[Update]: John A. Hogan, Ph.D., has withdrawn his name from consideration.

Georgia Highlands’ presidential search committee has narrowed down the search for the next permanent president to five candidates. Candidates are currently visiting the Cartersville and Floyd campuses to meet with students and employees.

Here are the five candidates:

La Vonne I. Neal, Ph.D.

Professor and Dean, College of Education

Northern Illinois University

Donald Green, Ed.D.

Vice President of Extended and International Operations

Ferris State University

John A. Hogan, Ph.D.

Chancellor and Associate Vice President for Student Affairs

Ivy Tech Community College, Columbus

Anita Bowles, Ph.D.

Vice President, Academic Affairs

Spartanburg Methodist College

Al Panu, Ph.D.

Senior Vice President for University Affairs

University of North Georgia

Tuition is set to increase fall 2014 for the third year in a row. The Board of Regents voted April 15 to raise tuition by 2.5 percent for 27 out of 31 total institutions.

John Brown, USG vice chancellor for fiscal affairs, who presented the tuition plan to the Board, said “the new tuition rates maintain the needed balance of state funding.”

GHC’s tuition will be raised by 2.5 percent. Tuition will be $1330 for a full-time student attending GHC this fall. Currently, it is $86.54 per hour but will increase to $88.67, still one of the more affordable colleges in Georgia.

The tuition at the four research institutions will increase more significantly. For example the tuition at Georgia Tech is set to rise 9 percent.

On March 19, the Georgia Board of Regents passed a policy which will ban the use of all forms of tobacco or simulated tobacco on all college campuses in the University System of Georgia beginning Oct. 1. This includes cigarettes, pipes, cigars as well as electronic cigarettes, commonly known as E-cigs.

The policy applies to “employees, students, contractors, subcontractors and visitors and is applicable 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” on all properties “owned, leased, rented or in the possession” of USG colleges, according to the Tobacco and Smoke-Free Campus Policy.

The current GHC policy allows students and faculty to use tobacco products in their vehicles but not anywhere else on campus.

The aim of the ban, according to Marion Fedrick, vice chancellor of human resources for the University System of Georgia, is to “preserve and improve the health, comfort and environment of employees and any persons occupying USG facilities.”

The enforcement of the policy is the duty of the college president. Students who violate the ban will be handled according to the Student Code of Conduct, and employees who violate the policy will be handled by policies stated by Human Resources.

Renva Watterson, interim president of Georgia Highlands, said, “I think it’s a worthy policy about student and employee health.” She also stated, “I believe it’s correct that educational facilities should be tobacco free.”

There are mixed opinions in regard to the policy. Some are in favor of the ban. Others are against it.

The Six Mile Post conducted an online survey asking, “Should smoking tobacco related products in your personal vehicle no longer be allowed while on campus,” and 62 percent said, it should be allowed while 38 percent said it should not be allowed.

Ben Allison and Kendall Canter, Floyd campus students, both stated they disagree with the ban.

Allison stated, “I don’t agree with smoking, but I think people should have a choice. It should be up to the person not the school.”

Jeremiah Hicks, Floyd student, said, “Tobacco is legal and people do it anyways. People should do as they please, as long as it’s not bothering anyone.”

Caleb Parris and Dennise Cornejo, sophomores on the Floyd campus, stated they are in favor of the ban. “It gives a better image to the college. It makes us look like we care about people’s health,” said Cornejo.

Justin Deal, sophomore on the Floyd campus, commented on an online Six Mile Post article, stating, “I personally am working on quitting myself, but it is not an easy path. And while I am treading down that path, I do not want to have to now add to my schedule to drive off-campus just to smoke my electronic cigarette.”

He continued, “This decision stresses me out, and just makes me want another cigarette.”

Still, there are others that are not on either side, saying that the ban has good intentions but invades personal rights and should instead allow designated smoking areas.

Most teachers interviewed are in favor of the ban, but there are also faculty members who are against it.

Johnny Duke, professor of mathematics, stated that he is content with the current policy, which allows for tobacco use in personal vehicles.

Mark Knauss, professor of biology, stated he doesn’t mind the ban but that it is invasive. “I don’t smoke, so it doesn’t affect me as long as others are considerate,” Knauss stated.

Angela Delgado, custodian, stated she is in favor of the policy. “I often walk by and see students and teachers standing next to the building smoking. Some even leave the butts in the bathroom sinks. I’m 100 percent in favor.”

Frank Minor, associate professor of English, and Jesse Bishop, assistant professor of English, said they see both sides.

“I agree with the health aspect, but I also think it is okay to smoke in their car because it’s not bothering anyone,” Minor said.

Bishop stated, “I definitely think there are fuzzy lines.”

The policy allows for exceptions if an institution is conducting research or if the president of the institution states exceptions.

Watterson stated she does not plan to make exceptions.

(From left) Amelia Bagwell, Julian Orjuela, Stephen Hood, Laurel Wickman and Marilyn Trudeau-Walls recieve their URIT certificates. Photo by Ryan Jones.

Georgia Highlands’ 42nd annual Honors Night recognized students who have stood out during the current school year.

The event was held April 10 at the Clarence Brown Conference Center. Over 30 different awards were presented, some with multiple student winners, and some students won more than one award.

Awards included the Business Merit award, Warren Akin IV Award for Excellence in English studies and Who’s Who among others.

Justin Deal took home eight awards, including Outstanding Student for Political Science Majors, the Diversity Student Leadership award, the Georgia Highlands College Leadership Award and five others.

“It was very nice. I appreciate the college recognizing the effort I’ve put in. I was humbled and honored and it definitely paid off,” Deal said.

Tatiana Smithson also took home the Leadership Award, which was presented to her by GHC’s interim president, Renva Watterson. “It is an honor and privilege to be nominated and win,” Smithson stated. She continued, “All I ever wanted was to make our school better and help our students excel.”

Deal offered advice to students, saying, “Regardless of the awards, it’s about putting yourself out there, and it goes to show that things will come your way. And regardless of what happens on the way, go for your goal!”

Check here for the full Honors Assembly program.

On March 19 the Board of Regents passed a policy banning tobacco use at all University System of Georgia schools.

Beginning Oct. 1, 2014, all forms of tobacco or simulated tobacco use on all properties owned and used by USG colleges and universities will be prohibited. This includes cigarettes, pipes, cigars and electronic cigarettes.

The decision applies to “employees, students, contractors, subcontractors and visitors and is applicable 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” according to the Tobacco and Smoke-Free Campus Policy.

Watch for more information on how this will affect Georgia Highlands College in the April issue of the Six Mile Post.

The recent class cancellations, due to snow, have led GHC to decide to make Reading Day, Tuesday May 6, an “official class make-up day.” According to Laura Musselwhite, interim Vice President of academic affairs, this “only affords the extra class day to TR courses.”

Exams will still be from May 7 to May 13. MW classes will not have any make-up days. Reading Day is usually a day prior to the first exam date so that students may study for exams.

Ten-week classes have been affected the most, according to Musselwhite. Because of this, instructors of 10-week classes have the option of extending instructional classes to the week after spring break. Due dates for grades of 10-week classes have been moved to April 11.

Also, the Early Warning Program, the method of letting students know whether they are performing satisfactory or unsatisfactory in their classes, will be moved from Feb. 24 to March 3.

However, the mid-term withdrawal date of March 17 will not change.

Multiple people have stepped-up to help run daily operations at the Cartersville campus following the sudden death of Carolyn Hamrick, Cartersville campus dean.

According to Renva Watterson, interim president, Leslie Johnson, associate professor of communication, will fill in to take care of academic-related affairs at Cartersville.

Johnson “will keep her current teaching schedule but will be available for scheduled hours in her office,” stated Watterson.

Johnson said, “I am honored to serve as a resource for my colleagues during this time of transition, and I hope my presence will offer some continuity following the passing of our beloved co-worker and friend, Dean Hamrick. I look forward to the challenges of my new duties. They will allow me to grow professionally and better serve GHC in the future.”

Johnson will be working with Glenda Law, administrative assistant for Cartersville, to make sure everything is functioning in an orderly fashion.

While Johnson handles the academic side, Jeff Davis, vice-president of finance and administration, will handle Cartersville business affairs.

He will be at the Cartersville campus regularly to handle business related matters. Davis will be in room 237. Johnson’s office is in room 235.

Watterson also said that Dr. Laura Musselwhite, interim vice-president of academic affairs, and Todd Jones, vice-president of student affairs, will extend help as needed while continuing in their current positions.

“Carolyn’s main priority was always doing the best job for our students. That is a philosophy that will continue,” said Watterson.

Hamrick died Jan. 25 due to a medical emergency.

Hamrick had been a full-time employee with the college since 1991. She began her association with the college in fall of 1988 as a part-time instructor of developmental reading.

Donavan Harris (left) is tutored by Jennifer Hicks (right) in the Tutorial Center. Photo by Pedro Zavala

Many struggling students may not realize that walk-in tutoring is offered on all campuses and is free for all Georgia Highlands’ students.

There is no appointment necessary for the tutorial center. According to Jennifer Hicks, director of tutoring, the tutorial centers have about 10,000 visits a year by students. She said, “Some students are regulars who come and do homework every day. Others come once or twice a semester.”

Taylor West, an education major at the Floyd campus comes almost everyday she says. “I come to study and get help. They’re very helpful and friendly.”

As of last year online tutoring is also available for students with online classes. GHC has a contract with Brainfuse, which offers tutorial services from its tutors via online.

She stated that although it varies by semester, the subjects that most students need help in are English, math and science. “The number one subject we see is math across the board,” she said.

There are currently 25 tutors in total on all campuses, including part-time and full-time tutors.

At the Floyd campus there are currently seven part-time tutors. There are also student workers that help tutor at the Floyd and Cartersville campuses.

This semester there is also a Spanish tutor available at the Floyd campus.

I’ve had a lot of friends tell me they don’t know what to do in life, just like a lot of students.

I remember one specific car ride I had with a friend who told me she felt lost. She wasn’t in college, no job, had just recently moved and had to take pills to calm her nerves. I didn’t know what to say because I had my life in order. I just couldn’t relate to her, and I couldn’t say let’s talk to someone else because she had opened herself up to me for the first time.

I froze but stuttered and said the first thing that came to mind, just so I could stop the awkward silence between us. “How do you want to be remembered when you die?” is what I said. I don’t know why, that’s just how my mind works.

She looked at me and answered the question to my surprise. She told me that she wanted to be remembered as a kind, happy and cheerful friend to those who knew her. I then asked how she thinks others see her right now. She said that it was probably the opposite.

Again, I was stumped because she was opening up and I was not prepared to help her with her baggage. But I went with it, and I asked what her long-term goals were—what she wanted to do in life, things she wanted to accomplish. She gave me a long list of things, but she dismissed them all as impossible because of where she was right now. I finally found my groove and was able to connect the dots. But it was too late. We had arrived at our destination and the moment was gone.

I don’t have a time machine to go back in time and say what I needed to tell her, so I won’t pretend to do it here. But there are millions of people who feel that way, and to them I say, “How do you want to be remembered?”

Make sure everything you do from now on out is to meet that expectation.

Think of where you want to go and what you have to do to get there. You’re never too young or too old. You might not be in the best position to achieve what you want; it’ll just take more patience. You’ve just got to keep your goal in mind and go for it.