The holiday season is fast approaching, and with that, colleges are beginning to close their campuses once again due to an increase in coronavirus cases as well as ending their semesters early to prevent the spread of the virus. Learn about the impact the election has had on higher education and what is to come in the following year.
Appeals Court Upholds Ruling Against Tests for Admissions
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This month, a California appeals court ruled against allowing the University of California school systems to use the SAT or ACT in admitting students to any of its campuses for the year. The courts did not feel that this ruling would harm the schools, while representatives from the system felt differently.
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This election year, California included Proposition 16 on the state ballot to determine if public colleges and universities could restore the right to consider race and ethnicity in admissions and financial aid. There are many arguments for and against the proposition, while polls suggested it would most likely fail.
Tapping the Youth Vote: Student Voting Efforts Continue Despite COVID-19
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Many believed that the COVID-19 pandemic would have a negative effect on young voter turnout at the polls, but students all over the nation worked tirelessly to inform others about the election. They utilized tactics such as social media, sending campus-wide emails, and offering resources for voters.
Employer-Based College Programs Here to Stay
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Employee benefits are usually one of the first items to be cut when businesses are renegotiating budgets. But companies like Amazon and Chipotle are committed to maintaining these educational benefits for their employees even during the pandemic.
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The guided pathways system can be a costly one for community colleges to implement, but reports have proven it to lead to improved student outcomes. Despite the pandemic, colleges are still finding ways to work on pathway reform.
Biden’s Victory Could Be Transformative
After a lengthy election process, Joe Biden was declared the new president-elect of the United States. This presidential administration is expected to cause a dramatic shift in higher education.
Community colleges find an advocate in future First Lady Jill Biden
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This is the first time in American history that the First Lady has held a job outside of the White House. Jill Biden will continue to teach at Northern Virginia Community College where she has long advocated for students receiving an education outside of high school.
House Passes Apprenticeship Bills
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One of the biggest apprenticeship laws in the country passed in the House with some unlikely votes. The bill is not expected to pass in Congress this year, but advocates of this legislation hope it will gain more support if it is introduced again in the next Congress meeting.
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A report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research center shows that enrollment is still down across higher education. This new report is based on 76% of colleges in the nation, while their previous report was based on only 54% of colleges reporting.
Faculty Pandemic Stress Is Now Chronic
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According to recent research from Course Hero, studies have shown that faculty concern about the pandemic has morphed into chronic stress. One of the significant sources of stress is the new modes of teaching.
