If 2020 were a normal year, the Thanksgiving holiday would have meant family gatherings, big high school football games and spirited homecomings among college students. But this was not a normal year, and many worried these get-togethers could become superspreader events. Part of the reason students disobey COVID-19 rules is that their real needs for in-person connectivity aren't being met during the pandemic, writes education consultant and former Southern Vermont College President Karen Gross. Many students gather and party in ways that violate the COVID-19 protective measures (mask wearing, social distancing, avoiding large indoor congregations). These gatherings have led to: quarantines; stoppage of athletic events; elimination of on-campus in-person learning; changes in scheduling to eradicate vacations or campus departures; and students contracting COVID.

A new brief from NEBHE urges states to ensure that all policies pertaining to prior learning recognition be transparent and accessible, that the prior learning assessment process be affordable for all individuals, and that industry-recognized credentials and other non-credit bearing programs be easily translatable to academic credit. NEBHE released the brief on Monday as part of its "All Learning Counts New England" project in collaboration with Lumina Foundation. The brief serves as an introductory look at the need for expanded recognition of prior learning policies at the state and institutional level to include work and life experience. The brief summarizes existing and exemplary policies from New England states and early adopters across the U.S. It also includes an in-depth look at findings from NEBHE's adult learner survey, conducted in partnership with Maguire Associates.

NEBHE and its partners wrote to members of the U.S. Congress calling for additional urgent action on COVID-19-related relief for higher education students and institutions. NEBHE noted that the 260 public and independent postsecondary institutions in the six New England states are home to more than 1 million students, many who are struggling with reduced incomes or job loss. The letter explained that institutional costs associated with resuming classes this fall were significantly higher than anticipated due to new expenses related to regular virus testing, contact tracing, health monitoring, quarantining, building reconfigurations, expanded health services, intensified cleaning and the ongoing transition to virtual learning. Read NEBHE's full letter here.

Despite the American ideal of education as a "great equalizer," a new NEBHE report finds chronic opportunity gaps in nearly every indicator of equity, diversity and inclusion between New England's Black and Hispanic populations and their white peers. Read NEBHE's report here.

Job Listing: NEBHE Seeks Fellow for Faculty Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Last Academic Year, International College Student Enrollment Grew in Three New England States and Declined in Three … This Year Will Be Different

The total number of enrolled international students at New England colleges and universities increased by 2% at all academic levels in academic year 2019-20, according to the 2020 Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange. But preliminary data for AY 2020-21 suggests the total number of international students studying at U.S. universities—whether from within the U.S. or online from abroad—will decrease by 16%, while new international students plunge by 43% over the previous academic year.

Comings and Goings: Conn. Regents Name New Interim Chief, Shanley Moves from Providence to NYC, and Former U.S. Rep. to Lead National For-Profit College Group

NEJHE's Comings and Goings highlights key appointments and job changes in New England higher education and beyond.

Pictured: Jane McBride Gates