April 24, 2020
For many college students across the country, a college campus is the only means for accessing a reliable internet connection. With campuses closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, those students lost access, which is essential to their learning.
In an effort to support students’ access to a reliable broadband connection, the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges joined 52 other organizations in signing a letter encouraging Congress to increase funding that would support mobile broadband hotspots and the expansion of services for students with financial need.
In the letter, supporters wrote:
“Because today’s students who relied on their college campuses for access to Wi-Fi and have now lost access to campus and other institutions such as libraries or coffee shops where they may have had internet connection, they are now facing new and overwhelming challenges to their learning. These challenges may cause students to lag behind in their coursework, drop out for the semester, or choose to not return in future semesters.
The most common issue given for not having reliable high-speed internet access is the cost of services. As such, we are asking you to act swiftly to support today’s students by bolstering broadband connectivity for postsecondary students through COVID-19 emergency response legislation.”
