The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is an employee supplemental educational assistance program. Home > Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Research at Georgia Southern University.Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health.College of Behavioral and Social Sciences.He said students with brain injuries often isolate themselves.īy the way, Karla made an excellent video for the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety on the dangers of driving and texting. Dougan praised the sororities for making it possible for Karla to participate in pledge activities since many of the houses are not wheelchair accessible. Now that UGA has made this move, Byrne has reached out to his alma maters, Le Moyne College and Niagara University, to ask them to consider making similar changes at their schools.ĭougan’s daughter Karla is negotiating the challenges of UGA with her trademark drive and spirit, becoming one of the handful of students in a wheelchair to rush a sorority, said her father. “They are working harder than full-time students taking 15 hours but were getting no recognition or encouragement.” “I don’t think anyone understands how hard it is energy-wise just to come to class for these students,” he said. She started UGA in the spring semester of 2014. Her goal throughout: Graduate high school and resume her studies, already underway as a dual-enrolled high schooler at the University of Georgia. Her severe injuries kept her hospitalized from January to July in the ICU and then in rehab at Shepherd Center. In talking with UGA, Byrne emphasized, “If disabled students are truly seen by university administrators as part of the university and student body, the school should find ways to include, not exclude, them from academic recognition."Īt the time the car struck her on Milledge Avenue in downtown Athens, Byrnes’ daughter was dual enrolled at UGA and ranked sixth in her high school class. If we want people with brain injuries to be able to be a functioning part of society, they need an education.” Being able to attend school with their peers is an important part of their recovery. “No one had ever thought about this situation. “Most professors, myself included before my daughter’s accident, don’t have a clue how to deal with students who have brain injuries and what their challenges are,” said Dougan in a phone interview. Dougan enlisted his colleague in the Department of Cellular Biology Mark Farmer, who serves on the University Council, and the pace quickened. That is when Byrne sought out Dougan, who understood firsthand the struggles students with brain injuries face. UGA President Jere Morehead signed onto the policy Tuesday.īyrne shared his many email exchanges over this last year with UGA officials, all of whom agreed with his sentiment, but suggested the wheels of bureaucracy may not move as fast as he might like. Last week, the UGA University Council changed the policy so now students approved by the UGA Disabilities Resource Center to carry a reduced caseload for documented medical reasons such as brain injury or cancer can qualify for academic honors. So, my question is this: since she has taken 9 hours this semester, which is considered full time for a disabled student, is there any way within the system that she can be recognized for her academic achievements?” Why? Because she is physically unable to take more than 9 hours a semester. So, Byrne began a campaign to prod UGA to change its policy only allowing students with full course loads to be Presidential Scholars or make Dean's list.īyrne wrote to UGA leadership about his daughter’s high GPA, explaining, “But despite this extraordinary work, she will not receive any recognition from the university as a Presidential Scholar or on the Dean's list.
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