University System News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Enrollment dips at most of Georgia’s public universities
By Eric Stirgus
Fewer students are taking classes this fall at most of Georgia’s public colleges and universities. The University System of Georgia released a report Monday that showed enrollment dropped at 21 of its 26 schools. Enrollment increased at some of its largest schools, which are Georgia Tech, the University of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia Southern and Kennesaw State universities. Georgia Tech’s enrollment rose by 10.3%. The system’s total enrollment declined for the first time in eight years, from 341,489 to 340,638 students. System officials pointed out the enrollment decline is less than the rest of the nation. Undergraduate student enrollment nationally dipped by 3.2%, while the decline was 2.1% in the Georgia system.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia is suing Biden over vaccine mandate for federal contractors
By Greg Bluestein
Georgia and other Republican-led states filed a federal lawsuit Friday challenging President Joe Biden’s coronavirus vaccine mandate for federal contractors, claiming that the White House doesn’t have the legal authority to impose the requirement. The complaint brought by Gov. Brian Kemp and Attorney General Chris Carr deepens a divide over the Biden administration’s strategy to contain the pandemic. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis filed a similar challenge this week, and Georgia’s litigation Friday was brought in tandem with Alabama, Idaho, Kansas, South Carolina, Utah and West Virginia. “In addition to being an unlawful and unconstitutional overreach, this vaccine mandate on federal contractors will only further divide Americans and hamstring our economy,” Kemp said in a statement Friday, adding that the White House should not “force hardworking Georgians to choose between their livelihood or this vaccine.”
See also;
Georgia Recorder
Georgia sues Biden administration in federal court over vaccine mandate
AP News
Georgia schools mandate vaccines even as state sues feds
U.S. News & World Report
Georgia Schools Mandate Vaccines Even as State Sues Feds
Some Georgia universities are mandating vaccines for federal contract employees, even as Georgia state government sues President Joe Biden’s administration to block the requirement.
New York Daily News
Public Georgia universities uphold vaccine mandate while state fights back
Kansas City Star
Georgia schools mandate vaccines even as state sues feds
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Georgia schools mandate vaccines even as state sues feds
News4 JAX
Georgia schools mandate vaccines even as state sues feds
KOMONews
19 states sue Biden administration over COVID vaccine rule
Inside Higher Ed
More Colleges Mandate Vaccines to Comply With Biden Order
More universities announce employee vaccine mandates to comply with Biden order mandating vaccination against COVID-19 for employees of federal contractors. But with the deadline for vaccination fast approaching, some universities are still studying the order or determining next steps.
By Elizabeth Redden
A growing number of colleges and universities are mandating vaccination against COVID-19 for employees — including undergraduate and graduate student employees — in response to President Biden’s Sept. 9 order mandating vaccination for employees of federal contractors. …University Actions
At least two dozen major universities or university systems have announced vaccine mandates for employees in response to the Biden order, including Arizona State, Kansas State and North Carolina State Universities; the Universities of Georgia, Minnesota and New Hampshire and the university systems of Alabama, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
The Georgia Virtue
Georgia Southern Professor, Alumnus Honored At Regents Scholarship Gala
A Georgia Southern University professor and graduate were among the distinguished honorees at the recent 17th annual Regents’ Scholarship Gala that raised more than $625,000 to support and provide need-based scholarships for University System of Georgia (USG) students across the state. Hosted by the USG Foundation, the event included Governor Brian P. Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp as well as supporters, donors, alumni, legislators, members of the Board of Regents and presidents from USG’s 26 public colleges and universities. Six USG faculty members were honored as 2021 recipients of the Felton Jenkins Jr. Hall of Fame Faculty Award. This prestigious teaching award recognizes faculty’s important contributions to their schools and fields of study and for their strong commitment to teaching and student success. Among the honorees was Arpita Saha, Ph.D., associate professor of inorganic chemistry.
Albany Herald
Darton Health Professions Foundation, ASU offer continuing education opportunities
The Darton Health Professions Foundation, in collaboration with the Darton College of Health Professions at Albany State University, announced Ethics and Jurisprudence for Therapy Disciplines continuing education units for the therapy disciplines on Nov. 4. Officials with the foundation say the continuing education units are an excellent way to meet state minimum requirements for the year. “The course is continuing education units for physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants roles,” Sarah Brinson, dean of ASU’s College of Health Professions, said. “Last year, the professional therapy community, along with the entire health care industry, was experiencing the demand brought on by the pandemic. As a result, there were limited opportunities for the required continuing education units. We want to be the resource for those professionals and our graduates now working in these fields.”
Athens CEO
UGA gets Federal Grant to Help Communities Advance Economic Development
Kelly Simmons
A grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will allow UGA Public Service and Outreach units to equip rural Georgia communities with the tools, resources and knowledge to chart a strategy for economic recovery and long-term resiliency. UGA Public Service and Outreach units will use the grant from the USDA’s Rural Community Development Initiative to launch PROPEL (Planning Rural Opportunities for Prosperity and Economic Leadership). Led by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, PROPEL will guide low-income rural cities and counties through a six-step model to develop and implement a plan to advance their rural economies. The work will help communities build resiliency and capacity for long-term success, said Rob Gordon, director of the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government.
Premier Guitar
Gretsch Opens New Museum in Savannah, Georgia
Drums, guitars, history, business and education have come together in a spectacular new interactive museum and exhibit in downtown Savannah that will pique the interest of any music lover. That Great Gretsch Sound! museum is a new destination where Georgia Southern University helps tell the story of a family-owned company that is still regarded as one of the music industry’s most influential and innovative instrument manufacturers. The permanent display of music memorabilia, highlighting over 135 years of Gretsch instruments, is featured in District Live’s new lobby and performance space on the banks of the Savannah River. The museum is the latest addition to a new active and engaging entertainment area called the Plant Riverside District.
Gwinnett Daily Post
PHOTOS: Georgia Gwinnett College’s Grizzlyfest draws crowds for fun, fellowship
Todd Cline
After a hiatus last year due to the pandemic, Georgia Gwinnett College hosted its annual in-person Grizzlyfest Oct. 23. With live performances, games and contests, the campus was brimming with excitement as hundreds of alumni, students, faculty and staff came together to celebrate the homecoming event.
Albany Herald
PHOTOS: Albany State University hosts trick-or-treaters at annual Ram Raid
Photos contributed by Reginald Christian Nov 1, 2021 Updated 26 min ago 0
Families gathered to trick or treat on Thursday evening at Albany State University for their annual Ram Raid. College departments and student organizations were on hand with tables with candy and fun tricks for all.
WorkingNation
Back to Work: Pathways to jobs for those who have served in our military
With Veterans Day approaching, we look at some work and training opportunities for military families
By Laura Aka
Veteran unemployment in September moved up to 3.9% from the previous month’s figure of 3.8%, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Earlier this year, a white paper issued by the National Military Spouse Network puts that number for military spouses closer to 25%. The DOL lists a number of resources available to military families, but WorkingNation is always looking for opportunities for jobs and training around the country. As Veterans Day approaches, we focus this week on what’s available in these five states to those who have served. …From Georgia: Coastal Courier reports a new scholarship fund targeting military spouses has been set up at Georgia Southern University.
Gwinnett Daily Post
[gwinnettdailypost]UGA professor takes on the issue of food waste
By Maria M. Lameiras CAES News
Agricultural producers around the world are constantly faced with risks to their crops from disease, weather and pests, but even more losses occur after crops are harvested. In fact, nearly a third of all the food produced worldwide — approximately 1.3 billion tons — is lost to food wastage each year. Angelos Deltsidis, assistant professor in post-harvest physiology in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, investigates how pre-harvest factors and post-harvest treatments affect the quality of fresh produce. He said he hopes to use this information to develop methods of preserving produce quality as it travels from the field to the kitchen.
CBS News
A large spider native to East Asia has spun its thick, golden web on power lines, porches and vegetable patches all over north Georgia this year — a proliferation that has driven some unnerved homeowners indoors and prompted a flood of anxious social media posts. In metro Atlanta, Jennifer Turpin — a self-described arachnophobe — stopped blowing leaves in her yard after inadvertently walking into a web created by the Joro spider. Stephen Carter has avoided a walking trail along the Chattahoochee River where he encountered Joro webs every dozen steps. …Millions of the large spiders have spun three-dimensional golden webs in roughly 25 counties, according to the University of Georgia. …Biology professor Christopher Brown at Georgia Gwinnett College said that the spiders have thrived in Georgia because its climate is similar to large parts of Japan — warm and humid.
The Register
When AI and automation come to work you stress less – but hate your job more
It’s better to work for the Man than the Machine
Laura Dobberstein
Applying AI and automation to jobs can have both positive and negative impacts on workers, according to a new study. “The impact of automation and artificial intelligence on worker well-being”, by Georgia Institute of Technology boffin Daniel Schiff and Georgia State University’s Luisa Nazareno, found workers in jobs that become more automated experience lower levels of stress – but their health and job satisfaction both worsen. “Maybe automation has made your work easier, but now you’re being optimized,” wrote PhD candidate and study author Daniel Schiff. While optimization makes jobs simpler, workers perceive that unskilled work means their job security is not high.
Healthcare Packaging
A BBQ Lighter Inspired This Vaccine Injector
The device could make vaccines less expensive and more accessible to remote areas where the cold chain is difficult.
Author – Tim Hayes, Contributing Editor, Healthcare Packaging
A recent Medgadget article reported an innovative new vaccine delivery device that drew inspiration from an unlikely source: the barbecue. A lot of the new COVID-19 vaccines contain DNA that’s encased in lipid nanoparticles that help it penetrate our cells. But these special lipid particles increase the cost of the vaccines and require cold storage, making them less than ideal for rural areas and developing countries. To address this, a team of researchers at Georgia Tech repurposed a BBQ gas lighter to administer vaccines via electroporation.
Thomas Insights
How Service Dogs Communicate with Their Handlers Through Technology
Stephanie Nikolopoulos
The majority of pet owners — 67% — say they can already understand their pets. While dogs have been able to master the command “Speak” in terms of a bark, new developments in technology could allow dogs to communicate on a more sophisticated level. This is particularly beneficial for training service dogs to better communicate with their handlers as well as on behalf of their handlers. …Research on How Technology Can Help Service Dogs Communicate Is Ongoing
The FIDO (Facilitating Interactions for Dogs with Occupations) Project at Georgia Tech is leading the pack in developing technology that service dogs can use to assist their handlers. Dr. Melody M. Jackson founded the FIDO Project and serves as its director. Her TED Talk “Can Wearable Computing for Dogs Keep Humans Safer?” illuminates opportunities for technology to advance dogs’ communication. FIDO’s projects have included activation interfaces, gesture interfaces, haptic (touch) interfaces, touchscreen interfaces, and mobile collaboration between canines and law enforcement. They also have researched how quantimetric data can inform whether a dog is a suitable candidate for service work.
Other News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Map: Coronavirus deaths and cases in Georgia (updated Oct. 29)
An updated count of coronavirus deaths and cases reported across the state
CONFIRMED CASES: 1,263,757
CONFIRMED DEATHS: 24,786 | 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:
Forbes
Is Student Loan Forgiveness Going To Happen? Biden Officials Send Mixed Signals
Adam S. Minsky, Senior Contributor
As student loan borrowers and their advocates continue their campaign to convince President Biden to enact widespread student loan forgiveness, administration officials are sending mixed messages. Student loan borrower activists, advocacy groups, and progressives in Congress have been engaged in a 10 month campaign to persuade Biden cancel upwards of $50,000 in student loan debt per borrower using executive action. While Biden previously has suggested that he would support $10,000 in mass student loan forgiveness per borrower, he has expressed skepticism that he would have the legal authority to go further than that. Biden has repeatedly called on Congress to pass student loan relief through legislation, but student loan forgiveness is not included in the infrastructure and social spending proposals that congressional Democrats are currently trying to pass. Meanwhile, Biden administration officials continue to insist that millions of borrowers will be resuming repayment this winter, while they keep the door open to some form of additional student loan forgiveness.
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
Are Higher Ed Groups Backing Away from Push to Double Pell?
Walter Hudson
While many higher education advocacy groups are praising the Biden administration’s framework for a $1.75 trillion reconciliation package, there appears to be a noticeable shortcoming in the proposed legislation: a measly increase in the federal Pell Grant program. The United Negro College Fund (UNCF), Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and other advocacy groups, had been leading the public charge on doubling Pell, the largest federal grant program offered to undergraduates to assist students from low-income households. But those public outcries appear to have soften in the wake of the Biden administration’s most recent proposal. This strategy appears to be in stark contrast to the tough rhetoric that was directed at President Obama during his two terms in office. Publicly and privately, HBCU leaders bemoaned the fact that Obama had not done enough to champion key programs like Pell.