accessWDUN
Amended Georgia budget with more pay, refunds nears passage
By The Associated Press
An amended Georgia budget that includes pay boosts for employees, more money for education and an earmark for tax refunds passed the state Senate on Thursday by a 52-0 vote, as it nears Gov. Brian Kemp’s desk. While the bill has even larger raises than originally proposed for prison guards and school nurses, it strips out additional money that could have gone to elected officials and judges, which senators said would have been illegal. The House must agree to the Senate changes in House Bill 910, covering the budget year ending in June, before the measure goes to Kemp. It spends $30 billion in state taxes and $54 billion overall. …The bill includes $5,000 pay boosts for university and state agency employees, $2,000 bonuses to teachers and $1,000 bonuses to other K-12 workers, including school bus drivers, part-time employees and cafeteria workers.
Gwinnett Daily Post
New degree program allows Georgia Gwinnett College students to finish what they started
By Collin Elder Special to the Daily Post
Students who change majors or transfer into another college or university tend to lose credits and take extra time to graduate. But Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) has a solution for that, saving students time and money. A new bachelor’s degree at GGC allows students to keep the credits they have earned and progress toward graduation without loss of time. The recently introduced Bachelors of Integrative Studies (BIS) is a multi-disciplinary program that requires students to complete three major concentrations, or two concentrations and a minor, thus giving them the skills to compete in a wide range of careers.
Tifton CEO
ABAC Athletics Hall of Fame Announces 2022 Inductees
Eight individuals and one team will be honored with their induction into the ABAC Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2022 on April 1 at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. This class was originally scheduled to be inducted in 2020 before the Covid pandemic closed all public events at ABAC. ABAC Athletics Director Alan Kramer said the 2022 class includes the 2002 women’s state championship basketball team, tennis player German Dalmagro, three-sport letterman Clayt Hurst, softball player Lee Davis Watson, soccer standout Nikita Morris, tennis player, coach, and contributor Margaret Treadway, contributor and volunteer assistant softball coach James Winfred “Vic” Vickers, contributor and volunteer assistant softball coach Jimmy Spurlin, and Director of Public Relations Emeritus Michael D. Chason.
Gwinnett Daily Post
GGC student from Lilburn honored by University System of Georgia
By Collin Elder
Georgia Gwinnett College student Naiya Patel, 21, of Lilburn was recently recognized by the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents at its Academic Recognition Day event. During the annual event, held on Feb. 8, students are recognized from each of the system’s 26 public colleges and universities. Students selected for this honor retain a high GPA, strive for academic excellence and demonstrate the ability to share expert knowledge in various areas. Patel is a senior biology major set to graduate in May, just three short years after she enrolled at GGC.
Gwinnett Daily Post
GCPS students’ participation in CyberStart America allows for exploration of cybersecurity field
From staff reports
The Gwinnett County Public Schools district is one of 10 “Districts of Distinction” honored by the University of North Georgia’s CyberStart America in Georgia Task Force. These Georgia school districts were recognized for the role they have played in registering students in the CyberStart America program. With more than 4,000 registrants, Georgia has the second-most students involved in the program of participating states. CyberStart America features a free, learn-as-you-go, online game designed to help students explore cybersecurity, compete for college scholarships in cyber studies, and earn prize money provided by private industry.
The Red & Black
Bulldogs from abroad: UGA exchange students talk culture shocks, differences
Elizabeth Rymarev
The University of Georgia has more than 2,600 international students from 125 countries who call the school home. Within this group are exchange students who get to experience and explore American academics, culture and history during their time in Athens. …Popular American shows and social media posts are what shaped Cho’s image of American culture. He felt prepared for any cultural differences or shocks — however, he wasn’t prepared for Greek life and didn’t understand it after encountering it on campus. Campus life is different in American schools versus international ones, the students said.
Savannah CEO
National Youth Conference Returns to In-Person March 6-9
The 2022 National Youth Advocacy and Resilience (NYAR) Conference returns in-person to the Hyatt Regency Savannah after going virtual last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference, sponsored by Georgia Southern University’s College of Education, Georgia Youth Challenge Program and Youth Today, will be held March 6-9. For more than 32 years, the NYAR Conference has provided quality, relevant training for all people interested in the well-being of youth.
The Creative Coast
Deadline to Apply for UGA’S Next Top Entrepreneur Competition Is Fast Approaching!
By Abbegayle Stallons
If you are a student with a big business idea, you and your team are going to want to enter UGA’S Next Top Entrepreneur Competition. The winning team will walk away with $10,000 and the exposure of your innovative business to the attendees and five panelists of the event. The application deadline is: Mar 16, 2022. The finalists for the competition will be in March 24, 2022 and the finalist will move on to compete in Athens, GA on April 14, 2022.
Consumer Affairs
Fungal infections account for nearly $7 billion in U.S. health care costs, study finds
Experts say related hospital stays may surpass $37 billion
Kristen Dalli, Reporter
A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Georgia explored the cost of fungal infections across the United States. Their findings showed that health care costs reached nearly $7 billion in 2018, with hospital stays for these infections surpassing $37 billion. “Fungal infections are much more than a yeast infection or athlete’s foot,” said researcher Emily Rayens. “These infections can have a very big impact on people’s lives and have a very high mortality rate.”
Rising health care costs
For the study, the researchers analyzed data from the National Inpatient Sample, which tracks hospitalizations and in-patient care in the U.S. This allowed them to evaluate the number of infections, the associated costs, and the health risks associated with fungal infections.
The Red & Black
UGA community members support Ukrainians, urge peace at rally
Lucinda Warnke
Ukrainian pop music could be heard across the University of Georgia’s North Campus Wednesday afternoon as UGA community members gathered for a rally in support of Ukraine. Decked in yellow and blue and carrying signs in both English and Ukrainian, the demonstrators voiced opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Feb. 24 invasion and expressed support for those affected by it. Adriana Dale, the rally’s organizer whose mother is from Ukraine, said she felt the event was important to highlight Ukrainian culture, which has been under threat in the past, and stand up for Ukrainian sovereignty.
The Times
‘No one could have imagined.’ Oakwood dentist from Ukraine reflects on Russian invasion
Conner Evans
Dr. Sergey Gritsiv, a dentist in Oakwood, left Ukraine at 18 years old, near the beginning of Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union. Less than 30 years later, the young country’s newly formed independence could be destroyed.
WSAV
Eastern Europe expert weighs in on Russia-Ukraine conflict
by: Brian Rea
It’s been one week since Russian troops invaded Ukraine, leaving 1 million people to leave the country to seek refuge, according to the United Nations. An expert in Eastern European politics and military strategy anticipates it possibly could be the largest war in Europe since World War II. “There were dozens of ways to address Russia’s concerns and avoid the conflict,” said Dr. Jacek Lubecki, a professor at Georgia Southern University. “And Russia chose the path of war.” Lubecki explained tensions between the two countries have been building since 2014.
WSAV
Cyber attacks may be aimed at US as part of Russian war
by: JoAnn Merrigan
With the Russian invasion waging in Ukraine, U.S. officials say this country might also be the target of cyber-attacks. Homeland Security is warning that many businesses in the U.S. may be at risk from cyber threats. Frank Katz, an assistant professor of Information and Technology at Georgia Southern University says most companies, regardless of size, should be examining data security measures and beefing up their security.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
David Perdue’s challenge fractures powerful family political machine
By Greg Bluestein
The Perdue network was once the most formidable political operation in Georgia. But former U.S. Sen. David Perdue’s challenge to Gov. Brian Kemp has fractured the powerful family’s longtime loyalists. At least four key allies of the Perdue family political machine are openly backing Kemp, while many others are pointedly staying on the sidelines ahead of the May 24 matchup between the former friends. And the highest-profile member of the clan, former Gov. Sonny Perdue, is likely to stay neutral over his first cousin’s challenge after he was appointed the chancellor of Georgia’s higher education system at Kemp’s urging.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia House voting on bill to control how race is discussed in schools
By Ty Tagami
The Georgia House of Representatives is expected to vote Friday on legislation that would control what teachers say about race in public school classrooms. The vote for passage of House Bill 1084 by the House Education Committee last week broke mostly along party lines. If the same thing happens in the full House, which is dominated by Republicans, the bill will head to the Senate. Four such bills have been introduced during this year’s legislative session, and this one is the first to reach a vote by one of the chambers. It comes in the wake of national outrage over the notion that K-12 teachers are promoting the college-level academic concept known as critical race theory, which is used to examine the effect of racism on society.
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
Legislators Call for Congress to Address Funding Disparities for Land-Grant Institutions
Walter Hudson
In a letter to Governors and state leaders, several Congressional Democrats who serve on the Education and Labor Committee and the Agriculture Committee said that more attention should be placed on addressing funding disparities that exist between 1890 and 1862 Land-Grant Institutions. “For far too long the funding disparity between 1890 and 1862 Land-Grant Institutions has prevented our country from supporting our students when it comes to agriculture research and innovation,” said U.S. Representative David Scott. “That is why today I am calling on Governors and state leaders to finally put an end to this gap and work to ensure 1890 Institutions are fully funded in order to better support their students and agriculture programs,” said Scott, who represents Georgia.
Other News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Map: Coronavirus deaths and cases in Georgia (updated March 3)
An updated count of coronavirus deaths and cases reported across the state
CONFIRMED CASES: 1,913,823
CONFIRMED DEATHS: 29,991 | 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
Losing Money on Graduate Degrees
A new report finds that STEM programs and professional degrees often pay off, while those in arts and humanities frequently do not. Many M.B.A. programs also offer a negative return on investment.
By Josh Moody
It’s no secret that some advanced degrees don’t pay off. But a new report from the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity offers some surprising insights—including that 60 percent of M.B.A.s and other business-related master’s degrees fail to provide a positive return. The report, “Is Graduate School Worth It? A Comprehensive Return on Investment Analysis,” analyzes data for nearly 14,000 graduate degrees—11,600 master’s degrees plus 2,300 doctoral and professional degrees—at 1,441 universities.
Inside Higher Ed
Education Department Clarifies Rules on Income-Share Agreements
The programs are loans, the department says. And the companies that offer them—and colleges—have obligations.
By Scott Jaschik
The Education Department clarified this week that income-share agreements in higher education are private loans. As loan providers, the companies that provide these agreements are regulated in different ways than before the clarification, and colleges have specific requirements in terms of how they promote the arrangements. Income-share agreements (or ISAs) offer students up-front financial support and, in exchange, require them to pay back a portion of their future income for a set number of years. They are offered in some cases through colleges and in other cases by companies. Some providers of ISAs have argued that they are not loans.
Inside Higher Ed
Hiring of Minority College Presidents on the Rise: Key Podcast
By Doug Lederman
Colleges and universities have significantly increased their hiring of Black and Latino presidents since the renewed Black Lives Matter movement took hold in 2020. How meaningful is the increase—and will it last? This week’s episode of The Key, Inside Higher Ed’s news and analysis podcast, explores those questions and the underlying data with two national experts. Lorelle L. Espinosa is program director at the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, where she focuses on diversity, equity and inclusion in STEM education, and she formerly oversaw research on the college presidency and other topics at the American Council on Education. She believes boards and search committees are seeking presidents with different skills and perspectives because of the current moment.
Inside Higher Ed
Hundreds of Medical Students Trapped in Ukraine
By Sara Weissman
More than 800 mostly foreign medical students are stranded in Sumy, a city in northeast Ukraine about 40 miles from the Russian border, as Russia continues its assault on Ukraine, The New York Times reported Thursday. The students are mostly from African countries and India and attend Sumy State University. The students are unable to leave Ukraine because Russian forces have obstructed access to nearby roads and trains. Explosions near the university have caused power outages and forced students to frequently go to bomb shelters. According to the Associated Press, students reported that an oil depot in the city was recently bombed and there is fighting in the streets. …In the meantime, the students remain trapped and in a state of uncertainty. Students have been tweeting about their experiences and appealing to be let out of the city with the hashtag #savesumystudents.