State leaders in the last week have proposed ways to improve higher education in Georgia and are looking at a veteran official to improve operations at the organization that manages its technical college system.
Meanwhile, President Trump, someone who wants his job and another leader in Washington drew up plans they believe will improve campus safety and make college more affordable.
Here’s the latest on these items and other issues in this week’s AJC On Campus.
New leader for Georgia’s tech college system
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Greg Dozier has been a Mr. Fix It in state government. He's led Georgia's Department of Corrections and the Department of Driver Services. On Monday, Georgia leaders announced that Dozier, currently the chief financial officer of state government, will become the Technical College System of Georgia's commissioner, effective Jan. 1. The current commissioner, Matt Arthur, will lead the state's Professional Standards Commission. Dozier's goals will include producing more students skilled to work in high-demand careers, such as the film industry. Read more about it here.
Higher education outcomes
A state senate study committee released a report last week looking at ways to improve higher education outcomes for Georgia's students. The recommendations include expanding an existing program for students to receive better counseling about college opportunities, getting more students to take the ACT or SAT by offering it during the school day, getting more students to complete the federal form to get financial aid for college and expanding the University System of Georgia's Nexus degree program. By 2025, 60% of the jobs in Georgia will require a college degree, according to state research. About 48% of young Georgians qualify for those jobs, the study committee report says. Not many recommendations require new legislation. Here's a look at some issues the Georgia Legislature may tackle next year.
A new proposal to pay student loan debt
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There’s been a lot of talk this year about college costs, particularly student loan debt. A U.S. senator from Kentucky believes he has a solution. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, has proposed allowing students and parents to dip into their retirement accounts to repay the loans. He’s written a bill, Higher Education Loan Repayment and Enhanced Retirement Act, or HELPER, that would allow people to borrow a maximum of $5,250 a year from their 401(k) or IRAs to repay the debt. The bill has not come up for discussion in the Senate. Congress has been preoccupied with another issue in recent days.
Georgia faculty sides in favor of Trump impeachment
Speaking of that issue, more than 20 legal scholars affiliated with Georgia law schools signed an open letter encouraging Congress to impeach President Donald Trump. Here's our report on their involvement.
President Trump’s order to curb anti-Semitism on campus
President Trump signed an executive order last week making Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act apply to anti-Semitic acts. Title VI bans discrimination in various forms, including religion, by organizations that receive federal funds, including colleges and universities. The order notes an increase in anti-Semitism since 2013, particularly on university and college campuses. We told you about a recent federal report citing the increase and noted recent anti-Semitic vandalism at the University of Georgia and Georgia College. UGA announced last week a Clemson University-bound student visiting the Athens campus was responsible for drawing swastikas on student doors inside Russell Hall last month. The student is banned from UGA campuses.
UGA’s film program
Hollywood is coming to Athens, sort of. The University of Georgia announced last week it’s offering a master’s degree program in film production. UGA’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication and Franklin College of Arts and Sciences is partnering with Pinewood Forest and the Georgia Film Academy in the effort. Classes will start in Fall 2020. UGA said it’s a two-year (six-semester), 62-credit-hour program culminating in capstone experiences and professional internships.
Coming soon: a hotel at Berry College
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Berry College announced last week it is building the first hotel on its northwest Georgia campus. The 100-room hotel will be located next to its tennis center, and is scheduled to be completed in 2021. The college has historic log cottages for rent similar to a bed and breakfast, but nothing on the scale of a hotel. Berry is partnering with Marriott International on the project, which will be managed by Atlanta-based Hotel Equities.
UWG presidential finalist
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The University System of Georgia believes it has found a new president for the University of West Georgia. Here's more about the finalist, Brendan Kelly.
HBCU plans
Last week, we told you about a $100 billion proposal - the largest one yet - from Democratic presidential candidate Cory Booker to help the nation's historically black colleges and universities. There are nine accredited HBCUs in Georgia. Candidate Tom Steyer said a few days later I'll see you plan and raise you. He's rolled out a $125 billion plan. Here's our recent report about some of the plans.
Emory University learning space
Emory University announced last week it has created a new space for student creativity. The 15,000-square-foot Hatchery, which will officially open in January, will have presentation and event space, classrooms, online tools and a breakroom. “The Hatchery is where you can come to test a wild idea, encounter other curious minds, expand your professional network and create solutions to share with the world,” said Shannon Clute, who will be the center’s director. “It’s a place to apply their studies to real-world problems and to succeed beyond Emory.”
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