The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Senate panel backs budget with raises, bonuses, tax refund
By James Salzer
About 300,000 state, university and K-12 employees are a step closer to receiving raises and bonuses after a key Georgia Senate panel approved a midyear state budget Monday. The Senate Appropriations Committee’s midyear plan also includes the $1.6 billion in state income tax refunds Gov. Brian Kemp proposed earlier this year because the government ran a surplus in fiscal 2021. The proposal would increase spending by $2.6 billion this fiscal year, which ends June 30. The budget now moves to the full Senate, which is expected to pass it this week.
Griffin Daily News
Gordon State College renews partnership with Georgia College
By Karolina Philmon Gsc Marketing Manager
Gordon State College and Georgia College and State University officials came together Wednesday to sign the renewed partnership as it pertains to the Highlander Pathways to Georgia College program and a new Honors agreement. According to the renewed partnership, GCSU will write a letter to non-admitted students whose files have been evaluated by GCSU and have potential to be considered for transfer after 60 hours. GCSU will encourage the students to enroll at GSC and enter the Highlander Pathways to Georgia College program.
Story also appeared in:
The Herald-Gazette
Gordon, GCSU renew partnership, eye new honors program
Albany Herald
PHOTOS: Albany State University Career Services Education Fair
Photos contributed by Reginald Christian
The Albany State University Office of Career Services held an Education Fair on Thursday, February 24, 2022 to give students an opportunity to find out more about a career in education.
Times-Georgian
Stewart named first chief wellness officer at UWG
To enhance and integrate university and community wellness resources — and develop new ones — the University of West Georgia has named an alumna and seasoned well-being professional as the institution’s inaugural chief wellness officer (CWO). As CWO, Bridgette Stewart, a 2003 West Georgia graduate and director of UWG’s Center for Integrative Wellness and member of the National Wellness Institute‘s board of directors, she will filter UWG’s efforts through a lens of the six dimensions of wellness, from emotional, spiritual and intellectual to social, physical and occupational.
Story also appeared in:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
University of West Georgia names first chief wellness officer
Forbes
Why We Need To Strengthen HBCUs Amid Their Recent Growth
Marybeth Gasman, Contributor
With growing applications and enrollment at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), these important institutions need more support to put African American students on the road to economic prosperity. For this reason, Bank of America, and its education partner EAB, recently announced an expansion of their partnership to support HBCUs. According to EAB Chief Partner Officer, Sally Amoruso, “Despite their vital role in creating opportunities for students and communities of color, many HBCUs face daunting financial pressures caused in large part by a historical lack of support from federal and state governments.” Three additional HBCUs —Tuskegee University, Harris-Stowe State University and LeMoyne-Owen College— will join the “Way Forward Initiative,” launched with five HBCUs in 2021 as part of Bank of America’s $1.25 billion, five-year commitment to advance racial equality and foster economic opportunity. The inaugural cohort of five HBCUs included Central State University, Huston-Tillotson University, Claflin University, Savannah State University and Virginia Union University.
The West Georgian
UWG’S VOLUNTEER AMBASSADORS HOLD HEART 2 HEART CANNED FOOD DRIVE
By Taylor Blessett
Volunteer Ambassadors at the University of West Georgia are collecting canned foods for the Heart 2 Heart Canned Food Drive from Valentine’s Day until Feb. 23 for the Immersion Trip to Selma on February 25. Coordinator of Student Leadership and Volunteer Programs, Khalis Thomas, decided with UWG Volunteer Ambassadors to form and host the Heart 2 Heart Canned Food Drive as an ongoing event that would allow students, faculty and staff to contribute by bringing two canned goods to enter for the trip. …The Heart 2 Heart food drive serves as a great way to allow students and the community to give back while also allowing others to understand and learn the importance of the trip and what experience traveling to Selma will give them.
WJBF
Running for a cause at the AU half marathon, 10K and 5K
by: Kim Vickers
Saturday morning, the Augusta Sports Council and Augusta University held their 14th Annual half marathon, 10K, and 5K race. It was back in person after being held virtually in 2021 because of the pandemic. Virtual races gained popularity over the last two years when in person events were cancelled. Now that we are seeing things go back to normal, the Augusta Sports Council thought it was time to bring the race back to an in person event. …Rollins and her group ran for health, some ran for fun, but other ran for a cause.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What will Sonny Perdue do if he becomes Georgia system’s chancellor?
By Eric Stirgus
The Georgia Board of Regents may vote as soon as Tuesday to make former Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue the new chancellor of the state’s vast University System. So what would Perdue’s priorities be as chancellor? Higher education experts, friends, foes and former colleagues believe Perdue’s main focus will be preparing students to be workforce ready. They also think the Perry native, who was governor from 2003 to 2011, will also be interested in research and other initiatives that have an agricultural focus or support rural students.
The Baldwin Bulletin
New Visiting Scholars Program engages GC students
Bailey Ballard
Georgia College & State University introduced a new Visiting Scholars Program through the Office of the Provost. The Visiting Scholars Program launched during the spring semester of 2022 and is bringing three different scholars onto the school’s campus to interact with students and the community for an entire week. “The idea behind it was to bring intellectual capital, these experts, to our students for an entire week and have them embedded into the department,” said Dr. Jordan Cofer, associate provost for Transformative Learning Experiences. “We wanted a very hands-on experience where these experts get to know the students and increase engagement.”
The Technique
OMED houses Women of Color Initiative
Hope Williams
As Black History Month ends and Women’s History Month begins, one initiative on Tech’s campus is focusing on the intersectionality of race and gender, not just during one month, but year-round. The Women of Color Initiative (WOCI), part of the Office of Minority Educational Development (OMED), is comprised of three cohorts: the Black Women’s Initiative, Latinx Women’s Initiative and Afro-Latinx Women’s Initiative, all of which seek to uplift and empower women of color at Tech through various means. This includes housing graduate and undergraduate ambassador programs, supporting research about women of color in academia and hosting events and workshops for career development and well-being. Sybrina Atwaters is the director of OMED and is a three time graduate of Tech: BS EE ‘94, MS HSTS ‘09 and PhD HSTS ‘14. During her time at Tech, Atwaters frequently used OMED as a resource.
Science Magazine
Ownby honored by American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Dr. Dennis Ownby, former chief of the Section of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology at the Medical College of Georgia, is the recipient of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology’s 2022 Distinguished Clinician Recognition Award.
13WMAZ
History frozen in time: Milledgeville’s Andalusia named National Historic Landmark
“It is a great way for we as Americans to appreciate our history.”
Author: Jessica Cha
Up the stone steps and through the white front door is Andalusia, the Milledgeville home of famed author Flannery O’Connor. It’s now America’s newest National Historic Landmark. Matthew Davis, Georgia College’s Director of Historic Sites, knows that the house has a tale as old as time. “Andalusia itself is a historic farm property that dates back to the early ’18-teens’ — 1814, actually,” he says. The site contains 14 buildings and over 520 acres of land on it that are all being preserved to this day.
The Times
Unsung heroes of World War II to take center screen in documentary premiere at UNG
Sean Williams
An early screening of the documentary “They Volunteered for This: Merrill’s Marauders” is slated to premiere at the University of North Georgia’s Dahlonega campus Thursday, March 3 at 7 p.m.
The Times
‘Music kind of pours out of me.’ UNG professor warrants acclaim in UK Songwriting Contest
Richard Estes
Phillip Mitchell, an English professor at University of North Georgia, won the 2021 UK Songwriting Contest’s open category with his original song, “Run With a Torch.”
Marietta Daily Journal
KSU economist talks inflation at Cobb Republican Women’s event
By Zach Edmondson
Although prices have jumped almost 7% over the past year, it’s the possibility of long-term inflation Americans should be particularly concerned about, Roger Tutterow, an economist at Kennesaw State University, told members of the Cobb County Republican Women’s Club Friday. After opening remarks from club president Nancy Couch and a few other Cobb political heavyweights, Tutterow took the stage and began laying out his analysis of the U.S. economy regarding inflation.
41NBC
Middle Georgia professor who spent four years in Ukraine reacts to Russia conflict
A Middle Georgia professor is reacting to Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine.
by Cameron Branscomb
A Middle Georgia professor is reacting to Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine. Professor of History at Georgia College, Dr. William Risch, who spent four years living in Ukraine, teaches a class on Modern Eastern Europe. He contributes the tense relations to a peace treaty that was not signed by Ukraine in 2015.
13WMAZ
The chance of a cyber attack by Russia against the U.S. is low, but the risk could increase as the conflict in Ukraine continues, experts say.
Author: Joe Henke
This week, the U.S. government issued warnings of possible cyberattacks from Russia as the conflict in Ukraine intensifies. “If Russia pursues cyberattacks against our companies, our critical infrastructure, we are prepared to respond,” President Joe Biden said during a speech Thursday. “For months, we have been working closely with our private — with the private sector to harden their cyber defenses, sharpen our ability to respond to Russian cyberattacks as well.” …”I think it is rather unlikely that this Ukraine crisis would lead to a cyber-conflict between the United States Russia,” said Jeff Berejikian with the University of Georgia’s Department of International Affairs. In Berejikian’s opinion, there are at least two scenarios though that could make a cyberattack more likely. First, if a Russian cyberattack against Ukraine grows out of control, either intentionally or accidentally, and it seeps into the West. Second, if continued and increased sanctions back Russia into a corner or military support being sent to Ukraine by the U.S. and NATO allies send Russia over an edge.
AP News
Columbus State University president retiring after 7 years
The president of Columbus State University is retiring. The school announced last week that Chris Markwood’s final day as president will be June 30, the Ledger-Enquirer reported. According to Columbus State, John Fuchko III, the University System of Georgia’s vice chancellor for organizational effectiveness, will serve as interim president until a new president is hired.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia College dissolves fraternity involved in hazing incident
By Eric Stirgus
Georgia College & State University announced Friday it has dissolved a fraternity due to hazing and other student code violations. Milledgeville police in December charged eight people involved with Georgia College’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity chapter with hazing and furnishing alcohol to a minor. The alleged victim was hospitalized and later returned to school, according to the college. The school began its own investigation, which resulted in dissolving the chapter. Student conduct proceedings are ongoing, a Georgia College official said Friday. …The fraternity’s national organization has also revoked the chapter’s charter.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
UGA police investigating alleged fraud within athletics fundraising
By Chip Towers
University of Georgia police are investigating an alleged act of financial fraud committed within the athletic association’s development office earlier this year. The police department opened an investigation on Feb. 1 in response to a complaint filed by Ford Williams, UGA’s executive associate director for major gifts. Police suspect an unknown individual committed identity theft and fraud by using counterfeit info to solicit money from UGA donors and directing it into personal accounts. The amount of money involved was not included in the report. “An unknown person unlawfully represented themselves as (Williams) by using their name and electronic signature to solicit unlawful donations via email,” police said in the initial report. It is believed that the act was committed by someone employed in UGA’s development office, according to a person familiar with the situation.
Other News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Map: Coronavirus deaths and cases in Georgia (updated Feb. 25)
An updated count of coronavirus deaths and cases reported across the state
CONFIRMED CASES: 1,909,595
CONFIRMED DEATHS: 29,632 | 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:
Hechinger Report
College students to administrators: Let’s talk about mental health
Covid distress made issues more urgent, but students fed up with inadequate mental health care began fighting for change even before the pandemic
by Laura Pappano
…Data from the 2021 Healthy Minds Study shows 34 percent of college respondents struggling with anxiety disorder and 41 percent with depression — rates that have risen in recent years. More broadly, nearly 73 percent in the Fall 2021 American College Health Association National College Health Assessment survey reported moderate or serious psychological distress. For years, college students have agitated for improved mental health services, such as more counselors, easier access to them and greater awareness and sensitivity, including having professors put suicide prevention and other hotline numbers on syllabuses. They have been met with a tepid response from administrators who have traditionally considered mental health a private matter, not an institutional one. That is changing. Covid is cracking open a conversation that students are desperate to have.
Forbes
Getting A Degree Should Be About More Than Getting A Good Job
Nick Morrison, Contributor
Reforms to university funding and access in the U.K. are likely to hit the poorest and most disadvantaged students the hardest, according to experts. Students will end up paying more for longer for the privilege of going to university, under proposals to reform student loans unveiled today, with the biggest impact on low and middle-income earners. And raising the minimum entry requirements for a degree is likely to effect groups already under-represented in higher education. …But behind the proposals is a belief that the primary purpose of higher education is to improve employment prospects, when getting a degree should be about so much more than just getting a good job.