College Kids and Covid: Are we getting what we’re paying for?
By Rebecca Andrus
When the shutdown order went into effect in March, college students were forced to finish their semesters online. Many of them had no choice but to move out of their dorms or apartments and head for home. As a parent of three college students, I was concerned. Not all students perform well with online classes, and some of these professors have never taught an online class before. With my son eyeing graduation in May, I couldn’t help but wondering how he was going to manage and if he was going to pass. With so much invested in his education, was this how it was going to end? My son having to take another semester of college to retake a class or two he failed during a pandemic?
Overall, I believe the universities my children attend did everything in their power to help the students through the last six weeks of class. I kept telling myself that there was no way they were going to flunk these kids during a pandemic. And I was right, not only did they establish a generous curve, they also offered the students a pass or fail option in each class. I got the impression that as long as the students logged into class and did their work, they were guaranteed a passing grade. And yes, my son graduated.
My son currently lives at home, with a bachelor’s degree, and sees a bleak job market before him. A college degree is a huge accomplishment, creating opportunities to pursue your dreams and passions. That’s all on hold for him right now. He works at a local coffee shop, waiting for things to turn around. Not the job he was expecting after graduation.
My two youngest headed back to college in late August, doing most of their schooling from their apartments. Both of them chose a creative major. In a world without a pandemic, all their classes would be in person getting hands-on feedback from their professors. They seem to have adjusted well to this virtual way of learning. They both say the departments and professors are very organized and overall doing a good job. I give the colleges a lot of credit for allowing the students back on campus and putting safety procedures in place to keep them safe. I truly believe the universities are doing the best they can during this difficult time, but is the quality and experience of a college education there? And with the high cost of college tuition, I can’t help but ask, “Are we getting what we’re paying for?”