FSD 19-27: Resolution for Increased Aid for Public Higher Education

Purdue University Northwest Faculty Senate

Committee: Executive

Discussion Date: June 5, 2020

Senate Action Date: July 17, 2020

Approved

Resolution for Increased Aid for Public Higher Education

On March 27, 2020, the Congressional CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act provided more than $2 trillion in economic stimulus to rescue essential industries, including cruise lines, airlines, and hotel chains, with some $14 billion earmarked for higher education.

The American Council on Education reports that a minimum of $50 billion is needed to keep public higher education from collapsing.

In the United States, higher education serves 12 million students and employs millions of faculty and staff. More than 250,000 students attend college in Indiana, thousands of faculty and staff provide essential educational services.

Public higher education is crucially “essential” to the functioning of a prosperous and democratic society, worthy of protection and support during and after the pandemic.

We urgently call on the U.S. Congress to allocate increased emergency funds to protect public higher education.

Approved:  Purdue Northwest Faculty Senate

Approved:  Thomas Keon and the Senior Leadership of Purdue University Northwest