Enrollment Up At State Colleges, Universities

Enrollment at Georgia’s 35 public colleges and universities is up nearly six percent this spring over last. The University System of Georgia now has more than 270,000 students--a rise of over 14,000. The new report from the Board of Regents also shows students are taking more courses.

University System Considers Tuition Hikes, Furloughs

Incoming freshmen at Georgia's colleges and universities may have to pay more than their predecessors.

University System of Georgia Chancellor Erroll B. Davis told lawmakers at a committee meeting Monday that he doesn't "see any way tuition is not going to go up." Most students already enrolled in colleges wouldn't see a tuition increase under the "Fixed for Four" plan that guarantees the same tuition rate for four years.

Davis also told the committee that furloughs are possible for the system's 40,000 employees, reversing his statement in January that he is "philosophically opposed" to asking employees to take unpaid days off. He says campus presidents ultimately will make the decision. The system has laid off 62 workers so far this fiscal year.

Associated Press

GA universities hit record enrollment

The state's public colleges and universities have hit record enrollment. A new report shows over 282,000 students within the University System of Georgia--that's nearly 5 percent more than last year. As a whole, the system of colleges and universities has gained 32,000 students in 5 years, or roughly the equivalent of enrollment at the University of Georgia. Most growth has been reflected in the state's smaller schools, such as two-year colleges and commuter schools.

Federal funds for college prep

Georgia is getting federal money to help under-privileged people earn college degrees. The University System of Georgia will use $2 million in federal grant money to help push low income adults and other underrepresented groups. The program matches challenge grants aimed at increasing the number of low-income students ready to enter post-secondary education. Plans for Georgia's funds include expanding access to www.GAcollege411.com, the state's online portal to help students plan for and finance college, and conducting outreach to adults who have some credits, but haven't finished schooling.

UGA staff layoffs possible

Layoffs could be on the way for University of Georgia. As part of state-mandated budget cuts, Governor Sonny Perdue is asking every state agency to slice 3.5 percent from their budgets. The chancellor of the University System of Georgia has requested a higher number--5 percent, or 20-million dollars in cuts. The state Board of Regents will vote on a systemwide budget reduction plan at its August meeting.

State University System is strong economic engine

A new report shows the state’s university and college system is a strong and growing force in Georgia’s economy.

The study indicates that Georgia’s 35 public colleges and universities have an 11-billion dollar impact on the state’s economy. Of that amount, the University of Georgia in Athens contributes 2.1 billion, or 19-percent of that figure.

The report was released by UGA’s Selig Center for Economic Growth.

What’s more, living in or near a college town in Georgia can be good for your financial situation. Jeff Humphreys is director of UGA’s Selig Center:

"Our universities and colleges tend to be very stable sources of economic impact and sources of employment. They tend to do fairly well even during periods of economic recession, so it’s a very good economic stabilizer to be a college town".

For example, in Athens, Humphreys says more than half of nearly 20-thousand university-related jobs are off-campus.

The report reveals that more than 106-thousand people are employed by the University System, representing about 1 of every 39 jobs in Georgia.

The study was commissioned by the Georgia Board of Regents.

Regents approve higher tuition rates

The Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia approved a tuition rate hike Tuesday.

Incoming freshmen at the state’s colleges and universities will pay five percent to eight percent more than last year’s freshmen class.

The cost of one semester at each of the state’s four research universities is up $180 to $2,428; the cost per semester at a four-year university rose $115 to $1,549; and semester tuition at the state colleges rose $59 to $997.

The Board’s “Fixed for Four” program means that the tuition rate is guaranteed for four years for incoming students in fall 2008.

Mixed grades for state university system

A new report card out today gives Georgia's university system mixed marks. The American Council of Trustees and Alumni gave Georgia a passing grade for general education and board structure and transparency. But the report gives the state a F in intellectual diversity, cost and effectiveness on student learning, and board accomplishments.

School administrators face tougher training

Starting next fall, training to be a school administrator in Georgia will no longer be as simple as getting a graduate degree. The University System of Georgia has revamped the requirements to include less “seat time” in college classes and more time spent training in schools. Graduates also have to complete an additional education specialist degree within five years of getting a master's to receive a principal's license from the state.

CSU Names Presidential Search Committees

Brown plans to retire on June 30, 2008. (Courtesy CSU)

Columbus State University is looking for a new president.

Dr. Susan Herbst, University System of Georgia executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer is to announce the appointment of two committees charged with implementing a national search to replace President Frank Brown, who announced on Aug. 13, that he would
retire on June 30, 2008.

Brown, currently the longest-serving president in the University System of Georgia, will have been president of CSU for 20 years upon his retirement, a CSU statement said.

George Stanton, CSU vice president of academic affairs and search committee chairman will lead an informal, public discussion about the presidential search process at four p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6, in room 215/216 at the Cunningham Center on the main campus.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of CSU.

Georgia schools brace for student influx

Georgia’s public colleges and universities are bracing for a flood of new students in the next decade. Specifically, the University System of Georgia wants to expand its student capacity by 40 percent in the next 13 years. Georgia has 35 public colleges and universities with an enrollment of more than 260,000. The boost would mean adding 100,000 more students in state schools by 2020.

Grants to boost number of Georgia nurses

Sixteen of Georgia’s public universities will receive a total of $3 million in grants to produce more nursing graduates. The Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia hopes its Nursing Education Initiative will remedy the state’s shortage of registered nurses. The funding will be used to expand education programs and boost nursing faculty salaries around the state. Dr. Daniel Rahn is President of the Medical College of Georgia and a University System senior vice chancellor. He said the initiative is intended to increase by 50% the number of new registered nursing grads by 2010.

New University System site helps students, teachers

The University System of Georgia Wednesday has fired-up a new website to provide students and teachers with a one-stop database to search schools and coursework.

Playing on the Georgia state song, the site is called georgiaonmyline.org. The University System is launching it to help broaden access to the state’s 35 colleges and universities.

It’s a clearinghouse site with an updated catalog of online courses and programs. It allows students to apply for admission to schools, register for courses and transfer credits between System schools. Georgia teachers can also use the site to access six new online graduate programs.

The site launch is another phase of the Board of Regents’ blueprint to build enrollment capacity in the University System. It’s expected another 100-thousand students will enroll in Georgia’s colleges and universities by the year 2020.

University System celebrates 75 years by looking ahead

The University System of Georgia has come a long way since 1932, when it had just 6,000 students. Officials celebrated the system's 75th anniversary Wednesday by planning for its future.

In a new strategic plan, the Board of Regents estimates that Georgia's public colleges and universities will serve more than 350,000 students by 2020. To accomplish that feat, it will need to maximize space.

Under the plan, the student body will look different than it does today. It will be more diverse. More students will graduate. Currently, fewer than half of the system's students graduate within six years. There also will be renewed emphasis on graduating health care professionals to ease Georgia's shortage.

The Board of Regents says it will accomplish these goals while keeping tuition low. It will push universities to obtain more federal research funds.

Financial break for war veterans

Also Wednesday, the Board of Regents approved a waiver for combat veterans. They will not have to pay mandatory school fees, which often run as high as $600 per semester.