Covid19

International Students' most impacted by Covid-19 & ICE Decision

I’m deeply concerned about the recent ICE announcement concerning International Students.

As a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association, we stand fully in support of the 1.2 million international students studying in the United States and urges ICE to rescind its decision to force international students back to their home countries in the current COVID-19 pandemic.

On Monday, July 6, 2020, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that international students in the United States whose schools and colleges are open for the fall 2020 semester with online-only classes, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will not be issued student visas or otherwise be allowed to enter or remain in this country. Most devastating, ICE’s policy holds that if colleges are forced to switch to online study as a result of a spike of COVID-19 cases—at any point in the semester—international students would be immediately deported, despite financial obligations, closed air routes, or violence that may await them in their home countries.

ICE’s policy and its requirement that international students “take other measures, such as transferring to a school with in-person instruction” to remain in the United States is discriminatory, ill-advised, and capricious. In no way does this improve our educational system, strengthen the financial viability of schools or colleges, or help to combat—or even address—the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather, the policy leverages the current public health crisis for political gain, targeting international students by those who oppose diversity in learning. IECA believes this policy is part of an ongoing effort to force schools and colleges to reopen for in-person instruction prematurely, using significant financial incentive—and overriding the health and best interests of students and educational institutions.

The United States’ educational system leads the world, and young people from across the globe flock here to learn. Millions have become doctors, researchers, and entrepreneurs enhancing American life or serving as ambassadors upon returning home. American students have their experience enhanced through daily interaction with friends from other cultures, and educational institutions rely on the approximately $45 billion dollars that international students contribute to the schools’ bottom line and the US economy annually. Without international students, some small colleges and boarding schools may no longer be viable. ICE’s policy further erodes the interest of top students across the globe in pursuing their education in the United States, and its rippling impacts hurt us all (Mark Sklarow, IECA CEO)

COLLEGES SPEAK OUT (NACAC TODAY)

Harvard, MIT Sue Federal Government Over ICE International Students Rules

The AP (7/8, Binkley) reports Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on Wednesday sued the federal government, “challenging the Trump administration’s decision to bar international students from staying in the U.S. if they take classes entirely online this fall.” They argue that the decision “violates the Administrative Procedures Act because officials failed to offer a reasonable basis justifying the policy and because the public was not given notice to comment on it.”

        The New York (NY) Times (7/8, Hartocollis, Jordan) reports the universities “argued that the policy was politically motivated and would throw higher education into chaos.” The move is widely viewed as an “effort by the White House to pressure colleges and universities into reopening and abandoning the cautious approaches that many have adopted to reduce coronavirus transmission.” Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey “vowed to support Harvard and M.I.T.’s efforts,” saying in a statement, “This decision from ICE is cruel, it’s illegal, and we will sue to stop it.”

        The Washington (DC) Post (7/8, Svrluga) reports the “swift response” by the universities marks a “new battle line in the war between President Trump and education leaders over how to safely reopen schools in the midst of his reelection bid.” Before the pandemic, international students were required to take classes in person, but the federal government “offered schools and students flexibility this spring,” and had “said that the new guidance would remain in effect for the duration of the emergency.” As a result, university officials “assumed that their international students would be allowed in the country even if they weren’t in the classroom.” Therefore, many schools, including Harvard, announced plans “to offer little to no in-person instruction.”

        However, Reuters (7/8) reports ICE’s announcement “left students, professors, and universities scrambling to figure out exactly who would be affected by the rule and how those affected could comply without having to leave the country.” The Washington Times (7/8, Dinan) reports the proposed rule “would still allow students whose schools plan in-person coursework, but if all of their classes have moved online during the coronavirus pandemic, those students would be ineligible to come or remain in the U.S.” The suit claims the decision is “cruel to the students — and speculated the rule was meant to be malicious.”

        CNBC (7/7, Dickler) reports foreign students “contributed nearly $41 billion to the national economy in the 2018-2019 academic year, according to NAFSA: Association of International Educators.” Deep cuts in state funding for higher education in recent years “have put pressure on schools to admit more students who need less aid, which is why so many schools have come to rely on the revenue from foreign students, who typically pay top dollar.” As a result, college and universities may seek out more domestic students willing to pay full tuition, meaning schools may not be as generous with their financial aid packages.

        Colleges Prepare For Sharp Drop In Chinese Students. The Wall Street Journal (7/7, Korn, Subscription Publication) reports US colleges are preparing for a steep drop in international students – particularly from China – due to coronavirus-related travel restrictions, visa-processing delays, and Monday’s ICE announcement blocking foreign students from taking online-only courses while residing in the US. Notably, Chinese students account for nearly $15 billion of the $44.7 billion that foreign students spend in the US on tuition and other higher ed costs.

Lots of news coming out of California today - college entrance exams and Fall 2020 Classes

Leading the News

University Of California President Recommends Multiyear Suspension Of SAT, ACT Requirements

The Los Angeles (CA) Times (5/11, Watanabe) reports University of California President Janet Napolitano on Monday recommended a “complex and unusual five-year plan” that would make the SAT and ACT tests “optional for two years and eliminate testing requirements for California students in Years 3 and 4.” Starting in Year 5, “UC would move toward a standardized assessment developed specifically for the 10-campus system.” According to the Times, “Napolitano’s decision could tip the scales against the tests among Board of Regents members, who are scheduled to vote on the controversial issue next week.”

        The AP (5/11, News) reports if UC is unable to develop a new test for fall 2025 applicants, “Napolitano recommends eliminating its standardized testing requirement for admissions altogether.” If the test is available, “it would be made available to students from out-of-state schools. International students could submit either the new test or scores from the SAT and ACT.”

        The Washington Post (5/11, Anderson) reports many public and private colleges in recent weeks “have joined a movement to halt or end testing requirements. Some were spurred by the education crisis created by the novel coronavirus pandemic. Others said test scores were not as useful as grades and transcripts in rating applicants.”

        EdSource (5/11) reports current high school juniors applying to UC schools for fall 2021 entrance “already are excused from taking those exams” due to that requirement “was suspended last month after high school classes switched statewide to online due to the coronavirus emergency and testing dates were canceled.”

        Also providing coverage are the San Francisco (CA) Chronicle (5/11, Bauman) and Business Insider (5/11, Davis).

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CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITIES - FALL 2020 Instruction

By Nina Agrawal Staff Writer  (LA Times)

May 12, 2020

12:01 PM

The 23-campus California State University system plans to all but cancel in-person classes in the fall and instead will offer instruction primarily online, Chancellor Timothy White announced Tuesday.

The vast majority of classes across the Cal State system will be taught online, White said, with some limited exceptions that allow for in-person activity. The decision comes as schools throughout the country grapple with how long to keep campuses closed amid the coronavirus crisis.

“Our university when open without restrictions and fully in person… is a place where over 500,000 people come together in close and vibrant proximity,” White said at a meeting of Cal State’s Board of Trustees. “That approach sadly just isn’t in the cards now.”

White’s announcement came the same day that infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, a key member of the White House coronavirus task force, told a Senate panel it would be “a bridge too far” to think treatments or vaccines could be available in time to facilitate students’ reentry into schools this fall.

It also follows an earlier move by Cal State Fullerton, which in late April became one of the first universities in the nation to announce it was planning for remote instruction this fall.

 

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) strikes a healthy balance when supporting high school students

WPI.jpg

Recently, one of my high school students accepted his offer to attend WPI. Here’s how the parent described the defining moment -

I think he was conscious WPI would offer him a stronger CS program since the beginning but was nervous about the project based learning system. The last few days, he watched videos and participated in live chats with other admitted students and the university. It helped him a lot and gave him a better understanding of the way he will learn. The "career" chat with WPI was the final one and the decisive one.”

I was so impressed with the way in which WPI made themselves available - this student was even able to have virtual time with one of the professors from the CS program.

Not surprisingly, WPI has also led in setting a healthy tone with juniors who have not been permitted to visit campus due to Covid 19, and who are also concerned about cancelled test dates and P/F spring course grades. With permission, I posted Andrew B. Palumbo’s (Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid) recent letter (Washington Post, April 20th) below (see Fiske Guide for more on WPI):

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Dear Juniors,

 Over the past several weeks, I have spent a great deal of time considering what you must be going through as covid-19 has spread across the globe. As if junior year isn’t already stressful enough, now you have to learn remotely, grapple with a pandemic and worry about your basic health and safety. Some of you may be dealing with food and housing insecurity, and mental health and wellness issues; others are impacted by the coronavirus directly as our country goes through a dangerous surge in cases. I hope you are managing and getting the support you need.

 Meanwhile, your friends in the senior class are making difficult decisions as they finish their college searches. I’ve seen first-hand how difficult this is for them. But starting your college search in the midst of a global pandemic while you’re practicing isolation and social distancing with no clear end in sight? You’re facing a whole different set of challenges; I feel for you.

 So many of you are calling and writing to me and my colleagues in admissions and financial aid offices across the country.

 “How will pass/fail grades affect my application?”

 “Will I be able to visit schools?”

 “Will I get credit for my AP courses?”

 “My SAT/ACT testing date was canceled. Now I might have to take these test in the Fall as I’m catching up on school work and applying to schools? And they might be online?”

 “I don’t know where to start…”

 I am writing to you not because I believe I have all of the answers, but because I know that you have these questions.

 The college admissions process has always brought with it a high level of uncertainty and anxiety for most students. Often, applicants and their families are puzzled by admissions decisions. Every college has its own requirements, values, and decision-making process. The process lacks a feedback loop, often leaving students disappointed and wondering “why?”

 The covid-19 pandemic has added a level of uncertainty never experienced by students wondering how to navigate the college admissions process; that’s potentially the hardest aspect for you to wrap your head around.

 Uncertainty marks today, tomorrow, and the foreseeable future. But I encourage you to accept what you can’t change and try to focus on the things that you can.

 Take care of yourself. Do everything in your power to eat well, exercise, get the rest that you need and, of course, wash your hands and don’t touch your face. Keep up with the passions that make you who you are. While colleges need to see your transcript, your essay, and letters of recommendation, we’re not admitting a collection of credentials, we’re seeking out the people who we want to welcome into our community.

 Look out for your friends and family. Nothing is more important than the people you care about. Support those who you are living with and be sure to reach out to friends and family who are remote. It’s easy to become isolated and focus on ourselves and our immediate surroundings. Don’t underestimate the positive impact that a phone call, a letter, or an email can have on the people you care most about.

 Do your best to focus on your education. I mean what I say: do the best that you can given the circumstances. But don’t try to do more than that. Far too often, I speak with students in the midst of the college admissions process who are striving for perfection or who want to “please” me or my university. There is no “perfect;” your education should be driven by your passion and interests, not by what you think colleges want. It’s okay to struggle. This is especially true in a time where you are likely learning in a remote environment and may be lacking accommodations, services, and the individual face time with your teachers that you might normally have.

 Finally, here are a few things you should not worry about:

 Pass/Fail grades: There are countless ways that high schools assess students’ performance. Admissions professionals see a range of grading point scales (4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 12.0, 100, etc.), narrative transcripts and, yes, pass/fail. Our goal is not to set expectations for your school; instead, we’re responsible for understanding your school’s grading system.

 SAT/ACT: They don’t matter as much as you probably think they do. High-stakes standardized test scores have always been a point of contention for many of us in admissions. These scores don’t provide as much value as your high school transcript, and they have a problematic correlation with family income, sex, and race and ethnicity. Admissions offices never “need” a test score to make a sound admission decision. Now more than ever, schools are stepping away from this antiquated metric. Well over 1,000 schools had test-optional admissions policies before the covid-19 pandemic. In the wake of canceled SAT and ACT test dates, dozens more are rapidly eliminating these test score requirements for you and your classmates. The College Board just announced a plan to squeeze in additional test dates during your senior year and possibly host an online SAT. ACT responded that it will be offering an online version of its test. But these plans ignore what’s most important to all of you. Save your energy and focus for more important pursuits.

 The Admissions Committee: The faceless group that sits around a long table discussing your greatest achievements and tries to identify critical flaws in your character and academic record? That’s a caricature of the real process and the dedicated admissions professionals who are eagerly looking forward to supporting you through your college search process and advocating on your behalf. The past five weeks I have sat in daily on Zoom meetings with an incredible group of people who are spending their days thinking about how they can support you. They are dealing with remote working issues that include caring for children and families, sharing work spaces with partners and roommates, and dealing with annoying (but adorable) interruptions by pets and children. Their lives and work aren’t normal, and they know that yours aren’t either. As a result, our admissions team — and others as well — are coming up with innovative ways to connect with you and to provide you with the information that’s critical for your college search. This is playing out at universities across the country. We are here for you. Call, email, connect on social media. We are here.

 The rest of it? We’ll figure it out together.

 Be safe and be well.

 Sincerely,

 Andrew B. Palumbo, Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

 



More on potential impact of Covid19 to College Students

*Bloomberg Businessweek’s article ‘Colleges with empty campuses face uncertain future’ - Moody’s Investors Service last month downgraded the credit outlook for the higher education sector to negative.

*Pass - Fail could hurt college students trying to transfer or when applying to Grad or Professional Schools - The Hechinger Report offers some insight

Covid19 considerations for Higher Ed

After several days of web conferences with higher education, I believe it necessary to highlight some of the growing areas of concern resulting from Covid-19:

 

  • Many colleges have been substantially impacted financially by Covid-19. This may be especially true for smaller regional public institutions and lesser known private colleges. If your child is planning on attending one of these types of schools, you need to ask how the 2020-2021 operating budget could be impacted, and if your child’s scholarship might result in some type of adjustment from year to year (however, if you are in the process of appealing for financial aid, do not ask these types of questions until you have the final financial aid decision).

 

  • All colleges have lost substantial revenues this current semester, and will most likely continue to do so during the summer (they are trying to determine if programing, available courses and faculty/staff, and resources need to be reduced for school year 2020-2021).

 

  • For students enrolling in comprehensive learning support programs, it is essential to ascertain if the program will continue at the same level of programming and professionalism for 2020-2021.

 

  • Fall Semester classes may be impacted too (we just do not know) – you may want to ask if deposits are refundable if the college is not able to provide in-person, on-campus instruction and residential life (and if tuition and fees might be modified if students end up with distance learning).

 

  • Finally, many families have been impacted financially, and many have lost employment. It is NOT too late to appeal a financial aid decision or file for financial aid – contact the college’s financial aid office for guidance (I’m happy to talk you through this process before you connect with the college).

 

Every week seems to offer us some new aspect from the fallout of Covid-19. These perspectives may look different by the end of April, and again by the end of June, and even August. But I do want you to be aware of the possible implications for school year 2020-2021 sooner rather than later.

 

Your children are resilient like their parents. With every change, comes an opportunity. I am anticipating that colleges will rise to this moment, and be more innovative and adjust accordingly. I am confident that our youth will emerge as even stronger, more creative, better problem solvers.

Today’s AP Article highlights these growing concerns - Financial Hits pile up for Colleges as some fight to survive

 

Virtual College Fair - Strive Scan - April 20-23rd

Strive Scan is offering a tremendous opportunity for high school students to gain more exposure to colleges through their upcoming Virtual College Tour Sessions - to register, see Strive Scan

Sponsored by StriveScan in partnership with these national organizations:

NACAC, TACAC, PACAC, MACAC, WACAC, KYACAC, NEACAC, WACAC, IACAC, MOACAC, PNACAC, rmacad, MT, GreatPlains ACAC