Small Colleges Facing Virus Cash Crunch Want Help From Congress – Bloomberg Government
Well-funded private colleges and top state universities, defying President Donald Trump’s urging to reopen, plan to hold classes mostly or entirely online in the fall. For many small schools that make up the majority of private colleges in the U.S., limited resources are forcing tougher choices.
Colleges say it’s critical for Congress to provide more aid to cover the new costs of operating campuses, including safety measures such as coronavirus testing and personal protective equipment. Legislation (S. 4112) introduced by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) would send $132 billion to colleges to provide direct aid to students and to help campuses cover the costs of reopening.
“Higher education institutions are very concerned about how they’re going to provide adequate education this coming fall, whether they do it online or in-person,” Murray told reporters about her bill. “Their needs are the same as K-12 schools in terms of sanitation, PPE, and looking at ways they can social distance.”
Many colleges are holding off on firming up fall semester plans, or say they are moving forward with classes on campus with face masks required and dorm occupancy limited.