University System News:
Grice Connect
Dr. David Schecter finalist for East Georgia State College Presidency
Board of Regents Chairman Sachin Shailendra and University System of Georgia (USG) Acting Chancellor Teresa MacCartney have announced Dr. David Schecter as the sole finalist for president of East Georgia State College. “Dr. David Schecter is well prepared to lead, and his experience and passion make him the ideal candidate to serve as East Georgia State College’s next president,” MacCartney said. “I firmly believe Dr. Schecter will play a critical role in leading the college to achieve its mission and continue its transformative role in that community.”
WSB-TV
Georgia public universities shrink for first time since 2013
By Jeff Amy | The Associated Press
After posting years of enrollment growth, Georgia’s public universities saw the number of students dip this fall, driven by declines in undergraduates. The decrease was in line with national trends, after a year in which the University System of Georgia’s 26 institutions had defied a shrinking number of students nationwide. The system had shown enrollment increases for seven straight years, reaching an all-time high last fall. Students statewide fell by 0.2% to 340,638, according to numbers released Monday. That almost-flat total conceals a divide in the system, with the biggest and most prestigious institutions still growing, while more and more smaller schools shrink.
See also:
AP News
Georgia public universities shrink for first time since 2013
GPB
University System of Georgia sees slight enrollment drop
Henry Herald
University System of Georgia enrollment sees slight drop
The Current
University System of Georgia enrollment sees slight drop
College of Coastal Georgia, Savannah State decrease; Ga Southern remains flat.
Marietta Daily Journal
University System of Georgia enrollment sees slight drop
WRDW
Ga. university system sees slight decline in enrollment for fall
WTOC
Ga. university system sees slight decline in enrollment for fall
U.S. News & World Report
A Glance at Georgia Public College and University Enrollment
Officials announced that the University System of Georgia saw overall enrollment decrease this fall compared to fall 2020 by 0.2%, dropping to about 340,000 students.
Statesboro Herald
USG confirms: Georgia Southern enrollment resurgence continues
Tops 27,000 students total, draws 2nd annual record freshman class
From staff reports
The University System of Georgia’s annual enrollment report confirms what Georgia Southern University officials had predicted, that Georgia Southern now has more than 27,000 students and a second consecutive record-size freshman class. Georgia Southern’s fall semester 2021 enrollment at the official October count was 27,091 students, a half of 1% increase over fall 2020’s enrollment figure of 26,949. The 27,091 figure is not in itself a new record for overall enrollment, since the university’s enrollment has been measured with that of the former Armstrong State University retroactively to its consolidation into Georgia Southern at the beginning of 2018. Their record combined headcount was 28,013 students back in fall 2012. But the fall semester 2021 figure shows that, after the enrollment decline that had occurred before and during consolidation, a turnaround that had gathered steam in fall 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, is continuing.
Athens Banner-Herald
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp files complaint against White House vaccine mandates
Tim Darnell Capitol Beat
Georgia has joined six other states in filing a long-threatened complaint against President Joe Biden and other federal agencies over the White House’s COVID vaccine mandates. Gov. Brian Kemp and Attorney General Chris Carr filed the complaint late last week in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia. Other states joining the complaint are Alabama, Idaho, Kansas, South Carolina, Utah and West Virginia. The lawsuit claims the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate is unconstitutional.
WRDW
Ga. universities mandate COVID shots even as state sues feds
By Staff and wire reports
Some Georgia universities are mandating vaccinations for federal contract employees, even as Georgia state government sues President Joe Biden’s administration to block the requirement. The share of workers covered is likely highest at Augusta University, the University of Georgia, Georgia State University and Georgia Tech. Some schools may not be affected at all. “Augusta University will notify all employees who fall into these categories for which a vaccine is required once our review is complete,” AU spokeswoman Heather Henley told The Associated Press. Henley told AP that AU has more than 200 contracts. She said the school “is actively working through the details of implementing the guidelines.”
See also:
MSN
Ga. universities mandate COVID shots even as state sues feds
MSN
Biden vaccine mandate imperils AU funds, Ga. lawsuit says
Staff
Augusta University plays a prominent part in a lawsuit Georgia and several other states filed in the local U.S. District Court fighting to stop President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal contractors. Georgia, joined by Alabama, Idaho, Kansas, South Carolina, Utah and West Virginia, is arguing in a federal lawsuit that the requirement violates federal law.
Marietta Daily Journal
Kennesaw State serves national need with training to support homeless college students
As more college students nationwide face homelessness and food insecurity, Kennesaw State University’s Campus Awareness Resource and Empowerment Services has emerged as a leader, creating practical solutions to help students in need. Now in its 10th year, KSU’s CARE Services is dedicated to helping students who are experiencing foster care, homelessness and/or food insecurity. The organization serves as the single point of access to services and resources both on and off campus for KSU students.
Georgia Trend
Helping to close Georgia’s cybersecurity workforce gap
Mary Ann DeMuth
Cybersecurity attacks are real and occurring everyday – at major corporations, health systems, small businesses and even on our personal computing devices. At the same time, the world is facing a massive shortage of cybersecurity specialists. The global shortage of workers is estimated to be 3.1 million. The U.S. alone has more than 460,000 open cyber jobs and 17,000 of those are in Georgia. To help fill this workforce gap and entice high school students to discover their talent in cybersecurity, the University of North Georgia (UNG) is spearheading CyberStart America in Georgia. It’s a statewide initiative targeting more than 800 high schools across the state. The program features a free online game that aims to help students explore cybersecurity and compete for college scholarships in cyber studies.
41NBC
MGA partners with 2 organizations to offer a Parkinson’s Disease Fit Class
Lizbeth Gutierrez
Middle Georgia State University is opening its fitness doors to patients with Parkinson’s Disease. This is all thanks to the Me over PD group, who reached out to the university to host the PD Fit group on campus. The Peyton Anderson is also helping by providing equipment for the group to use. While MGA provides the space, it will help people who struggle with the disease to get some workouts in.
Tifton CEO
ABAC Veterans Center to be Named for Merrill on November 11
The Veterans Center at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College will be named in honor of Melvin L. Merrill in a 3 p.m. ceremony on Nov. 11 in the Carlton Center on the ABAC campus. The public is invited to attend. Merrill served 29 years in the United States Army Reserve before he retired with the rank of Major in 1993. He also occupied an administrative position at ABAC for 42 years, first as Director of Development before moving on to other roles as Chief Development Officer, President of the ABAC Foundation, Inc., and Director of Capital Planning. …Merrill was instrumental in the design and construction of the ABAC Veterans Center, which is now located in the renovated Carlton Center. Its original location was in J. Lamar Branch Hall. Students who are veterans use the area as a place to study and relax, while acquainting themselves with others who also served in the military.
Patch
Georgia Southern University Counseling Center Wins Media Award
The Georgia Southern University Counseling Center won an Award for Excellence in Media by the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors. The award recognized the Counseling Center’s efforts to bring attention to the intersection of identities for individuals through their live Instagram series “Speak Fire,” which ran earlier this year.
Athens CEO
CAES Researchers, Extension Professionals Honored in Fruit and Vegetable 40 Under 40
Maria M. Lameiras
Five members of the faculty and staff of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) and UGA Cooperative Extension have been honored as members of the Fruit and Vegetable 40 Under 40 Class of 2021. The list honors 40 young professionals who are making their marks, and nominations are encouraged for those who demonstrate involvement, innovation and commitment in all segments of the industry.
Patch
UNG: Poultry Science Program Receives $7,000 Grant
Kayley Edwards is glad she is pursuing avian biology associate degree at the University of North Georgia (UNG). “It’s small enough for me to have one-on-one instruction with my professors,” the junior from Jefferson, Georgia, said. “On our first day of class, we got a hands-on lesson. I also remember the first day I dissected a bird.” This is a prime example of the experience students in the poultry science program receive at UNG. Aware of this success, the U.S. Poultry and Egg Foundation awarded UNG with a $7,000 grant to promote its program and recruit and educate students interested in poultry science at UNG.
Albany Herald
PHOTOS: Albany State University women’s soccer Senior Day
Albany State University women’s soccer celebrated Senior Day on Saturday, October 30, 2021, while hosting Columbus State University for a match.
Fox28 Savannah
Savannah State University partners with South University to offer pharmacy program
by Destiny Wiggins
News broadcast
Brownfield Ag News For America
Missouri Soybean Partnership With The University Of Georgia Will Expand High Oleic Footprint
By Tom Steever
Missouri Soybean has partnered with the University of Georgia to execute a license combining the university’s high oleic soybeans with non-GMO Soyleic varieties developed by Missouri Soybean. Missouri Soybean’s high oleic Soyleic currently has maturity groups grown from Missouri northward, according to Bryan Stobaugh, licensing and genetics director for Missouri Soybean. “This expands that territory of the high oleic gene down to the Mid-South and into the further Deep-South to where we have access to multi animals, and we have feeding for a feeding crop,” said Stobaugh. “And then we have it also for export off the East Coast.” The partnership, said Stobaugh, is an example of what local soybean checkoff investments can do.
The Rockdale Newton Citizen
UGA agriculture group attends national policy institute
By Leslie Matos CAES News
Fourteen members of the 2021 class of Advancing Georgia’s Leaders in Agriculture and Forestry had the opportunity to hone their skills in advocacy and communication by attending a recent national agriculture policy institute in Washington, D.C., where they engaged with a variety of stakeholders in agriculture and forestry. A program of the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, AGL is designed to educate and empower agriculture professionals to be dynamic industry leaders.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Albany State student fatally struck by city bus on campus
By Rich Barak
An Albany State University student was fatally struck Monday by a city bus on the east campus, according to the school’s Facebook post. Adonis Butler was pronounced dead at the scene, the university said in its post.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Opinion: Regents playing politics with well-being of state’s colleges
Get Schooled with Maureen Downey
Georgia State University professor emerita says Regents is embracing a political agenda
In a guest column today, a Georgia State University professor emerita says the Board of Regents is violating its own policies by capitulating to a political agenda. After receiving her doctorate from the University of Minnesota, Christine Gallant taught English literature for 31 years, 27 of them at GSU where she retired as professor emerita in 2011. She has published five books and received a National Endowment for the Humanities fellowship in 2003. Gallant is a member of GSU’s Emeriti Association and editor of EmeriTies, their newsletter.
Other News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Map: Coronavirus deaths and cases in Georgia (updated Nov. 1)
An updated count of coronavirus deaths and cases reported across the state
CONFIRMED CASES: 1,265,539
CONFIRMED DEATHS: 24,876 | This figure does not include additional cases that the DPH reports as suspected COVID-19-related deaths. County is determined by the patient’s residence, when known, not by where they were treated.
Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
Graduates Face Most Promising Job Market Since 2008
By Susan H. Greenberg
New college graduates face the rosiest job market since the 2008 recession, according to the latest annual recruiting trends survey by Michigan State University’s Collegiate Employment Research Institute. Employers who cut back on recruiting during the COVID-19 pandemic are now scrambling to fill jobs, said Phil Gardner, author of the Collegiate Employment Institute Annual Recruiting Trends survey report. “Add to this the historically high quit rate, and many employers are eager to find new talent,” Gardner said. The top employment sectors are health services, education services, agriculture, transportation and construction, the survey found. Hiring among those with bachelor’s degrees is expected to climb 15 percent in 2021-22 but remain roughly the same for master’s and M.B.A. graduates. Fifty-three percent of starting salaries are expected to increase, according to the survey.
Inside Higher Ed
Financial Aid Offices Face Staffing Shortages
The shortage of financial aid employees is especially worrisome given that the Department of Education is now planning to beef up its enforcement of federal student aid program rules.
By Alexis Gravely
… The staffing shortages at UT Arlington and other college financial aid offices aren’t necessarily unique. The United States is facing a widespread labor shortage, from nurses to pizza delivery drivers. In higher education, worker shortages extend across all facets of campus life, including at dining halls. But having fewer employees in the financial aid office can lead to consequences that extend beyond longer customer wait times. “Not only does it decrease services to students, especially at a time when students need the most help, but understaffing can also have a big impact on a school’s ability to be in compliance with the litany of federal and state requirements,” said Justin Draeger, president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. That compliance is especially important now, with a new presidential administration that plans to crack down on institutions that aren’t adhering to federal student aid program rules.
Inside Higher Ed
Calls Continue for Biden to Cancel Student Debt
By Alexis Gravely
A coalition of 105 advocacy organizations sent a letter to President Biden Thursday urging him to cancel student loan debt via executive action and to continue the repayment pause until the debt is canceled. The groups — which span a variety of interests and include the Education Trust, the American Association of University Professors, the Student Debt Crisis Center and the Student Borrower Protection Center — argue that canceling debt would allow all borrowers to begin generating wealth while specifically addressing the racial wealth gap for Black and Latinx individuals. They also say that canceling debt is the best way to begin “fixing the broken higher education system” that led to the student debt crisis. The letter didn’t specify an amount of debt that the groups would like to see canceled, but Biden said during his presidential campaign that he would be in support of canceling up to $10,000 in debt.
Inside Higher Ed
University of Hawai‘i is considering major changes to its tenure system, including limiting tenure to instructional faculty only, tying hires and tenure to enrollment and unit “success,” and involving the administration in posttenure review.
By Colleen Flaherty
The University of Hawai‘i’s Board of Regents won’t vote on a sweeping set of proposals limiting who can be tenured or even hired — for now. This a welcome reprieve for professors across the state, who together submitted some 600 pages of comments opposing the proposals to the regents ahead of their most recent meeting. But these professors say the danger to tenure looms still: the controversial proposals have been deferred to a special ad hoc committee that includes all members of the board.