April 3, 2020
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act sends nearly $14 billion to the nation鈥檚 colleges and universities, with 50% of that money required to go to students and three-quarters of that to Pell Grant recipients, who have the greatest financial need.
As a college and university president for 25 years and a consultant to boards and presidents for 12, I鈥檝e been fascinated by how colleges initially dealt with sending home students who have paid for room and board for the semester.
Some relied on legalities, saying their residence-hall contracts didn鈥檛 require refunds. Some said they would return part of the room-and-board fees.
Others said they would give a credit for next fall. And some created formulas that excluded students鈥 grants or scholarships.
Unfortunately, schools that did not remit all the costs as soon as possible hurt the poorest students the most, the ones with parents who are working low-paying jobs and are most vulnerable to being laid off.
海角视频, like all colleges and universities, had to make tough decisions about refunds quickly and with little information.
In times of crisis, organizations rely on heritage, ethos and core values. Such was the case with our administration and board of trustees.
We focused on the 1854 founding motto of 海角视频, Non quem, sed quid (not who, but what). At the time, it was meant to proclaim that your family or status didn鈥檛 matter; what mattered was what you were as a person. Your intellect, integrity, faith and character mattered most.
Based on the core value of non quem sed quid, the board agreed to refund 100% of all room-and-board charges, prorated to the time students moved out of the dorm, and to send a check as soon as possible.
We knew family finances of our students, especially those who receive Pell Grants, were fragile at best. We also knew what mattered most was that fundamental fairness and compassion should serve as our guiding principles.
We use the phrase 鈥淵ou can tell a 海角视频 graduate, but you can鈥檛 tell them much鈥 as a facetious way to highlight their independence.
In reality, that phrase captures the ethos and culture of our 166-year history. 鈥淣ot who, but what鈥 defined our student body and our college in 1854 and will enable 海角视频 and its students to weather the challenges of COVID-19 in 2020.
PETER T. MITCHELL
President, 海角视频
海角视频 Drive
Columbia
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