The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
State lawmakers pass college student aid, campus speech zone bills
By Eric Stirgus
Georgia is one of just two states that lacks broad need-based financial aid, they say
Georgia lawmakers passed two bills on the last day of the legislative session that could have longstanding impact for students in the state’s colleges and universities. HB 1435 would provide financial aid up to $2,500 to undergraduate college students in Georgia close to completing their degrees but who can’t pay their tuition. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Martin, R-Alpharetta, is the latest attempt by Georgia lawmakers to provide a more robust need-based aid program. Georgia is one of just two states that lacks broad need-based financial aid, lawmakers say.
Albany Herald
General Assembly says ‘no’ to limiting free speech on college campuses
By Dave Williams Bureau Chief Capitol Beat News Service
The Georgia Senate gave final passage Monday to legislation aimed at eliminating “free speech zones” on the campuses of public colleges and universities by granting free-speech rights at all locations. The Republican-controlled Senate passed House Bill 1 33-18 mostly along party lines. The House approved the bill, introduced on behalf of Gov. Brian Kemp, early last month. The bill prohibits college officials from limiting what students may say as well as where they may say it, said Sen. Bruce Thompson, R-White, who carried the legislation in the Senate. He cited a series of lawsuits that have been brought against public universities in Georgia by student organizations whose events were relegated to out-of-the-way free-speech zones. …The bill now goes to Kemp’s desk for his signature.
accesssWDUN
Frantic finish to the 2022 legislative session
By Jonathan O’Brien Anchor/Reporter
Georgia lawmakers worked past the traditional midnight deadline on the final day of the 2022 legislative session and, in the process, rammed through several significant measures. “This House is adjourned Sine Die!” are the words the antsy chamber was ready to hear from House Speaker David Ralston. When it finally came at about 12:15 a.m., it marked the quick finish to a day that took a while to get started. Legislators successfully ushered through two priorities Gov. Kemp wanted to see passed: limiting “divisive concepts” in Georgia schools and addressing transgender athletes in girls’ sports. At the last minute, House lawmakers amended HB 1084, the so-called CRT bill, to include the creation of a committee to look into whether transgender students should play in high school sports that match their gender identity.
WGAU Radio
UNG president disburses Incentive Awards to faculty and staff
“This year’s recipients represent outstanding scholarship and innovative projects that were selected from an impressive pool of proposals”
By Denise Ray, UNG
University of North Georgia President Bonita Jacobs disbursed more than $117,000 among 15 Presidential Incentive Awards to provide institutional support for faculty and staff to pursue new and innovative ideas in the 2022-23 academic year. “This year’s recipients represent outstanding scholarship and innovative projects that were selected from an impressive pool of proposals,” Jacobs said. “This program enriches the student experience at UNG by encouraging scholarly and creative work that supports faculty and staff excellence.” In 2013, Jacobs initiated a program to incentivize faculty and staff scholarship in its many forms, ranging from research to creative innovations. Since then more than $2.3 million has been invested in research and scholarly work.
The Griffin Daily News
GSC hosts 3rd Annual State of the College address
By Karolina Philmon Gsc Marketing Manager
On March 31, Gordon State College President Dr. Kirk A. Nooks delivered the institution’s Third Annual State of the College address at the Barnesville campus Student Activity and Recreation Center. The event included a welcome from college Student Government Association President Kierra Cooper-Williams, a recognition of guest grandees by college Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. C. Jeffery Knighton and an introduction from Advancement, External Relations and Marketing Vice President Montrese Adger Fuller next to GSC scholarship recipient Otiona Willis. Presidential Fellow and biology major from Spalding County, Aastha Jaiswal introduced Nooks before he took the floor for his address.
WRGA News
GHC agreement provides a path to a master’s degree in five years
Georgia Highlands College (GHC) and Piedmont University have partnered to establish a pathway for students to earn an associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s in just five years between the two colleges. The partnership bridges three degree programs with a focus on communication sciences and disorders. The articulation agreement establishes a plan where a student at GHC who completes an Associate of Science in Middle Grades Education (STEM) may transfer to Piedmont University to complete a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and move into the graduate program in speech-language pathology.
AllOnGeorgia
Ogeechee Technical College & Middle Georgia State University Sign Agreement to Benefit IT Students
Ogeechee Technical College (OTC) and Middle Georgia State University (MGA) recently signed an agreement to create seamless transitions for students pursuing a career in Information Technology. The agreement is designed to facilitate the transfer of credits earned in the Cybersecurity Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree at OTC to the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at MGA.
13WMAZ
‘There has been a lot of turnover’: Demand for airline workers is up
Airlines, including Delta, have started programs to help more young people and adults become pilots.
Author: TJ Anthony
With the military training fewer pilots and as recruiting is expected to become more challenging in the future, the demand for pilots is going up. Middle Georgia State University is one of 38 schools nationwide chosen to partner with Delta to keep those planes flying high in the sky.
Atlanta Business Chronicle
By Laura Newpoff – Contributor
…MIS professionals help organizations make sense of that data so they can use it to make sound business decisions. Jobs in this field are expected to grow 11% from 2020 to 2030, which is faster than average. Reports also show that Atlanta is the second-most active market in the U.S. for tech hiring. To help meet this growing demand, the University of West Georgia’s Richards College of Business has been focused on the growth of its B.B.A. in management information systems. It prepares students for careers such as business systems analyst, database administrator, network administrator, or cybersecurity analyst. Additionally, students can focus their studies in one of UWG’s two concentrations: Enterprise Systems and Data Analytics or IoT, Networking and Cyber Security. The university also encourages students to pursue professional certifications such as Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and CyberOps or the SAP and UiPath certification.
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
Universities Tackle Cybersecurity Workforce Shortage
Rebecca Kelliher
Pexels Pixabay 60504The war in Ukraine has heightened fears of Russian cybersecurity attacks on U.S. institutions, from companies to federal agencies to universities. But for years, there has been a stark national shortage of cybersecurity professionals. To fill this gap, several universities have been working to expand cybersecurity degree and certification programs. Yet some experts say more is needed with demand as high. “The size of the workforce gap is so big that it’s almost hard to imagine,” said Dr. Richard DeMillo, interim chair of the Georgia Institute of Technology’s School of Cybersecurity and Privacy (SCP) and professor of computing. “There are more open positions in cybersecurity around the world than there are cybersecurity professionals. We have to figure out ways of rapidly getting more trained people in the workforce.” …DeMillo noted this shortage has been building for roughly a decade. As information technology has progressed over the past generation, bad actors—be they nation states or organized crime syndicates or retail criminals—have also found more tools to conduct cyberattacks. Much of the world’s economy and society has simultaneously moved onto computers and social media networks.
The George-Anne
COVID Coin: How Armstrong Students Spent Their Relief Money
Gabrielle Chloe Reilly, Staff Writer
Sometime in the past school year, you may have received a Georgia Southern University issued check or two for an undisclosed amount. These checks were given out as a result of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) passed by Congress in March 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since these checks are disbursed after the start of the semester, most of these funds are set aside for future school related funds or personal expenses. A survey conducted on the Armstrong campus this week showed that less than half of the Armstrong student body received both HEERF checks while 33% of students received only one. Of the 66% of students that received one or both HEERF checks, 75% of those students replied that a majority of their checks went to a personal savings account while the other 25% reported that a majority of their checks went to school expenses such as tuition or books and supplies.
yahoo!news
ABAC inducts long-awaited Athletics HOF Class of 2020
Becky Taylor, The Tifton Gazette, Ga.
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College held its Athletics Hall of Fame induction for the Class of 2020 April 1, an event that could have easily doubled as a gigantic reunion. Julie Conner, head coach of the 2002 Fillies basketball team that was inducted, noted that in her speech. …The Fillies, who won the state championship in 2002, were the only team inducted in the long-delayed 2020 group. Others honored were Margaret Treadway, Nikita Morris, Clayt Hurst, Lee Davis Watson, Vic Vickers, German Dalmagro, Jimmy Spurlin and Mike Chason.
Donalsonville News
Georgia Highlands’ Brandan Harrell named WBCA Two-Year College National Coach of the Year
Georgia Highlands College head coach Brandan Harrell has been named the 2022 WBCA Two-Year College National Coach of the Year. Harrell will receive the Pat Summitt Trophy, named for the late legendary University of Tennessee coach and awarded annually to the national coaches of the year in each of the WBCA’s six membership divisions. “The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) is proud to announce Brandan Harrell as the 2022 recipient of the Pat Summitt Trophy presented to the WBCA Two-Year College National Coach of the Year,” said WBCA Executive Director Danielle M. Donehew. “Brandan was chosen for this honor after leading his team to an exceptional season. The WBCA recognizes and applauds his leadership example that can be seen in his student-athletes, institution and community.” The WBCA Two-Year College National Coach of the Year is selected by a committee of coaches.
WJCL
Three Bulloch County teams to play in 11th annual Erk Russell Classic
Portal, SEB and Statesboro plus Twiggs County to take part in season-opening games
Frank Sulkowski, Anchor/Reporter
Bulloch County is going to be well represented at the 11th annual Erk Russell Classic. Statesboro High, Southeast Bulloch and Portal will all play in season-opening football games at Allen E. Paulson Stadium at Georgia Southern. …The Erk Russell Classic was started by the Eagle Football Alumni Association (EFAA) in 2012 to honor the late Erk Russell. Following the passing of the legendary coach, the EFAA started a football scholarship through the Georgia Southern University Athletic Foundation. The scholarship is called the Erk Russell Football Endowment. The Endowment funds scholarships for Georgia Southern football players. Proceeds from the Erk Russell Classic are donated to the Erk Russell Scholarship.
Athens Banner-Herald
What Georgia basketball is paying new assistants and how it compares to previous staff
Marc Weiszer
Georgia basketball is paying new coach Mike White’s first two assistant coaches in the same ballpark as what former Bulldog coach Tom Crean’s assistants made. White brought Erik Pastrana and Akeem Miskdeen with him from his Florida staff. Pastrana will make $345,000 in total compensation annually and Miskdeen will be paid $275,000, according to information obtained in an open records request. Details on contract lengths are not yet available. …Georgia paid assistant Steve McClain $350,000 a year in his final season, Wade Mason $260,000 and John Linehan $240,000 under Crean.
Savannah Morning News
Savannah State starts spring football practice under watch of interim coach DeMasi
Nathan Dominitz
Monday was the first day of spring football practice at Savannah State, including Russell DeMasi getting his coach’s voice in shape. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to talk for a few days after this. But that’s part of it,” said DeMasi, the interim head coach since December. “I wanted to make sure I was loud and make sure they understood what we expected of them so they can see that’s the standard, and the standard’s not going to change any day.” There could be a change, or not, any day for the Tigers football program, as DeMasi is one of four finalists for the permanent title. He was given the interim tag on Dec. 7 when head coach Shawn Quinn resigned following an 8-2 season (5-1 in the SIAC) to become a defensive assistant coach at Virginia Tech of the Power 5 Atlantic Coast Conference.
41WMGT
MGA professor provides tips on how to speak to your child about Ukraine events
It may be difficult for children to understand what’s happening in Ukraine.
By Lizbeth Gutierrez
It may be difficult for children to understand what’s happening in Ukraine. That’s why Kelisa Underwood, a Social Work Professor at Middle Georgia State University, is providing tips on how to have that conversation. She says it may be scary at first, but if you have a small child, you need to speak with them in terms they understand. Try to find items that can help paint the picture, like toys. …If you have older children, it’s better for you to speak with your child before they get information online.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia professor pulled from classes after calling police on students
By Eric Stirgus
Georgia State educator will no longer teach in-person classes this semester
A Georgia State University professor has been removed from teaching classes on campus after she called school police last week on two students who arrived late to class, officials said Monday. Carissa Gray, an associate English professor, will not teach any of her classes in-person this semester on Georgia State’s Newton County campus, the university’s communications director, Andrea Jones, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Monday. Gray will teach one class virtually. “She was removed from teaching the in-person classes so students could finish the semester with minimal disruption,” Jones said.
Athens Banner-Herald
Jury convicts Athens man of assaulting UGA student in her apartment in 2019
Wayne Ford
A Clarke County Superior Court jury convicted a man Friday on charges he assaulted a University of Georgia student during a burglary of her apartment. The verdict was handed down against Jose Antonio Ramirez, 26, who was convicted of simple battery, battery, theft, false imprisonment and burglary. The jury did not convict on three other felony charges, including aggravated assault and robbery by force. Ramirez, represented by Legal Aid attorney Will McIntosh, will be sentenced at a later date by Judge Lawton Stephens. The trial was the second for Ramirez in less than a year. In July 2021, a mistrial was called after the jury deadlocked at 10-2 to acquit him on the charges.
Other News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Coronavirus deaths and cases in Georgia (updated April 4)
An updated count of coronavirus deaths and cases reported across the state
CONFIRMED CASES: 1,939,891 | Note: The DPH reports that starting on March 30 and into the next several days, it expects to clear a backlog of cases from a laboratory that were not previously recorded. DPH noted that the majority of these cases were from December 2021 and January 2022, and do not represent a spike of new cases in late March.
CONFIRMED DEATHS: 31,191 | 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:
Inside Higher Ed
Florida’s faculty union is urging students, faculty and staff members to ignore a state-mandated survey on the climate for college viewpoint diversity.
By Colleen Flaherty
Florida deployed a controversial survey on campus ideological diversity to public college and university students, faculty and staff members this week, after a federal judge refused to grant an emergency injunction against it. Faculty groups, in particular, have criticized the survey as a political litmus test since it was first proposed in broader, Republican-backed “intellectual freedom” legislation, in 2019. Florida’s statewide faculty union continued to oppose the survey even after it became part of the law last year, ultimately seeking an injunction on the grounds that it violated respondents’ First Amendment rights, and that survey data could be used to target certain academic programs for funding cuts. This latter argument is bolstered by Florida Republican governor Ron DeSantis’s public comments about the bill, specifically about how institutions that are “indoctrinating” students aren’t worth tax dollars.