Ohio House Bill 603 would require the Chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) to conduct a study to assist institutions of higher education and students during the COVID-19 outbreak. The bill also would require the Chancellor to waive interest rates and suspend payments on state student loan programs for up to sixty days.

Obviously, the most important thing for Ohio leaders right now is to combat the COVID-19 healthcare crisis and keep Ohioans safe. However, higher education cannot be an afterthought to state leaders. In addition to training the very healthcare workers that are the on front lines treating patients, institutions of higher education will be there for those other workers looking for new skills and degrees during the economic recovery. We need Chancellor Gardner and ODHE to determine ways to assist our colleges, universities, and students during this crisis.

We also should use this an opportunity to tell legislators that now is the time for our institutions to refocus resources on the academic mission. Bloated administrations, athletic program subsidies, and other unnecessary projects have been unsustainable for years but are particularly unsustainable now given the projected revenue and enrollment losses.