Coronavirus decisions creates big burden for college students

"For students at colleges and universities across the United States, coronavirus is bringing a new layer of uncertainty as classes are moved online and some students are being told to move out. Harvard University and Amherst College are among the latest institutions to ask their students to move out or not return after spring break.

It’s an understandable decision, given that schools with high numbers of students living in shared quarters on campus – attending group lectures and labs, and eating together in the dining halls – are perfect petri dishes for disease.

But many of these same schools have also been trying to recreate themselves as instruments for equality, expanding need-based financial aid and offering need-blind admissions so that anyone who qualifies, regardless of family wealth, can enjoy the huge step up that schools like Harvard confer.

But it’s these same students who may get caught in the coronavirus response crosshairs." …

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/10/opinions/college-university-coronavirus-low-income-students-filipovic/index.html

Are the students who are being told not to return to campus being offered refunds for room & board, plus a portion of fees paid for facilities they will no longer be able to use (library, red center, labs)?

Thank you Groundwork2022. Parents and students have paid for something. If the schools can’t deliver they must refund. Imagine paying your life savings for something your student is not receiving. Tuition is more than just receiving instruction and getting credits online. That is what Phoenix University is for.

Ohio State chooses to go online but they choose not to close the dorms and cafeterias. Ridiculous. This does absolutely nothing other than to “maybe” protect professors and staff members. Dorms and cafeterias are breeding grounds. All it takes is one positive results and the backlash will be endless. So who are they protecting? I can see how some special circumstances such as internationals of OOS students are allowed to stay in the dorms, but why have everyone back to campus after this week of Spring Break. If they send kids home, they might have to reimburse for lost revenue and they do not want to do that.

while it’s noble to attempt to protect faculty and staff from their students passing the virus to them, we sure aren’t doing that for the K-12 educators out there. Instead people are concerned about leaving elementary and high schools open so children receive breakfast, lunch and childcare.

There are still several weeks left in tOSU’s Spring semester which ends in late April, many are hopeful that face-to-face instruction will resume March 30.

"Drake said March 30 was selected as the initial date to resume classes because it is a two-week period, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms of the virus first occur two to 14 days after exposure occurs.

Symptoms of the virus include fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the CDC.

Drake said the university will evaluate whether to resume in-person classes a few days before March 30."

https://www.thelantern.com/2020/03/university-announces-resources-for-online-instruction-after-classes-suspended/

Who is “we”?

Our high school has plans and technology in place, though no cases have been reported in this part of the state.

"Today, Ohio State University President Michael V. Drake sent the following message to residence hall students:

Dear Residence Hall Student,

Thank you again for your cooperation and collaboration this week as we undertake the unprecedented task of working together to move out of the residence halls due to the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19).

I am writing today to share that the university will provide an appropriate prorated refund of housing and dining to those of you departing the residence halls by Sunday, March 22. Details will follow next week.

As a reminder, the university’s coronavirus website provides information about the virus, the university’s response and important guidance for all members of our community.

I am moved and impressed by the way our entire community is coming together to meet this challenge, and to keep each other safe and healthy.

We will continue to provide updates as circumstances evolve.

Sincerely,

Dr. Drake"

https://news.osu.edu/ohio-state-announces-prorated-refund-for-housing-and-dining-services/

Is this a joke?