In this week’s roundup: How the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the DACA program may affect higher education, what’s happening with student athletes back on campus and concerns over colleges’ and universities’ ability to provide enough COVID-19 tests and PPE. Stay tuned for our weekly roundup on what trends we’re seeing across institutions, how individual colleges and universities are responding to them and what national policy changes are affecting higher ed.
Week of June 17-24
- The United States Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration cannot end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program as attempted. This may help DACA students receive CARES funds, which is a hotly debated topic. Relatedly, California community colleges don’t have to follow the U.S. Education Department’s coronavirus aid rule.
- President Trump signed an executive order expanding immigration restrictions, though the order does not affect optional practical training (OPT) programs.
- Student-athletes have tested positive for COVID-19 after the NCAA allowed colleges to begin voluntary practices on June 1. Bowdoin College has made the decision to cancel the football season, along with all other fall sports.
- Two universities, University of South Florida and Western Carolina University, announced that they won’t give housing refunds if their campus has to shut down in the fall. Parents and students have responded with petitions and complaints.
- Campus leaders are considering how to meet state guidance for adequate COVID-19 testing. Researchers are studying the most effective means to mitigate spread of the disease, including the use of protective gear and classroom design.
- A recent study by the Student Experience in the Research University (SERU) Consortium at UC Berkeley found that 90% of students at research universities plan to come back for fall 2020. The survey also looked at the main reasons why students don’t plan to return.
- Students are continuing their criticism of colleges and universities for saying too much and doing too little when it comes to anti-racism on campus. Additionally, they are calling for action against students who spread racist messages.
- College fundraising priorities have moved from capital projects and endowments to financial aid, virtual instruction and to accrue unrestricted funds, a study finds.
- In response to more institutions going test-optional or test-flexible, those that are test-blind will be ranked by U.S. News and World Report.
