COVID-19 Closures Affect International, 1G Students

News of university closures in response to COVID-19 fears have had me concerned about the fates of international and first-generation/low-income students. What would happen to these folks, I’ve wondered, if suddenly ordered to leave campus. Surely some would be daunted by the urgent (and expensive) need to fly home. Others may not have a home to return to. Some might have a home but no internet access by which to keep up with their studies. How might this affect visa statuses?

It turns out my fears are entirely justified.

The Harvard Crimson has two stories you should read: one about international students and one about first-generation/low-income students.

These stories highlight the problems at Harvard. But at the end of the day, that’s a school with an endowment exceeding 40 billion. If so inclined, Harvard could help its students face this crisis.

Schools with fewer resources to bear may be less able to aid their own international and first-generation/low-income students who will face similar struggles. I sincerely hope that universities will at least keep these students in mind and work towards accommodations that balance the concerns of this public health crisis with the very real needs of these unique student communities.

-KitJ