New Quadcast: Dr. Jill Grimes and Jill Henry on Silver Linings on Student Resilience
In this week’s Quadcast, Dr. Jill Grimes, M.D., FAAFP, and Jill Henry, M.A., describe the newfound strength and resilience attained by many high school seniors who graduated during the pandemic.
As difficult as the pandemic has been for all students, including those transitioning from high school to college, Grimes and Henry say high school seniors actually gained invaluable experience learning to be resourceful during unprecedented times. Students learned the value of extracurriculars when classes were no longer held in-person; gained money management skills and at times contributed towards family expenses by obtaining part-time or full-time work; and benefited from participating in public health strategies. The experts also note that the transition to telehealth and online counseling could be “a game changer for students going forward,” as it made mental health more accessible.
Mental and Behavioral Health
Main Stories
After developing an Equity in Mental Health Framework in 2017 to help colleges better support the mental health of students of color, the Steve Fund and Jed Foundation continued their partnership by implementing their recommendations at 18 different schools. The two-year pilot program recently came to a close and highlights the importance of addressing the mental health needs of students of color not only before the pandemic but in its wake, as well. Inside Higher Ed reveals that 80% of schools in the pilot program reported afterwards that the well-being of students of color is part of their “department or area goals,” while 27% recognize it in their strategic plans. Many schools (93%) made an effort to increase diversity among counselors, and others established advisory groups and programming to increase awareness around mental health issues for students of color. Steve Fund director Laura Sánchez-Parkinson said that strong senior leadership and a collaborative approach proved to be particularly helpful, “What we saw is that once the conversation starts, campus leaders can build momentum and attain the buy-in necessary to create lasting investments and campus change.”
Other News
According to a recent survey, 85% percent of Filipino Americans reported pandemic mental health issues, higher than any other Asian subgroup. Filipino Americans say they experienced higher rates of depression and anxiety from loss of employment and financial difficulties, loss of social support, living in multigenerational households, anti-Asian hate, and vaccine hesitancy in the community.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports on how three Philadelphia-area mental health advocates and grassroots organizations created digital apps last year to meet mental health needs during the pandemic.
Associate professor of Family Medicine at University of North Carolina Todd Zakrajsek writes in Times Higher Education about the challenges he expects colleges to face this fall in light of the ongoing rise in student mental health problems. Zakrajsek advocates for schools to prepare well in advance for the return to campus, including by educating faculty and staff in identifying mental health issues, devoting additional funding to counseling departments, and expanding virtual counseling programs.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
For The Chronicle, Washington and Lee professor Nneka Dennie explores the implications of recent decisions made by various university Boards, including at her own institution, that leave her and other Black faculty members doubtful of their academic freedoms. Diverse Education reports that this trend persists at another school, revealing that 70% of 30 Black faculty and staff respondents at UNC Chapel Hill feel undervalued and may exit their posts as a result. And at Penn State, The Washington Post highlights that Black representation among faculty has been lagging for decades, as faculty members advocate for greater diversity but continue to confront racism from students and other staff.
In light of legislation proposed by over 20 states to limit the teaching of purportedly “divisive concepts” related to race and racism, several dozen academic groups co-signed a statement in objection. According to The New York Times, criticisms of the legislation include concerns over its restriction of faculty from teaching freely, its prevention of an accurate understanding of US history and an educated public, and the general “broadness and vagueness” of its terms.
Inside Higher Ed reports that, as Juneteenth recently became a federal holiday, many more US colleges observed the day-off and hosted commemorations this year. But as many Black scholars across the country continue to be underrepresented and feel undervalued at their schools, some are wary of the difference between performative gestures and practical efforts toward change for Black community members.
Inside Higher Ed reports on an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission federal and state complaint filed by two Jewish employees who work at Stanford University’s Counseling and Psychological Services division. The complaints allege that a hostile environment was created by the diversity, equity and inclusion program, stating that “the CAPS DEI program engages in intentional racial segregation through race-based affinity groups” and it “relies upon racial and ethnic stereotyping and scapegoating by describing all Jews as white or white-passing and therefore complicit in anti-Black racism.”
Dr. Marion Hood received a letter of apology from Emory University’s School of Medicine which denied his application for admission in 1959 because he was Black. Emory, which did not desegregate until 1963, continues to grapple with its racist past, including how best to acknowledge this legacy going forward. The New York Times reports that Dr. Hood preferred not to accept Emory’s offer of an honorary degree but views the apology letter as an “opportunity to tell his story to marginalized students.”
Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott decided to donate hundreds of millions of dollars to over thirty different colleges and universities, writing that she prioritized “2- and 4-year institutions successfully educating students who come from communities that have been chronically underserved.” The Washington Post continues to update its list of schools receiving money from Scott, including up to $40 million at several California State Universities, University of Central Florida, University of Illinois at Chicago, and more.
Sexual Assault and Title IX
On Wednesday, the U.S. Education Department announced that transgender students were protected under Title IX’s federal law prohibiting sex-based discrimination, reversing Trump-era restrictions. Education Secretary Miguel A. Cardona stated, “Today, the Department makes clear that all students — including LGBTQ+ students — deserve the opportunity to learn and thrive in schools that are free from discrimination.” The move follows last year’s Supreme Court ruling that the Civil Rights Act extended to protections for gay and transgender people. The reporting and investigative process under the Office for Civil Rights will remain the same for individual cases.
Student Success
Inside Higher Ed discusses a survey of 2,000 college students from over 100 schools, which highlights the losses of the past academic year. Around half of respondents reported the value of their education to be “poor” or “fair” and that they learned less this year than in others before. Some of students’ major challenges included needing to spend more time on online work and struggling more to concentrate during class though almost 60% of students felt that professors were “flexible and accommodating.” Thirty-eight percent also reported that cheating was more prevalent than in past years.
Inside Higher Ed explores how the pandemic disrupted the typical college admissions process, as campus closures this winter kept many students from visiting and applying. Regional state colleges in particular seem to be struggling to receive and admit as many applicants as usual, extending their admissions calendars through this summer as a result. The Wall Street Journal adds that, after colleges this fall dealt with some of the lowest enrollment in decades, many schools are trying to bring back those who left college during the pandemic and recruit recent high school graduates who never enrolled.
The Hechinger Report highlights a high school’s innovative efforts to prepare students for college and career readiness. Pathways in Technology Early College High School, also known as P-TECH, is now in its 10th year of serving low-income students from underserved demographics. P-TECH, now operating 266 schools across 12 U.S. states and 28 countries, was established in partnership with IBM, the New York City school system and City Tech to connect high school education with industry learning. What differentiates P-TECH from other programs is its integrated paid internship opportunities at corporations such as IBM and its free associates degree program after high school.
College Affordability
GBH explores legislation proposed in Massachusetts that would prohibit colleges from withholding the transcripts of graduates with outstanding school payments. For some alumni, these practices mean that being behind on student bills prevents them from accessing their transcripts necessary for a raise or promotion – a cycle criticized for hurting those who are already the most financially disadvantaged, as well as being ineffective for ultimately repaying debts. Proposals in New York, Ohio, and Minnesota advocate for similar changes. Previous proposals in California, Washington, and Louisiana have been enacted with varying success.
NPR reports that thousands of students defrauded by ITT Tech, a for-profit chain that closed in 2016, will now have their student debt erased. On Wednesday, the U.S. Education Department announced approval for 18,000 loan forgiveness claims, voiding over $500 million of debt. ITT Tech was sanctioned by the Obama administration for making faulty and exaggerated claims of their graduates’ career opportunities.
Last week, a number of democrats reintroduced the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act. If passed, the legislation would double the Pell Grant award, mark it to inflation, require funding for the grant, allow part-time students to access funds, expand accessibility to DREAMers, and allow up to 18 semesters of eligibility instead of 12. The bill has been applauded and endorsed by major higher education organizations as a way to decrease the affordability gap and provide more benefits for lower-income students.
Coronavirus: Safety and Reopening
Due to Arizona Governor Doug Ducey’s recent executive order, public colleges in the state may not enforce certain coronavirus precautions, including campus-wide vaccine or mask requirements. While Arizona State University originally announced that it expected all students this fall to be vaccinated or otherwise subject to safety measures, Ducey’s order does not allow students to show proof of vaccination or schools to conduct coronavirus testing except in the case of particularly significant outbreaks. Higher Ed Dive explains that this directive is one among many in other states that intend to regulate safety and reopening on public campuses.
Students at the University of Illinois System must be vaccinated in order to come to campus in the fall, according to a recent announcement from system president Timothy Killeen. The State Journal-Register reveals that while no other public university in the state has introduced a vaccine mandate, UIS interim chancellor Karen Whitney views the requirement as an effort toward ensuring more transparency with students, as well as “academic success and a quality college student experience.” Those who have not yet been vaccinated will have time to do so before school starts in late August or will need to learn about potential exemptions at their university.
