HEADLINES: Top Higher Education News for the Week

April 1

Inside Higher Ed reports on the debate over student debt forgiveness as Congress worked on the emergency coronavirus stimulus package . . . NPR talks to college students about the cancellation of upcoming commencement ceremonies . . . New figures released this week by the U.S. Census Bureau show that almost half of the foreign-born who moved to the United States in the past decade were college-educated . . . The Chronicle of Higher Education reports on how the pandemic is changing higher education philanthropy . . . The Hechinger Report asks whether hands-on career and tech programs can go online during school shutdowns.

Is Canceling Student Debt the Right Approach?
Inside Higher Ed | April 1, 2020

No Caps, No Gowns: For Many In The Class Of 2020, Commencement Is Called Off
NPR | April 1, 2020

Almost Half of U.S. Foreign-born in Past Decade Had College
The Associated Press (Miami Herald, sub. req.) | March 31, 2020

How the Coronavirus Is Prompting Higher-Ed Grantmakers to Change Course
The Chronicle of Higher Education | April 1, 2020

Can Hands-on Career and Tech Programs Go Online During School Shutdowns?
The Hechinger Report | March 31, 2020

March 31

Eighteen attorneys general are urging the Department of Education to hold off on new Title IX rules amid the coronavirus crisis . . . The Chronicle of Higher Education looks at early indications that the pandemic will bring a decline in state support for higher education . . . Inside Higher Ed reports on the transition to online learning at the University of Washington, one of the first U.S. institutions to move online amid the pandemic . . . The NCAA yesterday announced an extra year of eligibility for athletes in spring sports . . . Davenport University is experimenting with virtual reality to support online classes, speeches, and events . . . The University of North Carolina System will change admissions requirements after coronavirus cancels SAT and ACT.

18 Attorneys General Urge Ed Dept to Hold Off on New Title IX Rules Amid Coronavirus Crisis
Education Dive | March 30, 2020

If the Coronavirus Collapses State Budgets, What Will Happen to Public Colleges?
The Chronicle of Higher Education (sub. req.) | March 26, 2020

The Big Transition
Inside Higher Ed | March 31, 2020

N.C.A.A. Allows Extra Year of Eligibility for Athletes in Curtailed Spring Sports
The New York Times (sub. req.) | March 30, 2020

Davenport University Using Virtual Reality to Deliver 'You Are There' Classes, Events
Detroit Free Press | March 31, 2020

UNC System Will Change Admissions Requirements After Coronavirus Cancels SAT and ACT
The News & Observer | March 30, 2020

March 30

The New York Times reports that thousands of young undocumented immigrants who work in health care and are part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program are telling the Supreme Court that ending DACA during the pandemic would be catastrophic . . . Inside Higher Ed writes on the implications of the unprecedented shutdown of academic research has for young researchers, while NPR looks how some scientists still in graduate school are stepping up to help with COVID-19 testing . . . The Philadelphia Inquirer walks through the wide range of hits colleges and universities will take to their budgets during the pandemic . . . A college student with children at home talks about why remote learning is difficult for post-traditional students.

‘Dreamers’ Tell Supreme Court Ending DACA During Pandemic Would Be ‘Catastrophic’
The New York Times (sub. req.) | March 27, 2020

Empty Benches at Empty Lab Tables
Inside Higher Ed | March 30, 2020

University Grad Students Step Up To Fill U.S. Coronavirus Testing Void
NPR | March 29, 2020

Colleges Stand to Lose Millions Because of the Coronavirus
The Philadelphia Inquirer (sub. req.) | March 27, 2020

OPINION: ‘Normal Education During These Extraordinary Times Is Not Plausible.’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | March 29, 2020

March 27

According to a survey of campus leaders Inside Higher Ed conducted with Hanover Research last week, presidents are worried about the financial toll of the coronavirus and even more so about the mental health toll on students and employees . . . Hundreds of fourth-year students at universities in Boston and New York could start caring for patients months ahead of schedule, writes The New York Times . . . The Associated Press reports that canceling March Madness because of the coronavirus pandemic will cost the NCAA about $375 million that it would have distributed to 350 schools across the nation . . . Boston College professors, staff, and alumni are opening their homes to displaced students, while University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina state have raised over $1 million to help students affected by coronavirus.

Presidents Fear Financial, and Human, Toll of Coronavirus
Inside Higher Ed | March 27, 2020

Early Graduation Could Send Medical Students to Virus Front Lines
The New York Times (sub. req.) | March 26, 2020

Pandemic Fallout: NCAA Slashes Distribution by $375 Million
Associated Press (The New York Times, sub. req.) | March 26, 2020

Boston College professors, staff, and alumni open homes to displaced students
The Boston Globe (sub. req.) | March 26, 2020

UNC, NC State Raise $1 Million and Counting to Help Students Affected by Coronavirus
The News & Observer (sub. req.) | March 26, 2020

March 26

Colleges are likely to get billions in coronavirus aid, but advocates say it’s not enough, writes The Washington Post and The New York Times, while Inside Higher Ed states that college leaders are already looking ahead to getting more aid in the next stimulus bill . . . E. Gordon Gee, president of West Virginia University writes in an Education Dive op-ed that colleges must ‘lead and not follow’ through coronavirus . . . College students are facing increased anxiety and depression and reduced employment according to a survey on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak.

Colleges Are Likely to Get Billions in Coronavirus Aid, but Advocates Say It’s Not Enough
The Washington Post (sub. req.) | March 25, 2020

Colleges Get Billions in Coronavirus Relief, but Say Deal Falls Short of Needs
The New York Times (sub. req.) | March 25, 2020

Already Looking for the Next Stimulus
Inside Higher Ed | March 26, 2020

OPINION: President Speaks: Colleges Must 'Lead and Not Follow' Through Coronavirus
Education Dive | March 25, 2020

Increased Anxiety And Depression Top College Students’ Concerns in Coronavirus Survey
Los Angeles Times (sub. req.) | March 25, 2020