Berea College is winning plaudits for the way it is dealing with the coronavirus crisis.
The Kentucky institution has canceled all in-person classes from March 13 until the end of the academic year. It has also canceled commencement. Most other colleges and universities have canceled in-person classes only for a limited period of time at this stage.
Additionally, Berea won’t move to online classes, which many colleges and universities in the country have said they will do when they stop in-person classes. Berea will, instead, help students wrap up courses and assignments remotely, using email “or even snail mail.”
Berea has asked all students to leave campus, yes, but it hasn’t left them to their own devices. It will help finance travel arrangements for those who can’t afford the travel expenses. Those students who are from abroad, or domestic students who don’t have the right circumstances to go back home to, won’t be forced to leave and can stay on campus.
And all students will continue to be paid for their campus work positions – thanks to institutional support and education department guidance allowing it – through the end of the semester, even if they are not on campus and not able to work. Almost all students at Berea work and for a minimum of 10 hours a week.
“I nominate @bereacollege for the best #RealCollege #COVID2019 response I have seen thus far,” tweeted Dr. Sara Goldrick-Rab, professor of higher education and sociology at Temple University. “Look at the acknowledgment of internet issues, housing, and work.”
Others commended Berea for its unique response that didn’t involve jumping on the online bandwagon.
