Indiana University Northwest provides relief to students most affected by the pandemic

Administrators at Indiana University Northwest are taking a proactive stance when it comes to helping the students who have been most affected by the economic and mental tolls of the COVID-19 pandemic. With studies indicating that the negative economic impacts of the pandemic are incurred disproportionately by people of color, IU Northwest, which has avowed an anti-racist agenda, is trying to help as many students as possible with a recent grant from the IU Pandemic Health Disparities Fund. IU Northwest is the most diverse campus in the IU network of universities, according to the university's diversity report.

In a recent news release, Indiana University Northwest explained how a grant from the IU Pandemic Health Disparities Fund is being used to both help close equity gaps among students and to provide mental health resources for all students. IU Northwest Director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs James Wallace, Jr. points out that while the focus is on students who come from minority communities, assistance is available to others as well, "Certainly, this pandemic has greatly impacted our minority students, but we're making sure that all of our students have access to support services like these. All students are encouraged to use the counseling center and we have provided financial assistance to non-minority students who meet other criteria, such as financial need."

Wallace said that some of the funds have gone directly to students to help with day-to-day expenses. During the fall semester, over 400 students received direct assistance from the university, in some cases up to $1,500. One student, Melissa Jones, is a senior at IU Northwest who was facing financial struggles while trying to complete her degree, "I have gotten behind on bills while trying to find affordable daycare for my son so I can go back to work. My job was not essential, so I was unemployed for several weeks. I did not want to push school back because I am a senior, and I am so close to finishing."

In addition to financial support, IU Northwest has been able to offer expanded mental health services for students during the pandemic. The university has also created hot spots to provide internet access to students in underserved areas.