Much discussion this week across higher education news sources about the coronavirus (Covid-19), and its potential impact on colleges and universities. Inside Higher Ed reports that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that colleges “consider canceling upcoming foreign exchange programs and asking current program participants to return to their home countries.”  Several academic conferences have been postponed or cancelled, and institutions are moving quickly to plan for potential shut downs. Organizations like The Online Learning Consortium and WCET are providing resources and guidance regarding transitioning coursework online should Covid-19 cause temporary campus shut downs. The Chronicle of Higher Education is tracking the most recent updates in Covid-19 and its impact on higher education.

Some good news to report this week regarding college completion rates.  According to data released by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, most states continued to increase their six-year completion rates.  Across the United States, six-year completion rates reached 60% which is the highest rate NSCRC has reported since it began collecting data eight years ago. Community colleges, many of which are embracing efforts like guided pathways, saw significant gains with 33 states showing increased completion rates at two-year institutions.  Overall community colleges had completion rates of nearly 41% for those students who began their studies in 2013.

According to a Higher Learning Advocates policy brief, in the fall of 2017, 24% of students were parents, 37% were older than 25 and 49% were financially independent. Close to 40% of students were part-time.