University System News:
www.wtoc.com
‘Ram Rush’ buses to shuttle students between campuses
http://www.wtoc.com/story/35126633/ram-rush-buses-to-shuttle-students-between-campuses
By Melissa Hodges, Anchor
Albany State University’s “Ram Rush” will be making its debut this Fall. The “Ram Rush” will be two brand new city of Albany transit buses, shuttling Albany State students between the main campus downtown and its new west campus, at the former Darton State College on Gillionville Road. Students explained to Albany’s Mayor on Tuesday how they worked side-by-side with transit employees to develop the route.
www.savannahnow.com
Plan for Armstrong Campus of Georgia Southern University is taking shape
Leadership details have been released
An organizational structure for senior leaders at a combined Armstrong-Georgia Southern University was released Tuesday.
http://savannahnow.com/news/2017-04-11/plan-armstrong-campus-georgia-southern-university-taking-shape
By Dash Coleman
The Savannah university that is set to become the Armstrong Campus of Georgia Southern University next year will have its own top-level administrator, according to an organizational structure for senior leadership released this week. Armstrong State University is being consolidated with the larger school, which is in Statesboro, in a state-mandated move that will create a new, multi-campus university that keeps Georgia Southern’s name and president. In Savannah, where Armstrong has an 82-year history, the development is contentious, especially since the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents voted to combine the two schools with virtually no opportunity for input from students, employees, alumni or the community at large. Once consolidation takes effect in January, the Armstrong Campus leader will report directly to Georgia Southern President Jaimie Hebert and also have oversight of Armstrong’s Liberty Center in Hinesville. The senior organizational structure calls for five vice presidents. Currently, both universities have four, including their provosts. Other than the campus leader for Armstrong, those positions will not likely be in Savannah. “As of right now, we’re looking at centrally locating the entire administration, and that would be here in Statesboro,” Hebert said Tuesday. “That is probably not going to be the case with the deans in the colleges.” …Hebert called the two universities’ vice presidents together Monday to discuss the new senior-level structure. There is no guarantee that any of the current senior officials will be grandfathered in to their titles, and Hebert asked all of them for resumes and letters of intention. He says he will review them all and make appointments with assistance from the USG system office in Atlanta. Technically, all of the senior officials will retain their current jobs through the end of the year. “There will be an apparent leader in each area despite the fact that we will continue to have two vice presidents in each area,” Hebert said. Armstrong President Linda Bleicken is retiring at the end of June, and a senior administrator at the University of Georgia, Jennifer Frum, will serve as Armstrong’s interim president for the remainder of the year. No permanent appointment for the combined school’s provost position will be made until a national search is completed, Hebert said. The official title and exact duties of the Armstrong Campus leader have yet to be determined.
www.constructionequipmentguide.com
Facility to Support Needs of Army ROTC Program
http://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/facility-to-support-needs-of-army-rotc-program/33761
CINDY RILEY
In an effort to meet the needs of a growing regional university, construction crews are building a convocation center on the University of North Georgia’s Dahlonega campus. The new facility will replace the smaller, outdated Memorial Hall as the university’s primary event center. “UNG’s Memorial Hall was constructed in 1960 with a fixed-seating capacity of 1,049,” said Kate Maine, UNG associate vice president of university relations. “At that time, enrollment at UNG’s Dahlonega campus was only 794 students. Today, UNG serves a growing enrollment of more than 18,000 students across five campuses, and is one of the state’s largest public universities. Enrollment on UNG’s Dahlonega campus alone has increased to more than 7,000 students.” The University of North Georgia was formed through the consolidation of North Georgia College & State University and Gainesville State College, two of the top-performing schools in the university system of Georgia. The transition in 2013 has resulted in a significantly larger student population and increased need for large-scale space for academic, athletic and student life events. Maine said throughout the school, anticipation is high regarding the new project.
www.gordon.allongeorgia.com
South Georgia University Cybersecurity program ranked 9th by ‘Military Times’
http://gordon.allongeorgia.com/south-georgia-university-cybersecurity-program-ranked-9th-in-by-military-times/
Armstrong State University (ASU) in Savannah was ranked 9th by the Military Times 10 Best Cybersecurity Programs List. ASU has over 30 industry certifications aligning to the requirements for the Department of Defense requirements and the National Cyber Workforce Framework. ASU also received recognition by the Military Times as a college Best for Vets College List. In 2015, ASU received honors as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency.
www.trueviralnews.com
With Booming Tech, Culture and Creativity, Here’s Why All Eyes Are on Atlanta
http://trueviralnews.com/with-booming-tech-culture-and-creativity-heres-why-all-eyes-are-on-atlanta/
Atlanta is seemingly everywhere these days-on big and small screens as the backdrop of major productions, on the hottest hip-hop playlists, in the Super Bowl, and in headlines about major corporate expansions. So what’s in the water? What factors have made Atlanta a success on so many fronts? And what can other cities learn from it? To find out, Adweek gathered together a roundtable of civic, industry and cultural leaders who represent a cross-section of Atlanta’s most thriving areas:
Kwanza Hall: We have been doubling down on the build environment in the core of the city and attracting innovation-making our city a place around innovation, culture, arts, creative energy and industries.I think that’s been our focus in the last five to 10 years. But also add in the technology undergirding has really helped us, coupled with our universities at Georgia State, Georgia Tech and the Atlanta University Center.
www.13wmax.com
April walkathon proceeds to fund scholarship created to honor FVSU student Donnell Phelps
http://www.13wmaz.com/news/local/april-walkathon-proceeds-to-fund-scholarship-created-to-honor-fvsu-student-donnell-phelps/430512478
Jacob Reynolds, WMAZ
Fort Valley State University alumni are organizing a walkathon this month to honor Donnell Phelps. Nearly a year after Donnell Phelps was stabbed trying to help others, his university is honoring him with a scholarship in his name that will help even more. Another spring on the Fort Valley State University campus marks almost a year since Donnell Phelps was killed. Phelps was a freshman Agriculture Engineering Technology student from Marshallville. He was fatally stabbed last May while trying to help three women who were being assaulted by a campus intruder. Alumni Association President LouAnn Gross said now they’re going to honor him. “We never forget about another wildcat, and that wildcat was a special wildcat because he was willing to give his life,” Gross told WMAZ over the phone. On April 22nd, the University will host the Walkathon for Courage at the stadium. The proceeds will go towards a scholarship in Phelps name. …The Alumni Association said the scholarship will honor Phelps’ memory and hopefully go to a future student with similar values. So far, Gross said they’ve already raised roughly $10,000 enough to meet the endowment.
www.wsav.com
Funding our future: SSU hosts ‘President’s Gala’ to benefit student scholarships
http://wsav.com/2017/04/11/funding-our-future-ssu-hosts-presidents-gala-to-benefit-student-scholarships/
By Kim Gusby
Parents and high school seniors all have one thing on their mind this time of year — how to pay for college. Savannah State University is getting ready for a ‘seriously impressive event.’ Its President’s Gala will raise money for student scholarships. Former State Senator Eric Johnson and former Savannah Mayor Edna Jackson are this year’s co-chairs. They join the conversation with information on how you can get involved.
www.gwinnettdailypost.com
GGC science event draws crowds to see new technologies
http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/local/ggc-science-event-draws-crowds-to-see-new-technologies/article_d825ad59-7c4e-5e4a-9f7c-b22e20a63b25.html
By Keith Farner
For those who walked up to the Allied Health and Sciences building on a warm and sunny Tuesday afternoon, it was a whiplash of sciences on every corner. There was the age-old liquid nitrogen exercise to make ice cream, robots navigating a course to pick up a tennis ball, drones flying in a classroom, and virtual reality goggles where people battled space pirates. All in the name of funneling people into the building to learn about all sorts of science classes, clubs and activities. Georgia Gwinnett College has hosted the event — now called STaRS, which stands for the Science, Technology and Research show — for several years. It began with the liquid nitrogen exercise, but has grown along with the campus, and on Tuesday had 66 projects listed as students wrapped the halls with posters to explain to people passing by. Associate professor Ted Forringer said the event serves two purposes: It’s an opportunity to show off student research, and then also show off cool things happening in science and technology, like robots, drones and virtual reality.
www.wtoc.com
Moms Demand Action organization holds rally against ‘campus carry’ bill
http://www.wtoc.com/story/35128099/moms-demand-action-organization-holds-rally-against-campus-carry-bill
By WTOC Staff
SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) – A rally was held Tuesday evening against House Bill 280. Moms Demand Action, along with other Savannah organizations organized in front of Armstrong State University. HB 280 is also known as the “Campus Carry” bill. Tuesday’s demonstrators want to send a strong message to Georgia Governor Nathan Deal to veto it. “It’s only going to create more problems. If we have people, if there’s an issue at the campus and somebody has shot a gun and another person out there says, ‘Hey, I’ll help,’ and they’re out there holding their gun, they very well could get shot thinking they’re the perpetrator,” said Margaret Ellison, the rally coordinator.
www.ledger-enquirer.com
Police: CSU student arrested on campus after handgun found
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/crime/article143955049.html
BY SARAH ROBINSON
A Columbus State University student was arrested on campus Monday morning after authorities found a 9mm handgun in his possession, according to a police report. Kameron Terrell Hughes, 24, was arrested at 10:12 a.m. Monday and charged with disorderly conduct, possession of drug-related objects and weapon in a school safety zone. He was booked into the Muscogee County Jail, but he was later released on bonds totaling $3,000. A CSU officer said he was called to a dorm at 4225 University Ave. around 9:36 a.m. Monday to check on a reported fight. When he arrived to the area, he heard yelling from outside of a room. Police allegedly found Hughes yelling at a woman. …During the investigation, police allegedly located a 9mm handgun and two marijuana grinders in Hughes’ possession.
Higher Education News:
www.sciencemag.org
U.S. report calls for research integrity board
http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/04/us-report-calls-research-integrity-board
By Jeffrey Mervis
The U.S. research community needs to do a better job of both investigating misconduct allegations and promoting ethical conduct—or the government might act unilaterally in ways that scientists won’t like. That’s the implicit message sent by a new report out today from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine entitled Fostering Integrity in Research. The report’s key recommendation is that universities and scientific societies create, operate, and fund a new, independent, nongovernmental Research Integrity Advisory Board (RIAB). The board would serve as a clearinghouse to raise awareness of the issues, as an honest broker to mediate disagreements, and as a beacon to help institutions that lack the knowledge or resources to root out bad behavior and foster good behavior.