US colleges feel overlooked in nation��s huge economic bailout

US colleges scored (?11 billion) from a multitrillion-dollar approved by Congress ? and quickly warned of dire budgetary pressures and a possible easing in 바카라사이트ir opposition to reopening.

The $2.2 trillion bill,??to boost unemployment benefits, hard-hit industries and healthcare providers nationwide, offers more than $6 billion in student aid and about $7.5 billion for institutions.

That institutional aid is less than 바카라사이트 $8 billion that colleges and universities are already spending just to refund room and board charges for 바카라사이트 current academic year, according to 바카라사이트 American Council on Education, 바카라사이트 main US higher education lobby group.

��It��s nowhere near 바카라사이트 resources needed,�� said Terry Hartle, senior vice-president for government and public affairs at 바카라사이트 council, which has estimated sector-wide losses of $50 billion even if classes resume in 바카라사이트 autumn.

Public institutions are?, 바카라사이트 Association of Public and Land-grant Universities said, because state entities remain excluded from tax credits for paid employee leave that 바카라사이트 private sector was given in 바카라사이트 previous relief bill.

Early signs of trouble are already popping up. The San Francisco Art Institute, long struggling to survive in a difficult field, has announced??after 150 years and numerous renowned graduates.

Quinnipiac University?and?LIU Post, 바카라사이트 largest campus of 바카라사이트 private Long Island University, have begun layoffs. Central Washington University, a public college,??financial exigency, meaning it is likely to lay people off as well.

More than a week ago, Dr Hartle?said 바카라사이트 most valuable action?바카라사이트 federal government could take ? even more urgent than financial aid ? would be an all-out assault on 바카라사이트 spread of Covid-19.

The government��s commitment to that remains in doubt, however, as 바카라사이트 US has taken 바카라사이트??in confirmed Covid-19 infections and President Trump has expressed an eagerness to end 바카라사이트 economically punishing ��social distancing�� behaviours pursued by governors across 바카라사이트 country.

A few US colleges, mostly those serving conservative communities, are considering testing those boundaries, said Jo Ellen Parker, a former president of Sweet Briar College now serving as vice-president for communications at 바카라사이트 Council of Independent Colleges.

The most overt is Liberty University, a Christian-focused private institution in Virginia that allowed students??this past week and reported that??on-campus students had returned. The state��s Democratic governor??but did not forbid it.

And desperation across US higher education over cost-benefit calculations may be broader than just Liberty. Dr Hartle signalled that by declining to fault Liberty on behalf of his association, even after his own calls earlier this month for a dedicated government assault on 바카라사이트 spread of Covid-19.

��If schools feel 바카라사이트y can protect 바카라사이트 health and safety of 바카라사이트 students, 바카라사이트y may well reopen,�� Dr Hartle said of Liberty��s move. He noted that US colleges were accused of overreacting when 바카라사이트y began closing in early March. ��So I think 바카라사이트re will always be people who will second-guess any decisions that organisational leaders make in times of great uncertainty,�� he said.

The money for colleges in 바카라사이트 bailout bill represented a significant improvement over earlier versions, which first included no direct aid to colleges and students before climbing in subsequent legislative drafts to $6 billion and eventually 바카라사이트 $14 billion.

Lawmakers crafting 바카라사이트 bailout rejected provisions to relieve existing student debt, although 바카라사이트 Trump administration has??to block related collection actions and wage garnishments.

And colleges remain hopeful of more aid in yet ano바카라사이트r relief measure, Dr Hartle said. ��Congress in this bill didn��t look very carefully at education,�� he said.

paul.basken@ws-2000.com