Inside Higher Ed
August 17, 2021 Enrollment Management Trends, Student Success
While many students are optimistic about a new beginning, they are struggling with mental health and academic challenges created by the pandemic. Fifty-three percent of first-year students reported a substantial increase in mental and emotional exhaustion. Students also reported increased depression, loneliness, and hopelessness. Institutions have expanded their mental health services as students have had difficulty accessing these services throughout the pandemic.
Inside Higher Ed
August 03, 2021 Enrollment Management Trends, Student Success
A new statement decries state-level restrictions barring colleges from requiring vaccination against COVID-19 or other public health measures such as mask wearing or surveillance testing, as many of the restrictions directly contradict current guidance from the CDC. More than 600 colleges nationwide have mandated COVID-19 vaccination for students and employees, but many are facing legislation that will not allow a vaccine requirement or other public health measures on campus.
Higher Ed. Dive
July 23, 2021 Student Success
Policy and higher education experts say that schools should support unauthorized immigrant students by providing legal and mental health services on campus. Though DACA was ruled unlawful, students already covered will not face immediate ramifications. Prospective students who do not yet have protected status but were counting on it will no longer have access to in-state tuition prices or be eligible for some scholarship programs.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
July 01, 2021 Enrollment Management Trends, Student Success
Last fall, male undergraduate enrollment fell by nearly 7 percent, almost three times as much as female enrollment. The steepest decline and largest gender gap was found among students of color attending community colleges. Declines in Asian male enrollment were smaller compared to Black and Hispanic men, but still about eight times compared to Asian women. Increased pressure and gender norms also play a role in these disparities. Colleges are adding male-specific majors, mentoring, and advising programs in an effort to increase male enrollment.
Higher Ed. Dive
July 08, 2021 Enrollment Management Trends, Student Success
According to a new report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, first-year persistence rates dropped to 73.9% in fall 2020, with community colleges seeing the largest decline, followed by private and public four-year colleges. Racial and ethnic disparities continued – 87% of Asian students persisted into their second year, compared to around two-thirds of Black and Latinx students. Additionally, retention rates fell by 0.7% and the downward trend continued in the spring. Colleges are hopeful that in-person classes will increase enrollment; however, high school seniors have mixed feelings.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
June 10, 2021 Enrollment Management Trends, Student Success
New data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center shows a total undergraduate college enrollment decline of 3.5%, a shortfall of 603,000 students. The decline was sharper in traditional-aged college students, and male student enrollment continued to fall more than female enrollment (5.5% vs. 2%). Enrollment fell in almost every undergraduate major except certain majors such as psychology (+4.8%) and computer and information science (+3%).
Higher Ed. Dive
May 05, 2021 Enrollment Management Trends, Student Success
Federal agencies have extended and clarified flexible policies for international students attending U.S. colleges during the 2021-2022 academic year, as well as eased some travel restrictions. This decision will allow students and schools to better plan for the upcoming academic year, but visa processing backlogs could be a potential hurdle.
Inside Higher Ed.
March 29, 2021 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends, Student Success
The pandemic has led to a surge in applications at the most competitive colleges, both public and private. New applications include minority and low-income applications, and many top college also admitted large early decision/early-action classes. As a result, predicting yield will likely be more difficult this year, and institutions will likely rely on waiting lists more than they normally do.
Higher Ed. Dive
March 25, 2021 Student Success, Value and Affordability
Higher education interest groups and institutional leaders have lobbied the federal government to increase the size of the Pell Grant for years, with renewed urgency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. President Biden said on the campaign trail that he wants to double the Pell Grant, and with the passage of the latest relief package, his administration can now focus on other matters.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
March 11, 2021 Enrollment Management Trends, Student Success, Value and Affordability
The article features a series of graphics that highlight the financial and socio-emotional costs the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed on the higher education industry.