EduShare - Higher Ed Blog & News

RSS

Friday 5: Things To Ponder This Week In Higher Ed 6/5/20

Friday 5: Things To Ponder This Week In Higher Ed 6/5/20

We are grateful for Dr. Chimene Boone and Ms. Michelle Blair’s time today during this week’s Friday 5 Live.  The TRIO administrators shared thoughts on supporting TRIO students as well as under-resourced and vulnerable students: a critical concern we return to with each Friday 5 Live.  

Please join us for our next Friday 5 Live on June 19th. We are fortunate to have George Hoey as our guest.  George is a retired college administrator with over 40 years experience in higher education.  George will share his thoughts as a higher education professional and a man of color about the current situation around diversity, bias and violence.

Yet my work is to teach, to make it possible for others to teach, and learn, and grow. I will do this with ferocity in the coming months, for holding up that light of knowledge is something that, no matter how dark the night, is one of the best hopes for humanity.

G. Gabrielle Star, President of Pomona College quoted this week in The Chronicle of Higher Education  

1

The State of Higher Education This Week

Our thoughts turn this week to those protesting the killing of George Floyd, police violence and systemic racism in our country.  Institutions like the University of Missouri announced they are cutting some ties to the local police force, and students at Ohio State University are calling on their leadership to do the same.  Many news sources, like NPR and Wired, have discussed racial disparities in the United States brought to the forefront by COVID.  While we continue to see much of higher education news focused on COVID response, as educators it is vital that we acknowledge the work of those protesting for change in our country. We are choosing to focus this week’s Friday 5 on resources for higher education professionals.  This is certainly not a comprehensive resource, but rather a starting point for critical and necessary work.

2

Students, Campus and Protests

As we look to the fall and students potentially returning to campus, what do we need to be aware of as college administrators and educators when students protest on campus?  Here are some helpful resources regarding student protest on our campuses:

FAQ’s For Student Protests on Campus
History of College Protest Movements

3

Literature for Students of All Ages

As educators, we look to research and reading as ways to inform our understanding of our world. Below we’ve compiled several lists of books, both fiction and nonfiction, to examine race, racism and resistance.

Reading List from Black Booksellers 
USA Today Booklist
Children’s Booklist

    4

    Cultivating Racial Literacy

    There are many resources with respect to racism, anti-racism, and racial literacy.  This is a starting point for developing an understanding of institutionalized racism and to start or continue conversations on your campus. 

    Cultivate Racial Literacy on Campus
    JSTOR Daily: Institutionalized Racism: A Syllabus
    10 Documentaries to Better Understand Racism
    Scaffolding Anti-Racism Resources 
       Document created by: Anna Stamborski, M. Div Candidate (2022), Nikki Zimmermann, M. Div candidate (2021), Bailie Gregory, M. Div, M.S. Ed.

      5

      Resources & Commitment to the Black Lives Matter Campaign
      Black Lives Matter is "committed to struggling together and to imagining and creating a world free of anti-Blackness, where every Black person has the social, economic, and political power to thrive."  At Innovative Educators, we embrace and support Black Lives Matter through our work and through donation.
       
       
      Author: Meg Foster
      June 5, 2020

      Friday 5: Things To Ponder This Week In Higher Ed 5/29/20

      Friday 5: Things To Ponder This Week In Higher Ed 5/29/20


      But tomorrow may rain, so I’ll follow the sun.

       The Beatles  

      We had a fantastic discussion with Laura Clark of the Virginia Community College System during last week’s Friday 5 Live.  She shared her thoughts on the future of higher education.  Please join us for our next Friday 5 Live on June 5.

      1

      Updates on COVID-19 and Higher Education

      The Chronicle interviewed Dr. Fauci last week regarding his thoughts and advice about college reopening in the fall.  The gist: it’s too early to know if colleges could test widely for COVID-19 and each college’s reopening plans will be unique to location and population. Institutions continue to announce plans for the fall.  Colorado College has revised its block system to accommodate a wide variety of learning options. As educators and administrators attempt to predict the future, The Chronicle continues its extensive reporting this week as well as Inside Higher EdWCET provides updates on relevant federal policy changes.

      2

      Continued Confusion Over CARES Act Monies for College Students

      In statements and a court filing over Memorial Day weekend, the Department of Education stated that it “does not intend to enforce guidelines” saying that emergency student grants from the CARES Act are only available for those students eligible for regular student aid. Financial aid administrators and associations representing colleges report that these new statements do not provide clarity regarding whether CARES Act funds can be distributed to undocumented students or other populations ineligible for federal financial aid.

      "If you would have told me in October that we’d be talking about doing a flipped classroom I would have said, ‘Never in a hundred years.’ But here we are.” - Chad Davis, superintendent of East Valley Institute of Technology in Mesa, Arizona

      3

      Taking Career and Technical Education Online

      Education Dive looks this week at initiatives to take CTE courses online, like automotive technology and cosmetology.  This spring semester, many institutions pivoted quickly by having students complete online reading requirements and preparation for written industry certification tests. For the fall semester, programs are developing flipped classroom approaches where small groups of students will use class time to practice their skills and fulfill hands-on requirements.  Students will continue the academic portion of their courses online.

      11: The number of Instructional Designers the University of Waterloo is looking to hire

      4

      Supporting Faculty and Staff to Deliver Fall Online

      As institutions wrap up the spring semester, faculty and instructional designers are turning their sights towards the fall and preparing for another semester taught fully or partially online. The result is increasing discussion about how to best support faculty in developing and delivering online courses.  Inside Higher Ed this week highlights the work of several organizations including the Online Learning Consortium, which offers support and training resources regarding online course delivery.

      5

      Creating Active Learning in the Socially Distanced Classroom

      In considering a return to on-campus teaching, faculty are examining their physical teaching spaces with an eye for how to re-envision active learning in a socially distanced classroom space.  How can students work in small groups while maintaining a safe distance? How can best practices from online learning be repurposed to a socially distanced, in-person class.  Inside Higher Ed covers this hot topic this week building off conversations and queries from the POD Network listserv.

      Author: Meg Foster
      May 29, 2020

      Friday 5: Things To Ponder This Week In Higher Ed 5/22/20

      Friday 5: Things To Ponder This Week In Higher Ed 5/22/20


      The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.

       E.E. Cummings  

      We were fortunate to host Laura Clark on our  Friday 5 Live today.  Laura shared with us her insights on moving forward towards the fall semester and how we can support our learners and one another.  We so appreciate Laura’s positive energy!  Please join us for our next Friday 5 Live on June 5.

      1

      Updates on COVID-19 and Higher Education

      Colleges and universities are creatively addressing how to confer degrees to students at a distance, and families are joining in the celebrations.  An image of a student graduating from Xavier University on a stage built by her father in their driveway was shared widely across media platforms this week. It seems especially important these days to find ways to celebrate such accomplishments! We send our congratulations to the Class of 2020!  The Chronicle continues its extensive reporting this week as well as Inside Higher EdWCET provides updates on relevant federal policy changes.

      2

      Community Colleges Planning for Virtual Fall Semesters

      While many four-year institutions announced plans this week for a face-to-face fall semester, community colleges are largely doing the opposite.  Community college leaders cited challenges with scaling public health safety interventions like temperature checks or COVID testing.  Many community colleges also have solely commuter populations, and thus, do not have the same residential considerations of their four-year counterparts. Ivy Tech in Indiana does plan to provide flexible fall programming including hybrid and in-person class offerings.

      "As we got to looking at the fall semester, it was really a science and math problem.” - Joe May, president of the Dallas County Community College District

      3

      Trying to Freeze Summer Melt

      The Hechinger Report this week examines programs that are reaching out to students to try to halt the “summer melt” phenomenon.  Between 10 and 20% of admitted graduating seniors in a given year will not show up on college campuses come the fall.  Programs like Beyond 12 and Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher Initiative are using texting and coaching to ensure more high school graduates attend college in the fall.

       One-third of students said they would transfer to another institution if their college only had online options (according to Niche survey results)

      4

      What Students Want The Fall Semester To Look Like

      As campuses grapple with planning for the fall semester, Niche surveyed 10,000 high school seniors and current college students to find out what scenario they would most like to see for the fall semester. The survey results: students want to learn on campus...if it can be done safely.  Many institutions announced plans this week for a fall semester that ends at Thanksgiving or moves to remote learning.  The University of South Carolina is one institution moving in this direction for the fall. As far as tuition for the fall: 79% of students said they thought tuition should be less for online or hybrid classes.  In related news, Education Dive reports on students suing for tuition refunds from spring semester.

      5

      The Continued Financial Fall Out of COVID

      Inside Higher Ed reported this week on the continued financial stress caused by COVID: cuts to administration, reduced pay for faculty and employees, hiring freezes, eliminating academic programs.  Three universities have taken the step of declaring financial exigency: Lincoln University in Missouri, Central Washington University and Missouri Western State University.  This status allows institutions to lay off tenured faculty members under American Association of University Professors guidelines.

      Author: Meg Foster
      May 22, 2020

      Friday 5: Things To Ponder This Week In Higher Ed 5/15/20

      Friday 5: Things To Ponder This Week In Higher Ed 5/15/20


      I am not afraid of storms for I am learning to sail my ship.

      Louisa May Alcott  

      We had a fantastic discussion with Dr. Denise Swett during last week’s Friday 5 Live.  She shared her thoughts on planning for the fall semester.  We’re always grateful for her positive energy.  Please join us for our next Friday 5 Live on May 22 when we will focus on mental health concerns for students, faculty and staff.

      1

      Updates on COVID-19 and Higher Education

      Two months into the shift to remote learning and work-from-home orders, this week higher education news sources focus on the continued financial fall out from COVID-19.   The Chronicle continues its extensive reporting this week as well as Inside Higher Ed.   WCET continues to provide updates on relevant federal policy changes.

      2

      FAFSA Application Renewals Down

      Multiple media sources are reporting this week that 5% fewer students have renewed their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the upcoming academic year versus this time last yearThe decrease represents more than 350,000 students, most of whom are from low-income families.  A drop in renewal rates suggests that more students  than usual are uncertain about their ability to return to college in the fall.

      3

      California State University System To Be Online For Fall

      Timothy P. White, chancellor of the California State University system, announced on Wednesday that its institutions will conduct the majority of classes online this fall. The system enrolls nearly 500,000 students at 23 campuses.  Across the system’s institutions, on-campus housing will be reduced. A limited number of hands-on learning experiences, such as a capstone engineering project or using specialized equipment, will still be available with intensive precautions.

       "People who flourish are not less afraid, worried, or upset about what’s going on around them. They have just worked at holding these emotions and thoughts in a healthy manner."

      Kelly Crace, associate vice president for health and wellness at the College of William & Mary


      4

      Supporting Students’ Mental Health During COVID-19

      The Chronicle reports this week on how institutions are supporting students’ mental health at a distance, especially when programs like telecounseling are not available. In a recent survey, 80%   percent of college students reported that the COVID-19 crisis has negatively affected their mental health. Campus leaders are concerned for their students, and a third of college presidents indicated in an American Council of Education survey that they intended to invest more resources in mental health services for students. In the interim, institutions are building on resiliency programs to support students learning at a distance.

       $20 million: The number of dollars one home football game at the University of Alabama’s flagship campus can bring to the Tuscaloosa area

      5

      What Does the Loss of Fall College Athletics Mean?

      The Chronicle reports this week on what the fall semester might look like for college athletics. Mark Emmert, president of the NCAA, said the season largely hinges on whether campuses are open for face-to-face classes. Football, the most lucrative sport, may start its season in October or spring 2021. The financial implications of such disruption in revenue-generating sports are likely to be enormous for colleges and surrounding communities.  In addition, athletic programs influence college enrollment and alumni connections which may be further jeopardized by the loss of a fall sports schedule.

      Author: Meg Foster
      May 15, 2020

      Friday 5: Things To Ponder This Week In Higher Ed 5/8/20

      Friday 5: Things To Ponder This Week In Higher Ed 5/8/20


      Where flowers bloom so does hope.

      Lady Bird Johnson  

      We wrapped up our third Friday 5 Live today with Dr. Denis Swett.  Denise discussed planning for the fall and how we can support students both in summer term and as we shift to fall semester.  We appreciate Denise’s great insights and advice! We hope you will join us for our next Friday 5 Live on May 22 when we will focus on mental health concerns for students, faculty and staff.

      1

      Updates on COVID-19 and Higher Education

      As we pass the traditional college acceptance deadline of May 1, enrollment trends for the fall semester continue to be the focus of much analysis.  Inside Higher Ed reported that 600 institutions are still enrolling for the fall semester while The Chronicle shared survey data indicating that ⅔ of high school senior responders had no interest in completing a college semester online.   The Chronicle continues its extensive reporting this week as well as Inside Higher Ed.   WCET continues to provide updates on relevant federal policy changes.

      2

      New Title IX Regulations Released

      On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Education issued Title IX regulations that govern how colleges will handle incidents of sexual misconduct on campus. Unlike past administrations’ guidance on Title IX, the newly issued regulations carry the weight of the law.  More than two years in the making, the new regulations take effect August 14.  Advocates of sexual assault survivors lobbied against the changes to Title IX which they see as “undoing important protections by reducing institutional responsibility in investigating certain incidents, narrowing the definition of sexual assault and forcing officials to hold live hearings that require cross-examination.”  Arguing that institutions were overburdened with handling the pandemic, lawmakers and advocacy groups urged DeVos to delay the rule changes.

      3

      Less Federal Relief Money Going to Community Colleges

      Inside Higher Ed reports this week that community colleges are getting a smaller portion of the CARES Act.  Community colleges, which enroll the most undergraduates of any sector, are receiving on average $179 per student versus the $270 four year colleges and universities are receiving on average per student.

       Two-thirds (⅔): the number of college students who will want discounts on tuition and fees if virtual classes are mandatory this fall.

      4

      What Might the Fall Look Like on College Campuses?

      Reporting this week on NPR examines how the fall semester might work on college campuses. Some colleges are considering bringing only freshmen back to campus and having upperclassmen either delay their start, or be online and remote. While institutions may choose, like California State University, Fullerton, to remain online for the fall, other institutions, like Boston University are considering a delayed start. As institutions measure classrooms for social distance spacing, consider installing handle-less doors, and look to purchase masks and cleaners, there are many questions that remain regarding how institutions will safely open for the fall semester.

      “Defeating this merger is a win for students, faculty and preserving competition in the textbook marketplace” - Nicole Allen, director of open education for SPARC

      5

      Cengage and McGraw-Hill Cancel Merger

      Multiple news sources reported this week that Cengage and McGraw-Hill have called off their proposed merger.  The merger faced regulatory challenges both in and outside the United States.  Consumer advocacy groups celebrated the decision having expressed concern that the merger would create higher prices and less choice for students.  Both companies laid off hundreds of workers in anticipation of the merger which raises questions about how each company’s operations will be affected now that the plan to create one educational publishing company has ended.

      Author: Meg Foster
      May 8, 2020

      Friday 5: Things To Ponder This Week In Higher Ed 5/1/20

      Friday 5: Things To Ponder This Week In Higher Ed 5/1/20


      Spring work is going on with joyful enthusiasm.

      John Muir  

      We hope you were able to join us for last week’s Friday 5 Live. We discussed student success and retention with Dr. Denise Swett. Please join us on May 8 for our next Friday 5 Live.

      1

      Updates on COVID-19 and Higher Education

      This week institutions continue to announce tentative plans for the fall semester with schools like Virginia Commonwealth University and Harvard stating their goal to be on campus come fall. As federal relief monies are dispersed, institutions question the implications of accepting funds.  And, around the country students are suing higher education institutions or striking to protest perceived lack of student support during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Chronicle continues its extensive reporting this week as well as Inside Higher Ed.  WCET continues to provide updates on relevant federal policy changes.

      2

      Job Uncertainty for New College Graduates

      Graduating students are grappling with a very different hiring environment amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. “One reality of the current job market is that many college students will now be competing with the millions of people who lost jobs during the pandemic, many of whom will be willing to take low-paying or unpaid work to get by or enhance their résumés,” reported Lynn Pasquerella, president of the Association of American Colleges and Universities. College career experts are advising students to move forward with job and internship searches but to recognize potential employers are in flux and searches may take longer.

      3

      Trying To Predict Enrollment Trends for Fall 2020

      Education Dive reports this week on potential fall enrollment trends.  In a survey completed by the American Council of Education (ACE) and AACRAO, one in ten college students has either decided not to re-enroll at their institution for the fall or is unsure of whether they will return.  The survey results did provide hope that the majority of students will remain at their institutions for the fall semester and that COVID-19 will not disrupt college plans extensively as only 2% of students surveyed reported that the pandemic had altered their academic plans.

      4

      Students Strike Demanding Better Educational Support

      Students at institutions like Vassar College, University of Chicago, and Ohio State University are refusing to participate in class or pay tuition or rent, demanding schools better meet their needs during the pandemic.  Student demands include: tuition reductions, student fee waivers, and freezes in rent for Spring 2020 semester.  At The New School, students are protesting tuition increases for the 2020-2021 academic year.  Students at Vassar College are frustrated that they were not included in a college decision to change the grading policy for Spring 2020.  In addition to strikes, students at institutions like Drexel and the University of Miami have filed class-action lawsuits against their institutions, “arguing that they paid for services that they are no longer receiving through online instruction.”

      “We are going on strike because the university is taking a profit-oriented response to the crisis, rather than an approach that puts its vulnerable workers’ needs first.” - Danielle Carr, graduate student at Columbia University

      5

      Expanded Pell Opportunities for Incarcerated Students

      The U.S. Department of Education announced this week an expansion of its Second Chance Pell experiment with a new cohort of 67 schools creating additional opportunities for incarcerated students.  This doubles the size of the experiment; incarcerated students will be able to use Federal Pell Grants at 130 schools located in 42 states and the District of Columbia. “Nearly two-thirds of the schools invited to participate today are two-year institutions, one-third are minority-serving institutions, and all are either public institutions or private nonprofits” reports Education Dive.

      Author: Meg Foster
      May 1, 2020