Capitol Beat
Board of Regents OKs ‘major ask’ in university system budget
by Dave Williams
The University System of Georgia is taking advantage of a strong state economy by seeking a $385.4 million increase in its fiscal 2024 mid-year budget. With the state sitting on a massive budget surplus, Gov. Brian Kemp has given state agencies permission to request 3% spending increases in both the mid-year budget, which covers spending through next June, and the fiscal 2025 budget, which takes effect next July. The system’s Board of Regents voted Friday to request a mid-year budget of $3.6 billion in state funds. The largest portion of that money – $119.1 million – would go to pay off the bond indebtedness incurred in building seven fee-funded public-private construction projects, including student dorms and parking facilities.
WRBL
Kemp mixes business with politics during daylong visit to Columbus
by: Chuck Williams
It was a full day for Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp in Columbus on Thursday. The governor toured Columbus State University, where he was briefed on the cyber-security curriculum. The program was started with a combination of state funds and money from TSYS, an electronic payments firm that is now Global Payments. The governor then went to the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce where he talked to local business, civic and political leaders about the state’s recent economic development wins. Columbus State rolled out the red carpet for the governor. Former Synovus Chairman Jimmy Yancey explained the reasons for the cyber security program and his TSYS/Global Payments was a driving force. The governor was greeted by University System Chancellor and former Gov. Sonny Perdue as well as CSU president Dr. Stuart Rayfield.
Marietta Daily Journal
Lieutenant governor, state senator plan tour of Georgia HBCUs
From staff reports
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and state Sen. Sonya Halpern, D-Atlanta, have announced a fall tour of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) around the state. Jones and Halpern plan to tour the HBCUs, meet with the schools’ presidents, and engage in discussions with staff and students. “I want to thank Sen. Halpern for organizing these tours and meetings,” Jones said in a news release. “Learning about the innovative and unique initiatives underway at our HBCUs is critical as we prepare for the 2024 Legislative Session. I look forward to learning how we can partner together to ensure that legislation like the one creating the HBCU Innovation and Economic Prosperity Planning Districts Commission is prioritized during the next session.” …All 10 of Georgia’s public and private HBCUs will be engaged in these conversations, including visits on campus at the Atlanta University Center, Albany State University, Fort Valley State University and Savannah State University.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
University System of Georgia alerting those exposed to security breach
By Vanessa McCray
The University System of Georgia is notifying an undisclosed number of faculty, staff and students that their personal data was compromised during a cyberattack that impacted businesses and agencies worldwide. The system acknowledged in June that cybercriminals likely breached a software program, called MOVEit Secure File Transfer and Automation, used to store and transfer sensitive data. The statewide system of 26 public colleges and universities is among many presumed victims of the hack by Russian-speaking cybercriminals. Others include a vendor for the Georgia Teachers Retirement System, Fayette County’s fire and emergency services and the National Student Clearinghouse.
Times-Georgian
Kelly speaks on new UWG partnerships
By Tucker Cole
The Carroll County Chamber of Commerce hosted their membership breakfast in a new venue on Thursday inside the Coliseum on the campus of the University of West Georgia. There, University of West Georgia President Dr. Brendan Kelly spoke on the new partnerships the University has recently developed, including a new dual enrollment program with Carroll County Schools and a new UWG Research Corporation intended to create new ancillary revenue sources.
Columbus CEO
Inaugural Graduate Cohort Demonstrates Strengths, Versatility of a Columbus State Robotics Degree
Staff Report
As evidenced by its inaugural cohort of master’s degree graduates, Columbus State’s Master of Science in Robotics Engineering program has been growing steadily and producing highly successful work-ready graduates since its launch in Fall 2021. Of the six who comprise the program’s inaugural graduate-level alumni, two are on the path of university-level teaching and research as they pursue doctoral degrees. The remaining four have begun industry-based professional careers after receiving job offers before or immediately after completing their degrees.
Precision Vaccinations
$25 Million Grant Empowers mRNA Cancer Vaccine Research
By David Mark
A joint team of Yale, University of Georgia, and Emory University scientists have received a $25 million government grant to develop an mRNA cancer vaccine. On September 7, 2023, Carlos Salcerio with Yale News reported the research combines the team’s expertise in mRNA and dendritic cells. These researchers seek to develop synthetic mRNA that will carry instructions for cancer-specific antigens to dendritic cells.
The Red & Black
UGA food science student wins USDA NIFA predoctoral fellowship
Peter G. Chiarelli has been awarded an Agriculture and Food Research Initiative predoctoral fellowship from the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture for his research on Georgia-caught cannonball jellyfish. Chiarelli, a doctoral candidate in the University of Georgia’s Department of Food Science and Technology, is spearheading efforts to create a domestic market for collagen peptide powders derived from cannonball jellyfish. “As far as I am aware, we are still the only ones in the United States working with jellyfish … This is our field,” Chiarelli said.
Times-Georgian
Three UWG grads land jobs at same Lexington TV station
With the resilience of the Wolves at your side, there’s no telling what you can accomplish. For WDKY Fox 56 News in Lexington, Ky., the goal was to relaunch their news programming. Fortunately for the FOX affiliate, they had the “Power of the Pack,” finely trained journalism graduates from the University of West Georgia who not only had the degrees to back them but also an unwavering sense of purpose.
41NBC
GCSU gets research grant to launch solar power certificate program
By Edward Smart
Georgia College & State University (GCSU) in Milledgeville has received a $100,000 research grant to help students delve into the field of solar energy through a new certificate program. The grant, awarded by the Partnership of Inclusive Innovation, will fund a program focusing on the design and installation of solar power systems. The program is expected to start in January. Nicholas Creel, an assistant professor at GCSU, sees this as a pivotal step for promoting green energy.
The Tifton Gazette
Internships give ABAC students competitive edge on vet school applications
From Staff Reports
Biology and animal science majors at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College gain a competitive edge when applying to veterinary school due to a partnership with the University of Georgia Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Dr. Jenny Harper, professor of biology at ABAC’s School of Arts and Sciences, said that that the internship is funded through a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant opportunity designed to streamline and track the acceptance rate of ABAC students into veterinary colleges. …Harper said that the vet lab is special because it’s the oldest veterinary diagnostic lab in the country. Anytime a veterinary office needs any kind of lab work done, those lab samples are sent to Tifton.
11Alive
Southern Georgia drawl is fading. Here’s why a UGA study says Gen X could be at fault
The collaborative study between UGA and Georgia Tech investigated the “notable change” between the baby boomer generation and Generation X.
Author: Akilah Winters
Georgia’s accent is fading y’all, and a new University of Georgia study said Generation X could be at fault for the rapid change in the southern drawl. The collaborative study between UGA and Georgia Tech investigated the “notable change” between the baby boomer generation (born 1943 to 1964) and Generation X (born 1965 to 1982). … The study found that the accent of some Gen X speakers differed from the thicker accent of Baby Boomers. UGA and Georgia Tech were the first to identify the accent shift.
Statesboro Herald
Study of air quality in Statesboro’s city buildings wins $127,000 innovation grant
Georgia Southern hosts PIN’s 2023 grant ceremony
Al Hackle/Staff
Georgia Southern University hosted this year’s Partnership for Inclusive Innovation, or PIN, statewide ceremony for Community Research Grants.
The Red & Black
UGA Executive Committee discusses new research centers, dissolution of majors
Guinevere Grant
The University of Georgia’s Executive Committee had a council meeting Wednesday. The meeting began with proposals from the University Curriculum Committee and the chair of the Executive Committee and concluded with proposals from the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. Dr. Susan Sanchez, the University Curriculum Committee chair, opened the meeting with several proposals. The first was the termination of the graduate certificate in diverse children’s literature for a global society. The motion was passed with the final verdict moving the certificate to a minor only.
11Alive
Mom sues after daughter shot and killed in spray of gunfire by alleged drunk college professor
Author: 11Alive Staff
The mother of a University of West Georgia rising freshman, who was shot to death back in July of 2022, is filing a lawsuit against the gunman along with several bars in Carrollton. Anna Jones, 18, was killed last summer when a man shot in the direction of the parked car she was sitting in. The teen had just graduated from Mount Zion High School in Carrollton, Georgia. She was due to start college at the University of West Georgia in the fall. 47-year-old Richard Sigman was arrested in connection with her death. …Sigman was previously a professor at the University of West Georgia where Jones was due to begin classes in the fall.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Survey: University System of Georgia faculty report dissatisfaction
By Vanessa McCray
A new survey of University System of Georgia faculty highlights widespread displeasure about pay, tenure and the state’s political climate. The findings, released Thursday by the Georgia Conference of the American Association of University Professors, show that nearly two-thirds of the 1,450 faculty members who participated in the survey would not recommend a job here to colleagues. About 28% of those surveyed said they plan to interview elsewhere in the coming year.
Higher Ed Dive
Is the political climate in southern states driving a faculty exodus?
One-third of faculty in Florida, Texas, Georgia and North Carolina said they would pursue out-of-state jobs in the coming year, AAUP found.
Laura Spitalniak, Associate Editor
Political interference in higher education and changes to tenure are significantly affecting faculty morale and retention in a handful of southern states, new survey findings from the American Association of University Professors suggest. The association, working with state faculty groups, surveyed more than 4,250 faculty members in Florida, Texas, Georgia and North Carolina from Aug. 14 to Sept. 1. Two-thirds of participants hold tenure. Overall, two-thirds of surveyed faculty said they would not recommend their state to colleagues as a desirable place to work. One-third are actively seeking academic employment elsewhere, the survey found. … Salary concerns: In Georgia, the primary factor pushing faculty away was salary anxiety, according to the state’s AAUP conference, which surveyed more than 1,450 faculty members. “While state lawmakers and the university system have raised base salaries for USG employees each of the last two years, inflation and higher insurance costs have made those raises less impactful,” it said.
Drug Discovery World
Five key studies into drugs for childhood cancers
Over 100 subtypes of childhood cancer exist today and it represents the most common cause of disease-related death in children. However, despite the fact that children’s response to adult cancer drugs is often poor, due to the challenges of developing medicines for this population, only six drugs are made specifically for childhood cancer. …To mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, here we take a look five key clinical studies taking a new therapeutic approach to childhood cancers that will hopefully lead to breakthrough treatments in the coming years. Ibrutinib/indoximod combination platform: Dr. David Munn and Dr. Theodore Johnson of the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University are launching a Phase I trial to investigate if the addition of ibrutinib can promote anti-tumour activity in brain cancer patients who are actively progressing and have already become resistant to chemoimmunotherapy with indoximod alone. If the trial is successful, the ibrutinib/indoximod platform would readily transfer to other tumours and chemotherapy.
Fox Weather
Georgia’s pecan crops heavily damaged by Hurricane Idalia
Idalia tore through Georgia with heavy rain and strong winds which took a toll on farms. Lenny Wells, pecan expert from the University of Georgia discusses how many trees were lost and the possibility of a pecan shortage heading into the holidays.
The Red & Black
How Athens open-container laws affect tailgating
Staff Reports
Athens-Clarke County open container laws have provisions that allow for drinking on property owned by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents (i.e. campus) and during certain special events (i.e. gamedays). But these tips can help you drink responsibly (and legally):
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Quavo goes to college? UGA: ‘We appreciate his enthusiastic support’
By Vanessa McCray
Rap star Quavo is one of the Georgia Bulldogs’ most recognizable fans, popping up on the sidelines during big football games. Next year, he wants to be in a University of Georgia classroom. The 32-year-old member of the former hip-hop group Migos attended Gwinnett County’s Berkmar High School before he dropped out to pursue a music career. In 2020, he made headlines when he posted a photo of himself in a cap and gown with the caption “Finally can say I graduated high school.” Now, the star whose real name is Quavious Marshall is thinking about furthering his education. “Next year, I’m going to enroll myself into University of Georgia. I’m going to be a student on campus,” he reportedly said in a recent interview with Vibe.
WJCL
Sickle Cell Anemia testing at Savannah State University
Local health clinics partner with the university for Sickle Cell Awareness Month
Jayda Russell , Meteorologist
September is Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness Month and Savannah State University is offering free testing for the disease on September 14th from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. According to the CDC and Sickle Cell Speaks, 90% of the population of Sickle Cell patients are African American. Ellaree Peters, Community Health Director for the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, hopes to make sure patients know they have resources.
WRBL
Mike Jerel looks forward to bringing soul to Uptown Columbus concert series
by: Olivia Yepez
After 10 years performing in Columbus, a local musician moved to Atlanta to start a new chapter. This Friday, Mike Jerel makes a return to the city he calls a second home to “blow the block up” with soulful sounds. Jerel is the first performer in Uptown Columbus’ Fall Friday Night Concert Series. …Originally from Ashburn, Georgia, the musician is a Columbus State University (CSU) alumnus and spent the better part of the last decade entertaining in the area as a solo performer and with Tower of Power, for which he is lead singer.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Isakson symposium to bring McConnell, Manchin to Georgia
By Greg Bluestein
Georgia politics has entered a new phase of Donald Trump-driven division. Even so, champions of pragmatism, cooperation and consensus remain, all eager to leave their imprint on the state. The inaugural Isakson Symposium on Political Civility will bring them together on Nov. 10 at the University of Georgia Chapel. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, and Sen. Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat, will be the featured speakers. The event is meant to pay tribute to the late U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson and his legacy by encouraging future leaders to adopt his approach of seeking common political ground.
Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
Florida System Set to Adopt Controversial Standardized Test
By Liam Knox
The State University System of Florida seems poised to accept the Classic Learning Test, a controversial alternative to the SAT and ACT that focuses on “classical” texts in the Western and Christian canon, from applicants to its dozen four-year institutions. The system’s Board of Governors will vote on the question today. If it passes, the system can begin accepting CLT scores starting this fall. Ahead of the vote, SUSF chancellor Ray Rodrigues extolled the benefits of the CLT and welcomed the prospect of a change to the admissions process.
Inside Higher Ed
Yale Reaches Agreement on Affirmative Action Case
Students for Fair Admissions dropped its lawsuit against the university after Yale agreed to make significant changes to its admissions policies.
By Liam Knox
A lawsuit against Yale University over its affirmative action policies was dropped on Thursday after the university agreed to make significant changes to its admissions policies. The lawsuit was filed in 2021 by Students for Fair Admissions, the group that brought the affirmative action cases against Harvard and the University of North Carolina that resulted in the Supreme Court decision in June striking down race-conscious admissions. The Yale case was stayed pending the outcome of the Harvard and UNC cases but reopened in July. The agreement stipulates that Yale make some of the most significant and wide-reaching admissions policy changes to be spurred by the Supreme Court’s ruling so far, encompassing not only race-conscious admissions but financial aid and data transparency as well.
Inside Higher Ed
‘Pay Up or Leave,’ a University Tells Students
A new policy at historically Black Fisk University requires students to pay off debts of more than $1,500, get on a payment plan or leave. Students are pushing back.
By Sara Weissman
Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn., is scheduled to drop students from classes today if they owe the university more than $1,500 and have failed to set up a payment plan. Those who don’t meet the deadline will be required to move out of campus housing by Sunday, university officials told students in an email yesterday. Fisk leaders say they’ve given students leeway with their debts over the last few years, thanks in large part to federal COVID-19 relief funds, but the historically Black university can’t afford to do it anymore. They first warned students about the new payment policy in a December email. Some students argue the policy was poorly communicated and left them scrambling to come up with money they don’t have. They’ve called on campus leaders to push back the deadline until November.
Higher Ed Dive
Growth in fintech sector spurs specialty college programs
Worcester Polytechnic Institute recently launched both a fintech undergraduate and graduate degree program. The university is far from the first.
Gabrielle Saulsbery, Reporter
Financial technology revenues are expected to grow 600% in the next seven years, from $245 billion to $1.5 trillion, according to a report released in May by Boston Consulting Group. In spite of challenges that have plagued the industry since early 2022, BCG predicts the fintech sector, which currently holds 2% of the $12.5 trillion financial services revenue globally, will grow up to 7% — and colleges and universities are taking note. Last week, Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s business school announced the creation of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in financial technology.
Higher Ed Dive
Calbright zeroes in on adult student support after rocky start
California’s free online community college is launching programs and hitting state mandates — but one analyst says its certificate awards are still too low.
By Danielle McLean
Calbright College had a slow and rocky start since it opened its doors in 2019. But over the last couple of years, California’s free online community college has notched wins and reached state-mandated milestones. The college is designed to give working adults the flexibility to complete a certificate program, allowing them to boost their earning potential while overcoming barriers they would face at a typical college.
Inside Higher Ed
With Budget Battles Looming in Congress, Prospects for Higher Ed Reforms Don’t Look Bright
A divided Congress and stark disagreements over spending spell trouble.
By Katherine Knott
In more normal political times, higher education advocates, experts and lobbyists might be expecting to see progress on a number of issues once Congress returns from its August recess. They’d be optimistic, for starters, about the prospects for doubling the maximum Pell Grant award for students, expanding Pell to cover short-term programs like job training classes or standardizing federal financial aid applications. Instead, all eyes will be focused on the fight over the federal budget and the question of whether Congress can keep the government open after the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30. Some House Republicans want steep cuts in spending and an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, and they’re vowing to force a shutdown if they don’t get them. Meanwhile, the Senate is gearing up to pass appropriations bills, along with a short-term funding measure designed to avert a shutdown.
Cybersecurity Dive
BEC phishing kit hits thousands of Microsoft 365 business accounts
Threat actors used the W3LL phishing kit to target more than 56,000 accounts, ultimately compromising 14% of them since last October, Group-IB found.
Matt Kapko, Reporter
Dive Brief:
A business email compromise phishing kit compromised at least 8,000 corporate Microsoft 365 accounts during the last 10 months, Singapore-based cybersecurity provider Group-IB said Wednesday. W3LL, a referral-based dark web marketplace, sells multiple phishing tools and custom phishing kits that bypass multifactor authentication and specifically target Microsoft 365 business accounts, the researchers said. The store has more than 500 active users. Threat actors used the phishing tools to target more than 56,000 corporate Microsoft 365 accounts in the U.S., Australia and Europe from last October through July, according to Group-IB. Microsoft did respond to a request for comment.