The Brunswick News
Health system, college partnership to expand nursing program
By Lauren McDonald
College of Coastal Georgia and Southeast Georgia Health System announced Friday a partnership to expand the college’s registered nursing program and address hospital staffing shortages. The health system has committed to a $2 million expansion partnership with the college meant to increase the number of local registered nurses through a five-year process. “With a nursing shortage flooding our nation, including here in our own community, it is imperative to make nursing programs a priority and more readily available to eligible students,” said Scott Raynes, president and CEO of the health system, in a statement. “This partnership will enhance the College of Coastal Georgia’s ability to enroll more students.” The current maximum enrollment in the nursing program is 260 students, Raynes said. The partnership will support faculty additions and increase maximum enrollment to 340 students.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Senate backs budget for upcoming year with teacher raises
By James Salzer
The Georgia Senate set up final negotiations with the House over next year’s $30.2 billion state budget by backing a plan Friday that includes a $2,000 pay raise for teachers and continues attempts to slow state government turnover. Lawmakers must give final approval to the spending plan by the time the session ends April 4. The House passed its version of the budget March 11. The spending plan for fiscal 2023, which begins July 1, builds on the record midyear budget that Gov. Brian Kemp recently signed into law. The midyear budget, which runs through June 30, includes $2,000 bonuses for teachers and school workers, and $5,000 cost-of-living raises for most state and university employees.
AllOnGeorgia
Bipartisan House Bill 1013 Proposes to Reform Mental Health Services in Georgia
Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) announced this week a broad coalition of businesses, health care providers and other stakeholders are supporting Georgia’s bipartisan Mental Health Parity Act, House Bill 1013. This bill, sponsored by Speaker Ralston and House leadership from both political parties, seeks to reform and improve mental health service delivery in Georgia. “This is a good and meaningful bill that will help many people in Georgia who are suffering,” said Speaker David Ralston. “I am proud that we have the backing of some of the most recognized names in our state – from world-class health care providers to leading businesses. I am hopeful our colleagues in the State Senate will expeditiously finish their work and pass this bill so that we can start bringing relief to families across this state.” …Its aim is to increase patient access to care, ensure mental health parity for providers and patients, strengthen workforce development initiatives, expand transparency and accountability for consumers and enhance resources and tools for frontline responders and communities. …See a list of supporters and full text/public comment/testimony below. …University System of Georgia Acting Chancellor Teresa MacCartney
Longview News-Journal
BILL YEARTA: General Assembly pushes through vital legislation on Crossover Day
As expected, Crossover Day was the busiest day yet for the Georgia General Assembly this legislative session. There was no lack of legislation to cover as we worked through many issues of concern. Education: As the largest expenditure of our state budget, education remains priority. Crossover week brought forth several educational incentives further solidifying our commitment to students, school systems and administrators. To assist low-income Georgians, we passed House Bill 1435. This bill will help those in need access financial aid to complete their college education. Students who qualify would be eligible to apply for up to $2,500.00 in grant funding to fill any remaining gap between tuition and additional fees. This program would be available for students attending both University System of Georgia and Technical College System of Georgia institutions, as well as certain institutions eligible for Tuition Equalization Grants. …House Bill 1184 would allow school systems to administer nationally recognized college entrance examinations to 11th-grade students who elect to participate.
yahoo!news
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College prepares to launch Environmental Studies track
The Albany Herald, Ga.
Beginning with the 2022 fall semester, students can enroll in a new Environmental Studies track within the popular bachelor of science degree in Biology at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. “Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary field that draws on courses from the natural sciences, as well as the social sciences and even the humanities,” Matthew Anderson, dean of the ABAC School of Arts and Sciences, said. “This interdisciplinary training will position ABAC Biology B.S. students to help address the complex nature of contemporary environmental issues, and it will prepare our graduates for a wide variety of related careers.” According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs as environmental science and protection technicians are projected to grow by 11% between 2020 and 2030, which is faster than the average of all occupations, and environmental scientist and specialist jobs are projected to grow by 8%.
Henry County Times
Georgia Archives to host virtual symposium April 2
Special to the Times
On Saturday, April 2, from 9 a.m. until noon, the Georgia Archives will host a virtual symposium, “Georgia’s Judiciary and Courts Through the Years.” The virtual live event is free and available through Microsoft Teams. Download the free Microsoft Teams app prior to the event and register through the link below.
Albany Herald
Albany State set to host NASA Aerospace Academy STEM conference
From staff reports
The Albany State University National Aeronautics and Space Administration Minority University Research and Education Project Aerospace Academy is hosting the second annual Virtual STEM Conference Wednesday and Thursday. The conference is free and provides an interactive opportunity for sixth- through 12th-grade students from Georgia school districts to learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics career paths from real-life STEM professionals. …The theme for this year’s conference is “Oh the Places You’ll Go” and will feature four hands-on STEM activities. The conference will begin with keynote speaker Casey Bethel, a former Georgia Teacher of the Year and STEM advocate, and a Women in STEM panel featuring several successful STEM professionals.
The Griffin Daily News
Gordon State to host 3rd Annual State of College address
By Karolina Philmon Gordon State Marketing Manager
On Thursday, March 31, Gordon State College President Dr. Kirk A. Nooks will present the institution’s annual State of the College address at 9:30 a.m. in the GSC Student Activity and Recreation Center. Nooks will focus on providing an overview of the highlights and milestones from the past year and elaborate on where GSC currently stands, as well as where the year ahead might lead.
The Griffin Daily News
Clayton State University offers free income tax assistance
alumpkin
For more than 30 years, Clayton State University’s College of Business has partnered with the United Way Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program to offer free tax preparation assistance to eligible taxpayers using forms 1040EZ, 1040A and simple 1040s. CSU is offering free tax preparation assistance to eligible taxpayers for the next three Saturdays, university officials said in a statement.
Augusta Chronicle
Augusta University basketball falls in NCAA Division-II national championship game
By Will Cheney
Augusta University basketball’s historic run came to an end Saturday. The Jaguars fell to defending champ Northwest Missouri State 67-58 in the NCAA Division-II national title game. It was Augusta’s second trip to the national championship game and first since 2008. Despite the outcome, another banner will be going up in the rafters of Christenberry Fieldhouse. Augusta started out strong, but Northwest Missouri State took control via an 11-3 run midway through the first half. The Jags entered the locker room trailing 39-28.
WTOC
Georgia Southern Clay Target Team wins National Championship
Georgia Southern is bringing the 2022 ACUI Collegiate Clay Target National Championship back to Statesboro.
By Lyndsey Gough
Georgia Southern is bringing the 2022 ACUI Collegiate Clay Target National Championship back to Statesboro. The team competed in San Antonio, Texas March 19-26 against 49 other teams. The 2022 event was the largest collegiate clay target championship in the 55-year history of the event with 95 college teams and 1,100 student/athlete shooters competing. Club teams, like the Eagles, went head-to-head with varsity/scholarship teams.
The George-Anne
On Campus Resources You Probably Haven’t Heard Of
Hannah Hutcheson , Special Features editor
Georgia Southern provides an abundance of resources to its students, some of them are lesser known than others, so go ahead and learn about some! This collection of resources is super helpful to keep in mind for any college student.
Marietta Daily Journal
‘Punishment and blame do not teach’: KSU prof. extols ‘concious discipline’ at MCS event
Aleks Gilbert
There is a crisis in public schools, Douglas Bell told parents and teachers who had gathered at First United Methodist Church of Marietta Saturday morning. “Children are not doing their work or their homework — like, nationwide,” Bell, an associate professor of early childhood education at Kennesaw State University, said. “The teachers really don’t know what to do.” Parents and teachers can, however, change that, Bell said. In a two-hour presentation at First United Saturday, Bell told them how: through “conscious discipline.” …Bell acknowledged he was “teaching a lot of fluffy-feeling stuff.” But he argues that research has shown the conscious discipline approach to be no less effective than the old-school disciplinarian approach, and with better long-term outcomes.
The George-Anne
Housing complex construction plan approved for University Plaza
Briyanna Thompson, Managing Editor
A privately owned construction company has proposed a plan to build an apartment complex where the University Plaza shopping center is located. Statesboro City Council approved the zoning and variance change for Dallas-based company Rael Development Corporation (Raelcorp) to build the housing complex. The CEO of the corporation, Graeme Rael presented the idea about the project at a City Council meeting back in early February. …The proposed build includes a multi-family student housing complex that will hold up to 600 residents and the first multi-story parking garage to be built in Statesboro according to the Zoning Service Report. The size of the parking garage will depend on the potential for there to be a parking agreement with Georgia Southern.
accessWDUN
UNG Official: SAT/ACT changes will alleviate testing backlog
By Austin Eller Anchor/Reporter
An enrollment official with the University of North Georgia said the University System of Georgia’s decision to drop the need for new college students to submit an ACT or SAT score to enroll at most colleges in the state should alleviate a testing backlog. Brett Morris, vice president of enrollment management at UNG, said UNG is one of many schools across the state that will not require ACT or SAT scores from students applying for the fall semester. However, the change does not apply to all new or prospective students at UNG. Morris said those with a high school GPA lower than 3.0 will not be impacted by the change, and will still need to submit an ACT or SAT score.
Athens CEO
Toby Carr to Conclude Service as UGA’s Vice President for Government Relations
After seven years at the University of Georgia, Vice President for Government Relations Tobin (Toby) R. Carr will conclude his service on April 30 to join his wife to advance a government affairs and strategy firm she founded several years ago, embarking upon an entrepreneurial goal he’s had since entering the government sector. Carr was named as UGA’s vice president in 2019, after serving four years as associate vice president for government relations and director of state relations. …In making his announcement, Carr offered thanks to President Jere W. Morehead, his mentor since his time as a UGA Honors student, for the opportunity to serve in two critical government relations roles. “President Morehead’s vision, service and leadership have been transformational for UGA, and no one has had a more singular focus on making UGA the best university in the nation. He is an extraordinary president in no small part by always maintaining the heart of a teacher,” Carr said. “I also extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Governor Kemp, the Board of Regents, the University System of Georgia, the Georgia General Assembly and their staffs for their dedicated support of the University’s mission.”
The City Menus
Alum shares how UWG experiences led to CNN
By Julie Lineback
As an Emmy-nominated CNN correspondent, University of West Georgia alumnus Darryl Forges ’14 is one of the most trusted names in news. …Forges applied to several universities, eventually deciding on UWG. …While at UWG, Forges experienced what researchers coined the “Big Six,” which are factors that build student engagement and outcomes both while enrolled and after graduation. He participated in experiential learning opportunities that the School of Communication, Film, and Media (SCFM) is known for, which helped provide a solid foundation to build his career upon. Forges served as the news director for WUTV, the university’s student-run television station, where he also had a show called “The Conversation.”
The Hechinger Report
With tenure under attack, professors join forces with a powerful teachers’ union
University faculty at all levels are turning to unions for job protection
by Jon Marcus
…Now, not long after they were recognized for helping keep their colleges running during the pandemic, faculty are coming under new pressure to prove their value while dealing with attacks on job security, demands for greater productivity and criticism over what and how they teach. They’re also quietly squaring off to fight back. A planned affiliation of two labor unions promises to expand their bargaining positions by uniting full-time professors with part-time adjunct instructors, graduate assistants and others. In a significant move largely unnoticed outside of academia, the governing councils of the Association of American University Professors and the American Federation of Teachers this month agreed to a formal affiliation that would unite nearly 316,000 academic employees. …The University System of Georgia made a policy change in October under which tenured faculty considered underproductive and not sufficiently contributing to student success could be fired without the usual dismissal hearing before a committee of their colleagues. The new rule says it is meant to “ensure accountability and continued strong performance”; the AAUP counters that this has “effectively abolished tenure” in Georgia’s public colleges and universities. And Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick in February proposed ending tenure for new faculty and revoking it for existing faculty if they teach critical race theory.
The Red & Black
OPINION: Incoming USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue is not an ally for students
Carson Barrett | Contributor
On March 1, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents named former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as its chancellor. Perdue will begin his duties as the 14th chancellor on April 1, according to a press release from USG. Perdue will not improve the state of education as chancellor – he will only ruin it. Students understand the risk of having Perdue as chancellor and have vocalized their opposition. He has never been an ally for students and has shown no change in these attitudes. Perdue’s only experience in education has been defunding public education as governor. During his tenure from 2003 to 2011, his cuts to education totaled more than $1.5 billion.
Other News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Coronavirus deaths and cases in Georgia (updated March 25)
An updated count of coronavirus deaths and cases reported across the state
CONFIRMED CASES: 1,924,828
CONFIRMED DEATHS: 30,916 | 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:
Higher Ed Dive
Louisiana’s public colleges end remedial coursework
Jeremy Bauer-Wolf, Reporter
Dive Brief:
Louisiana’s public colleges will no longer ask students to take remedial English and mathematics courses for which they won’t earn credit following a state regent board policy change. Instead, students who need assistance in these areas will be directed into for-credit classes and receive more academic support, which the regents said will bolster retention and graduation rates. In early results from the 2020-21 academic year, first-year students enrolled in the new version of math classes passed more than half of the time, compared with only 11% who took the noncredit remedial course. …In making the change in Louisiana, the regent board cited similar successes in Georgia and Tennessee. Louisiana was one of seven states in 2020 to receive a $300,000 grant from the Education Commission of the States, a policy organization, to retool its remedial courses.