By Brad Haire
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is committed to agriculture and to
economic and academic development of rural Georgia, says UGA
President Michael F. Adams.
Adams visited the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences Tifton, Ga., campus here July 30. He was briefed on
research studies that focus on crop genetics, farm irrigation
efficiency and precision farming tools like variable-rate
irrigation and autonomous robotic tractors.
He toured the construction site of a new 83,000-square-foot
conferencing expansion to the CAES Rural Development Center and
the college’s state-of-the-art microgin, where CAES specialists
will study ways to improve the state’s cotton quality.
He also learned about Cooperative Extension Service programs
that focus on migrant workers’ safety, combating poverty and
high school abstinence from alcohol and drugs.
He met with teachers, administrators and students enrolled in
four-year degree programs here, too.
Adams wrapped up his visit with a community listening session
and luncheon.
Thriving
“All the vital signs of the University of Georgia are as strong
as or stronger than they have ever been,” Adams told about 70
community leaders, state legislators and farmers.
The farmers expressed concern over the university’s commitment
to agricultural research and extension programs. Adams assured
them that UGA “has one of the leading agricultural colleges in
the nation and will continue to have.”
This fall’s freshman class will average a 1240 SAT score and
about 3.8 on a 4-point grade point scale, he said. On paper, it
will be the ninth or 10th strongest freshman class of any public
university in the nation, he said. Georgia Tech will have the
fourth strongest.
The university will continue to welcome and accept south Georgia
students, he said. And it will expand academic opportunities to
rural areas of the state.
Funding
The university must keep finding ways to fund itself. Eight
years ago, he said, UGA got 43 percent of its funding from the
state. It now gets 35 percent.
UGA has had about $1 billion in construction in recent years. Of
that money, 52 percent came from sources other than state
funds.
“The days of standing with the tin cup out in the state
legislature are probably over,” he said.
The university will continue to seek out partnerships with
private industry.
UGA received a record $77.8 million in private gifts and pledges
in the fiscal year that ended June 30. This is an 8-percent
increase over the previous year. It marks the fourth straight
record year in private donations.
The UGA athletic department will remain a top competitor in the
Southeastern Conference. But less than 2 percent of the students
who compete in the SEC will ever cash a check earned
athletically, Adams said.
“Our responsibility is first and foremost an academic one,” he
said. “And we are committed to the academic development of this
state.”
