Resources / Blog / Blog 10 ways you can address equity challenges during COVID-19 May 1, 2020 Facebook link Twitter link LinkedIn link Topic Student Success and Experience Tag COVID-19 Student Equity and Inclusion Student Mental Health and Wellness Student Retention Save for Later Blogs 10 ways you can address equity challenges during COVID-19 Beyond just Wi-Fi, equity requires greater connectivity Meacie Fairfax“> By Meacie Fairfax May 01, 2020 6 min read Email LinkedIn More on this topic This resource is part of our larger research initiative, focusing on DEIJ initiatives. Tour the full library Over the last five years, we’ve seen the increased efforts of state and local governments, foundations, employers, and colleges and universities to reduce the education equity gap. As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses in the United States, early indicators suggest that the virus is unraveling that work. What was initially pronounced as a “great equalizer” is instead mirroring societal inequalities across race and socioeconomic status that already exist. CDC data indicates that Black, Latinx, and Native communities have higher rates of infection and death. The same communities disproportionately bearing the economic impact through lost jobs are also those who find themselves dubbed “essential” and on the frontlines-often without a college degree. When the dust settles from the pandemic, we will likely find our equity gaps have widened. Why do we use the term equity gap and not acheivement gap? Achievement gap implies that the onus for the disparate outcome is on the student. That is, they failed to achieve something, and therefore, there exists a gap. Equity gap, on the other hand, refers to any disparity in a metric like graduation rate or term-to-term persistence along racial, socioeconomic, gender, or other major demographic groupings. Instead of, “what did the student do wrong?” we’re working together with our partners to ask, “what processes, policies, strategies, etc. did the institution put in place that created or exacerbated these disparities by race, gender, socioeconomic status, etc.?” The initial response to COVID-19 has focused on getting students enabled for virtual learning, which includes making sure students have access to computers and internet connection. This is worthy and necessary work, but it is not sufficient; these students continue to have unmet basic needs (e.g. shelter, food, or income) or heightened feelings of emotional distress. Our action or inaction will support our students’ continued presence on campuses, or sadly their departure. What can campus leaders do? We’ve gathered examples from schools doing the necessary work to create connection points for students. Haven’t yet addressed digital connectivity? Here’s how to get started By this point, many schools have already addressed digital connectivity needs for their students. If you haven’t, this is where you need to start, especially as digital connectivity could continue to be an issue for students in the fall, if courses remain virtual. Expand laptop loaner programs Allow requests to be made through faculty, peers, and advisors. Build flexibility into terms of use so students can use them through the semester, over the summer, or throughout the upcoming academic year. Negotiate discounted/free internet Include the cost in student fees to ensure students have access, even at home. Comcast and Spectrum/Charter are offering 60 days of free internet for K-12, college students, and educator households. We found that public colleges and systems can often negotiate rates with providers, which could be included in the total cost of attendance and subsequently covered for their academic year. More resources to transition to remote instruction Help students who can’t get online Safeguard student success in the transition to remote instruction Deliver remote instruction to students with limited access to digital devices and Wi-Fi 10 strategies to address equity challenges Connect students to financial support Everyone is hyperaware of the fragile state of the economy, and students are no exception. With anticipated changes in enrollment decisions campus leaders must provide comprehensive, yet timely tools and resources for students to address the loss of income and change in day to day responsibilities. 1. Connect eligible students to unemployment and SNAP benefits Some suddenly unemployed students may have never accessed these services before and will need help navigating the system. For colleges without Single Stop, you’ll want to train advisors to screen and triage students who need financial, legal, and tax support to community services. Additionally, colleges should petition on student’s behalf to the state for good-will exemptions to expand student eligibility and access. 2. Help students update financial aid packages if their financial circumstances have changed Many students don’t realize that a sudden change in income can make them eligible for additional funding, including funds in your institution’s CARES Act package. If your students are unsure of how to write their appeal letter, resources like Swift Student can help them explain that they or their families have lost a job or seen reduced hours. 3. Adjust student account policies to allow more students to register Some schools have been able to eliminate administrative barrier attrition simply by raising the maximum balance threshold or temporarily waiving bursars hold policies entirely. Reform these registration holds to improve fall persistence 4. Connect with nonprofits, churches, food banks, community and advocacy groups These groups often have the expertise, additional funds or access to emergency funds, personnel, and resources to supplement outstanding student need. Maintain personal connection to college The shift to digital and remote instruction has created or exacerbated academic challenges for many students, but it can also improve equity in the classroom if done well. To help students navigate this transition, enlist faculty and staff to connect with students through multiple communication channels, such as Zoom, phone, text, or email. By encouraging the use of campus technology and apps, you are empowering students to create connection points to staff, peer support, and resources. 5. Call your students A phone call can matter much more than an email or text. With minimal contact outside of their quarantine buddy or group, an outward sign of compassion, concern, and support will provide a needed mental boost. We’ve heard of schools redeploying staff who’ve had their responsibilities reduced during the pandemic, from librarians to advancement staff, make these check-in phone calls. 6. Conduct an outreach campaign Conduct the campaign across multiple digital engagement criteria such as low/no LMS logins, low/no contact with faculty, or lack of response to college emails. Need additional campaign ideas? Take a look at our four-year and community colleges advising campaign infographics. Or create your own. 7. Assess student need by deploying quick polls or anonymized surveys Surveys provide a space to disclose “new normal” challenges. Keep surveys short to maximize response rates. Armed with this information, your campus team can respond and support. 8. Encourage faculty to promote the use of tech to create online engagement The Study Buddy feature in Navigate provides additional academic support, peer accountability, and homework help to support our virtual classrooms. 9. Provide virtual tutoring support for critical courses Utilize out-of-work student workers to expand your tutoring capacity while supporting those often at risk for failing in an online environment. Navigate can be used to assist with appointments and scheduling. 10. Direct peer mentors to connect with students Encourage mentors to connect weekly to offer support, guidance, and/or referral. COVID-19 is highlighting the very real consequences of education inequity on our health and lives: many of us who have the privilege of working remotely and sheltering in place can do so in part because of our college degrees. We must do our part to offer the same opportunities for those who have been systemically excluded and left vulnerable. At this critical moment in higher education, our focus on human connection will strengthen our ability to weather whatever comes our way. Anti-racist thought leaders we are reading, listening to, and following right now Building anti-racist education institutions requires a commitment to ongoing individual learning and action. Here is a curated list of the resources we are learning from right now for you to read, listen to, follow, and share with your colleagues. ANTI-RACIST RESOURCES Continue reading More Blogs Blog What can we learn from first-year GPA? More universities could be using one of the most basic student success indicators—first year GPA—to focus advising efforts… Student Success Blog Blog What major switching can tell us about student outcomes Our Data Science Team recently conducted an analysis of 401,314 first-time, full-time students to understand how the timing… Blog Q&A with Middle Tennessee State University Since becoming vice provost at Middle Tennessee State University last fall, Rick Sluder has launched SSC with great…