Resources and Next Steps for Supporting College Opportunity and Success Through the COVID-19 Crisis

There is no playbook for how to best respond to a global pandemic, but the extraordinary efforts of our public college and university leaders as they work nonstop to keep our students, faculty, and staff safe while learning continues has been exemplary. We are incredibly grateful to them!

At the federal level, we have joined over 50 organizations across the nation tourge Congress to support students in response to campus closures and restrictions. The Senate has since passed a bill that includes an “Education Stabilization Fund” for states, K-12 districts, colleges, and universities. It is expected to be signed by the President within the next few days.But the work continues, and we will continue to advocate for funding, financial aid, and other resources to ensure that students in California and across the nation can attend and succeed in college.

As one of the state’s leading racial equity advocates in higher education, we want to ensure vulnerable students do not fall off their college pathways as this crisis evolves. That is why we support policy and campus efforts that target support for vulnerable students. We urge policymakers and college leaders to: