Students Itching to Return to Campus

Axios: "Nearly two thirds of college students say they would attend in-person classes if colleges reopen in the fall, even if there is no coronavirus vaccine or cure, according to a new College Reaction poll ... The findings suggest that even when faced with the prospect of packed-in lecture halls without a vaccine, most students want to get back to their classes and have an actual college experience, not a virtual one. By the numbers: 65% say they would attend in-person classes; 31% say they would only attend virtually; and 4% say they would withdraw from school." "The desire to attend classes in person comes as students report that the virtual education experience is full of pitfalls: 45% say they attend class less often and more than 70% say they're distracted by their phone, computer and things going on at home." However: "The college experience isn't exactly about sheltering in place and keeping six feet away from people, so college administrators will have to solve the public health challenges if they expect to bring students back." "The U.S. jobs collapse has coincided with school getting out for the summer, and students are reckoning with rescinded full-time offers, postponed start dates and in some fortunate cases, virtual internships. Twenty-seven percent of students in the College Reaction poll say they have a full-time job this summer, while 23% say they have a part-time job. Many other students are taking up volunteer work for their neighborhood or city or otherwise picking up new skills."