December 2003: Vol. 83, No. 1December 2003: Vol. 83, No. 1 |
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UGA's College of Education and College of Arts and Sciences will lead the Northeast Georgia portion of a monumental $34.6 million effort aimed at improving student achievement in mathematics and science in Georgia's P-12 schools.
Partnership for Reform in Science and Mathematics (PRISM), was collaboratively developed by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents, the Georgia Department of Education, colleges, and universities and public school systems in four regions of the state. The massive reform initiative is being funded by a National Science Foundation grant over five years. The Northeast Georgia Region's share of the award will be $5,267,105.
UGA's partners in Northeast Georgia include Georgia Perimeter College and school districts in Clarke, Jackson, and Oconee counties. Partners elsewhere in the state include Armstrong Atlantic State, Georgia Southern, and Georgia State.
"PRISM focuses resources on teacher education in two ways—through professional development of experienced teachers and improved education of new teachers," says Michael Padilla, co-principal investigator and director of educational partnerships at the College of Education. "The ultimate measure of our success will be increased student achievement in science and mathematics within our local school systems."
Strategies UGA faculty will employ include:
A&S students can add education degree with 9 more credit hours
Dual degrees = more teachers
Two of UGA's largest academic units—the colleges of education and arts and sciences—are teaming up to offer a new opportunity for undergraduate students to earn teacher certification in conjunction with an arts and sciences degree.
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 The dual degree program between the colleges of education and arts and sciences will encourage bright A&S students to consider teaching in a secondary field. |
Numerous UGA students major in an arts and sciences discipline without seriously considering career options until late in their college tenure. Many try to add teacher certification during their last year, forcing them to take additional semesters to become certified. Currently, a graduate of any program may receive the baccalaureate degree of any other program by completing the additional studies required in that program. The minimum resident requirement is 30 semester hours.
Students have completed both degrees in the past, but it required a lot of effort to schedule and complete all courses for both programs. Students will now be able to earn degrees from both the College of Education and Arts and Sciences with only about nine additional hours.
Dual degrees in mathematics/mathematics education, biology/science education-biology, history/social science education and English/English education have been approved.
Implementation of these programs will begin in spring 2004.
East Campus Village will be popular address
UGA's newest residence halls, East Campus Village, will open next fall. Located across the street from one of the mainstays of student life, the Ramsey Student Center for Physical Activities, the four-building complex will house 1,200 students in two- and four-bedroom suites. Amenities include private baths, double beds, cable TV, microwave, and refrigerator. Returning students in their sophomore year or higher have first priority with transfer and grad students next. First-year students won't be offered occupancy.
Follett will invest $2M to upgrade facility and expand line of books
Bookstore privatized
The University has selected the Follett Higher Education Group to assume management of the University Bookstore, effective Jan. 1, 2004.
The decision to place the bookstore under private management was reached after months of discussions with other universities and bookstore management firms. According to George Stafford, associate vice president for finance and administration, the change will result in improved service to students, faculty, and staff and improve the bookstore's financial viability.
The Follett Group was chosen from among three companies that submitted proposals to assume management of the bookstore. As part of the agreement, the company will invest about $2 million to refurbish and upgrade the facility, which will continue to operate as the "University Bookstore" in its current location adjacent to the Tate Student Center.
In making this decision, UGA joins some 2,000 colleges, both large and small, across the United States who have turned to private companies to operate their bookstores—including the University of Florida, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech, and Emory.
"The college bookstore market is changing, and we have determined that an outside vendor can better meet the demands of our students and faculty," says Stafford. "The Follett Group has the management expertise and the purchasing power to make the bookstore more cost effective and to put it in a more price-competitive position.
"In making this decision, the University has made every effort to ensure that bookstore employees are not adversely affected. Current employees will become employees of Follett and will receive the company's benefits package, which includes a 401k retirement plan."
Employees with 10 or more years of service who are vested in the Teachers Retirement System may elect to have their TRS accounts frozen and can draw on them when they retire. Bookstore employees who wish to seek other employment at the University will receive priority for placement in other positions.
Stafford says the bookstore will offer a wider selection of textbooks and will also expand offerings in general and trade books. The store will continue other current merchandising lines, including its selections of Georgia Bulldog apparel and will host more special events such as book signings.
For fourth consecutive year, UGA finishes in top 20 among publics
UGA shines again U.S. News ratings
For the fourth consecutive year, UGA has been recognized as one of America's top 20 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The rankings appeared in the magazine's 2004 "Best Colleges" issue, dated Aug. 25, 2003.
UGA and Purdue tied in two different categories—in 20th place among publics and 58th in a ranking of all universities, public and private. In 1998, UGA was 83rd on the overall list of colleges and universities. UGA was ranked 18th in the 2003 and 2002 ranking of public universities, and 20th in the 2001 rankings.
UGA is one of only six Southeastern schools in the top 20, and is ranked ahead of such institutions as Ohio State, Rutgers, and Indiana. U.S. News & World Report arrived at its 2004 annual rankings by analyzing 248 universities nationwide that offer a wide range of undergraduate majors, as well as master's and doctoral programs. The magazine considers several factors, including academic reputation, student retention, graduation rates, class sizes, faculty resources, student quality, and alumni giving rate. Business and engineering schools were also ranked, and UGA's Terry College of Business ranked 27th on the "Best Business Programs" list.