Latest news with #SonnyPerdue
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
College staff threaten to quit after administration orders them to return to office 5 days a week
Georgia's public universities are now requiring staff to return to the office five days a week, causing backlash from employees who claim the mandate will cause additional problems. The University System of Georgia, which governs public university institutions in the state, announced at the start of the year that faculty must be present on campus during core business hours. Last month, USG's chancellor Dr. Sonny Perdue told presidents and administrators at a Board of Regents meeting, 'If that's not what y'all want, you let me know, because that's where we're going,' the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Vice President of Strategic Initiatives Ron Johnson at Georgia Institute of Technology, which is a USG institution, said at a town hall, 'We don't want to lose anybody, but there's a chance we will.' 'That's the risk that the institute has to take.' 'The University System of Georgia (USG) values all our employees and the work they do to support our students. We want to emphasize the importance of working on-site to best serve our top priority — our students,' USG said in a statement to 'Being present on campus allows employees to focus on several key areas: enhanced collaboration, timely support and student engagement, accountability and institutional reputation. 'We have received numerous concerns and complaints directly from students and parents regarding their inability to connect with staff or faculty on important matters.' Chancellor Sunny Perdue told presidents and administrators at a recent Board of Regents meeting, 'If that's not what y'all want, you let me know, because that's where we're going,' when discussing the new in-person mandate Employees have questioned the motivation behind the new mandate, with some pointing out the flaws in having faculty on campus from Monday to Friday. Jill Penn, an associate biology professor at Georgia Gwinnett College, rejected the notion that complaints regarding a lack of connection between students and parents with faculty members were a result of remote work. 'I know at Georgia Gwinnett College we're severely understaffed. When somebody leaves, retires or finds another job, they're not replaced. So that's a much more likely explanation,' she told the Atlanta Journal. Penn also noted that the school doesn't hold classes on Fridays, and argued that the mandate didn't make sense with the school's schedule. She told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that she believes each university should have the freedom to create its own guidelines. Employees also noted that Georgia Tech is in the middle of downtown Atlanta, and the limited parking is already an issue without the in-person mandate. Kim Toatley, the chief business officer for the university, spoke at a Georgia Tech town hall, noting the space problem. 'We're in downtown Atlanta. It's not like we can just take over a building or throw up a new building. So it's going to take time,' she said. Vice President of Strategic Initiatives Ron Johnson at Georgia Institute of Technology (pictured) said at a town hall, 'We don't want to lose anybody, but there's a chance we will,' regarding the new in-person mandate Perdue has defended the mandate, writing in an email to administrators, 'Having the ability to telework is not a right — it's an arrangement reserved for limited circumstances,' according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He told attendees at the April meeting that he expects employees to answer calls from prospective students, parents, or grandparents on a Friday afternoon. 'While we recognize that many employees and businesses around the country transitioned to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, it's crucial that students have access to in-person services while on campus,' USG said in a statement. 'Although institutions may permit telework under limited circumstances, we continue to prioritize in-person work to ensure the highest level of service and support for our students.' Universities across the state have begun implementing the new policy, with the University of Georgia announcing that telework would be limited in the upcoming school year. 'All offices must be fully staffed during core business hours (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Telework should be limited,' the university's website states. The website echoes Perdue's statements about working remotely, reading, 'It is critical to note that telework is not a right: it is an arrangement that is approved voluntarily by the dean or vice president and Chief Human Resources Officer (or designee) only when it supports the mission and needs of the institution.' Georgia Tech implemented a similar approval process, writing on their website that employees received a 'high-level email' on March 31 informing them that fully in-person work would be the standard by August 1. 'Telework will be available for limited, specific circumstances and only approved when there is alignment with Institute business needs and assigned job duties,' Georgia Tech said. Employees at the university who want to continue working remotely were instructed to complete a telework request form by August 1.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former GA governor, USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue pushes for Okefenokee Swamp preservation
University System of Georgia Chancellor and former Gov. Sonny Perdue added his voice to a list of supporters working to preserve the Okefenokee Swamp. On April 17, Perdue sent a letter to U.S. Department of the Interior Sec. Doug Burgum urging him, and President Donald Trump, to preserve the 'national treasure' that is the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] "Since his first term, President Trump has been a champion for protecting our air, water and the environment, and as a successful businessperson, he also understands the need to support our local and rural economies," Perdue said in the letter. 'This designation truly is the best of both worlds and will support our environment and local economy in Southeast Georgia for generations to come.' TRENDING STORIES: Lawmakers reintroduce bills to protect Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge from mining Could titanium dioxide mining impact the Okefenokee Swamp? Here's what we've learned Georgia senator backs federal expansion of Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge US Department of Interior to nominate Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp as UNESCO World Heritage Site Perdue's letter places him on a growing list of advocates and officials across the political spectrum working to preserve the Okefenokee Swamp, which sits just above the Georgia-Florida border. The swamp is the largest blackwater wetland in North America and is home to more than 1,000 unique species, a status Perdue highlighted in the letter to Burgum. The university system chancellor said he was supporting the nomination of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and said earning the designation would be a big boost to the local economy in the region. "The economic benefits would be substantial. A recent impact study commissioned by The Conservation Fund found that this increased visitation would generate up to 750 long-term jobs and $60 million in additional annual economic output in Ware, Charlton, and Clinch Counties. Additionally, the planned Okefenokee Experience projects that would complement the World Heritage Site bid—a state-of-the-art nature center, a cultural history center, and a dark sky observatory—would create 362 construction jobs and $46 million in economic output during development," Perdue wrote. 'These projects would also sustain nearly 50 permanent jobs and generate over $430,000 annually in tax revenue." If the site is approved for the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, it would be the first in the Southeast United States in decades, according to Perdue. Responding to a request for comment from Channel 2 Action News, a Dept. of Interior spokesperson said they remained committed to Okefenokee being a World Heritage Site. Their statement reads: 'While we do not comment on specific correspondence through the media, the Department of the Interior takes all correspondence seriously and carefully reviews each matter. The Department and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service remains committed to supporting the pursuit of World Heritage Site recognition for the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. We continue to work closely with our partners to advance this effort and highlight the refuge's outstanding natural and cultural value on the global stage.' [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Chancellor Perdue frowns on growth of online studies as system hits spring enrollment record
Chancellor Sonny Perdue in the Georgia Capitol. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue is bemoaning an increase in online classes in the state's colleges and universities. 'It's somewhat concerning to me as we look at this trend from post-COVID time over more and more online,' Perdue said at a Board of Regents meeting held at Georgia Southern University Tuesday. 'This is really a response to our broader audience, including our presidents in the audience today, to understand if this is driven by faculty or student demand in that regard.' 'I mean, if we continue that, we can become the Western Governors University and not need all the new square footage that's being requested every year, so that's just a simple issue,' he added, referring to a private online university. Perdue was reacting to a presentation on the system's enrollment for the spring semester that showed an upward creep in online-only classes. The portion of undergraduates studying completely online was 16% in 2022 after a spike in the aftermath of the pandemic and has since crept up to 19%. The portion of undergrads taking only face-to-face classes meanwhile shrunk from 45% in 2022 to 39% this year. In all, 42% of undergrads take some classes online and some in person, up from 39% in 2022. Perdue acknowledged a 2024 university system study that did not show much difference in academic outcomes between online and face-to-face classes for undergraduates, but indicated he does not like the way the trend is moving, asking staff to compile data on how Georgia compares with other states. In remarks at the end of the public meeting, Perdue also called on university presidents to bring their workforces back onto campus. 'While we had remote work as a privilege for a while, our expectation – my expectation – is when a family, a prospective student or parents or grandparents call the campus on Friday afternoon, they get an answer,' he said. 'We're in the customer service business,' he added. 'And therefore, we are expressing our absolute expectation for our campuses to be covered five days a week – five days a week – that's Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, all those days for our campuses, and the expectation is of our employees to come back to the campus where the energy happens in that regard, and I hope that we're going to continue to do that. I hope that we're going to get good cooperation from our presidents and our campuses everywhere along with that. So if that's not what you all want, you let me know because that's where we're going in that regard.' There wasn't too much else for Perdue to bemoan in Tuesday's enrollment report, which showed steady growth for the system. Spring 2025 enrollment is 345,823, up 19,400 students or 6% from last spring and an all-time record for the spring semester. Demographically, the number of white students has steadily dropped, down from 47% in 2021 to 42% today. The number of Black students has remained mostly steady in that time frame, dipping slightly from 26% to 25%. Hispanic and Asian students have seen the most growth, with the portion of Hispanic students rising from 10% to 12% and Asian students moving from 11% to 14%. Students in the other category, which includes American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students, grew 1% to make up 7% of the total population. In-state enrollment grew by 5%, out of state enrollment by 11% and international by 6.5%. In-state students make up about 78% of students, out-of-staters comprise just over 14% and the remaining approximately 8% are international students. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Updated tuition rates announced for Georgia colleges, universities
The University System of Georgia announced new tuition rates for its institutions for the 2025 to 2026 academic year. While officials said tuition won't go up for most in-state undergraduate students, tuition for out-of-state students will be going up by 2%. Additionally, tuition costs for students from outside of the United States will be increasing by 3%, according to USG. The Board of Regents said this is the seventh time in 10 years that they've approved keeping costs flat for Georgia students. 'USG and the Board of Regents remain focused on keeping college affordable for Georgia families to ensure higher education stays within reach across the state,' USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said in a statement. 'As more students than ever enroll on our campuses, we continue to prioritize reducing financial barriers and offering excellent value. Coupled with today's decision, USG is making a real investment in Georgia's future — ensuring that a college degree can help more Georgians unlock opportunities for personal prosperity and contribute to the state's growth.' [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On top of the approved tuition rate changes, the Board of Regents said they also approved changes to mandatory fees at eight of the system's 26 institutions. The Board said changes at two institutions would reduce student fees. Documents from USG showed that fees would be reduced slightly at Georgia College and State University, where after all fee calculations, students will save $2 thanks to a variety of reductions and increases. TRENDING STORIES: STORY 1 STORY 2 STORY 3 The University of North Georgia's students will also see fee reductions, though their yearly fees will actually end up increasing by $3 due to other changes. Activity fees were reduced for the Dahlonega, Gainesville, Cumming, Oconee and Blue Ridge campuses, but fees for health and recreation and wellness were increased, leading to the overall $3 increase. At the remaining 24 institutions for USG, fees either increased or remained unchanged. For students at Dalton State College, the University of North Georgia, Fort Valley State University, Clayton State University, Albany State University, the University of Georgia and at the Georgia Institute of Technology, fees rose between $3 and for online students as much as $100 or more. However, the overall rate for in-person students at Georgia Tech decreased by $25, from $773 to $748. The largest dollar amount increase was for Georgia Tech online masters students, where fees rose from $107 to $440, due to the addition of normal student fees along with the already-in-place technology fee. In another masters grouping, for students with less than four credit hours, fees rose $133. Students at UGA had their overall fees increase from $708 to $729, with online fees rising $11 to $422. At Clayton State University, fees rose from $502 to $532, with online learning fees rising to $295 from $280. Fort Valley students will see online fees rise to $375 and overall fees rise to $690 while Dalton State College online fees rose by $10 to $214 and from $360 to $380 for overall fees. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue joins Savannah State town hall
SAVANNAH, Ga (WSAV) — University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue and Savannah State University (SSU) President Jermaine Whirl are looking for ways to make the school better. On Monday, both leaders said it starts with hearing from students and the local community. People from all walks of life gathered on the campus to ask questions or voice concerns. Many of them shared one common goal: ensuring student and university success. One of the biggest questions involved how the university plans to increase enrollment and retention rates after taking a hard hit in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Whirl reiterated that it is one of his top priorities. He said hosting town halls is just the first step to making this happen. Perdue echoed in agreement and told attendees that Whirl would be the best person to the get the job done. WSAV spoke with students, and they said that this a positive start for Whirl as the university's new president. 'I feel like it's great for us to really know the president and actually see his face and for him to see us and all the different organization leaders,' Nigel Deville, a student said. 'I feel like it's very important when it comes to the impact of Savannah State [University] and the community here in Savannah' Business leaders were also in attendance including Hyundai, Savannah Economic Development Authority and the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce. It is a part of Whirl's strategy that he says will connect the community to the university and create endless job opportunities. It also allows educators to know what requirements are needed for their students to secure jobs. Whirl said this will ultimately drive success in all areas for SSU. We also spoke to faith-based leaders who are eager for the future. 'It is just exciting to know that we have a leader here at Savannah State University who seeks to involve and interact with the faith community,' Billy McFadden said. 'And oftentimes in the faith community, we do have that opportunity to connect with people all around the community.' Whirl told WSAV his goal for SSU is to be among the top 25 HBCU's in the country within the next decade. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
