Vol. 34, No. 4, September 1998

Regents Approve University System's
FY 2000 Budget Proposal

"Georgia can be a national leader in higher education and this state deserves nothing less for the investment that is being made."
-- Chancellor Stephen Portch

Responding to a call by Chancellor Stephen R. Portch to move the University System of Georgia from its position as a Southern leader to one of national preeminence, the Board of Regents approved at its September meeting a $1.5 billion Fiscal Year 2000 Budget Request that will be submitted for consideration during the 1999 legislative session.

Portch told the regents that the System has made tremendous progress during the past four years, however, the job is not done yet! "He said the FY 2000 budget, if approved by the new governor and General Assembly, will "continue the momentum we have gained, improve quality and secure our leadership position."

"We don't want to be below average," Portch said. "We don't even want to be average. Georgia can be a national leader in higher education, and this state deserves nothing less for the investment that is being made."

The proposed budget is based on themes of responsiveness and service to the University System's various customers. Key elements are designed to expand existing and highly successful University System special funding initiatives, while others are aimed at delivering new programs and responding to statewide demands, including in the economic development area. Budget highlights include :

• 250 Faculty Positions: The University System's student retention and graduation rates are near the top in the South, but below national averages. To better serve students, the budget request includes a proposal to fund smaller classes to enhance learning - especially in critical freshmen/sophomore courses such as English composition, computer science, math and several disciplines in the life and physical sciences. Funding also would be aimed at supporting the System's mission of delivering academic programs that meet specific state economic development needs.
  
  To reduce the size of classes requiring more faculty and student interaction, offer more convenient class time for non-traditional students, and to provide additional faculty for high-demand courses in growing areas of the economy, the budget includes a request for $22 million to add 250 additional faculty positions.
  
  
• Eminent Scholars: The University System's institutions have been very successful in raising private funds to endow chairs for renowned experts in many different fields. Through its eminent scholar program, the state has provided matching funds for a number of privately endowed chairs. The Board of Regents has requested in its proposed budget establishing a permanent fund of $5 million in state funds to match private levels of support.
  
  
• Teacher Preparation Initiative: Because many of today's students will become tomorrow's teachers and faculty members, the University System undertook a thorough study of teacher preparation during the 1997-98 academic year. The study culminated in the adoption of key principles and guarantees regarding tire quality of graduates that will be produced by the System's 15 teacher preparation programs. To enhance the System's role and delivery of services in this important field, the budget includes a request for $4 million to support the University System's teacher preparation goals.
  
  
• Statewide Distance Learning Network: To continue its advance in the area of information technology, the University System is proposing the enhancement and acceleration of a special initiative aimed at better addressing the needs of adult learners. The System piloted a two-year program during FY 1999 involving several institutions, aimed at establishing effective policy regarding the delivery of instructional programs through distance learning a better serving all students, including non-traditional adult Iearners. The budget proposal includes a $5.5 million request to expand that program, including funds to launch new degree programs offered via distance education.
  
  
• An Interconnected Library System: To further improve the quality and efficiency of its library support services, the University System is proposing the expansion of its award-winning electronic library, known as GALILEO. During the 1997-98 Fiscal Year, the General Assembly provided the initial $2 million in funding needed to build Phase II. The proposed budget includes a $2 million request (to be matched with $1 million in internally redirected funds) to enhance GALILEO through hardware and software purchases, technical support and training.
  
  
• Formula Funding: A request for $44.3 million is included in the budget request to accommodate the needs of growing student populations.
  
  
• Faculty Salaries: To maintain its commitment to attracting and retaining the best and brightest faculty, the University System is proposing a funding request that will help move faculty and staff salaries from at or near the top of the South to sufficiently above the national average. The goal is too be competitive within the upper quartile of coIleges and universities nationwide. The budget request proposes a total of $66 million in funding for average five percent faculty/staff merit-based salary increases.
  
  
• Capital Budget - FY 2000: For two years now, the University System has aligned the development of its annual Capital Priority List to a comprehensive planning process that links academic programs and enrollment growth to related facilities needs. Capital funding requests are grouped into three areas: major, minor and payback projects. The FY 2000 budget request includes the following proposed allocations in those three areas :
  
  
• Major Capital List: This list currently includes 26 projects totaling $523.4 million. The list is updated annually, and submitted with each year's budget request.
  
  
• Minor Capital List: The proposed budget includes a request for $55. 1 million in funding to cover 16 projects that are categorized as critical faculty needs, acute program needs, and other significant needs such as renovation or "opportunity" projects.
  
  
• Payback Project List: The budget request includes five payback projects totaling $42.1 million.

In addition to the $1.5 billion Fiscal Year 2000 Budget Request, the Board of Regents also approved the University System's proposed $18.9 million Fiscal Year 1999 Supplemental Budget Request

Regents See High-Tech Demo at Tech

1998-1998 BOARD FOCUS: TECHNOLOGY

The Board of Regents visited Georgia Tech as part of its September board meeting to witness first-hand the use of instructional technology in the classroom. University System faculty members made a variety of technology demonstrations. In the photo at left, Regent J. Tom Coleman, Jr. receives computer assistance from Melissa Bachman, an instructional technologist with Georgia Tech. During the 1998-1999 academic year. the Board will focus on technology in higher education with a goal of establishing guidelines for its future development and use by the University System. Professors of business, chemistry, geology and, English demonstrated how they had previously taught a lesson and how they teach it now with the aide of computers and other advanced technology. (Photo by Stanley Leary, Ga Tech Communications Division.)

Regents Approve Statewide Engineering Response

The Board of Regents gave the green light to University System Chancellor Stephen R. Portch at the September board meeting to pursue funding for the statewide engineering programs he has proposed to be offered collaboratively by Georgia Tech and four other system institutions.

Portch's formal proposal includes responding to high-demand state needs with a combination of five Georgia Tech engineering programs, collaboratively offered through Georgia Southern University Armstrong Atlantic State University Savannah State University and Southern Polytechnic University.

Two program will provide expanded access to bachelor of science degrees in engineering, primarily the South Georgia area while three programs will expand engineering master's degrees offered primarily for working professionals. The programs include:

• Bachelor of Science in Computer and Software Engineering: to be offered by Georgia Tech, with Georgia Southern University.
• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering: to be offered collaboratively by Georgia Tech with Georgia Southern University, Armstrong Atlantic State University, and Savannah State University, in the Savannah area.
• Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degrees are to be offered by Georgia Tech largely via distance learning in Statesboro and Savannah, with Georgia Southern University, Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah State University all involved, in providing students and facilities. The environmental engineering degree may also utilize the resources of the University System's Skidaway Institute of Oceanography to connect with the research and economic development opportunities associated with that facility.
• Master of Science in Systems Engineering: to be offered by Georgia Tech with Southern Polytechnic State University, initially in Atlanta, but later statewide via distance learning.

"Our approach is to start small, with an emphasis on meeting statewide professional demands," Portch stated. "The role of participating institutions in this initiative will be to get involved in improving the math aptitudes of students in the K-12 schools, recruiting high-quality students to these programs, offering the first two years of instruction for the bachelor's programs, and remaining flexible in meeting the resource and facilities needs which will be required.

Regents Approve Limited Baccalaureate Mission For Dalton College

The Board of Regents approved at it's September meeting three new baccalaureate programs for Dalton College. The programs are the result of an extensive needs assessment of the Northwest Georgia region, conducted by the Board of Regents Northwest Georgia Planning Council, which was chaired by Dr. Arthur N. Dunning, senior vice chancellor for Human and external resources.

The board's action marks first time Dalton College a two-year college granting associate will be allowed to offer a limited number of baccalaureate programs. The board also approved a revised mission and institutional reorganization plan to enhance Dalton's efforts to meet evolving regional academic demands and the specific workforce development needs of the carpet industry, a major force in the state's economy.

Two of the new degree programs, the Bachelor of Science in Industrial Operations Management and the Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems, could be offered at Dalton as early as Fall 1999. The third program, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Technology Management will be offered in Fall 2000.

To better administer the three new baccalaureate programs, the regents also approved a proposal by Dalton College officials to create a new Division of Business and Technology. The three new programs include:

• The Bachelor of Science in industrial Operations Management will help fill a need in the carpet industry for entry-level positions in industrial operations management. The 120-hour program will utilize Internet-based instructional delivery and include a three hour cooperative experience.
• The Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems will help meet Northwest Georgia's critical need for highly educated college graduates to fill information technology positions. The Dalton-based carpet and Rug Institute recently identified management information systems as an immediate baccalaureate program need. The 120-hour program will include a cooperative experience to be completed at various carpet companies.
• The Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Technology Management is oriented toward the preparation of technical professionals in a variety of areas. The 120-hour program will be focused on manufacturing technology and general management skills, with a particular emphasis on the carpet industry. As in other BAS degree programs approved by the board, the Dalton program is designed to help technical students continue their education, moving from an associate of applied science to a bachelor's degree.

Georgia State Honors Benefactor J. Mack Robinson

J. Mack Robinson

Georgia State University's College of Business Administration is now the J. Mack Robinson College of Business Administration . The change was unanimously approved by the University System Board of Regents at their September meeting.

The name change honors J. Mack Robinson, an Atlanta banking and insurance executive who has been a supporter of Georgia State for more than 4 years. Robinson will contribute $10 million to the College - the largest cash gift to Georgia State in the university's 85-year history.

Approximately 20 percent of Robinson's gift will be used to support scholarships and fellowships for students; 40 percent will endow professorships to, attract and retain key faculty; and 40 percent will support initiatives of the College's several out-standing research centers.

"It is an honor for me to bestow my name on the College of Business Administration. Robinson said "I'm confident that the College will use this gift to prepare current and future students with the knowledge and skills needed to remain effective in a global environment, and enhance what is already a very strong business program."

Robinson, chairman of insurance conglomerate Atlantic America Corporation, was inducted into the College's Business Hall of Fame in l 995. He had enjoyed a long and successful business career in banking, insurance, communications and other ventures. Robinson and his wife, Nita, were named Philanthropist of the Year in 1994 by the Georgia Chapter of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives for their charitable work.

Savannah State Goes Hollywood...

Actor John Travolta (left) and T. LaVerne Ricks-Brown (center) wife of Savannah State University President Dr. Carlton E. Brown, (right) pose on campus during the filming of Paramount Pictures film "The General's Daughter." Savannah State received $30,000 in funds from the rental agreement most of which will go toward scholarships. a addition, Paramount Pictures invested $50,000 on permanent repairs to the campus. Hill Hall, the building listed in the National Register for Historic Places was pressure washed and painted. Other buildings and dormitories received minor repairs. Paramount also hired several Savannah State students to work on the film as interns.

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...And Tech's Olivero Wins An Emmy

James Olivero, Composer-in-Residence at Georgia Tech, received an Emmy Award in Music Composition from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for "Starchild", his multi-media opera.

Valdosta State's Pruitt Wins Samuel Prize

Dr. Kristen Pruitt, chair of the English Department at Valdosta State University was recently announced co-recipient of The Milton Society of America's Samuel Prize for co-authoring a new work entitled "Arenas of Conflict."

Yunnan University - University System Sign Agreement

An August visit by two top higher education officials from The People's Republic of China culminated in the signing of a "Memorandum of Understanding Regarding the Friendly Relations and Exchange Programs between Yunnan University, Kumming, China and the University System of Georgia."

Weihua Zhu, president, and Bruce Gan, director of international exchange programs and associate professor of anthropology, both of Yunnan University signed the agreement with University System of Georgia Chancellor Stephen R. Portch.

The purpose of the agreement is to promote the exchange of faculty and students; joint organization of conferences, seminars and workshops; joint research and development; and the exchange of scholarly information.

"This memorandum is one of the many fruits the Board's policy on internationalizing education is bearing for the System," Portch said. "It opens the doors to, our faculty, staff and students to greater opportunities for international study and travel, and will aid our efforts too infuse an international perspective into the curriculum."

In addition to signing the memorandum, Zhu and Gain met representatives from five System schools and the Board of Regents staff during a visit to the Central Office, and toured the campuses of Georgia State University and the University of Georgia.

At the University of Georgia, Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences Clifton W. Pannell and Dr. Yomi Breaster, assistant professor of comparative literature and director of the Chinese language studies program, spoke with the guests in Chinese. Dr. Phang-Cheng Tai, chair of the Department of Biology at Georgia State University, held his entire meeting with Zhu and Gan in Chinese.

Dr. Jennifer Lund, international coordinator for the Board of Regents, served as the liasion to the institutions for the visit. Lund said that Zion informed her that he and Gan were impressed with the collaboration between University System scientists and businesses, particularly the relationship with the Georgia Research Alliance, which sub-contracts for the services of Georgia State University scientists and laboratories.

President Weihua Zhu of Yunnan University (left) and Chancellor Stephen Portch (right) signed a Memorandum of Understanding "between Yunnan University and the University System of Georgia. The August 1998 agreement will promote the exchange of faculty and students; joint organization of conferences, seminars and workshops; joint research and development; and the exchange of scholarly information. (photo by Jamila Davis)

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