What’s the backup plan for recruitment in August?

[andthen]

Originally Posted by PersistentDST

I work at a university and there are ton of variables in play. Even as some states are opening up freely, leadership at institutions have to make their own decisions. Tuition projections are hard to make because no one has a hold of how many students will not return, defer in the fall or transfer. Many states are cutting funding to public institutions. A lot of institutions are trying to preserve funds early and project budgets based on those possibilities. Just like any other industry, some universities have a better hold on their finances compared to others. I’ve seen some colleges make small cuts to faculty and staff wages, some have laid off staff and some are getting rid of entire academic programs and athletics teams. One small school already closed for good. Unfortunately, one size does not fit all.

Social distancing isn’t going anywhere for awhile and that causes issues with residence halls, as well as the safety and protection of all students, faculty and staff, especially those who have health issues, in offices with high traffic or teach larger classes in lecture halls.

I feel awful for those who are in the balance in regards with how to do recruitment moving forward, since I know the in person aspect is extremely important throughout that period of time. I hope that leadership can find the best solution to allow them get that experience (and not lose money). I know that the NPHC orgs have a lot of challenges to figure out too.

I don’t envy college leadership at all, because it’s hard to make decisions when things are constantly changing. I am hoping that we can go back to normal way sooner than later!

This is so well said. I cannot imagine how things will look for many schools let alone greek life across campuses. As you said what will work for XYZ state might not work for ABC state university. I was chatting with a neighbor the other day and she works as an instructor at a local university and as they made the switch to online classes which her course has a lab component. She was told by her bosses to really think of ways to keep students engaged in online learning basically telling her that they can't really afford to lose students for the next academic year.

Even with states opening things back up, this doesn't translate to things going back to the way they were before the pandemic. At what point we move closer to normalcy only time will tell.

Granted my background is in public health so I'm from the camp of its better to be cautious than to be sorry later on.