The last Education Discussion Forum for the summer was held on Thursday, May 28.
The governor, three university presidents, top-shelf administrators, and a handful of enrollment experts from every Idaho public higher-ed institution dialed in to discuss what the Fall 2020 term may look like.
Many changes were consistent across the board, including:
- a semester start-date of August 24 for most schools
- the shift of large classes to ballrooms or other, more spacious event venues on campus; moving medium-sized classes to auditoriums and lecture halls; bumping small-sized classes to the medium-sized classrooms, all to ensure adequate social distancing.
- a mix of in-person, virtual, and hybrid courses
- creatively adapted student orientation and registration events
- additional financial aid considerations and support for impacted students
All of Idaho’s 2-year, community colleges mentioned contacting, individually, each one of their students. The College of Eastern Idaho added that their summer enrollment was up 50%, with a similar spike in attendance projected for the fall.
Idaho’s 4-year universities united to share a message of need… and strength in that need. As LC State President, Dr. Cynthia Pemberton, said, “Now, more than ever, we need educated individuals. We need a citizenry who can help navigate these troubling times and be prepared to help us find answers to how we as a society, globally, move forward.”
The 1-hour webinar kicked-off with a statement of appreciation from Governor Little to the Education Discussion Forum’s regular audience: high school college/career counselors and postsecondary advisors. “The people on this call,” he said, “are the ones who are going to have to step up and help these kids. That was always your job, but this made it even tougher. Thanks for what you’ve done.”
Hear the rest of his message regarding “bad news,” early action, and expectations going forward, below.
Discover every Idaho public institutions’ Fall 2020 plans via the following list. Information provided by Idaho’s private colleges and universities can be found in the May 28 meeting minutes.
Boise State University | video
Idaho State University | video
Lewis-Clark State College | video
University of Idaho | video
College of Eastern Idaho | video
College of Southern Idaho | video
College of Western Idaho | video
North Idaho College | video
Next Steps Idaho and the Office of the State Board of Education thanks all Idaho colleges and universities, the State Department of Education, IACRAO, and everyone else whose responsiveness and willingness to collaborate made these Education Discussion Forums possible.