Daily Lumina News 102623

Off-campus housing crunches are becoming dire in many parts of the country. At the University of California at Santa Cruz, students took to living out of their cars. At Central Washington University, students became so fed up with limited options they built their own house.
And then there's the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities where students were left in the lurch by the delayed opening of an apartment complex. When it comes to off-campus housing, what can a university do—should a university do—to step into a space of advocacy for students?

More than 61 million Americans have some type of disability, including difficulty with hearing, vision, cognitive, ambulatory, self-care, or independent living. These individuals are also more likely to be unemployed, underemployed, and underpaid.
Breaking Barriers: Embracing Disabilities in the Workforce from WorkingNation takes a closer look at the challenges facing workers with disabilities, the potential of technology to help them overcome obstacles, and how employers can tap this underutilized talent pool to diversify their workforces while addressing worker shortages.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in June to limit the use of race in admissions is a game-changer for colleges and universities. Many schools are now grappling with the decision—and rethinking the ways they can prioritize racial diversity.
For a handful of colleges, those strategies include ending the practice of letting students in because of their family connections.

For many students, getting a college degree can often come down to having enough money at the right time.
Austin Community College leaders know this reality all too well. That's why, on a campus where the average student is only a $500 personal issue away from having to drop out, the school is expanding its student services to include free food, housing, and family support.

Federal student loan payment requirements have resumed after a break that lasted more than three years, which means a big change in monthly financial planning for many people. In Massachusetts, almost 13 percent of the state's residents held federal student loan debt in 2022, and the average federal student loan debt total was more than $34,000 per individual.
In this interview, Massachusetts borrowers explain how this kind of debt impacts their short and long-term financial goals.

The U.S. Supreme Court all but closed the door on the use of race-conscious college admissions in June, touching off major changes in higher education.
While a bitter blow to many students and schools, education advocates believe the decision may put a new and well-deserved "spotlight" on the value of Historically Black Colleges and Universities for Black students.