University System News:
Times-Georgian
UWG announces new computing degree program
By Special To The Times-Georgian
As part of its commitment to providing competitive career-building opportunities, the University of West Georgia is expanding its offerings in the area of computing, a high-demand career in Georgia and beyond. The new Bachelor of Science in computing degree, developed in response to demand from prospective and current students, aims to help meet the industry need for these skills and qualifications. Approved by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents, this new degree is housed in the College of Arts, Culture and Scientific Inquiry (CACSI) and supplements the existing offerings in the University’s Department of Computing and Mathematics.
Athens CEO
UGA Agricultural Leadership Program Celebrates 2021 Graduates
Jordan Powers
Twenty-five professionals representing agriculture, forestry and allied sectors graduated from the Advancing Georgia’s Leaders in Agriculture and Forestry Class of 2019-21 in November. The joint program between the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources aims to educate, empower and connect today’s professionals in agriculture, forestry, natural resources and allied sectors to be dynamic industry leaders.
Savannah Business Journal
‘Living Well Together’ course aims to help families with disabled children
Staff Report
The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society will offer a 10-week program intended to help member families and other families raising children with developmental or physical challenges prepare for transition while setting, and reaching goals for a healthy lifestyle. The Living Well Together program is a 10-week program – five-weekend sessions spread out from January through March, plus an orientation – that is being offered by Georgia Southern University’s Center for Rehabilitation and Independent Living. This peer-led health promotion program aims to help families caring for a child with a disability prepare for life’s transitions. As part of that, the whole family is encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle, and this program teaches how to set realistic goals and achieve them in that regard.
Benzinga
Nexus and University of West Georgia Announce Licensing Partnership
Nexus Licensing Group, a leading licensing management firm and division of Fastlane, today announced the firm has entered into an exclusive partnership agreement with University of West Georgia in which it will serve as its exclusive licensing agent of record. Under the agreement, Nexus is helping University of West Georgia expand its brand reach and revenue potential through traditional retail and eCommerce channels. The firm is also developing and executing a strategic, integrated plan to protect and manage the college’s name and trademarks as well as enhance its retail strategy through customized marketing programs on campus and beyond.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
University of Georgia completes dorm cleanings after health complaints
By Eric Stirgus
UGA also plans to spend $20 million on renovations to five complexes
The University of Georgia says it has completed deep cleanings and maintenance of its 22 student housing complexes after a groundswell of complaints in recent months from students and parents about mold and other pollutants. The school said it also hired an outside contractor who conducted 138 air quality tests and reported three results showing above average spore levels at two residence halls on campus. “University Housing has remediated the mold found from these tests and will continue to conduct additional tests to update readings,” the university said Wednesday. “Results from additional air quality testing are expected later this month and will be analyzed to determine if further action is needed.”
Related article:
WGAU Radio
UGA: dorms deep-cleaned in time for start of spring semester
Follows complaints from students, parents last fall
WRDW
Cloth masks may be fashionable but they’re not the most effective
By Sloane O’Cone
As omicron rapidly spreads, experts are looking at whether it’s time to upgrade beyond the cloth mask for better protection. Disposable, surgical, cloth, N95, there are plenty of types of masks. Health officials say N95 masks should be saved for hospital workers. As Dr. Rodger MacArthur, professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases medical college of Georgia at AU holds up a disposable mask, he says “This blue one is the go-to one for me.” Cloth masks became a new outlet of self-expression, all the different colors, and customizations you can imagine, but our local health officials say they aren’t going to make the cut anymore. …MacArthur says medical surgical masks are the best for everyday activities while getting the most protection.
WFXG
Local Pharmacist details when new COVID-19 antivirals should be taken
By Jared Eggleston
News of the newly approved medications to treat COVID-19 at home came as positive news to many. Local health experts say there are some caveats to the new treatments. Dr. Joshua Wyche is Augusta University Health’s assistant vice president of strategic planning and pharmacy services. …Dr. Wyche says doctors have to look at medical history and your current medication regimen to make sure that these medications do not interact with other medications.
Albany Herald
Dougherty Sheriff’s Office reaches out to Albany State in wake of bomb threats at HBCUs
By Alan Mauldin alan.mauldin@albanyherald.com
ALBANY — A series of threats this week against historically black colleges and universities across the country has caught the attention of local law enforcement, but no threats have been reported at local HBCU Albany State University. Bomb threats against nine institutions were reported on Tuesday, but Albany State was not among those targeted. “We were made aware of it this (Wednesday) morning,” Dougherty Sheriff Kevin Sproul said of the threats. “We have reached out. Chief (Deputy Terron) Hayes spoke with their assistant police chief this morning. We told them we were there to help them if they need us.” So far Albany State has not indicated a need for assistance, Sproul said. The targeted colleges included Florida Memorial University, Howard University, North Carolina Central University, Norfolk State University, Spelman College, Texas Southern University, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Xavier University. Some campuses were evacuated while bomb searches were conducted. Albany State President Marion Fedrick said she would be available to address the issue on Thursday.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Across Georgia campuses, professors urge stricter COVID-19 measures
By Eric Stirgus
Many Georgia professors are calling for stricter COVID-19 protocols ahead of Monday’s return to classrooms — a day when University of Georgia students are expected to gather in large numbers to watch the college football national championship. The United Campus Workers of Georgia Local 3265, which represents employees and faculty at the University System of Georgia’s 26 schools, said in a letter to members and supporters that in-person classes should begin only after employees and students have shown proof of vaccination. They want changes similar to those made in recent days by private colleges and universities in Atlanta as well as other schools across the South, such as allowing faculty to teach remotely and requiring weekly testing for unvaccinated students and employees.
The Times
What you need to know about your college’s COVID-19 guidelines before classes start
Ben Anderson
Before college classes resume next week, here are the COVID-19 safety guidelines at the University of North Georgia, Brenau University, Lanier Technical College and Piedmont University. Classes for the 2022 spring semester start Monday, Jan. 10 at all four colleges.
Will in-person classes be moved online?
No, all four universities will hold classes on campus as scheduled.
Will masks be required?
At UNG, masks are strongly encouraged but not required. In an email to students and staff, UNG president Bonita Jacobs emphasized personal responsibility in stemming the spread of the coronavirus and limiting its impact on campus.
Other News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Map: Coronavirus deaths and cases in Georgia (updated Jan. 5)
An updated count of coronavirus deaths and cases reported across the state
CONFIRMED CASES: 1,493,254
CONFIRMED DEATHS: 26,472 | 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
Kemp’s 2022 agenda: Gun rights expansion, education overhaul, teacher pay hike
By Greg Bluestein
Gov. Brian Kemp outlined a legislative agenda that includes a push to encourage in-person student learning during the pandemic, an effort to ban critical race theory in Georgia schools and a promise to hike teacher pay. …With a budget flush with cash, the first-term Republican has more wiggle room to push through priorities, including the remaining $2,000 of his campaign pledge to increase teacher pay by $5,000 by the end of his first term. …Kemp also said his office was working on legislation to ban the teaching of critical race theory, an academic concept based on the idea that systemic racism is embedded in all aspects of our lives. …The governor said he had no specific pandemic-related legislation on his agenda this year, though repeated that he would not support mask requirements, vaccine mandates or economic lockdowns.
Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
Most Colleges Resume In-Person Classes
With the Omicron variant of COVID-19 raging, a majority of institutions are putting their trust in vaccines and tried and true mitigation strategies to bring students back to campus this semester.
By Josh Moody
Colleges across the country that are pivoting to remote instruction and delaying the start of the spring semester may have caught the headlines, but they are in the minority. The vast majority of institutions are returning to in-person learning as scheduled. According to data from the College Crisis Initiative at Davidson College, nearly 90 percent of colleges and universities are welcoming students back to campus. Likewise, 98 percent will start on time, per data from a sample size of 502 institutions. “There are a good number of institutions bringing students back on schedule,” said Rylie Martin, assistant director of the College Crisis Initiative, or C2i. “Many are maintaining COVID mitigation strategies from the fall semester, which means having indoor masking mandates, requiring either re-entry testing once students get back to campus or testing prior to coming back.”