We are halfway through 2020… Can you believe it? We can’t. Not only have we reached an annual milestone, but it has been an explosive month to say the least, from the protests for racial injustice and inequality to the Supreme Court ruling against the abolishment of the DACA program. We are hoping that all of these movements will bring positive change to our country and higher education. Continue reading for this edition of the Top 10 Stories of the Month!
1. Community Colleges Struggled With Emergency Aid Distribution
Most community colleges have already distributed funding that they received from the CARES Act. While they are thankful for the assistance they have received, it’s simply not enough. Community college leaders have tried to find a balance between financially supporting as many students as possible and trying to ensure the amount they were receiving would make a difference.
Thousands of protestors across the nation have voiced their anger and frustration over the death of George Floyd, a black man killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis. Many higher education leaders have released statements mourning the losses in the black community and calling for unity.
3. Allan Hancock Celebrates Record Number of Graduates
In their 99th graduating class, Allan Hancock College saw a record number of graduates. They report that 1,888 students graduated as a part of their 2020 class. This year’s class also earned another record number of 2,207 associate degrees.
4. Community Colleges to Take Hard Look at How They Teach Aspiring Cops
In the wake of the George Floyd tragedy, community colleges all over the country are reviewing how they currently teach future police officers and the changes that need to be made. They are aiming to implement changes specifically to the beginning steps of law enforcement training.
5. UC Governing Board Votes to Support Affirmative Action
The University of California’s governing board voted unanimously on supporting a measure to restore Affirmative Action and repeal a statewide ban that has been blamed for a decline in diversity within the UC system. Regents spoke strongly about the need to send a powerful message regarding racial injustice and inequality in the United States.
6. Can Bachelor’s Degree Programs at Community Colleges Increase Access? A New Report Says Yes
A new report by New America recently suggested that to make college more affordable, states should be utilizing four-year degree programs at community colleges. Currently, community colleges in 23 states offer baccalaureate degree programs. This step-by-step guide by New America shows how these programs can be implemented on community college campuses.
7. Supreme Court Rules for DREAMers, Against Trump
In a major supreme court ruling, justices have blocked the Trump administration’s plan to dismantle the DACA program that has protected 700,000 DREAMers from deportation. This program, developed during the Obama administration, gave temporary U.S. citizenship to those who were brought to the U.S. as children and protected them from deportation as long as they graduated from high school or were honorably discharged, and passed a background check.
8. California Community Colleges Win Suit Over Federal Emergency Financial Relief
A federal judge ruled this month that the U.S. Department of Education could not place eligibility restrictions on coronavirus emergency aid for California community college students. These restrictions prevented students in the DACA program from receiving aid in the CARES Act.
9. Whom to Test and How to Pay for It
Many higher education leaders have come together in different areas of the nation to discuss the return of thousands of community college students to their campuses. There have been many controversies as to whether colleges should require testing for the coronavirus and which students, faculty, and campus workers to test.
10. Public Strongly Supports Two-Year College
According to the Varying Degrees report, Americans continue to have a strong admiration for community colleges. The report states that the public believes community colleges are a good value and are likely to contribute to a strong workforce.
