The Augusta Press
Augusta University invests $6 million amid enrollment surge
To assist Augusta University’s goal to enroll 16,000 students by 2030, the college has accelerated staff and faculty hiring to maintain the pace. After celebrating the enrollment of 10,546 last fall, Augusta University’s enrollment increased 7.5% from fall 2022 and an impressive 26.6% since 2015.
11Alive
Dental hygienist program making impact at Clayton State University
Video
“Clayton State University’s dental clinic is providing free services to children this week, as the university’s dental hygienists program celebrates 50 years.”
Dalton Daily Citizen
By Brady Hix
Each time the University of Georgia’s Vice President for Public Service and Outreach Jennifer Frum travels to Dalton, she can’t help but see the impact local business owners have on the community and across Northwest Georgia. “Dalton is booming with all of the commerce and important work being done here,” Frum said. But with each aspiring entrepreneur, there often comes a demand for guidance and services from the right resources, which is one of the reasons why Dalton State College’s Wright School of Business recently partnered with the University of Georgia (UGA) Small Business Development Center. Through the partnership, center team members will bring support to local business owners and entrepreneurs through one-on-one consultations on Dalton State’s campus, in an office space inside the college’s Gignilliat Hall. ‘A critical role’ “We’re very glad to have UGA’s Small Business Development Center here,” said Dalton State College President John Fuchko III. Fuchko said an important aspect of having a center office on campus will include supporting businesses in the community.
Albany Herald
Sylvester student recognized in GSW Canes Spotlight
From staff reports
K.J. Daniels of Sylvester has been featured as a student in the Canes Spotlight at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus. Canes Spotlights highlight GSW students who hold leadership roles, are involved in extracurricular activities and excel academically on campus.
The Red & Black
‘Odd but cool’: UGA senior Christian Spence reflects on running an ultramarathon
Ella Jones
“You don’t really say no to Christian,” University of Georgia senior Ursula Cole said about her boyfriend, Christian Spence. “If he puts his mind to something, he’s going to do it.” Spence ran the Longest Night 50K ultramarathon in Greenville, South Carolina, this past December to honor his father, Mark Spence, and to fundraise $25,000 in support of the Parkinson’s Foundation. Spence described the moment his father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019 as bittersweet. Over the course of about 31 miles, Spence felt many things — supported, flat out “awesome,” mentally and physically taxed and incredibly emotional as he was greeted by his father at the finish line.
Athens CEO
Albany Apparel Brand Manages Growth with Help of the UGA Small Business Development Center
Kim Broun, Public Relations Specialist, UGA SBDC
Roy Steinberg’s golf apparel business was in full swing in Albany, Georgia, but his business needed additional cash flow to increase inventory and meet demand. With guidance from the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center, Steinberg was able to develop a strong financial plan to refinance existing loans and improve cash flow. His hard work paid off—sales for his business, Steinberg Sportswear, have tripled.
The Georgia Sun
A Mobile Health Clinic is Available in West Georgia
Thom Chandler
The University of West Georgia has unveiled a mobile health clinic, designed to provide preventative wellness care and education to underserved communities around Carrollton while offering students valuable experiential learning opportunities. Bridgette Stewart, alumna and Chief Wellness Officer at UWG, spearheaded the project to extend healthcare services beyond the campus, reaching those hindered by financial, transportation, or language barriers.
Not Going Away: UGA Entomologist Cautions Blueberry Producers Against SWD
By Clint Thompson
Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) remains a threat to Georgia blueberry production. If growers stray from their spray programs, it could have devastating results, believes Ash Sial, University of Georgia (UGA) entomologist. “Some growers, if they don’t see populations or don’t see activity in the field, especially when the weather is hot and dry, (they think) these flies are not active in the field. They think we don’t have SWD,” Sial said. “If they don’t take any action or stay off the programs, then comes rainy weather with lots of humidity and heat, these flies come out and make havoc. “It is recommended that if you’re growing blueberries, you have to spray until you get through the whole season. Otherwise, you run the risk.”
Atlanta Civic Circle
Does Georgia’s bill banning “deepfakes” go too far?
by Ryan Zickgraf
In the leadup to the New Hampshire presidential primary, an AI-generated robocall that sounded eerily similar to President Joe Biden spoke to voters. “It’s important to save your vote for the November election. Voting this Tuesday only helps Republicans in their quest to elect Donald Trump again,” said the Biden soundalike. Three days later, on Jan. 24, in Georgia 12 state senators filed Senate Bill 392, which makes it a felony to create a deepfake image, video or audio recording with the intent of influencing an election–punishable by one to five years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. …But Clare Norins, a law professor at the University of Georgia who directs its First Amendment Clinic, told Atlanta Civic Circle that Senate Bill 392 is a well-intentioned bill that “presents real First Amendment concerns.” “I think everyone agrees that election interference is a legitimate concern. But at the same time, we have First Amendment rights that have to be respected, and the current draft of this bill really does not do that,” said Norins. One flaw, she said, is that the First Amendment guarantees the right to speak and publish false information. That includes a news program that replays a deep fake as part of reporting on it. “Under SB 392, as it currently stands, there’s no carve out for the media.”
Columbus CEO
Derrick Warnock on What Sets CSU Students Apart
Derrick Warnock with Columbus State University talks about the reasons you should consider hiring a CSU student.
WRBL
by: Chuck Williams
Six months after her daughter was shot to death on campus at Columbus State University, a grieving mother is still searching for answers. Gisele Pierce was killed Aug. 18, 2023 outside the Lenior Hall annex on the CSU main campus. The Muscogee County Coroner’s Office says it was an apparent murder-suicide. Another CSU student, 25-year-old Nathaniel Janik was found dead on the scene of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. …Six months later, the GBI says the probe is continuing and has not released a final report. Lara has received some information from Columbus State, but she has not seen or been briefed on the GBI report. She says the GBI had access to her daughter’s cell phone in the aftermath of the shooting. That information has not been released.
Savannah Morning News
Savannah State’s termination of 13 faculty may have violated University System protocols
Joseph Schwartzburt
As Savannah State University contends with student protests over potential deactivation of additional degree programs, a Savannah Morning News investigation into internal university documents suggests that some decisions about programs cuts have already been made based upon notices of contract non-renewals sent to 13 professors in August 2023 ― at the beginning of the academic school year. Upon further scrutiny, it also appears that SSU administrators violated University System of Georgia (USG) protocols when sending out those contract non-renewals.
Savannah Morning News
Savannah State interim president addresses students after protests concerning program cuts
Joseph Schwartzburt
In the wake of Monday’s student protests against potential deactivation of Savannah State University’s Visual and Performing Arts programs, students held court with the university’s Interim President Cynthia Robinson Alexander and Interim Provost Richard Miller on Wednesday night. SSU’s Student Government Association (SGA) hosted the forum at the same Student Union where students peacefully marched with signs and chanted, “Stand up for the arts.” …The forum devolved into students airing grievances as the administration evaded questions about specific plans for the future of SSU and its academic programs. When asked directly by a student how many programs were in jeopardy, Miller said, “My response to your question is, a number.” Audible discontent from the few hundred students in attendance filled the room. The grumblings continued throughout the forum, especially when Alexander later stated, “This process is not to just eliminate courses, you haven’t asked me what we’re going to add.” She never did share what new programs might be on the horizon.
Athens CEO
Top Collegiate Golfers to Compete at Reynolds Lake Oconee
Staff Report From Georgia CEO
Once again, Reynolds Lake Oconee becomes the center for collegiate golf, with the playing of tournaments for both women and men in the next four weeks. Hosted by Mercer University, the Reynolds Lake Oconee Invitational — set for Friday, Feb. 23 to Sunday, Feb. 25 — will attract some of the country’s top women college players. Among the teams slated to compete are University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, University of Cincinnati, and Daytona State College. For the men, the 19th annual Linger Longer Invitational (LLI), co-hosted by the University of Georgia, Mercer University, and Kennesaw State University, is scheduled for March 16-19. Fans will be able to watch the stars in men’s college golf as some of the country’s top-ranked teams will participate, including top-ranked University of Alabama.
Other News:
Aol
Where’s my money? Ossoff presses Biden administration about financial aid delay for Georgia students
FOX 5 Atlanta Digital Team
Sen. Jon Ossoff is putting pressure on the Biden administration to address a delay in financial aid for Georgia students. This comes the same day as the Biden administration announced an additional $1.2 billion in student loan forgiveness. Ossoff says he’s calling on the Department of Education to quickly fix an issue with the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. There appears to be some sort of problem impacting Georgia students and their ability to make decisions about their enrollment. It’s also barring Georgia colleges and universities from sending accurate financial aid offers to students, according to reports by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and WABE. The FAFSA form typically opens on Oct. 1, but reports suggest it didn’t become available until Dec. 30 this academic year. Due to the months-long delay, students may not receive their aid for the semester until the first half of March.
Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
More Than Half of Recent 4-Year College Grads Underemployed
A new report found that many recent graduates don’t land jobs that require a degree.
By Sara Weissman
More than half of recent four-year college graduates, 52 percent, are underemployed a year after they graduate, according to a new report from Strada Institute for the Future of Work and the Burning Glass Institute. A decade after graduation, 45 percent of them still don’t hold a job that requires a four-year degree. Those stark data points were highlighted in a report released today called “Talent Disrupted.” The report outlines employment outcomes for recent bachelor’s degree earners and explores the factors that contribute to their short- and long-term underemployment. It drew on federal data sources, job ads and online résumé and career profiles for more than 60 million workers. The report defines underemployment as holding a job that doesn’t require a bachelor’s degree, signified by at least half of employees in that role not having one.
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
Report: Degree Completion Rate Tied to Number of Credits Taken Per Year
Arrman Kyaw
The number of academic credits a student takes per year has ties to their likelihood to graduate and complete their college journey, a new report from course scheduling company Ad Astra found. Ad Astra’s 2024 Benchmark Report – released on Feb. 20 – dives into data from its partner institutions to look at potential relationships between access to courses, credits taken per school year, and college completion. It analyzed data about 1.3 million students, coming from two- and four-year public or private institutions.
Higher Ed Dive
New Wisconsin law will guarantee admission into UW System for top high school students
Gov. Tony Evers praised the program as a way to strengthen the state’s workforce and retain graduates after college.
Laura Spitalniak, Staff Reporter
Dive Brief:
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed legislation Tuesday that directs the state’s public university network to create a guaranteed admissions system. State high school students who rank within the top 10% of their class would be accepted into most Universities of Wisconsin institutions. However, only students within the top 5% of their class would get a guaranteed spot at University of Wisconsin-Madison, the state’s flagship. The state’s high schools will also be required to establish rankings at the end of junior year if the class has at least 15 students. Homeschooled students would be guaranteed admission if they score in the 90th percentile on a college entrance exam, such as the SAT or ACT, among national test takers.
Higher Ed Dive
US colleges received $58B in philanthropic support in FY23
It’s the second-highest level of giving on record, despite representing a 2.5% decline from fiscal year 2022.
Natalie Schwartz, Senior Editor
Dive Brief:
U.S. colleges received $58 billion in philanthropic support during the 2023 fiscal year, a 2.5% decline from the prior year, according to an annual survey from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. That amount is the second highest on record, showing the level of support is strong despite a single-year decline, according to Ann Kaplan, senior director of the CASE Voluntary Support of Education survey. Kaplan noted that the stock market trended downward in late 2022 and that donors often time their gifts to coincide with growth periods.
Inside Higher Ed
U.S. Offers Temporary Patch for FAFSA Technical Glitch
By Katherine Knott
The Education Department said Tuesday it will fix a technical glitch in its new Free Application for Federal Student Aid that has locked out students whose parents do not have Social Security numbers. The agency announced the fix, which is supposed to be implemented by mid-March, in new guidance that offers those students a temporary workaround in the meantime. Students should wait for the permanent fix, the department said, and only use the workaround if they have to meet a deadline for state or institutional aid. The temporary solution is to have students fill out their section and manually enter their parents’ income and tax information, leaving the Social Security number section blank.
Higher Ed Dive
Education Department: Common medical conditions have disability protections
The documents explain colleges and K-12 schools’ Section 504 responsibilities for students with asthma, diabetes, food allergies or GERD.
Kara Arundel, Senior Reporter
Dive Brief:
The U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday released four new resources to help students with disabilities, their families and schools understand the civil rights protections guaranteed to students with asthma, diabetes, food allergies, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or gastroesophageal reflux (GER). The resources explain how these medical conditions can impact a student’s school experience, how the conditions could require protections for students under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the options for parents and students if they believe schools aren’t meeting their federal legal obligations. Additionally, the Education Department shared updated statistics showing there were 8.4 million students with disabilities who comprised 17% of the nation’s pre-K-12 student population in 2020-21. About 3%, or 1.6 million, of the total student population were students with disabilities who received supports and services under only Section 504 that school year.
Inside Higher Ed
Biden Forgives Another $1.2 Billion in Student Loans
By Katherine Knott
More than 150,000 borrowers will have their student loans automatically discharged this month, the Biden administration announced Wednesday. This tranche of debt relief, which totals $1.2 billion, comes after the Education Department moved up its implementation timeline for the new income-driven repayment plan known as Saving on a Valuable Education. The plan offers loan forgiveness after 10 years to borrowers who took out $12,000 or less. Typical income-driven repayment plans discharge loans after 20 or 25 years. The quicker pathway to cancellation was initially supposed to take effect July 1, but the department decided last month to implement it early. Since the department began rolling out SAVE last summer, 7.5 million borrowers have signed up for the plan, and 4.3 million now have a zero-dollar monthly payment.
See also: Diverse Issues in Higher Education
Inside Higher Ed
Waiting for a ‘Last Word’ on Affirmative Action
The Supreme Court declined to hear a case against a magnet school’s diversity-focused admission policies. Is it a green light for ”race-neutral” alternatives in higher ed?
By Liam Knox
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to intervene Tuesday in a closely watched case concerning admissions policies meant to increase racial diversity at an elite Virginia magnet high school, potentially green-lighting a set of “race-neutral” admission practices for higher ed institutions seeking to counteract the court’s affirmative action ban handed down last summer. The case was brought by Asian American families against Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, a highly competitive public magnet school in Alexandria, Va. The plaintiffs argued that policies the school implemented to increase the number of Black and Latino students following the 2020 murder of George Floyd amounted to discrimination against their children. A Fourth Circuit appeals court decided in a split ruling last May that the practices did not constitute discrimination against white and Asian students; the Supreme Court’s denial lets that decision stand.
Inside Higher Ed
Report Shows Investing in Latino Students Benefits Enrollment in Calif.
By Jessica Blake
A new report from the Campaign for College Opportunity provides a campus-by-campus analysis of pandemic-induced enrollment shifts in the California State University system in an effort to identify which institutions have fared better and why. The analysis by the California-based organization, which advocates for equity in college attendance, affordability and completion, found that although overall systemwide enrollment has dropped by about 27,900 students, or 6.5 percent, since 2019, enrollment at four campuses—San Diego State, Cal Poly, Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Long Beach— grew by between 1,000 and 2,200 students at each.
Inside Higher Ed
Turmoil Grows at Embattled California University
Since going on accreditation probation in August, the University of Antelope Valley has lost its president, replaced part of employees’ salaries with stock options and now faces an eviction.
By Lauren Coffey
A California university on probation with its accreditor is facing eviction, a shaky leadership lineup and allegations of withholding employee salaries, leaving questions swirling about its ability to survive. The University of Antelope Valley, a four-year, for-profit institution, was placed on accreditation probation in August. Since then, the situation at the university has worsened, according to former and current employees who spoke on condition of anonymity. Two former employees and one current employee described an environment of depleted morale, with students owed thousands of dollars, employees being paid partly in stock instead of salary and a looming eviction from dorms and classrooms later this month.
Cybersecurity Dive
IBM marks monumental shift in valid account attacks
X-Force identified a 71% increase in valid account credential attacks, the most common point of entry last year.
Matt Kapko, Senior Reporter
Dive Brief:
Valid account compromises accounted for almost one-third of global cyberattacks last year, making them the most-common initial access vector for threat actors, according to IBM X-Force’s Threat Intelligence Index report. X-Force observed a 71% increase in the volume of valid account credential attacks in 2023, the company said Wednesday in its annual report. “What you’re really seeing is an aha moment on the part of threat actors in shifting to something that works,” said Charles Henderson, global managing partner and head of IBM X-Force. “What this establishes is that the criminals have figured out that valid credentials are the path of least resistance, and the easiest way in.”