Quadcast Ep. 32: Big Picture Strategies for College Student Wellbeing
In today’s episode of the Quadcast, Dr. Carrie Landa, Boston University’s new Executive Director of Student Wellbeing, talks about factors that contribute to student wellness and strategic initiatives colleges and universities can engage in to increase social belonging. Landa’s expertise in psychology lends itself to teaching students resilience, such as CBT and DBT skills, to help them navigate with day-to-day events while also meeting students where they are when it comes to equity issues.
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Mental and Behavioral Health
In a recent Student Voice survey findings, Inside Higher Ed features an infographic on what higher ed leaders and educators need to know about students’ identities and childhood traumas relating to current challenges. Four common difficulties experienced by a significant number of students this fall include: time management, anxiety and depression, financial insecurity, and difficulty fitting in. Based on which groups of students are most likely to experience certain challenges, the chart provides insight for higher education professionals aiming to develop and strengthen campus resources and support for students.
In an op-ed for Higher Ed Dive, Marvin Krislov, President of Pace University, writes about how teaching a 101-level course reminded him how important compassion is right now. “Last semester, for the first time, a number of my students weren’t turning in their work. And it became clear that their struggle wasn’t about the class but rather about everything going on around them. It brought home to me the tremendous mental health challenges our students are now confronting — and how important it is to be understanding about those challenges,” Krislov writes. “Those of us who choose to work in education know that we need to be kind and empathetic. The experience of teaching last semester drove home to me that kindness isn’t just nice; it’s crucial for enabling our students to succeed.”
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Higher Ed Dive reports on higher education and advocacy groups testifying on bomb threats targeting HBCUs. At a U.S. House committee on Thursday, higher education leaders urged Congress to help prevent bomb threats against historically Black colleges and universities after over 20 received bomb threats this year. Many campuses were forced to clear their buildings, cancel in-person classes, or suspend all activity. David Wilson, president of Morgan State University, said the threats have caused psychological damage and fear to students after the school received a bomb threat on February 1st, the first day of Black History Month. Curry College shifted to online classes after being targeted as well.
Inside Higher Ed and Diverse Education report on Paul Quinn College surprising hundreds of high school seniors with admission offers for them and their family members during a campus visit. Over 400 high school seniors from Fort Worth Independent School District attended what they initially believed to be an ordinary campus tour of Paul Quinn College on Thursday. However, after eating lunch at the cafeteria, attending classes, and watching a basketball game at the Dallas campus, they were all offered college acceptance letters, in addition to offers for two of their family members each.
Inside Higher Ed reports that high-ranking liberal arts colleges showed increases in first-year Black student enrollment. Based on data from the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, Amherst College reported the greatest percentage of enrolling Black students for 13 out of 28 years across 30 high-ranking liberal arts colleges. However, experts say challenges still remain when it comes to the total “sticker price” of the institution, or the cost prior to financial aid, which can deter more diverse students from applying. Enrollment experts say that while some liberal art colleges may have larger endowments that can cover much of students’ tuition with financial aid, many high school students are not always aware that this may be an option for them.
Diverse Education reports on scholars assessing the backlash against the teaching of critical race theory. Many sociologists and ethnic studies faculty members say that critical race theory is not taught in most K-12 classes, nor are they taught in most courses at a collegiate level. Dr. Rashawn Ray, professor of sociology and executive director of the Lab for Applied Social Science Research at the University of Maryland, College Park, says, “Any sort of discussion about race is being framed as critical race theory, and those who simply want to oppose children learning about racial inequality.”
Inside Higher Ed reports on a new college access program that will help post-Gang-affiliated youth attend and complete college. Long Beach College and the University of Southern California are launching a partnership program that will provide enrollment assistance, career advising, specialized mental health treatment, mentors, internship opportunities, and more for 300 prospective students.
Sexual Assault and Title IX
The New York Times and The Chronicle report on the resignation of Joseph Castro, the chancellor of California State University, after complaints of Castro mishandling sexual misconduct allegations. During his presidency at Fresno State University, there were multiple complaints over six years of sexual harassment and bullying against Castro’s previous vice president for student affairs, Frank Lamas. On Thursday, Castro’s resignation was announced amid concerns over his delayed response and handling of the situation against his colleague.
Student Success
Inside Higher Ed reports that students had positive perceptions on online and hybrid learning last year. According to newly released survey findings from the National Survey of Student Engagement, students reflected positively on faculty teaching during the pandemic and how well professors adapted coursework, despite the challenges that came with virtual instruction. The majority, or 73% of students, said faculty and staff at their institution “did a good job” of helping students adjust to online classes.
College Affordability
Diverse Education reports that the public supports the removal or reduction of student loans. Based on a new poll from the Student Borrower Protection Center and Data for Progress, 63% of likely voters support the federal government canceling part of or all student debt. While the pause on student loan payments is set to resume in May, two-thirds of likely voters say they will have to make financial adjustments for the deadline.
The Chronicle and Higher Ed Dive report on college endowments returns and an increase in charitable donations in 2021. According to an annual report from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, donations to American colleges increased by 5.1% while accounting for inflation. Donor-advised funds, alumni-giving, and the stock market trends drove these increases. Another survey from the Nacubo-TIAA Study of Endowments shows that college endowments had a one-year return of 30.6% in the 2021 fiscal year.
Higher Ed Dive reports that the Education Department announced erasing $415 million in student loans from 16,000 defrauded student loan borrowers who attended a list of for-profit colleges, one of which is Devry University. Officials say they will attempt to recoup costs for former DeVry students, in which discharges amount to $71.7 million. Students who attended Devry from 2008 to 2015 are eligible for returns since the for-profit college falsely advertised that 90% of its students secured employment within six months of graduation when in reality, that number was under 60%.
Basic Needs
Diverse Education reports on the high basic needs insecurity for student parents of color. According to new findings from The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, the pandemic has led to high basic needs insecurity for student parents. The Washington Post reports that Black fathers in college especially experience high rates of homelessness and financial instability. A significant number of student fathers drop out of college; one of the reasons may be that men without degrees have better access than women to jobs requiring only high school diplomas.
Covid-19: Safety and Reopening
The Chronicle reports on long-haul COVID’s effects on certain college students. Olivia Trice, a senior at Hawaii Pacific University, narrates her experience coping with old and new health problems, including lingering long-COVID symptoms, making her reconsider graduating on time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, long-haul Covid can have symptoms lasting over four weeks after a coronavirus infection. The condition can include symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating and can impact people who had mild or asymptomatic infections.
Higher Ed Dive reports that colleges with public health programs are more likely to use remote learning. According to an analysis published in the Frontiers in Public Health journal, colleges with accredited public health programs were 5.4% more likely than other institutions to use fully online learning during the fall of 2020. Approximately 10% of the 1,764 four-year institutions had Council on Education for Public Health-accredited programs.
The Wall Street Journal reports on how the lifting of mask mandates are affecting tensions at school districts. With more states removing mask mandates at restaurants and businesses, many schools will continue to require wearing masks. Districts are navigating how to prevent outbreaks along with wanting a return to normalcy. The New York Times also reported that, according to a new poll this week, 60% of New Yorkers want more data before the state lifts its mask mandate.
