The Augusta Chronicle
USG Board of Regents finalizes $10.71 billion budget. See how much AU is getting.
Abraham Kenmore
The Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia on Wednesday approved a $10.71 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2024. This topline number includes funding from all sources, including $9.3 billion for education and general funds, $301 million more than the previous budget; $1.09 billion for auxiliary enterprises such as housing, food and athletics; $197.31 million for capital costs; and, $128.54 million for student activities.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
University System of Georgia says data could be exposed in security breach
By Vanessa McCray
The University System of Georgia said cybercriminals likely had “unauthorized access” to information stored on a widely used software program. The potential data breach is tied to the MOVEit Secure File Transfer and Automation software, which the University System and University of Georgia purchased to store and transfer sensitive data. The product’s maker, Progress Software, recently identified a vulnerability that “likely allowed cybercriminals unauthorized access to information” stored in MOVEit repositories, the University System said in a statement Wednesday evening to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
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WSAV
Georgia nursing shortages continue—what a local hospital says
by: Eden Hodges
Nurses have been called the backbone of the medical profession, but a shortage of nurses has been an ongoing problem since before the pandemic. The Bureau of Health Workforce says Georgia ranks sixth in a nationwide nurse shortage and they say it’s affecting rural areas the most. Marie Burdett of East Georgia Regional Medical Center in Statesboro says they’re seeing less staff in all different areas. “There’s a lot of sacrifices that our staff has had to make to be here and take care of our patients,” Marie Burdett said. “And I think with COVID it really caused us to look within.” …Georgia Southern’s Chair of Nursing, Melissa Garno, said they’re seeing fewer applications into the program. “It’s a difficult time to be in healthcare. It’s a challenge to be in healthcare. So we’re admitting as many students as we can teach on a quality level.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gwinnett schools, Georgia State to pay for master’s degrees for teachers
By Toni Odejimi
Gwinnett County public teachers who want to earn advanced degrees without taking on the cost themselves now can, thanks to their school district and Georgia State University. Georgia State and Gwinnett County Public Schools announced Wednesday they have partnered to allow teachers pursuing a master’s in STEM subjects to complete their degree online. Cathy Hardin, Gwinnett’s chief human resources officer, said that this is in line with the district’s mission. …Georgia State’s STEM education program allows for students to pick from computer science, math education, science education or “integrated middle-level.” It is specifically tailored to help educators learn, and teach, about STEM to middle and high school students.
WGXA News
Fort Valley State University’s Summer Summit empowers students to tackle societal issues
by Carlos Stephens
This program has impacted thousands of students over the course of three years here at the Fort Valley State University. In fact, I talked to some seniors today, who say that they are ready to take the material they have learned to the next level. “Going into the next level, I feel like you’re stepping into a whole new world,” was the reaction at FVSU’s Rep-4 Summer Summit. The university is hosting dozens of college-bound students in the 11th and 12th grade for the next week. …These students from all across Georgia will tackle societal issues like food insecurity, financial literacy, and mental health. They are also getting a first-hand look at being a college student, living in a dorm for the next five days.
Albany Herald
Former Albany State honors student accepted into research program in Japan
From staff reports
Albany State University honor student Talyia Griffin has been accepted into the graduate program in Biology at Cornell University, which will begin during the fall 2023 semester. At Cornell, she will receive a fellowship that will fund tuition as well as provide housing and a yearly stipend. This summer, before she begins the Cornell program, she will conduct summer research in Japan.
Emanuel County Live
Annual Honors Night recognizes student achievement at East Georgia State College
East Georgia State College (EGSC) recently hosted their Annual Honors Night Ceremony in the Luck F. Gambrell Building Auditorium. Faculty, staff, students, and their families were invited to attend the celebration and recognize the hard work of EGSC students. Dr. David Schecter, president of EGSC, welcomed the award winners and their families to campus followed by Dr. Catherine Whelan, Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, who began recognizing students.
Atlanta Business Chronicle
‘Shrink or end:’ State economist questions Georgia’s film incentives
By Amy Wenk – Staff Reporter
In 15 years, Georgia’s film tax credit has propelled the state into a top production hub that’s beginning to rival Los Angeles. But that industry was put into question Wednesday when state fiscal economist Jeffrey Dorfman told Georgia lawmakers that incentives should be used “sparingly and for targeted opportunities only.” He was in favor of using tax credits to spur new industries, such as electric vehicles, but not to boost established business. “The Georgia film industry is a mature industry,” said Dorfman, a professor at University of Georgia. “So now, I would think that the legislature would be sort of claiming victory on creating this great industry and looking to shrink or end those credits.” Dorfman was one of the experts who spoke during the first meeting of the Joint Tax Credit Review Panel, a committee of House and Senate legislators who are conducting a sweeping review of all the state’s tax credits.
Specialty Crop Industry
UGA Specialist: Peach Producers to Try to Minimize Costs Ahead of Next Season
By Clint Thompson
Peach producers struggling to produce a crop this year are likely already starting to think about next season. It is all about reducing input costs at this point, believes Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties.
Grice Connect
Enjoy the Center for Wildlife Education’s daily summer programs
Could you keep this little guy as a pet? Join one of the Georgia Southern Center for Wildlife Education’s summer programs to find out!
Brandon Robinson
Are you looking for an interactive afternoon activity to fill the summertime hours? Georgia Southern’s Wildlife Education Center hosts “Daily Wildlife Programs” Monday through Friday at 3:30pm for interested locals.
Savannah Morning News
Georgia football leads way in UGA’s climb in all-sports Directors’ Cup for school year
Marc Weiszer
Athens Banner-Herald
UGA athletic director Josh Brooks made sure to drop some good news at new Georgia baseball coach Wes Johnson’s introductory press conference Tuesday. With its sports seasons over for the academic year, UGA is projecting it will finish eighth in the Learfield Directors’ Cup when the final standings come out later this month. That would be the school’s best showing in the all-sports measurement since 2018 when it also finished eighth.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Back to school: Herschel Walker is taking classes at UGA after Senate defeat
By Greg Bluestein
Former football star Herschel Walker has re-enrolled at the University of Georgia after his failed U.S. Senate bid, taking steps toward earning his college degree as he retreats from the public spotlight following his humbling defeat. The university’s registrar confirmed Thursday that Walker is taking summer courses at the school. A university official said the Republican was recently spotted at an academic advisor’s office at the Franklin College of Arts & Sciences.
11Alive
Apparent explosive device destroyed by UGA bomb unit in Barrow County woods, deputies say
After deciding the device was too much of a threat, they destroyed it inside the woods.
Author: Reeves Jackson
A bomb unit from the University of Georgia was called to disarm an explosive after police said a person was experiencing suicidal thoughts. Barrow County deputies said it was destroyed in a Winder woodline on Wednesday. Winder Police dispatched units to City Pond Park about a person facing suicide. When officers arrived, they reported a person hiding in the woods, with an apparent explosive device, according to deputies. …The University of Georgia Police Bomb Unit arrived shortly after to check out the explosive device in the woods. After deciding the device was too much of a threat, they destroyed it inside the woods.
Other News:
Atlanta Jewish Times
Kemp Tours Israel and Meets Top Leadership
Local Atlantans Emanuel Fialkow and Greg Bluestein provide “up close and personal” feedback about Gov. Brian Kemp’s late May trip to Israel.
By Marcia Caller Jaffe
The crowd roared with applause at the Woodruff Arts Center on April 26 for Israel’s 75th anniversary celebration when Gov. Brian Kemp announced that he, his wife and three daughters were headed to Israel. Off they went at the end of May with a delegation of Jewish and non-Jewish community leaders, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s distinguished author and political writer, Greg Bluestein. Another prominent member of the Jewish community, Emanuel Fialkow, a commercial real estate investor, also joined the group. Since Fialkow is also a Georgia Regional Transportation Authority board member, he was keenly interested in the delegation’s progress and meaningful encounters for trade. …In addition to Kemp’s family and staff, Georgia Speaker of the House Jon Burns, and President Pro Tem of the State Senate John F. Kennedy, State Rep. Shaw Blackmon, executive counsel David Dove, Chairman of the Board of Regents Harold Reynolds, and vice president of Gulfstream, Jay Neely.
Higher Education News:
Higher Ed Dive
University of Arkansas to dissolve its DEI department
Laura Spitalniak, Associate Editor
Dive Brief:
The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville will discontinue its diversity, equity and inclusion office, Chancellor Charles Robinson announced in an email to the campus Tuesday. DEI office employees will have the option to move to new positions in the departments of student success, student affairs, university advancement, human resources, or equal opportunity and compliance, Robinson said. DEI resources will also be distributed across those five departments. Changes will be effective August 1, according to a university spokesperson. More details are expected in the coming weeks.
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Inside Higher Ed
Wisconsin Republicans Want to Kill Diversity Funding
By Scott Jaschik
Funding for the University of Wisconsin system is being held up by Republicans, who control the Legislature and who want to kill all spending on diversity, the Associated Press reported. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said he expected the budget-writing committee to cut all funding that the university system would use for diversity initiatives. He estimated the cuts would total $32 million.
Higher Ed Dive
House committee votes to yank federal funding from colleges, schools used as migrant shelters
Supporters say sheltering migrants puts students in danger. Opponents call the measure hurtful and a distraction.
Kara Arundel, Senior Reporter
Colleges and public K-12 schools that shelter migrants should be ineligible for federal funding, according to a bill approved along party lines by the House Committee on Education and the Workforce Tuesday evening. It will now advance to the full House for consideration. Republican supporters of H.R. 3941, the Schools Not Shelters Act, said the measure is needed to ensure school safety and funding. The legislation grew out of a House resolution, but its transformation into a bill would make it enforceable if enacted. The measure only refers to the sheltering of “aliens who have not been admitted into the United States” — or people entering or living in the country without authorization.
Inside Higher Ed
Republicans Unveil Sweeping Higher Education Legislation
Although not likely to become law anytime soon, the package of bills shows that Senate Republicans are ready to step up to the plate on higher education policy.
By Katherine Knott
If the Biden administration’s plan to forgive up to $20,000 in federal student loans fails at the Supreme Court, Senate Republicans say they have an answer for what policy makers should do next to address the student debt crisis. Louisiana senator Dr. Bill Cassidy unveiled a package of bills Wednesday that he and other Senate Republicans said would rein in the cost of a college education and address the root causes that are driving students to take on more loans. The Lowering Education Costs and Debt Act, which is a collection of five bills, gives a good look into Cassidy’s priorities as ranking Republican on the Senate education committee.
Inside Higher Ed
University and Commission Partner on Gender Violence Research
By Johanna Alonso
Anew commission led by NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent and Tommi Vincent, chair of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, will partner with Niagara University to study young men’s perspectives on gender-based violence, the university announced Wednesday. The research will be conducted over 18 months. Based on the results, the Vincent Commission will “offer a new model for higher education institutions on the prevention of gender-based violence and bring awareness to bystander intervention,” according to the press release.