The reopening of college campuses during the ongoing pandemic will put students of color at risk.

The reopening of college campuses during the ongoing pandemic will put students of color at risk. We told you how safety is one of the qualities BIPOC students look for when considering a college, and as states rush to reopen colleges even with the threat of the Delta variant looming, experts say that students of color face the most “disparate risks of setbacks” when it comes to their academic, economic, physical, and emotional health. Many Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs) are facing challenges as they prepare for in-person learning as spikes in COVID cases have caused them to extend virtual learning. Remote learning had its challenges last year as some BIPOC communities faced a lack of reliable internet service or cultural barriers, but for some, it also provided a “buffer” for those who have “routinely dealt with microaggressions” in-person. Experts suggest that to support students of color heading back to school this fall, it is important to keep in mind that after a year of lockdowns, “the climate on campus has changed.” Many have had to deal with food and housing insecurity, loneliness, grief, and increased racist violence and harassment, and “a sense of collective responsibility on campuses is an essential component to ensuring colleges are safe as the new academic year begins.” (Insider)