USG e-clips for November 8, 2022

University System News:

Athens CEO

UGA Provides Tools for Rural Community Engagement and Economic Success

Margaret Blanchard

In rural areas of Georgia, like Grady County, losing young adults to schools and jobs in other cities and states can break the succession of community leaders, which are vital to future success. As an initial PROPEL (Planning Rural Opportunities for Prosperity and Economic Leadership) community, Grady County surveyed students at Cairo High School to find out what young people would like to see in their hometown, how much they knew about job opportunities in the area, and if they planned on staying close to home after graduation. The results were helpful to Whitney Brannen, the school’s work-based learning coordinator, and will shape how she approaches her job. Brannen is a former team member of the UGA Archway Partnership in Grady.

Savannah Business Journal

Georgia Southern named an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University

Savannah Business Journal Staff Report

In recognition of its strong commitment to economic engagement, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) has designated Georgia Southern University as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity (IEP) University. The national designation acknowledges public research universities working with public and private sector partners in their states and regions to support economic development through a variety of activities, including innovation and entrepreneurship, technology transfer, talent and workforce development, and community development.

Savannah Business Journal

Savannah State University to Celebrate Annual Founders’ Day

Savannah Business Journal Staff Report

Savannah State University (SSU) will celebrate its 132nd Founders’ Day on Thursday, Nov. 10, with alumnus Alfred D. McGuire, Jr., Class of ‘03, as speaker. An awards ceremony and observance of the university’s history, the annual event recognizes outstanding alumni and/or community members and those who have contributed to its success. Free and open to the public, the event will take place in the Student Union Ballrooms, 3219 College St., at 9:30 a.m. … A native of Lithonia, Ga., McGuire is the principal of Woodville Tompkins High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Savannah State University and a master’s degree in middle grades education from Armstrong University (Georgia Southern University).

Six Mile Post

Georgia Highlands crime-free streak continues

Chris Daniel, Staff Writer

The recently released Georgia Highlands crime report for 2022 documented no major incidents. This is the third consecutive year that the report has been crime-free, making GHC one of the safest institutions in the state. Crime and safety is a major concern for both students and faculty as they move about campus. The GHC record of low crime is an asset to everyone who arrives on campus daily to conduct the business of higher education. Alex Stokes, a student at GHC, has taken note of the lack of crime. “This campus is a lot safer than most campuses I’ve been on,” she said. Each site has its own office and certified officers patrol the campuses in both marked cars and on foot. They respond to and follow up on all reported incidents of crime along with local law enforcement. “We have a great working relationship with local law enforcement and the visible presence of our outside security contractor, Dynamic Security, helps keep our campuses quiet and safe,” GHC Chief of Police, David Horace, said.

The George-Anne

President Marrero talks Enrollment, Armstrong Task Force and more

Jabari Gibbs and Vanessa Countryman

President Marrero talks Enrollment, Armstrong Task Force and more

The George-Anne Inkwell, in partnership with the George-Anne, interviewed Georgia Southern’s President, Dr. Kyle Marrero, on Friday, Nov. 4, covering a variety of topics about the university, its campuses, and more.

Enrollment

Can you explain the decline in enrollment?

You got to look at a three-to-four-year window as we come through all this since I started in 2019. There were 26,054 students. At that point, and with all that data, you can see some of my set of universities; you’ll see those comparative slides that show that if you want to see all that broken out, we grew through the pandemic.

WGAU Radio

UNG breaks ground on campus expansion

By Tim Bryant

Thursday was a groundbreaking day for the University of North Georgia, with UNG marking the ceremonial start of work on what will be a 27,300 square foot expansion to the University campus in Cumming. The work comes with a price tag of more than $12 million. It is expected to be completed by the fall of 2024.

From Clark Leonard, UNG…

The University of North Georgia broke ground Nov. 3 on a 27,300-square-foot addition to its Cumming Campus. Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, state Sen. Steve Gooch, and Cumming Mayor Troy Brumbalow joined UNG President Bonita Jacobs and other state, Forsyth County, and university leaders for the ceremony.

Columbus CEO

CSU Alum Scott Introduces “Kimtober” to Support Teacher Education

Staff Report

A devoted Muscogee County School District educator and dedicated two-time Columbus State University alumna, Dr. Kimberly M. Scott has been celebrating her October birthday with a month-long fundraising challenge to CSU alumni and friends. “Kimtober,” as she has coined it, is raising support for the Dr. Kimberly M. Scott Teacher Education Scholarship Endowment to help support aspiring educators and servant leaders. “Dr. Scott takes pride in being a CSU alumna because the university helped her to become the servant leader she is today by presenting her with many opportunities to serve in leadership roles,” said Katie Evans, executive director of CSU’s Alumni Association.

Athens CEO

UGA Wins National Outreach Award for Program Boosting Rural Economic Development

Kelly Simmons

The University of Georgia won the national Association of Public and Land-grant Universities highest award for public service for the Archway Partnership, an outreach program through which select rural communities have access to the resources and expertise of the university. The C. Peter Magrath Award for Community Engagement, which provides national recognition for the outstanding community university engagement work of public universities, was announced Nov. 6, 2022 at the association’s annual meeting in Denver. “Archway has put the University of Georgia at the forefront of innovative community university collaborations, resulting in important scholarship, positive sustainable relationships and significant impact,” UGA President Jere Morehead said.

The City Menus

West Georgia Technical College’s Post among ‘Georgia Trend’s list of ‘Georgia 500 – Georgia’s Most Influential Leaders’

West Georgia Technical College President Dr. Julie Post has been named to Georgia Trend magazine’s “500 Most Influential Leaders” list for the first time since her presidency in 2021. While the publication has produced an annual listing each year, this year marks the inaugural Georgia 500, a comprehensive list of leaders in various industries from across the state. …Post appears on the list alongside other influential leaders in Carroll county including Dr. Brendan Kelly, President of the University of West Georgia, …Post graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Education from Northern Kentucky University, a Master of Arts in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College, and a Doctor of Education from the University of Georgia.

WJCL

Georgia Southern University showing support for military

Yellow ribbons are tied around trees on all three campuses

Dave Williams , Reporter

Georgia Southern University is showing its support for the military. Monday morning, members of the Georgia Southern Armstrong ROTC tied yellow ribbons around the trees on campus. The ribbons will also be on display at the Statesboro and Hinesville campuses. It’s all a way of showing support ahead of Veterans Day on Friday.

WSB TV

Georgia to hold Vince Dooley celebration of life service open to public

By WSBTV.com News Staff

The University of Georgia lost the heart of the Bulldog Nation when former football coach and athletic director Vince Dooley died in October. On Monday, the athletic department announced a public memorial service for Dooley for fans to pay their respects. UGA will hold a celebration of life service for Dooley on Friday, Nov. 25 at 7:30 p.m. inside Stegeman Coliseum.

Barnesville Dispatch

Gordon’s J. Ardovini, Ph.D. Joins 2022 Academy For New Provosts

Dr. J. Ardovini, Gordon State College provost and vice president of academic and student affairs has been named to the American Association of State Colleges and Universities 2022 Academy for New Provosts, a leadership development program geared toward the distinctive needs of provosts who lead state colleges and universities.

Douglas Now

DOUGLAS NATIVE AMONG 11 ABAC STUDENTS SELECTED FOR STUDENT ALUMNI COUNCIL

Eleven students at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College have been selected to serve on the Student Alumni Council (SAC). …”The Student Alumni Council is a strategic part of the Alumni Association and is the liaison between ABAC alumni and the student body,” Fisher said. SAC members participate in projects that serve alumni, students, faculty, and staff throughout the year. They assist in planning Homecoming and other alumni events such as Run for the Nurses and Evening for ABAC.

Savannah Morning News

Savannah is filled with important Black history that is hidden from plain sight

Maxine L. Bryant She is an assistant professor, Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology; director, Center for Africana Studies, and director, Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Center at Georgia Southern University, Armstrong Campus.

In 2015, I traveled to Accra, Ghana, and visited the slave castle at Cape Coast. Interestingly, the area where captured Africans were held looked much like the area where I’d seen cars parked on Factors Walk in Savannah. Upon my return to Savannah, I asked Prof. Amir Jamal Touré, J.D., about the similarities. He confirmed that the structures in Savannah may also have held captured Africans; but that there was no historical documentation to support the claim and there were many who would want to refute that premise. A few months ago, I traveled to Birmingham, Ala., to attend a conference on Africana Studies. The hotel where I stayed was near the river front and was down the street from structures that looked like the ones I’d seen in Cape Coast and Savannah. The Keynote Speaker of the conference, Bryan Stevenson, told us that those structures warehoused captured Africans.

Grice Connect

GS Departments present “Little Eaglet” update to Kiwanis Club

by DeWayne Grice

The Kiwanis Club of Statesboro partnered with Bulloch County Schools and Georgia Southern University in August to start the “Little Eaglet” program. Through the program, all students attending public schools in grades 1 through 5 will visit a different Georgia Southern outreach center once a year. The new program is designed to provide a hands-on, cohesive, integrated educational program for local schoolchildren that will fulfill their learning needs while also providing them with positive exposure to a higher education environment. The departments at Georgia Southern selected to participate in the program each developed grade specific, standards-based, fun and educational opportunities for this program. The program allows one classroom at a time to make the visit. This makes it a much better experience for the students and the departments leading the classes.

Live Science

Why am I always tired if I get enough sleep?

By Robert Roy Britt published 3 days ago

Are you always tired? You may sleep eight hours every night, but your sleep may not be efficient. Here’s how to get better sleep, every night.

Like most people, you will likely spend a third of your life in bed, and if all goes well, you’ll sleep through most of it. But unless you participate in a sleep study, you’ll have no clue what goes on while you’re checked out, and you might not know how to gauge the quality of your slumber. You may not even have an accurate idea of how long you actually sleep, especially if you don’t sleep well. “People who describe themselves as “good sleepers’ are better at estimating how much they have slept, compared to persons who classify themselves as “poor sleepers,'” said Dr. William “Vaughn” McCall(opens in new tab), who leads the Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior at Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia. So how do you know if you’re sleeping well? The best measure of sleep quality — a combination of duration and efficiency — is how you feel the next day, McCall told Live Science

Bryan County News

First Hyundai Metaplant supplier will build plant in Bulloch

Facility to create 630 jobs on $317M investment

From staff reports

An automotive parts company will create 630 new jobs and invest $317 million in building a new manufacturing plant in Bulloch County. Plans for the facility mark the first confirmed supplier for Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Bryan County. Governor Brian Kemp made the announcement Monday afternoon about Joon Georgia’s plans. …“The Development Authority of Bulloch County is honored and proud to welcome Joon Georgia to the Statesboro-Bulloch County community and our region,” said Billy Allen, chair of the Development Authority. “We believe that our great site in the Bruce Yawn Commerce Park and the proximity to the new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America will serve the company well, and we know that our great education resources, including Georgia Southern University and Ogeechee Technical College, will provide critical workforce support to help Joon Georgia succeed.”

Fox28 Savannah

Economics professor weighs in on gas supply after Gov. Kemp extends gas tax suspension

by Isabel Litterst

Michael Toma, an economics professor at Georgia Southern University, said the unstable gas market and supply chain disruptions are nothing new, but the continuation is indicative of a larger problem – the likelihood of a global recession.

WABE

Georgia Tech hip-hop professor reflects on legacy of late Migos rapper Takeoff

​​In the early hours of Tuesday morning, hip-hop fans woke up to devastating news that rapper Kirshnik Khari Ball, best known as Takeoff and for his work with Migos, had been fatally shot after an altercation at a Houston bowling alley. On this edition of “Closer Look,” Jocelyn Wilson, an assistant professor of hip-hop studies and digital humanities in the Black Media Studies cohort at Georgia Tech, discussed the legacy that the beloved artist left behind.

Higher Education News:

Inside Higher Ed

Justice Barrett, Again, Rejects Attempt to Block Debt Relief

By Scott Jaschik

Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett on Friday rejected, for the second time, an emergency request to block President Biden’s student debt relief, Politico reported. The request was from two borrowers in Indiana who said they would be worse off because Indiana will tax the debt relief. Barrett’s ruling was without comment. Barrett rejected a similar suit last month from Wisconsin taxpayers.

Inside Higher Ed

Pell Grant Rules Out but More Guidance Needed

More than half a million people could benefit from the reinstatement of the Pell Grant for incarcerated students in July, and efforts are underway to start college-in-prison programs for this group.

By Katherine Knott

Starting July 1, incarcerated students will have access to Pell Grants, but whether there will be approved programs ready for those students beyond the 200 already operating as part of a federal pilot program is uncertain. Before new programs can start, a college or university will need staff on board and to train those employees, along with funding beyond the Pell Grants, which typically don’t cover the total cost. Then, an institution will have to get approval from its accreditor, a corrections agency, and the U.S. Department of Education. The Education Department reached a key milestone late last month when it released final regulations that set standards postsecondary prison education programs will have to meet in order to access Pell Grant funds. The department, higher education institutions and other agencies involved will now have to determine how to implement the regulations and the process to approve programs. Those entities are awaiting guidance, including an application template and how-tos from the department.

Higher Ed Dive

2U reports flat revenue a year after edX acquisition

Natalie Schwartz, Editor

Dive Brief:

2U’s revenue was flat in 2022’s third quarter, but officials remained optimistic that the acquisition of edX late last year would attract learners to the company’s online degree and alternative credential offerings. Revenue dipped to $232.2 million, down 0.1% from the same period last year. Meanwhile, costs and expenses grew almost 22% to $336.5 million, largely due an accounting adjustment to reflect reduced asset value. Net loss more than doubled to $121.7 million. So far this year, 2U has spent $29.2 million on restructuring costs, including across-the-board layoffs. Officials said they’ve reduced personnel expenses by 20% since the reductions announced last quarter.

Inside Higher Ed

Endowment Returns Fall

Fiscal year 2021 brought booming returns to higher education endowments. But for many institutions, things look a lot less rosy this year.

By Josh Moody

After booming returns from a red-hot market last year, endowments across higher education have taken a hit this year, with declines seen across the sector. As many colleges begin to make their endowment results available, the numbers coming out show a tale of two years—one up, the other down—which experts attribute to market volatility. Higher education endowments had a median return of 30.1 percent in fiscal year 2021. But analysis from this year shows declines; Wilshire Trust Universe Comparison Service reported earlier this year that college endowments fell by a median of 10.2 percent in fiscal year 2022, which closed on June 30, according to data provided to Inside Higher Ed. A more recent estimate from Cambridge Associates puts those losses at 7.8 percent.

Inside Higher Ed

Report Finds Flaws in MSU Title IX Certification Process

Josh Moody

Just days after Dr. Samuel Stanley Jr. formally stepped down as president of Michigan State University, the Board of Trustees has released a report finding flaws in the university’s state-mandated Title IX certification process. Dr. Stanley and the board previously traded accusations on who was at fault over alleged missteps on Title IX certification, which requires board members and the university president to review and sign off on Title IX reports, in accordance with state law. Dr. Stanley faced pressure to resign over allegations that he had filed “a false and misleading Title IX compliance certificate for 2021.” The 28-page report commissioned by trustees and released Friday found that Dr. Stanley had “relied upon incorrect information provided by the Title IX Office” in the 2021 certification process.

Inside Higher Ed

Pushing Their Peers to the Polls

College students turned out in force for the 2018 and 2020 elections. Some have been working hard this cycle to make sure that trend continues.

By Liam Knox

On the eve of today’s midterm elections, a crack team of political organizers assembled in a “war room” at the Washington Marriott in Georgetown in D.C. from which they spoke to the press, monitored election disinformation and suppression, and helped thousands of on-the-ground volunteers coordinate get-out-the-vote efforts. They weren’t Democratic or Republican Party strategists. They were college students from all over the country, members of a student-led organization called Voters of Tomorrow, whose goal is to promote voter turnout among college-age youth. Some were so young they had never cast a ballot before; they planned to do so today, amid another full schedule of mobilizing student voters. Jack Lobel, the organization’s 18-year-old deputy communications director, said he believes that as a voting bloc, college students are more important than ever and are poised to be a major factor in the outcome of today’s elections.