As the coronavirus continues to impact Americans daily lives, multiple provisions have been made to maintain our “normal” quality of life.

With no definite end date for the stay-at-home orders, college students are beginning to question how class schedules will look in the fall 2020 semester. For veterans who are currently attending colleges and universities, a massive pay cut to their basic housing allowance is in jeopardy. For a veteran student to qualify for full basic housing allowance (roughly $1,620 at UNCC), they need to attend one on-campus class a semester.

If veteran students are required by the government and universities to attend only online classes, their Post-9/11 G.I. benefits will decrease to $894.50 per month. This massive pay cut is considered collateral damage to state officials who believe the only method to contain the coronavirus is zero contact.

Instead of planning a strategic and safe plan for students to social distance on a massive campus, state officials and chancellors are considering the easy approach of no-contact policies.

While the dangers of the coronavirus are very real, strategies need to be developed to give veterans and other students an opportunity to successfully learn within a classroom. The benefits of in-person instruction in higher education facilities is a topic neglected by government officials.

We need to talk about the future of America’s future. The only current issue that seems to be highlighted on with colleges and universities is student’s inability to walk across stage this spring. Let’s talk about it.

— April Zahlman

Salisbury