Editor’s Note: Due to COVID-19, TommieMedia staff members are working remotely. This is a special News in :90 report from Emily’s home in Fairmont, Minn.
Across Wisconsin, voters lined up to cast ballots Tuesday, ignoring a stay-at-home order in the midst of a pandemic to participate in the state’s presidential primary election.
The lines were particularly long in Milwaukee, the state’s largest city and a Democratic stronghold, where just five of 180 traditional polling places were open. Many voters across the state did not have facial coverings in line with public health recommendations.
Democrats in and out of Wisconsin screamed for the low-profile contest to be postponed, yet Republicans — and the conservative-majority state Supreme Court — would not give in. The partisan split was colored by a state Supreme Court election in which a lower turnout was thought to benefit the conservative candidate.
While President Trump’s health advisers encouraged all Americans to stay home, Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman Andrew Hitt downplayed the health concerns. The state had reported nearly 2,500 coronavirus infections and 77 related deaths as of Monday night.
Colleges across the nation are scrambling to close deep budget holes and some have been pushed to the brink of collapse after the coronavirus outbreak triggered financial losses that could total more than $100 million at some institutions.
Scores of colleges say they’re taking heavy hits as they refund money to students for housing, dining and parking after campuses closed last month. Many schools are losing millions more in ticket sales after athletic seasons were cut short, and some say huge shares of their reserves have been wiped out amid wild swings in the stock market.
Yet college leaders say that’s only the start of their troubles: Even if campuses reopen this fall, many worry large numbers of students won’t return. There’s widespread fear that an economic downturn will leave many Americans unable to afford tuition.
At. St. Thomas, the Vice President of Financial Affairs Derek Nauman said the Undergraduate Student Government has donated $75,000 of funds that would have typically gone to on-campus events that are now canceled towards the Student Affairs emergency fund.
As of the April 2 meeting, 169 requests have been made by students for assistance through the emergency fund, according to Patricia Conde-Brooks, executive director for campus inclusion & community and USG co-adviser.
“Sometimes it’s really hard to ask for help, especially financial help,” Student Body President Logan Monahan said. “If any of you are struggling, that fund is there for you.”
The university has been reaching out to alumni and donors to donate to the emergency relief fund, and Nauman noted over $20,000 was donated so far. University Development and Alumni Relations has shifted all fundraising efforts towards the emergency fund.
After St. Thomas moved classes online in response to COVID-19 and the state of Minnesota issued a stay-at-home order, St. Thomas students are learning to adjust to a different life.
TommieMedia staffers are blogging about the reality of online learning and social distancing. Reporter Burke Spizale and Opinions Editor Maddie Peters wrote the two latest pieces on TommieMedia.
Emily Haugen can be reached at haug7231@stthomas.edu.