IUP President Dr. Michael Driscoll yesterday testified before the State House Education Committee about the impact covid-19 has had on the university, and on higher education as a whole.
The committee also took testimony from representatives of Lincoln and Temple universities, and from community colleges and independent colleges and universities.
Driscoll outlined what he called “three key points” to the committee:
- The cost of the pandemic is immense, in loss of revenue, increased expenses, stress and isolation, and opportunities delayed or lost.
- The faculty, staff, and administration at the State System schools have “stepped up and (done) whatever was necessary to keep students moving toward their life goals.”
- Despite severe hardships due to “exceptional stress, isolation, and loss, resulting in increased demand for mental health services and academic and other support”, students at the fourteen schools have persevered, evidence by strong academic performances.
DriscollDriscoll had three requests of the committee:
- That the state continue and accelerate efforts to make broadband available to everyone in the commonwealth.
- That the state find a way to make covid testing and vaccines available to the State System community, pointing out that individual counties are resourced as very different levels.
- Finally, he asked for continued flexibility in meeting deadlines, regulations, and operations.
Driscoll also detailed a number of pandemic-related moves IUP has initiated, including the creation of the Student Assistance Fund, which has raised more than $444,000 to date and has helped 464 students; the $3 million the university has distributed to its students in $300 one-time grants; and a new five-part payment plan.
