See the media tipsheet archive here

University Relations Tip Sheet - September 4, 2008

Helping Clayton County schools
As Clayton County school officials work to appeal the district's accreditation loss, Georgia State University's College of Education will continue its program in local schools to improve teacher retention and student achievement. Called the Professional Development School Partnerships Deliver Success initiative, College of Education faculty members are offering teachers from five Clayton County schools professional development opportunities, and soon will be starting cross-career learning communities, in which veteran and young teachers can mentor and support one another. Georgia State pre-service teachers are also currently placed in Clayton County schools for their student teaching, adding an additional resource in the classroom. "We're committed to the children and the teachers of the Clayton County district," said Gwendolyn Benson, College of Education associate dean for school and community partnerships. "We don't feel that they should be sacrificed because of the accreditation loss, and Georgia State, from an educational partnership standpoint, plans to be there with them." For more information, contact Liz Babiarz at lbabiarz@gsu.edu or 404-413-1356.

Seminar explains credit card no-nos
The credit scoring agency Fair Isaac reports the average consumer has as many as nine credit cards and 13 total credit obligations. And while credit cards are useful in many ways, they can also wreak havoc on your finances if used with abandon, says Georgia State University Economics Professor Paula Stephan. That’s why each fall, Stephan conducts her Credit Card Craze seminar at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. Aimed at freshmen across the campus, Stephan explains how late fees, penalty rates, and compound interest can add up to big debt if card users aren’t careful. “I think the most important thing for students is to think about charging smart. We like to say if you can eat it, drink it, wear it or entertain yourself with it, then it’s probably not worth charging,” said Stephan. “By the time the bill comes, you will have nothing left, except the debt, and it’s not a good way to start the month.” To speak with Stephan, contact Michael Davis at 404-413-1361 or mdavis6@gsu.edu.

McCain’s choice of running mate seen as risky
With the surprise pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate, Republican presidential candidate John McCain has made a decision that could put his campaign at risk, says Daniel Franklin, an associate professor of political science at Georgia State University. “The selection of Gov. Palin is an odd choice, given Sen. McCain’s argument that Sen. Obama is unqualified for the presidency,” Franklin says. “Maybe she can overcome her relative inexperience in international and domestic affairs during the campaign, but this seems for McCain a risky choice.” To speak with Franklin, contact Lisa Spires at 404-413-1353 or lspires@gsu.edu.

Happenings at Georgia State University

Fiscal Research Center to host property tax conference
Ahead of the 2009 session of the Georgia General Assembly, when a number of new tax proposals could be up for consideration, Georgia State University’s Fiscal Research Center will host a conference on the current tax system and proposals being considered.
“Towards a Better Understanding of Property Taxes & Proposed Policies” will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Capitol Education Center, 180 Central Avenue, Atlanta. The conference is free and open to the public, though lunch can be purchased for $10. For more information or to register, visit http://frcconference.gsu.edu/, email propertytaxconf@gsu.edu or call 404-413-0249.

Georgia State to present shakuhaci concert
The Georgia State University School of Music and Asian Studies Center present guest shakuhachi artist Daniel “Ryudo” Ribble in a free concert, “The Shakuhachi: Now and Zen,” at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22 in the Florence Kopleff Recital Hall. A Georgia State alumnus with a master’s degree in history, Ribble has been playing the shakuhachi, or traditional Japanese bamboo flute, for 20 years in the city of Kochi, Japan. For additional information, contact the Georgia State School of Music at 404-413-5901 or visit www.music.gsu.edu.

 

What is Georgia State Leads? Leads is designed and published by Georgia State's Department of University Relations to provide journalists with ideas for stories and experts to flesh them out.

Don't see what you're looking for? Call University Relations at 404-413-1354 or visit our award-winning online Experts Guide at http://www.gsu.edu/experts/