On May 29, 2020, CUMU proudly signed on to a letter advocating for student and institutional aid to the senate from the American Council on Education (ACE). A total of 83 organizations signed on to the letter sent to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
The letter stresses that institutions of higher education lost billions of dollars in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, well beyond the $14 billion appropriation for students and institutions in the CARES Act. Although grateful for that level of support, it does not come close to mitigating the financial impacts of the pandemic on our campuses.
Colleges and universities are also significant employment centers and economic drivers in communities across the United States. Nearly 4 million people are employed nationwide by higher education institutions, but many institutions were already struggling before the pandemic hit. Requested aid will ensure that institutions can continue to serve their communities effectively as we all look towards recovery and address the most pressing concerns of today.