AJC On Campus: USG enrollment up; Morris Brown’s push toward accreditation

USG enrollment rises despite pandemic

The University System’s report showed a 2.4% enrollment increase.

Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State and Valdosta State universities had big jumps, while smaller state colleges saw declines. Here’s our report on the numbers.

USG budget update

University System officials gave an update Wednesday on its finances from July through September. The numbers show revenues are slightly down so far this fiscal year, but spending has declined too. Their revenues in excess of expenditures for those months was $981,884,129, about $97 million less than during the same period in 2019. System officials say they’re collecting less money from education facility rentals, summer camps and various student activity fees. The system has cut spending mainly through reductions in operating expenses, the numbers show.

Morris Brown College moves toward accreditation

The Atlanta college said this week the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools approved its accreditation application, which the school described as a major step toward regaining its accreditation. Morris Brown, a historically Black college founded more than a century ago, had its accreditation revoked by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 2002. TRACS plans to visit the campus in January for its final evaluation before candidacy consideration in April, Morris Brown officials said.

Georgia Tech professor in Biden administration?

Political observers are speculating who could be in a Biden-Harris administration. One name being discussed is Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, a Georgia Tech professor who could become U.S. Energy Secretary. Sherwood-Randall was former deputy secretary of energy during the Obama administration. Here are the names of some other Georgians who are rumored to be considered for other jobs, according to the AJC’s Political Insider column.

UWG faculty’s no confidence vote

The University of West Georgia’s faculty passed a no confidence resolution in its president, Brendan B. Kelly, on Monday. Kelly said during an interview with AJC editors and reporters he’s confident he can patch up the differences with those who voted in favor of the resolution. To read more, click here.

UGA & COVID-19 testing

University of Georgia administrators continued to be pleased with one set of COVID-19 data. UGA conducted 2,225 tests on campus between Nov. 2 through Nov. 6. That’s the highest five-day stretch of tests since the pandemic began. Thirty-one of those tests came back positive. UGA officials have posted multiple messages on social media in recent weeks urging students to get tested.

Berry College’s hotel

Berry College last year began a partnership to build a retirement complex on its Rome campus. On Monday, the college began construction of an 80-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott hotel adjacent to the Rome Tennis Center. Construction is expected to be complete in fall 2021. The college notes in a press release its focus on “creating new revenue streams to support its educational mission.” Finding new revenue streams will be important for colleges, experts say, as they try to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

UGA student’s salute to veterans

University of Georgia student veteran Eric Martin enlisted in response to the 9/11 attacks, was on active duty in the U.S. Army for almost six years and went on a 15-month tour of Iraq. He’s also an artist. Martin recently completed a painting titled “We Came by Land, Sea, Air and Space” for the university’s Veterans Resource Center. UGA profiled Martin and his work as part of its Veterans Day celebration. Here’s an article they wrote about Martin on UGA’s website.