The UGA Key has updated their grade database, which now includes grades through this spring (spring 2009).  The UGA Key now has grades for Fall 1999 to Spring 2009.

The UGA Key is the University of Georgia Course Review Book, which contains grades and course syllabi to assist UGA students in registering for classes.

Their release follows:

The UGA Key developers would like to let University of Georgia students know that the Beta Key (here) now contains Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 grades.  If you are interested in seeing only grades assigned within the past year, you can look at this filter.

With this update, UGA Key now has grade data on 32,366 classes!  Over thirty-two thousand classes!  And syllabi!

If you have any problems, please please PLEASE get in touch with us and let us know.  We have fixed several bugs in recent weeks thanks to input from students.

Along with this update, we have made the Beta Key significantly faster loading.  The English subject just loaded for myself in less than 5 seconds (in Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome web browsers).

Up next, we are going to move the Beta Key over to the main UGA Key site (we’ll still leave up the old version for anyone attached) and we will add more syllabi.

Enjoy using UGA Key, and tell your friends and classmates where to determine which classes to take and which to avoid!

~The UGA Key Developers

A fire broke out in the historic Georgia Theatre this morning in downtown Athens.

Georgia Power cut the electricity to most of downtown in response to the fire, so red lights are out and the Athens Banner-Herald has been unable to post updates.

Coverage: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Athens Banner-Herald (note: updates are on homepage as they can’t post news), Red and Black, and the Georgia Sports Blog.

For history of the Georgia Theatre, look here.

*Update, 10:30am*

The Athens-Banner Herald frontpage says downtown Athens will be without power until noon.

*Update, 11am*

Pictures from the Red and Black.

A writer from the ABH is saying ”Goodbye to the Georgia Theatre”.  The pictures, though, don’t show that much exterior damage, but the roof has collapsed and the interior is gutted.

*Update, 11:30am*

The Athens Banner-Herald has now posted a story, and here is what they are saying about the condition of the building:

“It appeared to have started on the second floor and broke through the roof shortly thereafter,” George said this morning. “We’re in defensive mode now. It’s hard to say if they’ll be able to rebuild. There is at least going to be extensive damage.”

Wilmot Greene, the building owner, said the building is a total loss but exterior walls are “probably alright.” Green said he hopes to rebuild and he does have insurance. Greene has already talked with organizers of AthFest about holding AthFest events in the Classic Center or at Legion Field.

*Update – noon*

Electricity service to downtown Athens has been restored.

Some breaking news and news from the weekend:

• Breaking: UGA students lose appeal on noise ordinance (AJC, ABH, R&B, Opinion, comment by students’ counsel)
• The Brain Train, a light rail linking Atlanta (Emory) and Athens (UGA) was likely passed over for this light rail project

Sports news:

• 11 Georgia Bulldogs baseball players were taken in the MLB draft, a new record (AJC)
• UGA Football’s 2009 home opener against South Carolina (September 12) will likely start at 7pm and be broadcast on ESPN2 (Georgia Sports Blog, AJC, ABH)

Both the Georgia men’s baseball team and women’s softball team accomplished a lot this weekend.

The baseball team dominated Ohio State on Friday, but then lost to Florida State on Saturday and lost to Ohio State today, ending their tournament run.

The women’s softball team fared slightly better this weekend.  They lost to Washington on Thursday, but followed the loss up with wins against Missouri and Michigan on Saturday.  They beat Washington on Sunday afternoon in an amazing game, the highest-scoring game in Women’s College World Series history.  The Bulldogs lost this evening to Washington, ending their tournament hopes one game from the championship series.

We’re posting this as a bit of a wrapup of all the news relating to UGA professor George Zinkhan, who shot and killed his wife and two others at the Athens Community Theater on April 25.  Further coverage was here.

Last week the Athens Banner-Herald got the warrant applications used to justify searches of Zinkhan’s house, office, computer, and several other areas.  Among the information discovered in the warrant applications was information that Zinkhan had recorded a conversation between himself and his wife about her affair with Tom Tanner.  Tom Tanner was the first victim shot by Zinkhan during his shooting spree.

Today, the Athens Banner-Herald also published an article about Zinkhan’s relationship with UGA professor Barbara Carroll.  Among the 1,600 page Open Records Request were documents detailing the many fights between the two and allegations of sexual harrassment.  Carroll went into hiding when a map to her house was found in Zinkhan’s abandoned Jeep.

We reported on Twitter yesterday morning about the rumored suspensions of several UGA football players, but this morning confirmed information has been reported.

Junior tight end Bruce Figgins and redshirt sophomore defensive end Justin Houston (both projected starters this fall) have been suspended for violating team rules.  Figgins will miss six games and Houston will miss two games.

Redshirt junior wide receiver Tony Wilson also violated team rules, but “is in the process of being medically disqualified
 from competition due to slow recovery from a severe ankle injury originally 
suffered in the spring of 2008″ (UGA Athletic Association press release).  This sounds as if Wilson is off the team.

The press release notes this quote from UGA football coach Mark Richt:

“I’m very disappointed in the poor judgment of these players,” said 
UGA head coach Mark Richt. “They’ll have to pay an appropriate price and 
I’m confident they will learn an important lesson from their mistake.”

Georgia and Athens law enforcement agencies are confirming that the body of George Zinkhan, UGA professor wanted in connection to three shooting deaths, was found this morning.  For further information, see the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Athens Banner-Herald, and the Red and Black.

The University of Georgia administration sent out two emails to students, faculty, and staff today.  The first email announced the discovery of what was likely Zinkhan’s body and included a statement from President Mike Adams:

Subject:Athens-Clarke Police announcement and President Adams statement
Date:Sat, 9 May 2009 21:25:57
From:Official UGA Announcements <archnews@UGA.EDU>
To: <ARCHNEWS-E@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>

TO: UGA Students, Faculty and Staff

The Athens-Clarke County Police Department announced today that it, along with federal and state agencies, has continued to search an area off of Cleveland Road near the Jackson County line with cadaver dogs in the search for former UGA marketing professor George Zinkhan, who is wanted in the shooting deaths of three people off-campus in Athens on April 25. The search area has been expanded from where Zinkhan’s vehicle was recovered on May 1. This morning a canine response team found a concealed body during its search of an area approximately 1.3 miles from where Zinkhan’s vehicle was recovered. The recovered body has been transported to the State Crime Lab for positive identification. Police say evidence at the scene is consistent with the description of George Zinkhan, but emphasize that no positive identification has been made at this time.

UGA President Michael F. Adams issued the following statement this afternoon:

We are grateful for the professional work of the local, state and federal law enforcement agencies that have cooperated to bring this intensive investigation to this point. I am especially appreciative of the UGA police for the measures they took to ensure that the campus community remained safe and secure as we have continued university business during this very trying time.

Again, I express my sincerest condolences to the loved ones and friends of the victims of this tragedy. Our hearts go out to each of them as they try to bring closure to and cope with the pain and sorrow these losses of life have caused them. May they ultimately find healing and peace.

##

The second email came later this evening announcing the positive identification of the body as that of former UGA professor George Zinkhan:

—– Original Message —–
Subject:Zinkhan identity confirmed
Date:Sat, 9 May 2009 22:45:35
From:Official UGA Announcements <archnews@UGA.EDU>
To: <ARCHNEWS-E@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>

TO: UGA Students, Faculty and Staff

Athens Clarke-County Police announced Saturday evening that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the State Crime Lab have confirmed that the body found earlier Saturday off Cleveland Road in Clarke County is that of George M. Zinkhan III, the former UGA marketing professor wanted for shooting three people to death off-campus in Athens on April 25.

*UPDATE*

A Sunday article from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Rumors began swirling in Athens shortly after graduation that the body of wanted UGA professor George Zinkhan was found this morning.

We will post updates to this story as they come in.

Stay with UGANews.com for breaking news from the University of Georgia.

*UPDATE*

WAGA news in Atlanta is reporting (and now the Atlanta Journal-Constition is as well) that police have found the body of George Zinkhan close to the location of his Jeep.

The UGA Office of International Education sent this email out today regarding student travel and the swine flu outbreak:

From: Study Abroad Faculty Coord.’s [mailto:FACSA-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of Kasee Laster
Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 2:40 PM
To: FACSA-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Subject: how many countries are responding to the flu

The BBC has posted a list of how many countries are responding to the
flu (thanks to study abroad advisor Kornelia Probst-Mackowiak, who sent
me this link).

The amount of detail provided on each country varies, but I thought this
might be a useful resource. You will note that some countries to which
UGA study abroad programs travel have instituted thermal screening and
other airport-based precautions, so if such is indicated for your
destination, you may wish to prepare yourselves and your students, allow
more time than usual for clearing customs and immigration, etc.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8022516.stm

–
Dr. Kasee Clifton Laster
Director of Study Abroad

Office of International Education
Bank of America, third floor
110 E. Clayton Street
Athens, Georgia 30602

Phone: 706-425-3275
Fax: 706-425-3315
Physical location: corner of Clayton and Lumpkin, downtown
Web location: www.uga.edu/oie

Athens Clarke-County Police have released two sketches of wanted UGA professor George Zinkhan.  The sketches are what Zinkhan might look like without his hair and facial hair.  If you see this man or have any information, call 706-613-3888.

Further coverage from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Athens Banner-Herald, and Red and Black.

Breaking news, from UGA News.