Global Risks, Populists, & PSE Mask PSAs! ???
Today I share some interesting reports from the World Economic Forum – ranging from a graphic representation of the risks ahead in the next 18 months, to the housing insecurity of a billion people, and a 30% jump in youth unemployment.
Also the results of a new survey of 17,000 CdnPSE students, reopening announcements, updates, and details – and the sad observation that 4 “populist” (ie willfully ignorant) world leaders are responsible for HALF of all COVID19 deaths in the world.
But it’s Friday, so on a lighter note I’ve also got 3 new microsites for the marketers out there, and 2 of my favourite PSE Mask PSAs…
Global Risks
The World Economic Forum surveyed 347 risk analysts about the likelihood of major economic, societal, geopolitical, technological and environmental risks in the next 18 months. (The results are charted in an elegant graph.) Naturally the most likely risks are a prolonged recession, bankruptcies, failures of entire sectors, and high unemployment, especially for youth. Other strong concerns include another disease outbreak, tighter border restrictions, prolonged disruption of supply chains, and the economic collapse of emerging markets. WEF
What are they Thinking?
A few studies have recently uncovered global concerns about housing insecurity, youth unemployment, and student acquiescence (well 75% of them, anyway) in the face of a largely online Fall term. But then there are those who disbelieve any “study” conducted by “experts”…
“Fact-Denying Populists” vs COVID19
The countries with the highest COVID19 death tolls are not the poorest or most densely populated, but those led by “populist, mold-breaking leaders” who tend to be anti-expert and seem to threaten liberal democracy itself. Half of the world’s 618,000 deaths so far are in 4 countries with such populist leaders: Donald Trump (US), Boris Johnson (UK), Jair Bolsonaro (Brazil), and Andrés Manuel López Obrador (Mexico). India, led by Narendra Modi, is quickly joining this club with >1.2 million cases. “Populist politics makes it very difficult to implement rational policies that really resolve the issue — or at least manage the crisis more effectively.” The pandemic “hits every blind spot that the populists have,” and the virus “looks for any weakness in our system.” Global
A Billion Fear Homelessness
Worldwide, even prior to the pandemic, 19% of adults feared losing their home or land within the next 5 years, particularly in the Philippines and Burkina Faso (West Africa), where almost half have reason to be concerned. “Land and housing insecurity is a huge issue hiding in plain sight,” and impacts whether parents send their children to school. Worldwide, only half of renters felt their rights were secure, compared to 79% of property owners. The US faces “a massive eviction crisis” in the wake of COVID19. WEF
Young Workers Hit Hardest
Around the world, COVID19 has closed thousands of businesses and eliminated millions of service-sector, entry-level jobs. Young Americans (aged 16-24) experienced a 30% jump in unemployment between Dec 2019 and Apr 2020 – rivalling the Great Depression. Less educated, visible minority, and female workers lost jobs much faster than white males, and have generally had slower recovery. WEF
Trudging towards (Online) School
Canadian students are gradually resigning themselves to an online Fall, according to several surveys of almost 17,000 current and prospective PSE students conducted since April. The number saying they won’t return for online courses has declined, from 23% of current students in April to just 14% now, although 25% of prospective students still aren’t fully committed to attending. (10% say they will ask for a deferral.) As for a gap year, 19% of returning students and 17% of incoming ones think it “makes a lot of sense.” Financially, 72% of all students will need a job to afford school this Fall, and 81% do not believe tuition should be the same for online courses. SchoolFinder
Reopening Campus
Across the country, to varying degrees and at varying paces, institutions are bringing “stranded” students back to campus, reopening some fitness facilities (and not others), implementing self-screening apps and forms. Somehow it makes it all viscerally clear to me when SAIT insists that pedestrians on campus must take the most direct route, and refrain from holding doors for others…
Algonquin College is 3 weeks into their summer pilot for stranded students, and students in Massage Therapy and Welding have successfully completed their Winter term. Based on that success, and Ottawa’s move into Phase 3 of reopening, Algonquin can invite more students back to campus in August. Algonquin
MacEwan U sport and wellness is preparing to reopen, starting with free outdoor classes and virtual training as of Jul 27. Aug 24, renovations will be complete and fitness facilities will reopen with reduced capacity (35 people), by reservation only. The gym should reopen Aug 31 and the pool Sep 7. MacEwan
Mohawk College is proceeding with its plans for a hybrid Fall term. Masks are mandatory, classes are capped at 50 people, and all events are cancelled until Dec 31. Limited food service and some in-person student services may be offered in September, but athletics and recreation facilities will remain closed. Mohawk
UNB’s “campuses will be open this fall following the guidelines of NB Public Health,” and teams have been working to ensure campus safety and to adapt teaching to include virtual formats. “Students will have flexible learning choices.” More than 600 faculty took teaching and learning PD this summer. UNB
St Lawrence College is preparing to welcome their stranded students back shortly for the summer pilot. All staff and students are urged to download the SLC Safe app, which includes a daily self-assessment tool. SLC
SAIT will require staff and students to complete a daily campus access form on its website, to confirm the self-assessment and gather information for contact tracing. Masks are required and disposable PPE must be discarded upon arrival. Everyone is advised to “take the most direct route” possible, and avoid holding doors for others. Vending machines, water fountains and food services will likely not be available. SAIT
Tyndale U has published a 5-phase reopening plan, and is currently in phase B (limited services), preparing for phase C (expanded services), which it hopes may begin Sep 1. Full reopening (phase E) is “anticipated” for Jan 1 2021. Tyndale
Dorms
By coincidence, quite a few announcements in recent days focused on residence precautions, fees, and move-in plans for the Fall…
Acadia U will welcome students back into residence between Sep 2 and Sep 20. Rooms will be singles only, floors will be split into “bubbles,” and students may be assigned washroom stalls. Acadia
uAlberta, uCalgary, and uLethbridge will not offer dorm-style residences this fall, because of shared washrooms and bedrooms. Instead they will offer apartment-style residences, but at a $2,000-$3,000 higher pricetag. Mount Royal U is reducing capacity in their apartment-style units. CBC
Mount Allison U will begin a staggered move-in to residences on Aug 14, to permit 14 days isolation for any students coming from outside the “Atlantic bubble.” Atlantic students will arrive as late as Sep 7. MtA
St Lawrence College residences will be running at 50-75% capacity this Fall, with priority for students with on-campus classes (primarily in the health sciences or skilled trades). Rooms will be single-occupancy with private washrooms. Residence life activities “will start in a digital format.” Move-in will be spread out over 5 days. Global
New Microsites
You MarCom types might want to check out a few of the newest examples of microsites addressing pandemic issues, the return to campus, and plans for the fall term…
Acadia U recently launched a new, highly graphical COVID19 microsite with a mobile-optimized interface. It features a symptom checker, reopening status, a news feed of the latest updates, and 6 tiles for information about academics, student life, health and safety, services, travel, athletics and events. Acadia
Saskatchewan Polytechnic has launched a new Fall 2020 webpage that has updated information about campus access, program status, and support services. SaskPoly
uWindsor has launched 2 “sister” microsites to manage the return to campus and Fall term. Return to Campus summarizes the current status of planning, guidelines for health and safety, and news on the latest developments. uWindsor Together provides students, staff, and faculty with “everything they need to learn and work in an environment that ensures their health and safety remains the paramount concern,” including a news stream, links to COVID19 updates, instructional resources, advice for online learning, and more. uWindsor
TGIF!
Out of the 1,000 or so videos in my YouTube feed this week, from more than 800 higher ed institutions around the world, a couple really stood out for me…
Texas Tech U released a hilarious 15-sec PSA to remind students that, if they want to get out of their parents’ house and attend class on campus, they have to wear a mask. “Masks save Lives.” YouTube
Hofstra U has released several videos lately, from a series of Safe Start tours to a really reassuring, 90-sec demonstration of “Cleaning Procedures on Campus.” (65 new electrostatic disinfectant sprayers and 500 sanitizer stations!) But if you have to choose, I suggest the music video, “Wear Your Mask,” set to A-Ha’s “Take On Me.” Staff, students, and adorable kids share the people for whom they wear their masks. YouTube
I hope your Friday goes smoothly, and you enjoy a safe, healthy, and sunny weekend!
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Ken Steele is Canada's leading higher ed futurist and strategic consultant, through his company Eduvation. He delivers virtual presentations and facilitates virtual retreats or workshops centred on emerging trends, enrolment management, pedagogical innovation, and strategic planning.
Ken has developed 9 new topics specifically to help institutions cope with the post-COVID19 “new normal.”
For more information, please reach out to [email protected]