University System News:
Marietta Daily Journal
‘Statesman’ Isakson honored by Georgia leaders
By Chart Riggall
The better part of Georgia’s political royalty broke bread Monday to celebrate the life and career of Johnny Isakson, the former U.S. representative and senator hailed as a lion of statesmanship. Gathered in the glittering ballroom of Atlanta’s Piedmont Driving Club, the tribute brought in hundreds of friends and supporters. Organizers estimated the event raised nearly $1 million for the Isakson Initiative, a non-profit named for the senator and devoted to funding research on Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and other neurological diseases. …For his part, Kemp highlighted the endowment of the Isakson Chair for Parkinson’s Research at the University of Georgia. UGA raised $4.5 million to fund the position, which will be devoted to neurological disease research. Isakson himself provided the final contribution to the endowment earlier this year. In March, Anumantha Kanthasamy was named as the inaugural chair.
WTVM
Miracle Riders raise more than $200K for CSU School of Nursing’s pediatric nursing program
By Jessie Gibson
Scott Ressmeyer and the Miracle Riders returned from their 21-day, cross-country charity ride on Sept. 24. The crew was greeted by a large crowd in Uptown Columbus on Friday evening. The Riders left September 3 from the Columbus State University main campus. The Riders raised more than $200,000 before and during the ride, with additional donations arriving daily. The funds will benefit the Columbus State University School of Nursing’s pediatric nursing program. The riders have committed to raising $1 million over time for the program.
Statesboro Herald
New COVID cases see dramatic decline since Sept. 1
Wynn urges caution as latest surge lessens in Bulloch
JIM HEALY/staff
On Sept. 1, Bulloch County was on a 14-day average of 1,456 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population and was coming off a week that saw 550 new cases reported by the Georgia Department of Public Health. Four weeks later, local cases are now averaging 169 per 100,000 population, and only 42 new confirmed cases were reported in the past seven days. …Georgia Southern
New cases reported at Georgia Southern University have dropped significantly for five consecutive weeks. Confirmed and self-reported cases at Georgia Southern have fallen from 434 across its three campuses the week of Aug. 16–22, to 19 for the most recent week — Sept. 20–26. Of the total number, 13 were on the Statesboro campus, compared to 24 the previous week, 72 the week before that and 389 for Aug. 16–22. According to the University system of Georgia, more than 313,000 COVID-19 tests have been sent to campuses, and an additional 50,000 tests are on the way. The university system also has distributed 942,000 gloves, 432,000 masks and face shields, 21,400 gowns and about 1,000 gallons of sanitizer and disinfectant solution.
Men’s Health
The 30+ Oldest Universities In The U.S.
Do you know what the country’s very first college was called?
By Jessica Booth
University of Georgia
Established in 1785
Location: Athens, Georgia
In 1785, Georgia became the first state to charter a state-supported university, making the University of Georgia one of the oldest public universities in the U.S. Many notable alumni have graced the halls, from government officials to Emmy and Grammy winners, writers, scholars, poets, and more.
Science & Enterprise
Covid-19 Nasal Spray Vaccine Trial Underway
By Alan
A clinical trial testing the safety of a Covid-19 vaccine from an engineered virus found in dogs and given as a nasal spray enrolled its first participant. The vaccine is made by CyanVac LLC and its subsidiary Blue Lake Biotechnology Inc. in Athens, Georgia, a spin-off company from University of Georgia, also in Athens. CyanVac and Blue Lake Bio develop vaccines for infectious diseases based on research by their founder Biao He, professor of veterinary medicine at UGa, and the companies’ CEO. He and colleagues study the canine parainfluenza virus 5, or PIV5, which as the name implies, occurs in dogs. Research by He shows engineered forms of PIV5 are safe for humans and animals, and can be genetically altered to carry weakened forms of infectious viruses to generate immune responses by recipients.
WJBF
MCG study: Bacteria in nose, throat could determine how severe COVID-19 cases will be
by: Chloe Salsameda
Microorganisms in the nose and throat act as a line of defense, which protects a person against viruses. Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia wanted to know how strong this microbiota is in fighting COVID-19. “There are millions of these bugs in your nose and mouth,” Dr. Ravindra Kolhe, the Director of Georgia Esoteric & Molecular Laboratory at the Medical College of Georgia, explains. …The team, led by Dr. Sadanand Fluzele and Dr. Ravindra Kolhe, examined microbiota in 84 people — 27 who were negative for COVID-19, 30 who were positive but had no symptoms and 27 who were positive and had symptoms. They found that those who were not infected with COVID-19 had high amounts of microbiota in their noses and throats. People who were infected and symptomatic had very little microbiota.
Savannah Business Journal
Georgia Southern’s College of Education creates research center dedicated to youth advocacy
Savannah Business Journal Staff Report
For more than 30 years, Georgia Southern University’s National Youth Advocacy and Resilience (NYAR) Conference (formerly the National Youth-at-Risk Conference) has served as an epicenter of information sharing and advancement for the support of youth facing challenges across the nation. The conference recently led to the creation of the NYAR Research Center, an interdisciplinary facility that is housed in Georgia Southern’s College of Education (COE) to further enhance the conference’s efforts in supporting youth across the nation.
Albany Herald
PHOTOS: Albany State University’s ‘Take a Kid to the Game Day’
Photos contributed by Reginald Christian Sep 28, 2021 Updated 8 min ago 0
Saturday’s Albany State University vs Clark Atlanta University football game was also “Take a Kid to the Game Day.” Check out photos from the game here:
gaaap
Foundation Gives Grants to Georgia Pediatric Interest Groups
The Pediatric Foundation of Georgia, the Chapter’s philanthropic arm, provides grants to the state’s pediatric programs to support activities of their pediatric clubs or interest groups for medical students. …The 2021 grants were awarded to the Pediatric Interest Groups at Morehouse School of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University,
Gwinnett Daily Post
UGA students help with contact tracing in Athens
By Lauren Baggett
When K-12 schools in Athens-Clarke County returned in August, new COVID-19 infections were approaching highs the county hadn’t seen since January 2021. Athens, like much of the state, was in “the red zone” where transmission was extremely high, and before long, the first positive cases were reported within the Clarke County School District. Recognizing a possible need for support, Grace Bagwell-Adams, who heads the Office of Outreach, Engagement, and Equity at the University of Georgia College of Public Health, made a quick call to CCSD Nursing Director Amy Roark. Two weeks later, eight public health students were on board, trained and ready to support the school district’s contact tracing team.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
South metro Atlanta communities laying foundation to bridge digital divide
By Leon Stafford
To Ebrahim Khosravi, south metro Atlanta looks a lot like the future of American tech — a young, diverse, mobile population that has never known a world without the Internet or cell phones that fit in your pocket. But while much of the area north of Interstate 20 is gaining a reputation as a hub for financial, cyber and IT services, metro Atlanta’s southside — Clayton, Henry, Fayette and South Fulton counties — has largely been ignored by the tech world. That’s been the case even as its leaders say they want to reach out to communities of color. …There’s a lot at stake. Tech businesses added $650 million to Georgia’s economy in 2019, according to the most recent data available from the Georgia Technology Association. And employment in the industry accounted for 290,000 jobs, about 66% of which were in metro Atlanta. In addition, the GTA said metro Atlanta ranks 6th in technology across metro regions nationally. But breaking through hasn’t been easy for south metro communities. Josh Penny, director of corporate citizenship at digital marketing company Mailchimp, said the company has partnered with Clayton State in the last few years on training and educating south metro tech students.
WTOC
Georgia Southern athletics director, interim coach answer questions day after Lunsford’s firing
By Lyndsey Gough
The Georgia Southern University Athletics Department held a news conference Monday afternoon a day after the head football coach was fired. The university announced Sunday that Chad Lunsford was relieved of his duties after a 1-3 start the season. “You know, when you make these decisions, you look through the lens of what is in the best long-term interest of the program. We have a strong vision for Georgia Southern football, and we’re not meeting it,” said Georgia Southern University Athletic Director Jared Benko.
Albany Herald
UGA College of Agricultural alumnus tackles teen mental health
By Johnathan McGinty CAES News
Spreading joy and hope comes naturally to University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences alum Tamlin Hall, so it’s no surprise that he’s taken his passion for positivity and turned it into a personal mission. Hall, an independent filmmaker who graduated from CAES in 2002, founded Hope Givers in the wake of the release of his award-winning debut film, “Holden On,” a true story and social-impact narrative feature film about his childhood friend, Holden Layfield. Layfield struggled with mental illness and died by suicide at the age of 19. In his quest to raise awareness around the importance of youths seeking help for mental wellness, Hall produced the film and then started Hope Givers. Now, Hall is kicking off a collaborative partnership with Georgia Public Broadcasting and the Georgia Department of Education to launch a documentary series that focuses on promoting mental wellness for middle and high schoolers.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
AJC On Campus: Tenure tussle; professors vow to require masks in classes
By Eric Stirgus
There are certainties in life, such as death, taxes and college professors at odds with their administrators. The friction has become more pronounced since the coronavirus pandemic at public and private colleges and universities in Georgia. We take a look at some faculty-administrator disputes concerning pandemic protections and a brewing battle over tenure in this edition of AJC On Campus.
The mask battle continues …In defense of Joe Fu …USG tenure tussle …COVID-19 cases dropping on USG campuses …KSU benefactor reflects on its past, present and future needs
Inside Higher Ed
Professors in Iowa and Georgia are acting on their own to require masks in their classrooms.
By Colleen Flaherty
Iowa’s public universities say they can’t require face coverings due to a state Board of Regents policy banning mask mandates. Faculty groups across the state have argued against that policy, thus far in vain, both by appealing to the board itself and by asking campus administrations to assert local control on the matter. Now professors and graduate instructors at the University of Iowa are trying a different tactic: invoking state law, which they say entitles them to require masks in their own classrooms if they so choose. …University of Georgia
At the University of Georgia, faculty members aren’t relying on state law but rather each other in requiring masks in their classrooms. More than 50 professors have now pledged to require masks in their classrooms “until local transmission rates improve,” despite a University System of Georgia policy against mask mandates and the threat of discipline — up to termination — for those who don’t follow the rules. All “reputable research shows that vaccination, social distancing and mask requirements can reduce COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths,” the faculty petition says. “Due to the extreme inaction and inappropriate requirements placed on state-run universities by the Governor-appointed Board of Trustees and the Chancellor of the University System of Georgia (USG), we have chosen to take what action we can to protect the students and staff we directly teach or supervise, even if these actions are in defiance of current USG rules.”
Other News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Map: Coronavirus deaths and cases in Georgia (updated Sept. 27)
An updated count of coronavirus deaths and cases reported across the state
CONFIRMED CASES: 1,213,586
CONFIRMED DEATHS: 22,122 | 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.
Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
What the Debt Ceiling Debate Means for Higher Ed
Congress must authorize the federal government to borrow more money by mid-October so that it can pay its bills, raising questions about federal spending as Democrats work to push through monumental higher education funding.
By Alexis Gravely
At the same time that Congress is trying to keep the federal government from shutting down at the end of this week, it’s also facing a deadline to keep the United States from defaulting on its loans — a never-before-seen outcome that would impact higher education, and the economy over all, in disastrous but still mostly unknown ways. It’s all the result of the debt ceiling, which is a restriction on how much money the federal government can borrow to pay its obligations. …Though raising the debt ceiling is typically a bipartisan process, Republicans opposed doing so during a procedural vote Monday evening, arguing that it will encourage more federal spending by Democrats — such as the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill, which includes free community college, funding for minority-serving institutions and an increase to the Pell Grant. Instead, they want Democrats to figure out how to raise the debt limit on their own, rather than attaching it to legislation that keeps the federal government open, which is where it currently stands.
Inside Higher Ed
States Will Need to Pony Up for Biden’s Free College Plan
If they want to cash in on the Democrats’ free community college plan, some states will need to increase funding for higher education by more than 40 percent.
By Emma Whitford
America’s College Promise — the Democratic-backed plan to provide tuition for all community college students — could allow more than nine million students to pursue an associate degree for free. States, on the other hand, will have to open their wallets. As it stands now, the promise program would be a five-year federal-state partnership. Over the course of the partnership, federal investment would steadily decline, starting at 100 percent in year one and dropping by 5 percent each consecutive year, leaving states to fund the rest. Participating states would receive a per-student dollar amount based on the national median tuition, according to the proposed legislation. After accounting for inflation, the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association estimated that the per-student subsidy in the first year of the program would be $5,162, not weighted for enrollment.
Inside Higher Ed
Proposed rule seeks to “preserve” the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and “fortify” it against legal challenges. Does it?
By Elizabeth Redden
The Biden administration is publishing a new proposed rule today aimed at codifying into regulation the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program established by former president Obama. The proposed rule issued by the Department of Homeland Security would not expand eligibility for DACA, which to date has provided protection from deportation as well as work authorization to more than 800,000 people who were brought to the U.S. without documentation as children, including many current and former college students. The proposed rule to “preserve and fortify” DACA comes in the context of a July ruling from a Texas district court judge finding the program unlawful partly because it was promulgated without notice-and-comment rule making.
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
Ending Sexual Violence in Athletics Departments
Liann Herder
Often when a survivor of sexual assault tells their story, they relive the experience. There is bravery in the retelling of trauma. The gymnasts Simone Biles, McKayla Maroney, Maggie Nichols and Aly Raisman sat in front of the U.S. Senate two weeks ago and called for the FBI to face accountability for their inaction after receiving reports of the assault they experienced at the hands of Dr. Larry Nassar. These women, just four of the at least 160 assaulted by Nassar, have retold, and relived, their stories over and over again. The question is: are colleges and universities listening? …In order to stop the widening of sexual assault on campuses and to ensure that predators do not find shelter within a school’s walls, experts say colleges need to embark on a mission of institutional courage.