Higher Ed COVID-19 Insights
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Tuesday Huron COVID-19 Insights October 6, 2020 Findings Update Huron produces regular Findings Updates summarizing relevant trends and headlines related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on higher education. Latest Trends and Headlines Trend Category Trend Summary Today’s Headlines Universities continue to ▪ Florida State University's President John Thrasher and First Lady Jean announce, revise, and Thrasher have tested positive for COVID-19. Re-Opening execute plans for fall ▪ An NPR study found many colleges and universities, including those that Operations instruction, residence life, are currently in hot spots, are not aggressively testing their student and athletics. populations. ▪ SUNY Cortland will pause its in-person classes and activities for two weeks beginning on October 7 as more than 100 students have tested positive for COVID-19. ▪ More than 100 students at Sacred Heart University have been suspended for violating coronavirus safety protocols. ▪ Texas colleges are reporting testing participation rates far below their goals. ▪ 5 colleges and universities have announced plans to expand in-person classes mid-semester. The pandemic has ▪ The University of Tennessee plans to hold in-person graduation created unprecedented ceremonies in November. challenges for students, Student Impact & ▪ Parents of students at the University of Mississippi have expressed and in turn, enrollment Enrollments concern that students are not receiving adequate instruction whether in- risks for many institutions. person or remote. Universities continue to ▪ The newest rounds of budget cuts in higher education are increasingly use spending freezes, impacting personnel. layoffs, and other means Financial ▪ The University System of New Hampshire faces a $70 million deficit amid to address funding gaps Impact COVID-19 fiscal impacts. created by the pandemic. ▪ According to Law.com, trends show judges refusing to dismiss cases demanding COVID-19 refunds from universities. ▪ Sacred Heart University withdrew from a multi-institution acquisition agreement in which it would have joined with Goodwin University and the Paier College of Art to each take on several University of Bridgeport programs. Universities continue to ▪ Binghamton University researchers have been focusing on efforts to ramp- ramp-up research up research activities by reviewing 220 study applications and personnel Research activities, including requests to return to campus. activities directly related Operations ▪ A team at the University of Cincinnati have shown that a lipid, sphingosine, to COVID-19 research. known to eliminate respiratory infections, may be able to interfere with the COVID-19 virus infection process in human cells. Confidential © 2020 Huron Consulting Group Inc. and affiliates. Use and distribution prohibited except through written agreement with Huron. Trademarks used in this document are registered or unregistered trademarks of Huron or its licensors Huron COVID-19 Insights Findings Update – October 6, 2020 The pandemic’s ▪ With little internet access and disproportionate impacts from COVID-19, economic and social tribal colleges have had to redesign everything. impact could accelerate Potential ▪ Faculty confidence in online learning has grown moving into the Fall term. Transformation transformational change to Higher Ed in higher education. Universities continue to ▪ No updates for today’s newsletter. address emerging trends Other Emerging while operating through Trends the pandemic. Today’s Article Summaries A. Re-Opening Operations ▪ Florida State University President John Thrasher and First Lady Jean Thrasher have tested positive for COVID- 19 o President Thrasher learned of his positive result on the afternoon of October 6 after taking a PCR test earlier in the day. o Mrs. Thrasher learned of her positive diagnosis late on October 5 after a recent stay in the hospital and a local rehabilitation facility for an unrelated condition. o President and Mrs. Thrasher are isolating at home and monitoring their symptoms, both are currently feeling well, and the president is working from home. o FSU officials, in conjunction with public health authorities, are conducting contact tracing. ▪ Even In COVID-19 Hot Spots, Many Colleges Aren't Aggressively Testing Students o Of the colleges and universities that have chosen to hold classes in-person this fall, most are not conducting widespread testing of their student populations. o More than 2 out of 3 colleges with in-person classes either have no clear testing plan or are testing only students who are at risk. o Davidson College’s Crisis Initiative team highlights the fact that most schools in the data set are not testing students weekly, suggesting this data provides insights into how much institutions are struggling financially. o Additionally, the lack of clear guidance from the federal government on how to reopen campuses has also contributed to the wide disparity in testing approaches across institutions. ▪ Chancellor Malatras and President Bitterbaum Announce Pause Following Increase in COVID Cases o SUNY Cortland will pause its in-person classes and activities for two weeks, beginning on October 7, as more than 100 students have tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19), exceeding the threshold set by the New York Department of Health. o The institution will retest every student for the virus and implement its recently adopted plan for increased safety standards. o These safety guidelines will be reinforced by an updated disciplinary plan which include academic and housing suspension and potential dismissal. Confidential © 2020 Huron Consulting Group Inc. and affiliates. Use and distribution prohibited except through written agreement with Huron. Trademarks used in this document are registered or unregistered trademarks of Huron or its licensors Huron COVID-19 Insights Findings Update – October 6, 2020 ▪ 100 Sacred Heart Students Suspended For Coronavirus Violations o Sacred Heart University has had issues with off-campus students failing to wear masks or socially distance when attending house parties or going to restaurants and bars. o A new saliva testing method developed by researchers at the Yale School of Public Health, will be used to provide testing to 50% of the undergraduate population this week. o A university official indicated that Sacred Heart is “one of the first education institutions to use this test — if not the very first”. o The institution has also installed 10 "scent tents" with floral arrangements outside various campus buildings to allow students to check their sense of smell (loss of smell and taste can be an early symptom of the coronavirus). ▪ Texas Colleges Offer Free Coronavirus Tests. Why Aren't More Students Getting Tested? o To date, none of the major public universities in Texas require testing — though some have left the door open. o Testing has not been widely mandated and instead is done on a voluntary basis, with some exceptions, including attending football games or participating in athletics. o David Paltiel, professor at the Yale School of Public Health, says that waiting for students and staff to volunteer for testing is flawed. o To boost participation, some schools are launching incentive programs, including raffle prizes for $50 gift cards. o Some students indicate that they do not want to be tested because they do not feel comfortable being in proximity with others who may potentially be infected. ▪ 5 Colleges and Universities Expand In-Person Classes o According to President Robert C. Robbins, the University of Arizona is planning to re-open more classrooms if COVID-19 rates continue to decline. o According to President Deborah F. Stanley, SUNY Oswego will begin resuming in-person classes this week. o James Madison University plans to resume in-person classes this week unless instructors have made alternate arrangements. o Brown University is allowing classes of 19 students or less to be held in-person. o Providence College is resuming in-person classes this week and may resume full in-person classes next week. B. Student Impact & Enrollments ▪ The University of Tennessee Plans to Hold In-Person Graduation Ceremonies in November o The University of Tennessee at Knoxville recently announced it is planning to hold in-person graduation ceremonies in November, before Thanksgiving break. o The college is currently planning to host three ceremonies a day, over four days; each ceremony will be held with 200 students. o The ceremonies will be open to all spring, summer, and fall 2020 graduates. o Each student may bring a limited number of guests; masks and adherence to social distancing guidelines will be required. o UT is also planning to hold in-person ceremonies for spring 2021 graduates. ▪ Ole Miss students and parents upset with the way classes are being taught o A concerned parent of a student at Ole Miss, Dr. Patrick Tucker, has written a letter to Ole Miss Chancellor Dr. Glenn Boyce expressing frustration with the instruction that his son has received. o Students were promised a hybrid format (a mix of in-person and remote instruction) but are experiencing very limited interaction with faculty in either format and are largely being asked to learn on their own. o Thousands of additional parents have expressed similar concerns and have created a Facebook group dedicated to the issue. o Chancellor Boyce has indicated that he will work with university leaders to address the matter. 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