Reopening Schools & Colleges: Politics, Parents & Polarization
By Reetesh Sudhakar and Enrico Pelganta
Colleges & the Tuition Controversy
COVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact on American college institutions. This is especially the case with the already controversial issue of college tuition, as many colleges plan not to open for in-person classes next autumn.
The present system has long relied on a ‘high price - high discount’ model, exemplified by a surge in tuition fees in the past decades. A recent study found that there has been a 220% rise in private non-profit tuitions and a 285% increase in public ones between the 1971-72 and the 2019-20 academic years. This has been largely fuelled by increased competition among colleges for students which has led to increased tuitions as a consequence of exponential costs by universities to enhance the quality of the programs offered. As the pandemic has hit the economy, many families are now considering whether they will be able to afford college education in the future, leading several institutions to scrutinise their tuition policies.
Princeton University announced the 6th of July that it will reduce tuition by 10 percent for the upcoming academic year, while Williams college, one of the nation’s most prestigious liberal arts institutions, announced a 15 percent cut. In contrast to this, Harvard and Georgetown confirmed that their tuition will remain the same, about $49,700 and $57,000 respectively. This reflects the likely trend in the future that will see Ivy-Leagues colleges and other well-known institutions offering bigger discounts in their tuition fees than less prestigious ones. This may seem paradoxical, as it is probable that more respected colleges will see a far more contained reduction in their cohort size, with the notable exception of overseas students.
While more respected universities can rely on significant financial resources as well as generous endowments which allow them to withstand the instability that will persist in the upcoming months, less prestigious colleges, which often are already in unstable financial positions, may increase their tuition in order to reduce the economic impact of soaring drop-out rates. Cost-cutting is likely therefore to be a priority for colleges in the next few months also as a way to reduce the impact of a likely reduction in funding. For example, the University of Michigan expects losses between $400 million and $1 billion, while the University of Arizona projects to lose more than $250 million. Future infrastructure development projects may also be halted or cancelled altogether, as fewer students will occupy campuses in the near future, thus reducing the need for expanding accommodation and increasing capacity of pre-existing buildings, which will most likely work considerably under-capacity in the next year.
Adding to this environment of notable uncertainty regarding tuition fees, colleges are divided in their approach for reopening in the next academic term as well.
Harvard and Princeton have confirmed that they intend to bring on campus those who believe they will benefit most from traditional academic exposure, freshers and sophomores, equivalent to around 40 percent of their student population. Junior and Senior students should expect to continue to stay off-campus until Spring.
It has been made clear by various college representatives that the modality and the timing by which campuses will reopen will largely depend on the evolving health situation and level of prevention and screening that can be provided. The University of California recently adopted a health roadmap that expects to see some if not all its campuses across the State to reopen in autumn if there is enough testing capability and contact tracing is possible.
Concerns still remain among members of staff regarding the safety precautions that will be taken in order to avoid widespread community chains of infections among students and professors alike. Such concern has prompted many institutions including Georgetown to opt for the continuation of virtual classes for the first term of teaching, in order to avoid high concentrations of individuals that may favour the spread of the virus. As a consequence, it remains still unclear what campus life will be for students as many social activities, one of the core aspects of campus education, will likely not take place in the course of the next academic year.
While a drop in the number of on-campus students across the nation is most likely to occur next autumn, considerable uncertainty still surrounds other aspects of the future of college education in America. Despite the many downsides of COVID-19 and the impact that is having on students, it may occur that such disruption will bring positive change in the American college system in the long-run, posing an end to unsustainable practices which have seen tuition fees skyrocketing in the last half a century.
The present system has long relied on a ‘high price - high discount’ model, exemplified by a surge in tuition fees in the past decades. A recent study found that there has been a 220% rise in private non-profit tuitions and a 285% increase in public ones between the 1971-72 and the 2019-20 academic years. This has been largely fuelled by increased competition among colleges for students which has led to increased tuitions as a consequence of exponential costs by universities to enhance the quality of the programs offered. As the pandemic has hit the economy, many families are now considering whether they will be able to afford college education in the future, leading several institutions to scrutinise their tuition policies.
Princeton University announced the 6th of July that it will reduce tuition by 10 percent for the upcoming academic year, while Williams college, one of the nation’s most prestigious liberal arts institutions, announced a 15 percent cut. In contrast to this, Harvard and Georgetown confirmed that their tuition will remain the same, about $49,700 and $57,000 respectively. This reflects the likely trend in the future that will see Ivy-Leagues colleges and other well-known institutions offering bigger discounts in their tuition fees than less prestigious ones. This may seem paradoxical, as it is probable that more respected colleges will see a far more contained reduction in their cohort size, with the notable exception of overseas students.
While more respected universities can rely on significant financial resources as well as generous endowments which allow them to withstand the instability that will persist in the upcoming months, less prestigious colleges, which often are already in unstable financial positions, may increase their tuition in order to reduce the economic impact of soaring drop-out rates. Cost-cutting is likely therefore to be a priority for colleges in the next few months also as a way to reduce the impact of a likely reduction in funding. For example, the University of Michigan expects losses between $400 million and $1 billion, while the University of Arizona projects to lose more than $250 million. Future infrastructure development projects may also be halted or cancelled altogether, as fewer students will occupy campuses in the near future, thus reducing the need for expanding accommodation and increasing capacity of pre-existing buildings, which will most likely work considerably under-capacity in the next year.
Adding to this environment of notable uncertainty regarding tuition fees, colleges are divided in their approach for reopening in the next academic term as well.
Harvard and Princeton have confirmed that they intend to bring on campus those who believe they will benefit most from traditional academic exposure, freshers and sophomores, equivalent to around 40 percent of their student population. Junior and Senior students should expect to continue to stay off-campus until Spring.
It has been made clear by various college representatives that the modality and the timing by which campuses will reopen will largely depend on the evolving health situation and level of prevention and screening that can be provided. The University of California recently adopted a health roadmap that expects to see some if not all its campuses across the State to reopen in autumn if there is enough testing capability and contact tracing is possible.
Concerns still remain among members of staff regarding the safety precautions that will be taken in order to avoid widespread community chains of infections among students and professors alike. Such concern has prompted many institutions including Georgetown to opt for the continuation of virtual classes for the first term of teaching, in order to avoid high concentrations of individuals that may favour the spread of the virus. As a consequence, it remains still unclear what campus life will be for students as many social activities, one of the core aspects of campus education, will likely not take place in the course of the next academic year.
While a drop in the number of on-campus students across the nation is most likely to occur next autumn, considerable uncertainty still surrounds other aspects of the future of college education in America. Despite the many downsides of COVID-19 and the impact that is having on students, it may occur that such disruption will bring positive change in the American college system in the long-run, posing an end to unsustainable practices which have seen tuition fees skyrocketing in the last half a century.
Secondary School: Localized Decisions & State-wide Mandates
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, President Trump has insisted that schools across the country reopen this fall. The US President followed up on his statements, tweeting that he would withhold funds from schools that keep their doors shut. In the ongoing debate between worried parents, concerned administrators and decisive politicians, schools across the country have developed numerous and varying plans for education in the fall.
One major condition of reopening is intense screening and the limitation of visitors; in Kansas, administrators will appoint in-house nurses with protective equipment to treat students. Schools also plan on screening students regularly for any potential signs of sickness. Throughout the country, schools are necessitating regular temperature screenings while also limiting the number of students on-campus to hinder the spread of the virus.
While individual administrations have addressed on-campus concerns, transportation to and from schools largely remains in question. Several states in the Midwest plan on continuing to provide public transportation to and from school campuses. However, parents are heavily encouraged to transport their children with their vehicles as frequently as possible. This will help promote social distancing and limit the number of students in an enclosed area.
Governors across the country have also provided districts with flexible options. In Michigan, Governor Whitmer reported that the number of cases would strictly dictate whether students would return in the fall. Governor DeSantis of Florida argued that students can be safe at school if department and hardware stores are open to the public. Many other states plan on pushing back their reopening dates to prepare and ensure safety.
Other states, such as Oregon, have provided constituents with an optional online curriculum. Students can choose to register for online courses per semester or opt to enter hybrid programs with their school. In such hybrid programs, students rotate between online and in-person classes with teachers to limit the number of students on-campus. One guideline that several states are implementing is mandatory mask usage. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released several guideline documents, all encouraging districts to enforce cloth coverings, staggered schedules and unique layouts to protect the safety of students. These guidelines also highlight the viability of virtual classrooms to limit the spread of COVID-19; in-person classes without social distancing promote transmission with their orthodox setting.
As a result of the complicated measures, countless teachers and students have had little time to prepare and adapt. Current plans fail to recognize the impact on the education students receive. Numerous educators have had to learn to teach students using several complicated platforms, and students have to adjust to learning outside of the classroom. The feasibility of returning to campuses is dependent on teachers; education during the pandemic will cease if teachers do not provide support. Their experience is a necessity to ensure that students continue to learn, while districts safeguard students’ health needs.
As states continue to release statements and plans regarding their efforts, citizens must be prepared to adapt. Although education is crucial for students across the country, public health is a necessity. As schools continue to adapt to uncertain times, students must be prepared to learn in unorthodox settings.
One major condition of reopening is intense screening and the limitation of visitors; in Kansas, administrators will appoint in-house nurses with protective equipment to treat students. Schools also plan on screening students regularly for any potential signs of sickness. Throughout the country, schools are necessitating regular temperature screenings while also limiting the number of students on-campus to hinder the spread of the virus.
While individual administrations have addressed on-campus concerns, transportation to and from schools largely remains in question. Several states in the Midwest plan on continuing to provide public transportation to and from school campuses. However, parents are heavily encouraged to transport their children with their vehicles as frequently as possible. This will help promote social distancing and limit the number of students in an enclosed area.
Governors across the country have also provided districts with flexible options. In Michigan, Governor Whitmer reported that the number of cases would strictly dictate whether students would return in the fall. Governor DeSantis of Florida argued that students can be safe at school if department and hardware stores are open to the public. Many other states plan on pushing back their reopening dates to prepare and ensure safety.
Other states, such as Oregon, have provided constituents with an optional online curriculum. Students can choose to register for online courses per semester or opt to enter hybrid programs with their school. In such hybrid programs, students rotate between online and in-person classes with teachers to limit the number of students on-campus. One guideline that several states are implementing is mandatory mask usage. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released several guideline documents, all encouraging districts to enforce cloth coverings, staggered schedules and unique layouts to protect the safety of students. These guidelines also highlight the viability of virtual classrooms to limit the spread of COVID-19; in-person classes without social distancing promote transmission with their orthodox setting.
As a result of the complicated measures, countless teachers and students have had little time to prepare and adapt. Current plans fail to recognize the impact on the education students receive. Numerous educators have had to learn to teach students using several complicated platforms, and students have to adjust to learning outside of the classroom. The feasibility of returning to campuses is dependent on teachers; education during the pandemic will cease if teachers do not provide support. Their experience is a necessity to ensure that students continue to learn, while districts safeguard students’ health needs.
As states continue to release statements and plans regarding their efforts, citizens must be prepared to adapt. Although education is crucial for students across the country, public health is a necessity. As schools continue to adapt to uncertain times, students must be prepared to learn in unorthodox settings.
