COVID-19 and Higher Ed: NEBHE Weekly Update

COVID-19 and Higher Ed: Weekly Update

May 11-15, 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

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HEIs offering fully online summer term: 90

HEIs' fall semester plans*

Fully online delivery: 4
Fully face-to-face delivery: 25
Dual delivery: 6

*Note: Most of the above listed plans for the fall have been announced informally and are, therefore, merely tentative. The majority of HEIs plan to make formal announcements about AY20-21 later in the summer.

CARES Act disbursement method (to students):

Application: 27
Formula: 16
Not accepting CARES Act aid: 2

Resource Spotlight

Anticipating the Fiscal Implications of COVID-19: Challenges and Opportunities for the Future of Higher Education

What’s Happening With State Budgets and Higher Ed? A table, prepared by Open Campus, that tracks higher education budget changes due to COVID-19 in all 50 states.

According to the resource:

CT: Expected revenue losses are estimated to fall by about $3.2 billion in the next 14 months, which could dry up the state's reserve funds.
ME: Projected to lose $1.2 billion in projected revenue by the end of next fiscal year.
MA: The University of Massachusetts System will face up to a $125 million deficit from partially refunding room and board.
NH: The University of New Hampshire has faced a budget shortfall of $27.2 million from prorated room and board refunds and will likely implement furloughs and lay offs.
RI: The University of Rhode Island implemented some cost-cutting measures for the remainder of the semester, including banning purchases that aren't deemed "mission critical" through the end of the fiscal year.
VT: The University of Vermont announced several cost-cutting measures, including cuts to part-time and non-tenure-track faculty, salary reductions for deans and other administrators, and hiring freezes.

Thinking Boldly about Scarce Resources, Transformational Tuesday Webinar by AAC&U . In this virtual roundtable discussion, presidents and national experts join AAC&U President Lynn Pasquerella to explore the opportunities for long-term growth and positive transformation presented by the fiscal challenges institutions now face.

Under COVID-19, University Budgets Like We’ve Never Seen Before, The Chronicle of Higher Education . Provides general considerations for HEIs as they manage their budgets and plan for a future that is likely to be challenging and uncertain. Plays out various potential scenarios—from best to worst case—and their implications to help campus leaders sort through their individual situations and the anticipated big-picture financial circumstances for next year.

Strategies for tackling the financial challenges facing colleges and universities, Deloitte. Explores key considerations for colleges and universities as they find their fiscal footing in a very different operating environment in the months ahead. Considers ways to shore up liquidity and develop scenario plans, along with podcasts on maintaining financial sustainability during the coronavirus crisis.

Virtual Forum: Transforming the Institution: The Strategic CIO, The Chronicle of Higher Education (on-demand). The Chronicle's senior writer, Goldie Blumenstyk, is joined by a panel of experts to discuss how CIOs are thinking ahead during the COVID-19 crisis and various scenarios that could take place at the start of the fall semester. Includes advice on the challenges and importance of developing a student access infrastructure on a limited budget.

Promising Practices

Cuyahoga Community College in Ohio will offer full tuition assistance for up to a year to students who are facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic . The Full Tuition Assistance program will cover costs after grant aid is applied for up to three consecutive sessions in the academic year, or for a workforce training program.

Vermont offering free coronavirus testing for people without symptoms. Health officials will prioritize people returning to Vermont (on day 7 of their quarantine) , including college students.

Is your state or institution offering tuition assistance to individuals who are facing hardship due to COVID-19? Let us know by emailing policy@nebhe.org .

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

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