The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Jolt: Lawmakers rush to pass bills with one day left
By Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell
The Georgia Legislature hurtled toward the final day of this year’s legislative session late Monday night after putting the finishing touches on a handful of closely watched measures. But they also left many others awaiting a final vote. Among the high-profile bills still up in the air after Monday’s marathon session: …The budget. The House and Senate agree on the vast majority of the $32.4 billion budget for the upcoming year. But by state Sen. Blake Tillery’s unusually precise accounting from a few days ago, they have yet to come to terms on about 16% of the bill. Some of the sticking points involve a $105 million funding cut for the state Board of Regents, added by the Senate to rebuke a potential deal with Wellstar Health System, and a 26% cut to Georgia Public Broadcasting. With just a day left, a deal seems to be in the offing.
Albany Herald
Seven Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College students accepted into top veterinary programs
From staff reports
Seven biology and animal science students from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College have been accepted into top veterinary programs after participating in the Pre-Vet Club, a new program designed to streamline and track the acceptance rate of ABAC students into veterinary colleges. Emily Atkinson from Forsyth and Dylan Dent from Jesup are both animal science majors, while Jaylin Johnson from Valdosta, Macy Logo from Statesboro, Kiley McClure from Abbeville, Ala., Mackenzie Pollock from Lawrenceville, and Karli Williams from Hazlehurst are all biology majors. They participated in the new program started by Jenny Harper, an ABAC biology professor, in conjunction with Hemant Naikare at the University of Georgia Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
The Red & Black
UGA transfer students struggle and succeed in campus acclimation
Sarah Caudill
There are various ways transfer students at the University of Georgia can acclimate to campus, including resources available to them from UGA Undergraduate Admissions, the Transfer Student Club and those via the Office of Transfer Services. Undergraduate Admissions helps students with the technical portion of transferring their credits and the application process. “We think of ourselves as transfer counselors,” assistant director of evaluation for transfer admissions Heather Elisabeth said.
Dalton Daily Citizen
College Day at the Library to showcase University System of Georgia resources
Submitted by the Dalton-Whitfield County Public Library
The Dalton-Whitfield County Public Library will host representatives from area colleges on Saturday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a day of outreach and access to career and learning opportunities for high school students considering higher education, as well as adult learners interested in starting or returning to college studies. “College Day at the Library is about making higher education more accessible. It’s a great way for colleges and universities to meet potential students face-to-face to answer questions and showcase their wide variety of programs and degrees,’” said Julie Walker, vice chancellor for Libraries and Archives for the University System of Georgia and state librarian. “The day is all about reaching Georgia residents and making sure they know that our University System of Georgia institutions have the resources they need to meet their educational and life goals.” Join Dalton State College, Georgia Highlands College, Kennesaw State University, the University of North Georgia and the University of West Georgia at the library for College Day at the Library. This event is in partnership with the Georgia Public Library Service and the University System of Georgia.
Middle Georgia CEO
MGA To Launch Graduate Certificates In Creative Writing & Teaching College Writing
Staff Report
New graduate certificates in creative writing and teaching college writing are coming to Middle Georgia State University (MGA) this fall. Housed in MGA’s School of Arts & Letters, the certificates are primarily geared toward working professionals who already hold bachelor’s degrees and want to fine-tune their skills and knowledge to move into the next stages of their careers. …The fully online Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing supports those already working in a creative field, students honing their craft before navigating the publishing world or film industry, and those pursuing a personally enriching goal that runs parallel to their current careers.
Athens Banner-Herald
Doctors in Florida diagnose UGA student who fell ill on spring break with a brain tumor
Wayne Ford
The brain condition that led to the critical illness of a University of Georgia senior on spring break in early March has been diagnosed as a brain tumor, according to a recently updated GoFundMe page. Radiation treatments were to begin this week for Liza Burke at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., according to her mother, Laura Burke.
Grice Connect
Eagle Outfitters: Helping future Eagle educators soar in style
Several months ago, we introduced you to Chianti Grant-Culver and the amazing legacy she’s helping to create for local educators. Now, we’re sharing about a recent project she and her department spearheaded and how it’s helping our local student teachers to thrive.
Julianna Leverette
The Georgia Southern University’s College of Education (COE) is home to the Instructional Support and Research Center (ISRC), which encourages professional development by providing a variety of resources for students. But within the Statesboro campus ISRC, College of Education faculty and staff noticed a storage closet with plenty of room for potential.
WGAU Radio
UGA professor to head US Ag Dept equity effort
By Cal Powell, UGA Today
Caree Cotwright, an associate professor in the University of Georgia’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences, has been named director of nutrition security and health equity for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In this role, Cotwright will lead the Food and Nutrition Service’s strategic focus on nutrition security, including raising public awareness of USDA’s actions to advance food and nutrition security and building partnerships with key stakeholders to advance food and nutrition security programs.
WGAU Radio
Harvard administrator to head Ga Museum of Art
By Tim Bryant
The University of Georgia names a new director for the Georgia Museum of Art: David Odo comes to Athens from Boston, where he has worked as director of academic and public programs, division head and research curator at the Harvard Art Museums. Odo will succeed William Eiland, who has served as director of the Georgia Museum of Art since 1992. Eiland is retiring at the end of the week.
Selma Sun
Historians, design students work together to survey tornado damage of Selma’s historic homes
Immediately after the Jan. 12 tornado tore through Selma, local historians hit the ground surveying damage to the city’s treasured historic properties that landed in its path. Last week, local historians got help from national nonprofit historic preservation organization Atlantic Heritage that oversaw sending a group of design students from the University of Georgia to come to Selma and gather data that will assist with the Queen City’s rebuilding efforts.
Albany CEO
A.L. Fleming of Albany State University on the Upcoming Blue and Gold Scholarship Gala
Vice President for University Advancement at Albany State University A.L. Fleming gives full details on the upcoming Blue and Gold Scholarship Gala that is scheduled for Saturday, April 1st.
Morning AgClips
Organizations Across Georgia Come Together to Combat Farm Stress
The 2023 Farm Stress Summit, held at Mercer University
As the backbone of Georgia’s No. 1 industry, farmers face insurmountable pressures that are often beyond their control. Increased input costs, market variability, environmental disasters and labor shortages are just a few of the challenges. The 2023 Farm Stress Summit, held at Mercer University this week, brought together farmers, government officials, community leaders, health care specialists, university faculty and program staff from around the state to learn more about the unique stressors farm families experience and strategies for building a network of support. …With mental health awareness at the forefront of state and federal legislation, Commissioner Tanner said he expects this to be the decade of mental health reform. “It’s truly heartening to see so many people taking off their gloves to develop strategies for enhancing collaborations at the local, state and national level to cohesively support farmers and their families,” said Maria Bowie, co-chair of the summit and University of Georgia Cooperative Extension grant and project management specialist. Jennifer Dunn, a UGA Extension rural health agent who spoke at the event, added that farmers are great at communicating with their peers and learning from one another, and events like this highlight that strength.
Monroe Local News
Walton farm a finalist in UGA’s Flavor of Georgia food product contest
By Tom Spigolon – The Covington News
A Covington-area blueberry farm’s beverage product was among 36 selected for the final round of competition in an annual contest spotlighting Georgia-grown food products. … Finalists in the competition — hosted by the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences — face a full day of judging and networking March 28 with other finalists, including a “Shark Tank” style panel of judges to pitch their products, according to a UGA news release. Manpreet Singh, head of the UGA Department of Food Science and Technology, said the Flavor of Georgia contest “is a unique opportunity for the Department of Food Science and Technology to engage with food entrepreneurs from around the state of Georgia.”
Healio
Expensive lactation cookies ineffective
Key takeaways:
Although lactation cookies are marketed as milk-boosters, a recent study found no evidence suggesting they increased milk production.
Researchers said the cookies may only offer false hope.
Lactation-boosting cookies appeared to be ineffective after a month-long randomized clinical trial and may only offer “false hope and unnecessary financial costs” to vulnerable patients, according to researchers. Writing in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Ana M. Palacios, MD, PhD, an assistant professor in the department of health policy and community health at Georgia Southern University, and colleagues noted that lactation cookies are named so because they contain “galactagogues” — which are “substances believed to enhance the production of human milk” such as oatmeal, Brewer’s yeast and flaxseed meal.
MedicalXpress
Ending THC use may reverse its impacts on male fertility
by Oregon Health & Science University
A 2022 study from Oregon Health & Science University researchers confirmed that chronic use of cannabis may greatly impact male fertility and reproductive outcomes in nonhuman primates—but it was unclear whether the effects are permanent. Now, the OHSU research team has confirmed that discontinuing use of THC can at least partly reverse these effects, according to a new study published online today in Fertility & Sterility. …The research involved a multidisciplinary team including Carol Hanna, Ph.D., director of the Assisted Reproductive Technology Core at ONPRC at OHSU, and researchers from the University of Georgia and Duke University.
WTOC
Georgia Southern University hosts Inaugural Human Optimization Summit
By WTOC Staff
The Inaugural Human Optimization Summit was held earlier Friday. It was hosted by Nancy Henderson, who’s the director of Georgia Southern’s Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program. The two-day conference offers educational sessions for both soldiers and their providers. The focus is to improve physical and mental readiness for soldiers.
Statesboro Herald
City of Statesboro to hold hiring event April 4
From staff reports
The City of Statesboro will hold a hiring event on Tuesday, April 4, in the Nessmith-Lane Center at Georgia Southern University from 4–7 p.m. Members of the public are invited to attend and learn about the City of Statesboro and the benefits of working there, according to a release from Layne Phillips, the city’s public information officer. Representatives from multiple city departments including fire, police, public works and others will be on-site to answer questions and conduct open interviews.
Other News:
WABE
Not all Georgia lawmakers want a raise. But for others, the $22k salary isn’t enough
Jasmine Robinson
State lawmakers just might be the only people who would ever deny a pay raise. This year, Georgia state senators and representatives are earning a salary of $22,342. They also receive a per diem, or daily allowance, of $247 during the session. It’s the highest the pay has ever been, thanks to a cost of living pay raise last year for all state employees. A previous pay raise for lawmakers took effect in 2007. …Republican Rep. Matthew Gambill of Cartersville says that serving in the legislature is a financial sacrifice and he couldn’t do it without his full-time job to return to. While not in session, he does business development in the construction industry. He opposes raising the pay for lawmakers, saying that people should not run for office for the money, but rather, for the public service of what they do.
Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
The draft is the first glimpse of what the new version of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid will look like when it launches later this year.
By Katherine Knott
The first version of what the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid will look like is here, and it’s not the short application many have hoped for. It has 46 questions and runs 21 pages, although many students won’t have to answer all the questions. Still, a combination of technology and legislative changes should lead to a simpler process to fill out the application, which is essential for students to access need-based federal and state financial aid.
Inside Higher Ed
Rates for Low-Income Students Up More Than for High Income
By Scott Jaschik
At nearly 700 colleges and universities and colleges, the rates paid by low-income students increased by larger percentages than the prices paid by their highest-income ones, according to federal data analyzed by the Hechinger Report and published in USA Today. The study is based on what students actually paid, not tuition rates.
Inside Higher Ed
Surveys consistently show that students are worried about sharing their opinions on campus. Can institutions do anything to help them speak—and listen—more openly?
By Johanna Alonso
About a dozen students gathered at the Culver Family Welcome Center on the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh’s campus in February to participate in the first of a new discussion series designed to promote open and civil discourse on the First Amendment. Called It’s Just Coffee, the idea was lifted from a student-led initiative of the same name. The upgrade to an official system initiative comes with one change: Wisconsin system president Jay O. Rothman will now participate in each conversation. Rothman considers advancing free expression on the system’s campuses a key part of his job; the principle of free expression and civic engagement was even named as one of four key objectives in the latest strategic plan. …PEN America, a literary nonprofit that does work in campus free expression, aims to bring free speech solutions to campuses across the U.S. through Free Expression Student Summits that teach attendees skills to promote free expression.
Inside Higher Ed
Campuses Face Steep Shortfall in Deferred Capital Renewal
By Susan H. Greenberg
Colleges and universities face an “unsustainable” shortfall in deferred capital renewal, according to the 10th State of Facilities in Higher Education report from Gordian, a Building Intelligence Solutions provider. While preliminary data from fiscal 2022 show a 10 percent year-over-year capital investment increase, inflation has greatly expanded the amount of funding necessary to steward existing space, creating a 36 percent shortfall.
Inside Higher Ed
Documenting the Growing Role of Contingent Faculty
A new report shows the number of nonmedical graduate student workers has increased faster than part- or full-time faculty over the past two decades. It’s among the data now available online in what’s planned to be a regularly updated information resource.
By Ryan Quinn
The percentage of nonmedical, “instructional staff” faculty members at public and nonprofit private colleges and universities who work full-time but aren’t on the tenure track has almost tripled since 1987, relatively steadily increasing from 5 percent to 13 percent. That’s according to a new American Association of University Professors analysis of federal data, out today. The report also says the number of nonmedical graduate student workers—including those with and without teaching responsibilities—rose 44 percent over roughly the past 20 years, compared to only 19 percent increases in the numbers of nonmedical full- and part-time instructional staff faculty members.
Inside Higher Ed
Divided Appeals Court Allows Suit Seeking COVID Tuition Relief
Doug Lederman
Another federal appeals court on Monday cleared the way for a lawsuit seeking reimbursement of tuition and fees from a college that shifted to virtual instruction in the spring of 2020 because of COVID-19. Last week the U.S. Court of Appeals overturned a lower court’s ruling to allow a case to proceed against New York University; Monday it was the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit doing so in a class action against Illinois Institute of Technology, just as it did in a similar case involving Loyola University Chicago.