COVID-19 and Higher Ed: Weekly Update
 April 13-17, 2020
The latest developments regarding the impact of COVID-19 on New England's colleges and universities, students, and families.
Updates from New England Institutions
Check out NEBHE's COVID-19 updated dashboard for complete data
  • HEIs that have switched the current semester to a digital modality: 203

  • HEIs that have implemented flexible grading policies for spring semester: 87

  • HEIs that are offering room and board refund or credit: 101

  • HEIs that have shifted summer courses to a digital modality: 51
Resource Spotlight

Managing Mental and Emotional Health: Addressing the Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

In addition to the tragic losses of life, health, and jobs, Americans are grieving the losses of missed major life events, travel plans, face-to-face social interactions, and the ability to move about life normally. The following resources provide guidance to leaders seeking to manage the varieties of grief that students, faculty, and staff may be experiencing during this trying time.
General Resources:

Emotional Well-Being and Coping During COVID-19 , Weill Institute for Neurosciences at the University of California, San Francisco

  • A thorough list of resources – including articles, podcasts, books, and even movies – for a wide variety of ways to care for one's emotional well-being. Topics covered include strategies for reducing anxiety and maintaining healthy habits, guidance for dealing with isolation and quarantine, tools for cognitive and somatic coping, and resources for dealing with grief.


  • An excellent resource on the psycho-dynamics of trauma geared toward a lay audience. Covers a wide breadth of education-related issues.

Resources from Karen Gross, past president, Southern Vermont College; former senior policy advisor to the USED:



  • A follow-up to Karen's NEJHE piece. Includes 10 concrete suggestions for helping students cope.

Trauma Doesn't Stop at the School Door (Teacher's College Press, 2020)

  • Very current – recently updated to address COVID-19. Available for pre-order. Use discount code NEBHE2020 for 15% off plus free shipping.

Webinars and Podcasts:


  • Webinar by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education's (WICHE) Cooperative for Educational Technologies


  • Podcast distributed by the Yes We Must Coalition. Slide deck available HERE.


Sincere thanks to Karen Gross for sharing her expertise and extensive list of resources on this topic!
Promising Practices
Mental Health Support Systems for College Students and/or Faculty Coping with COVID-19


  • A pre-existing Center that supports faculty in the areas of teaching, research, and professional development. Newly updated to provide advice and resources on managing one's mental and emotional well-being during this uncertain time.


  • Gov Charlie Baker (MA) issued an executive order that allows healthcare providers in Massachusetts to provide care to patients in other states who were enrolled in college in Massachusetts during the 2019-20 academic year.

Is your institution or state providing mental health support to students, faculty, and staff during the coronavirus emergency? Let us know by emailing  policy@nebhe.org .

For more, visit NEBHE's COVID-19 Resource Page
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