Vol. 36, No. 7, November 1999
[ Contents ]
Governor Roy Barnes (on right) held an impromptu news conference with members of the press during a rare visit to the Board of Regents. Pictured here with the Governor are Associated Press Capital Bureau Chief Dick Pettys (left) and then Morris News Service Capitol Bureau Chief James Salzer (middle). Governor Barnes thanked the Regents for the University System's efforts in key areas such as business development and education reform in remarks he delivered during the November meeting. The Governor also commended the Regents for volunteering to be the first state agency to undergo a performance review, a process that all state agencies will undergo. "Benchmarking" the System against its national peers is the focus of Regent Kenneth Cannestra's year-long term as board chair. This process dovetails with the Governor's desire to ensure that state government is operating efficiently and effectively on behalf of Georgia taxpayers. ¶
[ Contents ]Search Engine Provides USG Electronic Applications,
Info on Career Choices, Financial Aid
Applying for admission to the 34 public colleges and universities of the University System of Georgia got a lot easier with the official launch of a new website designed to ease and increase the efficiency of the admissions process.
"Students can apply to multiple institutions online in a fraction of the time that it took to apply individually by mail."
-- Barry Fullerton, Vice Chancellor - Student Services
The Georgia Applications and Electronic Advisor System - called "GA EASY" for short --is a comprehensive website and electronic search engine designed by the University System of Georgia to provide students with college admissions, career and financial aid information. The new website, located at Internet address: www.usg.edu/ga-easy, was launched November 10 in an on-line demonstration to the Board of Regents at their monthly meeting in Atlanta.
Regents heard from Dr. Barry Fullerton, vice chancellor for student services with the University System of Georgia, and Larry A. Peevy, associate vice president for enrollment services at Georgia College & State University, who demonstrated the GA EASY site's ease of use. Fullerton and Peevy headed a University System task force over the past year, charged with designing an electronic application to meet the admissions needs of Georgia's 34 public colleges and universities in a streamlined and efficient manner. The launch of the website culminates that effort.
Both recent high-school graduates and returning adult learners will find the GA EASY website useful. The site provides all of the necessary information to apply for admission at any System institution.
Currently 23 of the 34 USG institutions are making use of a common electronic application on the site. Two other institutions provide links to their own websites, on which their customized electronic application is featured. Nine remaining institutions provide admissions links to their campuses, where applicants can retrieve the details on how to apply via mail to those colleges.
"The enthusiasm for this website is extremely high," Fullerton stated. "The word is out among guidance counselors and students, and we are hearing that this will be a very welcomed resource from the University System. Students can apply to multiple institutions on line in a fraction of the time that it took to individually apply by mail. They also can access information about career options and the HOPE scholarship all in one place, right at their fingertips."
University System Chancellor Stephen R. Portch said the site also is one more place for students to familiarize themselves with the new admissions requirements that have been implemented. "In addition to providing valuable information about the college admissions process, this site will reinforce our increased expectations of students. It will serve as a constant communications tool for our outreach to students, their parents, guidance counselors, teachers and others involved with directing students to college," Portch stated. "It's an excellent resource."
Six information sources are included on the GA EASY site, including: Institutions (links to the 34 colleges of the University System), Admissions (specific admissions requirements for all USG campuses), Programs (academic majors), College Costs (tuition, housing, etc.), Career Decisions, and the Apply On-line application.
Via GA EASY, on-line applications may be filed with as many institutions as desired, however, standard application fees still will apply to complete the process. The secured site can handle electronic credit-card payments to cover application fees, or applicants may submit checks in the mail. Applications will be processed once all fees are paid.
Another important element of the site for students is the career-counseling information made available via the Georgia Career Information System (GCIS). GCIS currently provides state and national occupational and educational information to more than 1,100 sites around the state. The database is used by Georgia high schools, middle schools, colleges, universities, employment offices and other state programs to provide career counseling to approximately 500,000 Georgians. By offering GCIS on the GA EASY site, University System officials hope to expand career counseling to students who may not have time to access the site in their school environments. Students with computer access now may spend unlimited time utilizing GCIS' resources.
Students desiring to access the GCIS site on GA EASY should visit their high-school guidance counselor or resource librarian to secure the necessary password information to enter the site, which is otherwise offered at a fee to participating clients.
A wealth of information is included on the GCIS database, including:
The Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) also is linked to the GA EASY website, providing information on scholarships, grants and other financial aid, including details regarding the state's flagship HOPE scholarship. Students can view the status of their scholarship and grant applications, view loan information, and gain answers to frequently asked financial-aid questions.
Along with GCIS and GSFC, a number of public schools around the state also have linked their website to the GA EASY search engine, earning them status as additional "GA EASY partners." ¶
[ Contents ]FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY
Studies Determine Georgians Will Use
Internet and TV Courses to Earn Degrees
Contrary to popular views about Georgians' educational and career aspirations, new data indicates that Georgia citizens are interested in using the Internet and telecourses to acquire more education in fields where the state is experiencing shortages of educated workers.
The University System of Georgia's Board of Regents learned at their November meeting, that more than 40 percent of Georgia adults would be interested in attending a college or university in the next three years. More importantly, more than 60 percent of those surveyed indicated they would use either the Internet or Georgia Public Broadcasting to take college-level courses.
"Current on-line learners and the general public are interested in anytime, anywhere learning because of its flexibility and convenience."
-- Richard Skinner, President and CEO, Georgia GLOBE
This research bodes well for the University System of Georgia, as it focuses attention and resources on creating an effective technology master plan, including one that successfully addresses delivering "anytime, anywhere learning." Georgia GLOBE (Global Learning Online for Business and Education) -- the System's new statewide on-line learning initiative - has been designed by University System officials to meet that goal, and is expected to be a critical component of the System's technology infrastructure.
In a presentation to the board of regents, Dr. Richard A. Skinner, president and CEO of Georgia GLOBE, reported findings of a six-month study of workforce needs and attitudes toward new learning methods conducted by three organizations. The findings derived from a statewide survey of 500 registered voters, conducted by Beth Schapiro & Associates, of Atlanta; and focus group research and analyses and a University System-wide geodemographic study of distance learners conducted by Carnegie Market Research, of Boston, Ma. The focus group research included both on-line learners from University System institutions and random sample groups from the general population.
"Georgians from all economic levels and areas of the state -- urban, suburban and rural --expressed an interest in using technology for learning, including in fields currently suffering from a shortages of college-educated workers," Skinner stated.
Research conducted by Bill Drummond and Jan Youtie, of the Georgia Tech Research Corporation, identified 19 key job categories for which a college degree is required, presently experiencing annual shortfalls of 100 employees or more. Job categories with the largest shortfalls, according to the study, are information technology and business.
"If these shortfalls are not addressed, "they could hamper economic growth in Georgia," Skinner said.
Georgia GLOBE was launched this past May in an effort to expand access to its courses and academic programs by non-traditional learners and to increase the educational attainment level of the state's residents. Skinner has been at work since his appointment to the GLOBE project promoting the initiative throughout the state and conducting the necessary assessments to determine how the program can best meet Georgians' needs.
"Current online learners and the general public both are interested in anytime, anywhere learning because of its flexibility and convenience," Skinner noted. "Most of those we surveyed listed childcare, work schedules, family obligations and long drive times as barriers to attending campus-based courses."
University System officials intend for Georgia GLOBE to respond to those challenges. By the summer of 2000, plans call for the use of both Internet and telecourses to meet freshman and sophomore requirements for undergraduate degrees. Full-fledged degree programs will follow by early 2001. Fields targeted for on-line degree development, according to Skinner, include information technology, business and a general baccalaureate program.
"Immediately offering the initial required courses at the freshman and sophomore levels will enable Georgians to move successfully into the on-line degree programs currently under development by University System campuses," Skinner said.
The research conducted for GLOBE also assessed the current Internet access for on-line learning by Georgians. "Considering individuals' access to the Internet at work as well as at home, more than 65 percent of them have access to the Internet according to the statewide survey," Skinner said.
"More than 75 percent of suburban residents, and more than 50 percent of rural and urban residents have access. Still many Georgians do not have access to the Internet, so web-based learning will not reach them," Skinner said. "Therefore, Georgia GLOBE is working with Georgia Public Broadcasting and University System institutions to provide telecourses to Georgians who do not have Internet access."
In spite of the Board of Regents' comprehensive efforts to optimize technology as a learning tool, Skinner cautioned that challenges remain with regard to student expectations and public perceptions regarding on-line instruction. "On-line students expect faculty to be skilled in conducting on-line learning and the general public is concerned about how employers and other colleges will view the credibility of courses and degrees offered online."
During the November meeting, regents also heard a presentation by Dr. Beheruz Sethna, interim senior vice chancellor for academic affairs. Sethna outlined to the regents his strategy for developing the University System of Georgia's technology master plan. Among other goals, the plan will be aimed at expanding access, enhancing learning, and achieving effective financing. Sethna's report will include survey results identifying priorities to be addressed within the scope of the University System's technology master plan. ¶
[ Contents ] On CampusThe Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has named J.B. Sharma, associate professor of physics at Gainesville College, the 1999 Georgia Professor of the Year. Sharma was selected from among 12 nominees throughout the state and was recognized at the Board of Regents' November meeting.
"My key contribution as a teacher has been sharing my love and passion for the subject of physics with my students, and helping them discover their own talent and fascination for it. This is no different from what all teachers aspire to do; to aspire to model the passion and mastery of a craft, such that the students are inspired to reach for mastery themselves," Sharma stated.
Sharma's earned his B.S. in physics, with special honors, from Jacksonville State University in 1982; a M.S. in physics from the University of Georgia in 1987; and undertook graduate coursework in plasma fusion (nuclear engineering) from Georgia Tech in 1988-90. He served as the Regents Distinguished Teaching Professor from 1997-99 at Gainesville College and was awarded the Regents Excellence in Teaching Award in 1999. He also acquired a grant from the University System to construct a Laboratory for Classroom Research by integrating several technologies.
The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) established the Professors of the Year program in 1981 and works in cooperation with the Carnegie Foundation and various higher education associations in its administration. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a policy center located in Palo Alto, Calif., is devoted to strengthening America's schools and colleges. ¶
[ Contents ]If you've been shopping at the new Mall of Georgia, you might have seen many facts and other tidbits of information about Georgia athletics, geography, and history, all thanks to the research and work of Georgia Perimeter College historian and geographer Tommy Barber. "I had no idea that the useless information that I've known for years could be turned into these factoids," says Barber, an associate professor of history at GPC's Lawrenceville Campus.
Barber credits the mall's architects with providing the vision. "I just supplied the nuts and bolts," says Barber, who spent a year on a fact-finding tour of the state, checking with colleagues in various regions about what was important and interesting in their area. From this labor of love, he developed more than 100 one-line quips about some of the things that make Georgia unique. "What was most important to me," he adds, "is that the information be accurate." ¶
[ Contents ]KSU - Southern Poly Team Up to Offer Asian Studies Minor
Southern Polytechnic State University and Kennesaw State University are collaborating to offer an unprecedented Asian Studies minor.
The minor is the first in the University System, as well as the first such collaboration between the Asia Resource Group of KSU and Southern Poly. This joint minor aims broadly at an increased understanding of contemporary Asia in light of its history and hopes for the future. The new program also seeks to bring together professors with teaching and research focus on Asia with students pursuing Asia-related careers. ¶
CCSU Receives Higher Education Distance Learning Award
Clayton College & State University's Director of Distance Learning Dr. Blaine Carpenter was presented with the United States Distance Learning Association's (USDLA) second place award for "Best Program--Higher Education Distance Learning."
The national award is sponsored by the USDLA, Teleconference Magazine and TeleCon. CCSU was topped in the heavily-contested category only by a Massachusetts-based proprietary institution.
Since its beginning in the Spring of 1995, the CCSU distance learning program has grown to more than 80 on-line courses enrolling more than 900 students. ¶
[ Contents ]Kenneth W. Cannestra
Atlanta
CHAIR
J. Tom Coleman, Jr.
Savannah
Thomas F. Allgood, Sr.
Augusta
Juanita Powell Baranco
Lithonia
Connie Cater
Macon
Joe Frank Harris
Cartersville
Hilton Hatchett Howell, Jr.
Atlanta
John Hunt
Tifton
Edgar L. Jenkins
Jasper
Charles H. Jones
Macon
Donald M. Leebern, Jr.
Columbus
Elridge W. McMillan
Atlanta
Martin W. NeSmith
Claxton
Glenn S. White
Lawrenceville
Joel O. Wooten, Jr.
Columbus
James D. Yancey
Columbus
Stephen R. Portch
CHANCELLOR
Gail S. Weber
SECRETARY TO THE BOARD
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