Indiana Higher Education Commission Provides Resources for Institutions, Students & Parents Amid COVID-19 Closures

MEDIA CONTACT:
Charlee Beasor at (765) 720-0342 or CBeasor@che.in.gov
Jess Nejad at (812) 499-0771 or JNejad@che.in.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, March 18, 2020

(INDIANAPOLIS) – Following new measures from Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb and the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) to limit the spread of COVID-19, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education has gathered resources for Indiana’s postsecondary institutions, students and parents.

Many of Indiana’s public and private institutions have already instituted early spring breaks or moved to online instruction, while some have closed down dormitories and other on-campus housing. The Commission is working with the state’s public, private and proprietary postsecondary institutions to stay up-to-date with changing circumstances, including linking to the information at www.che.in.gov.

“The Commission is working alongside Indiana’s colleges and universities to ensure the delivery of high-quality postsecondary education for students and the state, even in the uncertain days and weeks ahead,” said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers. “Our financial aid support center will still be available to answer student and parent questions about state financial aid. As the situation evolves, we will continue to assess how these changes impact institutions and students.

State of Indiana employees are being advised to maximize the use of remote work, limit in-person meetings to less than 10 people and host meetings virtually when possible. The Commission is adhering to this guidance and will continue to maintain operations, including its financial aid support center, which Hoosiers can reach by calling (888) 528-4719 or emailing awards@che.in.gov.

Additionally, the 2020 H. Kent Weldon Conference for Higher Education, scheduled for April 7, has been canceled and will not be rescheduled for this year.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers guidance for colleges and universities here, and direction from the state health department includes practicing good handwashing and hygiene to slow the spread of the virus, as well as staying home if people develop symptoms of illness.

More information may be found at the ISDH website at https://on.in.gov/COVID19 and the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

A compiled list of the state’s public college web pages pertaining to campus status follows:

Ball State University: https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/emergency-preparedness/pandemicfluprep/coronavirus
Indiana State University: https://www.indstate.edu/covid-19
Indiana University: https://coronavirus.iu.edu/
Ivy Tech Community College: https://www.ivytech.edu/coronavirus.html
Purdue University West Lafayette: https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2020/Q1/need-to-know-info-about-covid-2019.html
Purdue University Fort Wayne: https://www.pfw.edu/coronavirus/
Purdue University Northwest: https://www.pnw.edu/pnw-and-coronavirus-covid-19/
University of Southern Indiana: https://www.usi.edu/covid-19/
Vincennes University: https://www.vinu.edu/coronavirus-updates

Additionally, all 30 members of the Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) have made the decision to suspend in-person classes and provide alternate methods of delivery. Specific details about how each ICI member institution is responding can be found on their websites. The Commission is also collecting information from Indiana’s proprietary institutions.

Parents of K-12 students are encouraged to utilize resources on LearnMoreIndiana.org, including classroom materials, and resources for students and families (with suggestions for each age group) and Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars. The Learn More Indiana blog will also be updated throughout the month, including this post about virtual campus tours.

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About the Indiana Commission for Higher Education
Created in 1971, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education plans, coordinates and defines Indiana’s postsecondary education system to align higher learning with the needs of students and the state. The Commission also administers Indiana’s financial aid programs, including the 21st Century Scholars early college promise scholarship, which celebrates 30 years in 2020. Learn more about the Commission’s Reaching Higher in a State of Change strategic plan at www.in.gov/che.

View press release online here