Seeking assistance from the Senate – Community College Daily
Higher education organizations are hoping to convince GOP leaders in the Senate to support another pandemic recovery package that would include at least $46.6 billion to help colleges and their students.
In a May 29 letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York), the American Council on Education (ACE) asked the senators for the additional support, which Republicans have been reluctant to do.
ACE, which wrote the letter on behalf of more than 40 higher education organizations (including the American Association of Community Colleges), noted several higher education association surveys indicate that three-fourths of institutions reported current-year revenue losses of up to 20 percent, and many institutions expect their losses next year will be greater.
“Losses of the magnitude we expect to see in the fall would necessarily weaken not just colleges and universities, but the economic health of their surrounding communities and regions,” the letter said.
ACE also called on lawmakers to ensure that states do not replace their obligations to fund public higher education with any federal recovery funding.