AP News
College leaders warn falling enrollment could sap budgets
By Jeff Amy
Leaders of Georgia’s public universities and technical colleges warned lawmakers Wednesday that their schools could be weakened by budget decreases based on declining enrollment. State lawmakers use funding formulas — with enrollment as the most important input — to determine how much money to spend each year on the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia. But the technical colleges saw steep enrollment declines during the pandemic, and public universities are also seeing the number of students fall, particularly as a fall in the number of children leads to a decline in students graduating high school. Declining state funding could lead to a combination of tuition increases, employee cuts and program closures. University System Chancellor Sonny Perdue appealed to lawmakers during budget hearings to increase how much the state pays toward faculty salaries and building upkeep, saying those amounts have fallen far behind the rate of inflation over the past two decades.
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
University System of Georgia names presidents for 2 colleges
By Vanessa McCray
Two Georgia colleges are about to get new presidents. The University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents on Wednesday selected Georj Lewis as the next president of Clayton State University and Ingrid Thompson-Sellers as president of Atlanta Metropolitan State College. …The two leaders will begin their new roles Feb. 1.
yahoo!sports
State proposes $105 million to update Medical College of Georgia’s electronic records
Abraham Kenmore, Augusta Chronicle
The state budget put forward by Gov. Brian Kemp for Georgia has proposed a significant item for the Medical College of Georgia — $105 million for a new electronic medical record system.
The budget line describes the new records system as a way to support medical education and training at MCG. In testimony before the joint appropriations committee, University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue outlined the need for the new system, which he described as USG’s “main ask” for the year.
“We do medical education extremely well. We don’t operate hospitals very well,” Perdue said. “So we are looking for a partnership where our physicians in Georgia can experience a modern hospital environment that would help all across the state.”
Cobb County Courier
Permanente Grants $25K To Kennesaw State’s Nursing Program
Kaiser Permanente is supporting the nursing programs at four University System of Georgia institutions by providing $100,000 to nursing students and faculty. The $25,000 grants for each institution are part of Kaiser Permanente’s ongoing commitment to help shape the future of health care in the state by bolstering its workforce pipeline through education and training. …The four metro Atlanta institutions that Kaiser Permanente will help fund are: Kennesaw State University (KSU); Clayton State University; Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC); Georgia State University
SGSC Education Students Celebrate Beginning Of Final Semester With Pinning Ceremony
South Georgia State College’s education majors began their final semester with a pinning ceremony honoring this important milestone in their journey through SGSC’s Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Special Education program. The event was well received not only by the students but also by faculty, staff, family members and alumni of the college and the program. This was SGSC’s first pinning ceremony honoring the teacher education seniors who have reached a milestone in their commitment to lifelong learning and professionalism. The pinning ceremony indicates that the program seniors have achieved the required character and competence to engage in full-time student teaching. …Program seniors made the decision to receive medallions instead of the traditional pins.
Times-Georgian
UWG art program teaches ancient method via anagama kiln
By Julie Lineback
Never underestimate the transformational power of fire. As the chief architect of the University of West Georgia’s anagama kiln, art professor David Collins has witnessed it. And it’s not just the magical transformation from clay to ceramic that occurs within the belly of the bricked beast. “I’ve been doing this at UWG since 2007,” he shared. “The real changes that occur are the ones I’ve seen students go through. Everyone leaves this experience with a posture of self-assuredness and confidence, having transcended a lot of their fears and insecurities.” An anagama kiln is an ancient type of single-chamber wood-fired kiln that is commonly used for firing ceramics. …Each fall semester at UWG, the anagama kiln roars to life as ceramic students spend a week firing various artwork. But first they start from square one — no wood, empty kiln.
WGAU Radio
UGA research: health care workers struggle with emergency codes
By Lauren Baggett, Alexandra Steele
A new study by University of Georgia researchers reveals that many health care workers cannot accurately identify emergency codes. Researchers tested the ability of health care staff to identify their facilities’ codes. Having this knowledge front of mind is critical for responding quickly and appropriately to emergencies.
The Brunswick News
Happy birthday to this special ‘seminary of learning’
By Dick Yarbrough, Syndicated columnist
The year was 1785. Thirteen states composed the Confederation Congress. Thomas Jefferson was appointed the U.S. Minister to France and John Adams, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom. George Washington was puttering around on his estate at Mount Vernon after having dispatched the mighty Brits back across the pond where they belonged. A year earlier, Lyman Hall, Georgia’s governor and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, had persuaded the Georgia legislature to grant his request to establish a “college or seminary of learning.” The Georgia General Assembly approved Baldwin’s request on Jan. 27, 1785. Thus, my friends, was born the University of Georgia, the oldest-state chartered university in the nation. This year marks the institution’s 238th birthday. Woof! Woof!
Times-Georgian
UWG appoints Owen as dean of University College
The University of West Georgia recently appointed Dr. Karen Owen, who brings years of faculty and leadership experience, as the dean of University College. Prior to her work in academics, Owen received her master’s degree and doctorate from the University of Georgia. Before joining UWG, she worked as a legislative assistant to a United States Representative and served as a faculty member at Reinhardt University, where she helped develop their master of public administration program.
Athens CEO
UGA Brand Strategy Team Helps with Vidalia Onion Marketing
Margaret Blanchard
Drawing an onion might seem easy, but when you’re talking about a Vidalia onion, that’s another story. Just ask Kaitlin Messich, who led the Georgia city through a yearlong branding process. A faculty member at the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, Messich leads the community branding program.
Athens CEO
Freedom Breakfast Speakers, Award Recipients Help Community Grow Stronger
Krista Richmond
Seeds of service were planted during the 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Breakfast—“The Power of the Dream: Growing Together.” “This special event reinforces our commitment to honoring the legacy of Dr. King and those who continue working to make his dream a reality,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. remains one of the world’s most influential leaders and a champion for justice and equality whose legacy continues to inspire all of us.”
WSB-TV
PETA calls for University of Georgia to retire beloved mascot Uga
Animal rights activists sent a letter to the University of Georgia Athens President Jere W. Morehead demanding they retire the school’s bulldog mascot, Uga. In the letter to Morehead, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) claimed that the school’s use of Uga drives demand for breathing-impaired breeds such as pugs, boxers and English and French bulldogs, whose breeding is banned in other countries. …This is the second time PETA has urged UGA leaders to stop using the beloved dog as the mascot.
Higher Education News:
Higher Ed Dive
OPINION
Smarter benchmarking helps colleges thrive
Comparing your college to others with the help of the right metrics can help meet stakeholders’ needs, writes the director of research at HelioCampus.
By Ranjani Kirtane
Colleges and universities are increasingly being asked to support their decisions with data. A 2022 report from Educause highlights this as one of the top trends driving institutional decision-making and strategic planning for the future. Having reliable, actionable data at the ready has become a critical component for running day-to-day operations at the university level. The proof for this is evident in a growing number of data governance and benchmarking initiatives at institutions. Benchmarking has the power to change organizational thinking and action. With access to benchmarking data, institutions can better understand and optimize their investments over time. It’s an underutilized approach to solving higher ed’s biggest pain point: providing high-quality education in the most efficient way possible.
Inside Higher Ed
State Budgets Are Booming. How Will Higher Ed Fare?
Many states ended the last fiscal year with record surpluses. Colleges and universities are vying for a piece of the pie—though for most the chances of securing a large slice are slim.
By Liam Knox
State budget season is here, and with a few notable exceptions—California and New York among them—many states are entering it with a significant surplus. Thanks to a number of factors—including increased tax revenue, lingering pandemic stimulus funds and, at least in oil- and gas-rich states, boom times for the energy sector—49 out of 50 states collected more revenue than they projected, according to a fiscal survey conducted by the National Association of State Budget Officers. But will public higher ed institutions see some of the windfall, as predicted a year ago? Or will an unsteady economy and political uninterest shrink their piece of the pie? Tom Harnisch, vice president for government relations at the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, said concerns over a potential economic downturn and skepticism of higher education’s value for students and state economies alike could make it more difficult for higher ed institutions to make their case to lawmakers.
Cybersecurity Dive
Cyber, business interruption remain top global corporate risks
David Jones, Reporter
Dive Brief:
Potential cyber incidents and business interruption remained the two leading worldwide corporate risk concerns for the second year in a row, according to a report published Tuesday by Allianz Group’s corporate insurance unit, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty. Both cyber and business interruptions were the top concerns among 34% of respondents in the annual Allianz Risk Barometer. The study measured the responses of 2,712 risk management experts in 94 countries and territories, including CEOs, risk managers, brokers and other insurance experts. Respondents were concerned about a range of potential incidents, from ransomware to data breaches and IT outages. The report noted ransomware remains a frequent threat and cited IBM data showing the average cost of a data breach hit a record of $4.35 million, with the cost expected to surpass $5 million this year.
Inside Higher Ed
Florida Community College Presidents Come Out Against CRT
By Sara Weissman
Presidents of more than two dozen Florida community and four-year state colleges issued a joint statement on Wednesday pledging not to fund or support “initiatives, instruction, and activities” that promote critical race theory or related ideologies. The presidents represent the 28 colleges that make up the Florida College System.
Inside Higher Ed
Florida Colleges Ordered to Report Gender-Care Services
By Liam Knox
The Florida Board of Governors is asking the state’s public higher ed institutions for information on any students treated for gender dysphoria. According to a document that a spokesperson for the board provided to Inside Higher Ed, institutions are being asked to collect and report a wide range of data on transgender and gender-nonconforming students and their interactions with student health centers.