks away, and there’s even more for students to celebrate after overcoming a one-of-a-kind school year. University officials at Savannah State tell us communication has been the key to a successful school year during the pandemic. For the 2020-2021 school year, most classes were online and there were some hybrid models offered. During the past year, the university created a COVID Task Force and offered testing as well as vaccination clinics to students. While they made it through the school year, some students cannot wait to get back into the classroom and back to all of the campus events.
WSB-TV
At least 25 people injured when floor collapses during massive party near UGA
By WSBTV.com News Staff
Police say 25 people were injured when a floor collapsed during a party in Athens early Friday morning. Athens Clarke-County police said the collapse happened on Magnolia Bluff Drive around 1 a.m. Police estimated that around 500 people were at the party when the first floor of the home collapsed into a crawl space.
Other News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Pfizer vaccines now available without appointment at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
By Rosalind Bentley
Fulton County is now offering first or second shots of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine without appointment at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The no-appointment policy is planned this week and covers those 16 years old and older. Those without appointments should report to Gate 1 for registration and entry. Those seeking a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine must have allowed no less than 21 days have passed since receiving their first vaccine, according to the county’s website. For those in need of a second vaccination, an official vaccination card indicating the date of a person’s first shot is required.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Map: Coronavirus deaths and cases in Georgia (updated April 18)
An updated count of coronavirus deaths and cases reported across the state
CONFIRMED DEATHS: 17,214 | Deaths have been confirmed in every county. This figure does not include additional cases that the DPH reports as suspected COVID-19-related deaths. County is determined by the patient’s residence, when known, not by where they were treated.
CONFIRMED CASES: 868,865 | Cases have been confirmed in every county.
Higher Education News:
The Chronicle of Higher Education
Here’s a List of Colleges That Will Require Students to Be Vaccinated Against Covid-19
By Andy Thomason
As colleges look toward the fall-2021 semester, they’re grappling with whether to require — or just strongly encourage — students to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Here’s a list of institutions that have decided to require students to be vaccinated in order to enroll this fall:
Inside Higher Ed
Biden Administration Ends Limits on Research With Fetal Tissue
By Scott Jaschik
The Biden administration on Friday ended Trump administration limits on the use of fetal tissue in research. A notice about the change was published by the National Institutes of Health.