University System News
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
How did Georgia schools fare in U.S. News & World report rankings?
Staff Reports
U.S. News & World Report on Monday released its annual rankings of the nation’s top colleges and universities in various academic categories. Many colleges that traditionally rank high on the list did so again this year, including some in Georgia. The 2022-2023 rankings are watched closely by college presidents and administrators to use as a recruiting tool for top students and potential donors. Here are five things to know about how some Georgia schools fared in their rankings: Three Georgia schools ranked in the top 50 among national universities. Emory University was tied for 22nd, Georgia Tech tied for 44th and the University of Georgia was tied for 49th. Those three schools also ranked among the top 25 business programs. Princeton University, again, led the list as the nation’s top school… Two Georgia schools ranked among the top 10 most innovative national universities. Georgia State ranked second and Georgia Tech ranked eighth.
WTOC
Georgia Southern ROTC cadets honor 9/11 first responders
By Dal Cannady
ROTC students at Georgia Southern University gathered early this morning to remember the first responders who gave their lives trying to rescue others. For Georgia Southern ROTC students, this morning’s PT takes on a whole deeper meaning. Section by section, they ran the steps of Paulson Stadium just two days before September 11. “I think remembering those who came before us is very important. So I was very excited to get up,” said Pvt. Russell Hoffman, ROTC Cadet.
See also ABAC to hold 9/11 memorial service in The Tifton Gazette.
Savannah CEO
Williams-Johnson Selected as Governor’s Teaching Fellow
Staff Reports
Georgia Southern University Professor of Educational Research Meca Williams-Johnson, Ph.D., has been selected to serve as a member of the Governor’s Teaching Fellows (GTF) 2022-2023 cohort. “I am enthusiastic about the program opportunity,” said Williams-Johnson. “It will allow me time to ask more questions, dig deeper and measure progress in something I’ve been involved in for a long time at Georgia Southern.” Williams-Johnson is a 16-year professor in Georgia Southern’s College of Education (COE), and has served as a member of the University Honors Council and mentor to honors students for more than 14 years. “Since 2008, I’ve worked with the University’s Honors Program, and now Honors College, in facilitating research projects with our preservice teachers,” she noted. “I am happy to see it grow and develop with the inclusion of our undergraduate research courses for our special education undergraduate majors. It is with renewed hope and energy that we will continue to chart more ways to infuse research course work into the undergraduate student experiences in COE.”
accessWDUN
UNG’s Gainesville campus set to host Georgia Film Festival
By Caleb Hutchins
The 2022 Georgia Film Festival will be held on the Gainesville campus of the University of North Georgia this week. The event is in its sixth year and highlights films made in Georgia or produced by filmmakers based in the state. It will be on Friday and Saturday in the school’s Film and Digital Media building. Director of UNG’s School of Communication, Film and Theatre, Dr. Jeff Marker, said he’s excited about the event. “Our mission is to support indie film and emerging filmmakers of all backgrounds. We’re proud to be one of the few festivals in the state whose focus is highlighting homegrown talent, and we get to showcase our own students’ work in the process,” Marker said. “It’s a fun celebration of cinematic storytelling for the audience and a vehicle for filmmakers to represent their work.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia colleges to discontinue 215 low-enrollment degree programs
By Vanessa McCray
Georgia’s public universities will offer fewer degrees in majors such as French, classical culture and certain specialized teaching fields after the Board of Regents terminated 215 programs at 18 schools. The colleges will stop conferring degrees in those programs following the regents’ Thursday vote. Each of the programs had already been deactivated for more than two years because of lagging enrollment, and officials said any impacted students have received advice on how to pursue other degrees. Stuart Rayfield, vice chancellor for leadership and institutional development, told the regents that discontinuing the programs is a “cleanup effort.” Some of the degrees have gone through significant curriculum changes, have been renamed or a new program has been proposed to revamp the degree.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Board of Regents wants more state funding next year
By Vanessa McCray
The University System of Georgia is seeking nearly $25.5 million more in state funding for the next fiscal year to run the state’s 26 public colleges. The Board of Regents on Thursday approved an operating budget request of $3.14 billion in state funding for the 2024 fiscal year, up from about $3.12 billion for the current year. The request for more operating dollars is driven largely by rising health insurance costs for the system’s employees and retirees, system officials said. Other factors include the number of student credit hours and an increase in the square footage of campus buildings that the system maintains and operates.
Augusta CEO
Augusta University is Test Optional for 2023-24 Academic Year
By Kevin Faigle
Augusta University will once again waive the testing requirement for qualified first-year students for the 2023-24 academic year. In absence of test scores, Augusta University will require a 3.4 GPA on required high school curriculum to meet admissions eligibility and provide all other requested documentation. Students with the minimum high school GPA who have SAT and ACT scores are encouraged but not required to submit them. For students not meeting the minimum high school GPA, SAT or ACT test scores are required for admission. “Augusta University is thrilled to continue to offer test-optional admission for those first-year students who meet other academic qualifications. This decision allows us to continue our commitment to provide students access to the enveloping value of a life-changing, life-saving Augusta University education,” said Dr. Susan Davies, vice president for Enrollment and Student Affairs.
See also Opinion: Don’t toss those ACT/SAT prep books yet in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Athens Banner-Herald
With construction still underway, Athens film and TV studio buys more land for expansion
By Andrew Shearer
In anticipation of film and television industry demand for its 200,000 square feet of purpose-built production space, Athena Studios has announced the purchase of an additional 65 acres of land adjacent to the original 45-acre site currently under construction at 900 Athena Dr. The expansion will add 350,000 square feet to the already massive facility, which is scheduled to open its initial phase on Mar. 1, 2023 with the ability to host productions of any size. The increased acreage will allow for the construction of backlot space, and will make Athena one of the largest production studios in Georgia… Athena Studios CEO Joel Harber told the Banner-Herald that the University of Georgia and Georgia Film Academy (GFA) building, which will also house the studio’s business office entrance, will be opening in late fall 2022. Aimed at creating a local industry workforce through its partnership with UGA and GFA, the building includes a 14,000-square-foot learning center with its own sound stage. Harber said that the studio will have a secure gate located past the UGA and GFA building, and sound stages, mill, offices and base camp will be located inside the secure area
The Telegraph
‘A lighthouse in the storm.’ Middle Georgia Sate president reacts to Queen Elizabeth’s death
By Caleb Slinkard
Queen Elizabeth II’s death marks the end of an era, one that stretched from post-World War II to the Internet Age and COVID-19. Middle Georgia State University President Christopher Blake is originally from England and only recently returned from a trip to the U.K. He discussed the unique impact that Queen Elizabeth II had on Britain and the world with the Telegraph Thursday afternoon. “It is, on one hand, a sad day,” Blake said. “But also, in a strange way, a joyous one. She had the longest reign in British history… she was here for her Platinum Jubilee a few months ago, and she was even able to oversee the transfer of power between two prime ministers earlier this week.”
WTOC
By Hayley Boland
Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96 on Thursday. She’s the longest serving monarch in British history, serving 70 years on the throne. Dr. Carol Herringer has spent most of her professional career studying British history, which of course, includes the royal family. She says Queen Elizabeth’s death marks the end of an era, as this is the only queen most people alive have ever known. She says the Queen has served as a sense of stability for both the Royal Family, and people worldwide. She also adds that her dedication to her country and sense of duty were well-known qualities of the Queen. As Queen Elizabeth’s country is in a period of Royal Mourning, Dr. Herringer says her impact worldwide will remain, even overseas. “It really impacts a lot of people emotionally. I think I was surprised yesterday to find that I was sad, I didn’t think I would be. I think a lot of us feel that we’ve known her for a long time, for decades, and she was also a grandmother and great-grandmother. I think a lot of people connected with her that way,” said Dr. Carol Herringer, Georgia Southern History Department Chair.
WSAV
Georgia Southern hosts mental health and trauma symposium
By Angel Colquitt
On Saturday, the Armstrong campus of Georgia Southern welcomed guests from all over the Savannah area for the “Road to Resilience” symposium. This symposium discussed mental health and trauma informed education and included a panel from Cherie L. B. Trice on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs.) The panel delved into what ACEs are as well as what the community can do to intervene with the impact they can have on developing children.
“This conference is all about building a community with resilience,” Trice said. She believes that resilience can be taught to children to help them cope with ACEs.
The Savannah Morning News
Ancient bison bones dug up in Georgia unveil climate conditions from 50,000 years ago
By Marisa Mecke
Imagine standing at the edge of Tybee Island looking out into the expanse of the ocean, but instead of seemingly endless water there is another 60 miles of grasslands sprawling out ahead. Paleontologists from Georgia College and State University are uncovering what Georgia’s coastal environment looked like 58,000 years ago by studying the remains of ancient bison that once lived on these grasslands. Down in the Brunswick area, GSCU paleontology professor Al Mead and his team are unearthing all sorts of fossils, from little rodents to bison. The ancient bison are about 25% bigger than their modern descendants and they also have giant horns, extending up to 7 feet long.
WTVM
WTVM to host free regional job fair, open to public
By Jessie Gibson
WTVM News Leader 9 is hosting a regional job fair that is free and open to the public to help top area employers meet their urgent recruitment needs. The event is scheduled for September 14 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Columbus State University Cunningham Center – located at 3100 Gentian Boulevard in Columbus. Qualified applicants will meet with perspective employers spanning multiple professional and trade industries including retail, auto, manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, food service, education and more. Resumes are encouraged.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia football is part of political playbook this fall
By Greg Bluestein
One is a Georgia football icon and Heisman Trophy winner whose “34″ jersey is ubiquitous on fall gamedays in the Classic City. Another is a diehard Bulldog fan who grew up near the University of Georgia’s campus and whose campaigns for public office are steeped in red-and-black lore.
Gov. Brian Kemp and U.S. Senate hopeful Herschel Walker, the top two Republicans on the November ballot, are still not campaigning together. But the GOP candidates are both reading from the same playbook when it comes to Georgia football. Both are trying to channel the excitement and energy around the defending college football champions — and the No. 1 ranked team in the new Associated Press poll after Saturday’s win at home — into November votes with tough contests against gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams and U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock. Georgia’s season began Sept. 3 with omnipresent reminders from the two Republicans of their Georgia bona fides. Kemp issued a faux order calling for open season on Oregon Ducks, who were quickly vanquished by Georgia. (By the end of the 49-3 rout, he declared the Bulldogs had “bagged their limit.”)
Higher Education News
Inside Higher Ed
‘U.S. News’ Changes Policy on Testing
By Scott Jaschik
The U.S. News & World Report rankings for 2023 were released today, and the top colleges are not a surprise. As in past years, Inside Higher Ed doesn’t report on the results of the rankings because of widespread concerns about the validity of ordinally ranking colleges by a single number and a sense that rankings favor wealthier institutions. (For those who are interested in the rankings themselves, we invite you to visit the magazine’s listings.) But the rankings are, whatever one thinks of their accuracy, influential. So Inside Higher Ed views it as important to cover changes in the methodology, which we do in the story that follows, as well as incidents of colleges cheating on the rankings. On Friday, Columbia University became the highest-ranked university to admit that it is in that category.
Higher Ed Dive
By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf
Dive Brief: Advocacy is ramping up on a federal bill that would require colleges to include hazing incidents in federally mandated security reports made public each year. The Report and Educate About Campus Hazing Act, or REACH Act, would also require institutions to develop hazing prevention programs. A coalition of nearly 40 national campus security organizations recently reiterated support for the measure, which lawmakers introduced last year. The proposed legislation is bipartisan. New sponsors who signed on last month include Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, and Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat.
Higher Ed Dive
The accreditation system is seriously flawed. Here’s what needs to change.
By Christopher Cross and Nancy Doorey
Accreditation seems like one of those boring inside baseball terms. But in the higher education world, accreditation is the seal of approval indicating that programs or schools meet specific standards. It also is the key that unlocks access to tens of billions of federal student aid dollars. Unfortunately, the accreditation process is seriously flawed. At some accredited institutions, less than one-fourth of students earn a four-year degree within six years. Those institutions leave many students with crushing debt but little to no increase in earning potential.
Higher Ed Dive
Education Department plan to squash sham nonprofit conversions draws mixed response
By Natalie Schwartz
In July, the U.S. Department of Education proposed regulations meant to crack down on for-profit colleges converting to nonprofit schools in name only. So far, the department’s ideas have drawn mixed reactions from lawmakers, colleges and policy advocates. For-profit colleges are run like businesses to generate profit for owners or shareholders, while nonprofit colleges are supposed to reinvest their surplus revenues back into their missions. But some policy advocates say many for-profit colleges are converting into nonprofit institutions even though their operations are improperly benefiting insiders, such as their former owners. The Education Department’s regulatory proposals attempt to squash potentially problematic deals.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
Some Students Use Chegg to Cheat. The Site Has Stopped Helping Colleges Catch Them.
By Talor Swaak
Chegg is no longer providing student information to colleges conducting honor-code investigations through the platform. The company, along with competitors such as Course Hero and Bartleby, markets itself as a resource for college students seeking homework help and tutoring. These companies have cultivated reputations, though, as conduits for cheating, as some students misuse the platforms to seek answers to exam questions and other assignments. Faculty members say Chegg, which as of August reported 5.3 million subscribers, used to be an industry outlier in its willingness to share user-level data with institutions on a case-by-case basis — including IP addresses, user names and emails of those who had posted exam questions or even reviewed answers — as an accountability tool to deter cheating.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
By Marcela Rodrigues-Sherley
After the British royal family announced on Thursday that Queen Elizabeth II was sick, Uju Anya, an associate professor at Carnegie Mellon University, tweeted, “I heard the chief monarch of a thieving raping genocidal empire is finally dying. May her pain be excruciating.” Anya then went to teach a three-hour graduate seminar, not anticipating what would happen next. Amazon’s CEO, Jeff Bezos, saw her tweet and responded with a judgment that unleashed a firestorm of criticism against the Nigerian-born academic. Amazon has donated $2 million to Carnegie Mellon in recent years, and its chief financial officer, Brian Olsavsky, is an alum of the university. After the tweet on Thursday by the world’s second-wealthiest human, Anya’s went viral for a short time before Twitter deleted it. The social-media network classified her comments as “inciting violence” and “targeted harassment,” and locked her out of her account.
Inside Higher Ed
Who’ll Pay for Public Access to Federally Funded Research?
By Susan D’Agostino
The status quo for the last decade in publishing the results of federally funded research—sequestering it behind a paywall for up to one year—was from the beginning a compromise that fully satisfied no one. It created modest changes in publishers’ business models but also prevented scientists and citizens from accessing the most recent developments advancing environmental justice, cancer research, clean energy technologies and more. The U.S. government acknowledged as much in August when it announced a new policy for free, immediate public access to federally funded studies, scheduled to take effect by 2026. Open-access advocates celebrated the news, while others, including the Association of American Publishers, expressed concern about the economic impact on members. But details concerning how much the new policy would cost and who would pay were left for another day.
Inside Higher Ed
By Colleen Flaherty
It’s 2018, before COVID-19 both exacerbated faculty burnout and forced widespread—and necessary—conversations about it. Rebecca Pope-Ruark, who literally wrote a book on faculty productivity, can’t concentrate on anything and she doesn’t know why. She’s also tired and worn-out, but she attributes that to a difficult year as a professor and a recent health scare (which thankfully turned out to be just that). She obliges her worried husband by going to a therapist, whom she asks, repeatedly, for attention deficit disorder medication. Pope-Ruark has never been diagnosed with such a disorder before, but late-onset ADD is her only possible explanation for what she’s experiencing. Her therapist has a different diagnosis: burnout, a severe case of it. Pope-Ruark, then an associate professor of English at Elon University, is startled and more than a little ashamed. What does she have to complain about? After all, she has her dream job. But after sitting with the burnout diagnosis for a time, it makes sense: always an enthusiastic teacher, she now finds students emotionally exhausting; usually an enthusiastic colleague, she now avoids fellow faculty members and meetings whenever possible; a writer by trade and choice, she hasn’t written anything for months. She’s sick all the time. Going to campus evokes dread.
Inside Higher Ed
By Timothy V. Kaufman-Osborn
Setting their sights on tenure in Texas, critical race theory in Oklahoma, transgender athletes in Idaho and academic freedom in Florida, radical Republican legislatures have effectively announced that higher education is now one of their preferred targets. As public colleges and universities are drawn into the nation’s culture wars, we may well wonder what can stop legislatures, in league with like-minded governors, from rendering higher education a mere handmaiden of their right-wing agendas. However improbable, one possible answer can be found in that prototypical red state, Montana, where its Supreme Court recently voided a statute that would have permitted students, staff and faculty to carry guns, open as well as concealed, on campus. That victory comes at considerable cost, though, for it bolsters the autonomy of a governing board whose rule over the academy is itself inherently antidemocratic.