USG e-clips for October 5, 2021

University System News:

The ATL Airport Chamber

Atlanta Metropolitan State College Awarded $250,000 Grant

The PepsiCo Foundation named Atlanta Metropolitan State College (AMSC) a recipient of its PepsiCo Uplift Scholarship, a $250,000 grant designed to eliminate the barriers Black and Hispanic students face to achieving an academic credential that will help them enter the workforce and earn a livable wage. The PepsiCo Foundation selected 13 colleges around the country for the program, which will help AMSC facilitate students’ navigation and completion of certificates or associate degrees. The scholarship includes full tuition, books, and fees for qualifying students. AMSC submitted a detailed proposal in order to qualify for the grant, which is distributed over two years. AMSC programs that met the PepsiCo Foundation’s criteria included certificates in cybersecurity, financial technology or FinTech, and information technology as well as associate degrees in the school of business.

Union Recorder

‘SCIENCE ON DISPLAY’: GC opens Integrated Science Complex

Gil Pound

The Andalusia Interpretive Center was not the only Georgia College construction project brought to the forefront Wednesday. After breaking ground on the center, university officials gathered again later in the day to celebrate the completion of the new Integrated Science Complex, a $22.1 million facility that will house biology and chemistry labs as well as faculty offices. Windows are a major feature in the 43,000-square foot building located on the corner of West Montgomery and North Wilkinson streets. The complex was designed with the theme “science on display” in mind. Massive panes of glass make up a significant portion of the exterior, allowing the outside world to see in. That’s the case inside as well. Anyone who walks through will be able see science students and faculty working on experiments. In addition to showcasing science, the building also helps relieve some space issues on campus as multiple faculty and staff members Wednesday said Herty Hall, which also houses science programs, was stretched to its limits.

Columbus CEO

CSU to Celebrate National Cybersecurity Awareness Month with Trainings, Public Events

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) which continues to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity across our nation, ensuring that all Americans have the resources they need to be safer and more secure online. The impact cybercrime has on companies and individuals is substantial. An estimated $6 trillion will be spent globally on cybersecurity by 2021. For many companies, it takes nearly six months to detect a data breach and 77 percent of organizations do not have a cybersecurity response plan. CSU president Dr. Chris Markwood and Student Government Association president Curtis Walker issued an official proclamation in support of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month on Friday, Oct. 1. As a 2021 Champion University for cybersecurity, CSU remains dedicated to the ongoing education and innovation efforts to create a more cyber aware world. As part of those efforts, all CSU faculty and staff will undergo cybersecurity awareness training throughout the month.

WRDW

One on One with Richard Rogers│ Seeking protection against cyber attacks

By Richard Rogers

Like it or not, our lives are closely connected to our computers and there are so many ways cyber thieves can target us these days. October is Cyber Security Awareness Month and Jeff Morris with the School of Computer and Cyber Sciences at Augusta University stopped by to talk to us about the importance of keeping our information secure.

WFXL

ABAC boasts $390 million economic impact on South Georgia

by FOX 31 News

Despite the pandemic, school officials say that Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College had an economic impact of $390,015,778 on South Georgia during the 2020 fiscal year. “ABAC provides enormous social and economic benefits to the region in a variety of ways,” Dr. Renata Elad, Dean of the Stafford School of Business at ABAC, said. …The study area for ABAC’s impact included the counties of Tift, Worth, Cook, Colquitt, Ben Hill, Irwin, Turner, Decatur, Seminole, Miller, Grady, Early, Thomas, Mitchell, and Baker. Elad said that ABAC influences the South Georgia economy in a variety of ways through spending on personnel services, operating expenses and capital outlay, and spending by students and visitors, both on and off campus.

See also:

Tifton CEO

ABAC Economic Impact $390,015,778 on South Georgia

Columbus CEO

Columbus State Readies for In-person Graduation Ceremonies this December

Columbus State University has finalized plans to bring in-person commencement ceremonies back to its Main Campus this fall. The five ceremonies on Dec. 10 and 11 in the Lumpkin Center will honor its 2021 summer and fall semester graduates, while implementing specific COVID-19 safety protocols for the health and safety of graduates, guests and employees.

Middle Georgia CEO

Local College Students Raise $214,487 to Benefit Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital

Through fundraising culminating in signature Dance Marathon events, Georgia College Miracle and Mercer University Miracle raised a combined $214,487 in 2021 to help children served by Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital. …In a year that saw colleges shifting to virtual classes, a limit on in-person events, social distancing and other changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgia College Miracle raised $130,131 and Mercer University Miracle raised $84,355. Founded in 2005, Georgia College Miracle is the largest student-led fundraiser on campus at Georgia College and State University. Since its founding, the organization has raised $1,190,435 to benefit the children’s hospital.

The Brunswick News

Student collecting clothing, supplies for the homeless

By Lauren McDonald

A student-led initiative has returned to provide aid this winter to the homeless in Brunswick. Chanthony Andrews Jr., a member of UGA Extension Glynn County 4-H and a sophomore at Brunswick High School, is relaunching his “Socktober” project this month to collect clothing and other items for homeless individuals in contact with FaithWorks day shelter, The Well, and with Saved By Grace Southeast Georgia. Andrews first hosted the Socktober drive in 2020, when he collected 408 pairs of women’s socks and 521 pair’s of men’s socks for the two agencies.

Griffin Daily News

The sky’s the limit at Georgia 4-H engineering challenge

By Kasey Bozeman For CAES News

It’s not every day that a helicopter lands on Cloverleaf Circle at Rock Eagle 4-H Center, but for nearly 200 4-H youth and adults, it was a spectacular sight to see during Mission Make-It in August. Youth attending the annual non-competitive engineering challenge offered by Georgia 4-H explored a Vietnam-era helicopter, getting up close and personal tours provided by members of the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation in Hampton. The helicopter visit topped off the activities at the 2021 Mission Make-It event, which focused on the theme of biomimicry — the design and production of materials, structures and systems that are modeled on biological entities and processes. …Georgia 4-H empowers youth to become true leaders by developing necessary life skills, positive relationships and community awareness. As the largest youth leadership organization in the state, 4-H reaches more than 242,000 people annually through University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offices and 4-H facilities.

WJBF

HUB for Community Innovation closer to completion

by: Mary Calkins

After breaking ground in the spring, construction of the HUB for Community Innovation was put on hold due to the pandemic. Now its back on track. …The property was formerly a Kroger shopping center, and was later donated to the MCG Foundation. The plot of land is located in the Harrisburg and Laney Walker Communities. “They [MCG Foundation] really wanted to make sure if they were to develop that property, that they considered the residents that lived in that community, and not turn their backs on those residents,” Evans said. The MCG Foundation connected with the Community Foundation and Boys & Girls Club to make a plan. Together they came up with the HUB… Hear, Understand, Belong. …The Hub will be a campus for innovation. HUB West will house four community partners: Augusta Locally Grown, Rise Augusta, Augusta University Literacy Center, and Harrisburg Healthcare.

The George-Anne

Transparency is Key Factor per Ga Southern President

Dr. Marrero clears the air on information distribution.

Duncan Sligh, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Georgia Southern University President Kyle Marrero spoke to the George-Anne and the George-Anne Inkwell on Sept. 1 and spoke on a variety of topics ranging from his own personal life, to matters such as the university’s response to COVID-19. Georgia Southern’s communications have repeatedly stressed the importance of transparency regarding information being passed down from the decision-makers to the students and faculty at each campus. Dr. Marrero echoed these sentiments while explaining how COVID-pertaining data is collected, and what information they are and are not able to provide.

WJBF

MCG study: less likely to develop severe case of COVID-19 if nose irrigated

by: Chloe Salsameda

Before a COVID-19 vaccine was released, a team at the Medical College of Georgia (MCG) set off to learn if patients could reduce the severity of their illness if they were infected. They began looking at the nose, which is one of the main areas the virus enters the body. …MCG began a study with 75 participants, aged 55 and older. Within 24 hours of being diagnosed with COVID-19, each participant began using pressurized nasal irrigation to clean their sinuses. Researchers hypothesized that by cleaning sinuses twice a day, the virus would have less of a chance to infect the body as it would be washed out.

The George-Anne

Musical Background Led Dr. Marrero to Administrative Success, Presidency

How Georgia Southern’s President made the most out of a career change.

Duncan Sligh, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Students who have not had a chance to familiarize themselves with Georgia Southern University President Kyle Marrero’s background may be surprised to learn that he’s had a long and accomplished career as a musician that predates his career as an educator.

In a Sept. 1 interview conducted by the George-Anne Inkwell and Statesboro’s George-Anne, Dr. Marrero opened up about his artistic background and how it has directly influenced and benefited his educational career. … A large part of Dr. Marrero’s life, including his entire 20s and much of his 30s, was spent pursuing a career as an artist, achieving more than a moderate amount of international success. … I have been really, really fortunate to understand and see cultures and people, but I’ve always wanted to teach.” Dr. Marrero cited the academic environment and the opportunity to help students grow as major incentives for his career adjustment. He said that he felt a “calling” to teach.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

AJC On Campus: Tenure review battle, Students fight for Morehouse professor

By Eric Stirgus

Georgia congresswoman wades into mask debate

Last week, we told you about ongoing battles between faculty members and administrators on several Georgia campuses. Some of those disputes continue, such as one surrounding the University System of Georgia’s proposed changes to its post-tenure review. Here’s the latest on that, a student-led effort to support a former Morehouse College professor and how a celebrity stepped up to help some HBCU students in this edition of AJC On Campus.

USG tenure updateGeorgia congresswoman jumps into mask mandate fightLouise McBee’s lasting gift to UGACOVID-19 cases continue to drop on campusesAre students telling the truth about vaccinations?Georgia State’s vast photo collection

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia State professor files complaint over denial to teach remotely

By Eric Stirgus

Professor’s doctor says health condition puts him at risk if he contracts COVID-19

A prominent Georgia State University professor has filed a complaint with federal officials after he says the school denied his request to teach remotely. Dan Immergluck said in interviews with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution his request was rejected despite paperwork from his doctor stating Immergluck has a heart condition that could jeopardize his health if he contracts COVID-19. “All teaching, research should be done remotely wherever possible,” the doctor, whose name Immergluck redacted for privacy concerns, wrote on a university medical certification form. “He is at increased risk of complications/severe illness if he were to contract COVID-19,” the doctor wrote in response to another question on the form asking about the employee’s limitations. Immergluck said Georgia State pulled him from teaching his classes this semester when he appealed the university’s denial.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Opinion: Board of Regents seeks to gut tenure

Get Schooled with Maureen Downey

Professor: Tenure buffers faculty from political and institutional whims

Before I began writing about education, I never thought much about the importance of tenure on college campuses. Now, that I’ve seen the attempts by the insurance agents, real estate attorneys and loan officers in the Legislature to bend the university system to their political values, I believe tenure is worth protecting. That conviction grew stronger after the Board of Regents, all political appointees, opted to follow the governor’s stand on masks in classrooms rather than that of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That is why Georgia remains one of the few public systems without any mask mandates to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on public colleges and universities. Politics affects too many decisions already around higher education in this state without opening the gate wider to meddling. In a guest column today, Matthew Boedy, an assistant professor of rhetoric and composition at the University of North Georgia, discusses what he sees as an attempt to weaken tenure.

Other News:

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Map: Coronavirus deaths and cases in Georgia (updated Oct. 4)

An updated count of coronavirus deaths and cases reported across the state

CONFIRMED CASES: 1,232,349

CONFIRMED DEATHS: 22,785 | 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.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

J&J seeks U.S. clearance for COVID-19 vaccine booster doses

By Matthew Perrone, Associated Press

Johnson & Johnson asked the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday to allow extra shots of its COVID-19 vaccine as the U.S. government moves toward expanding its booster campaign to millions more vaccinated Americans. J&J said it filed a request with the FDA to authorize boosters for people 18 and older who previously received the company’s one-shot vaccine. While the company said it submitted data on several different booster intervals, ranging from two to six months, it did not formally recommend one to regulators. Last month, the FDA authorized booster shots of Pfizer’s vaccine for older Americans and other groups with heightened vulnerability to COVID-19.

Higher Education News:

Diverse Issues in Higher Education

HBCU Presidents Supports Improving the Current Reconciliation Bill

Walter Hudson

In the wake of the release of the $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill in the U.S. House of Representatives, the United Negro College Fund has called on Congress to improve the legislation to more positively impact historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). In a show of solidarity, the presidents of the 37 member HBCU institutions which comprise the UNCF membership signed a letter to congressional leaders on Friday to outline their recommendations, including increasing the funding for research and development (R&D); establishing and protecting specific funding for HBCU R&D infrastructure; supporting R2 institutions in their effort to become R1 institutions; and moving forward on the HBCUs IGNITE Excellence bill.

 

Inside Higher Ed

Low Cost, High Impact for Pell Grant Recipients

Congress has the opportunity to end the taxability of Pell Grants for lower-income students. But the provision — like most other parts of the Build Back Better Act — is in jeopardy.

By Alexis Gravely

Congressional Democrats’ $3.5 trillion social spending plan is expected to face substantial cuts in the coming weeks, as moderates in the Senate say they don’t support the legislation’s high price tag. Advocates are hoping lawmakers will retain a tax change for Pell Grant recipients in the final package, which they say has the advantage of being low cost and high impact. Under current law, the low- and moderate-income students receiving federal Pell Grants could be subject to added taxes if they use their grant aid for non-tuition-related costs while they’re in college, such as housing, transportation and food. The budget reconciliation bill includes a provision that would change that, allowing students to use their Pell Grant to cover nontuition expenses without facing an additional tax liability. The legislation would also eliminate a complicated interaction between Pell Grants and the American Opportunity Tax Credit that prevents hundreds of thousands of students from taking advantage of the tax benefit.

The Chronicle of Higher Education

Students Are Poised to Protest. Are Colleges Prepared?

By Audrey Williams June

College presidents and vice presidents are always juggling multiple priorities. But a new report says that one issue — the potential for student protests to erupt on campus — doesn’t rank high enough at a time when students have returned to in-person learning during rising national polarization. The report, Academic Year 2021-22: Are College Campuses Ready?, was produced by the Association of American Colleges & Universities and American University. It is based on a spring-2021 survey of 140 senior administrators (mostly college presidents and vice presidents) who were asked about their priorities for the current academic year. The top two priorities, according to the report, were supporting student well-being and developing meaningful diversity and inclusion strategies. They were also asked to prioritize three overall challenges — college affordability, student-support needs, and student protests. Student protests were deemed the lowest-priority issue.