Industry News


A rendering of a parking structure, which is among the 16 campus facilities slated for solar panel installation at Emory University. Source: Cherry Street Energy

Emory Adding 15,000 Solar Panels

The Atlanta-based institution will be installing more than 15,000 solar panels on 16 campus buildings. That represents 5.5 megawatts of solar generation, enough to produce about a tenth of the university's peak energy requirements.

Reopening

College Presidents Say a Fall Opening Is Likely, According to Survey

Three-hundred and ten presidents responded to the survey on topics such as “their current plans for the fall, including actions they may require to consider reopening campus, the impact of the pandemic on future revenue, and the projected impact on fall enrollment numbers.”

Online Learning

Florida School District Provides Free Online Kindergarten-Readiness Program

About 500 Pre-K students at Escambia County School District will have access to a free online summer education program designed to help children make up for lost learning due to the coronavirus.

Construction

Binghamton U Puts Most Construction on Hold During Virus Closures

Directions issued by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in late March suspended all non-essential construction activity in New York, leaving universities and colleges scrambling to put construction projects on hold in a manner that would allow them to pick up the work when closures have been lifted. At Binghamton University, part of the State University of New York system, that affected numerous building sites.

Construction

Construction Workers Get Back to Work at U Michigan

Construction sites in Michigan that were under state shutdown orders are starting work again — including at the University of Michigan. The institution has begun working with state officials to crank up activities on multiple projects, including new construction and renovation and addition work.

Safely Reopening

Baylor Fall Planning Heavy on Flexibility

Although Baylor University intends to return to in-person classes in the fall, the Texas institution said that doesn't mean it's planning for a "normal start."

COVID-19

Appalachian State Announces 16 Cases of COVID-19 Among Construction Workers

Appalachian State University recently learned that 16 subcontracted workers have tested positive for COVID-19.

Ohio Community College Launches Tuition Assistance Program

Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) in Cleveland, Ohio will cover tuition for students facing financial hardship due to COVID-19.

Reopening Schools

Montana School Reopens With Safety Measures

Students at Willow Creek School in Montana returned to school on Thursday. The school, which serves between 50-60 students in grades K-12, is one of the first in the United States to reopen after schools closed in March.

Illinois State Board of Education Issues Guidance on Graduation Ceremonies

The board strongly encourages districts to hold digital events and to use social media to highlight graduates with hashtags and messages. The board will allow in-person graduation events including “drive-in” and “drive-through” ceremonies.



Reopening Schools

DISD Superintendent: “Highly doubtful” of return to regular school days in August

Dallas Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa laid out several possibilities for classes in August.

Awards & Recognition

Entries Now Open for New Product of the Year Award

Spaces4Learning has opened its 2020 New Product of the Year award program. Each year, the program recognizes new and emerging products and technologies for the outstanding contributions they make to K–12 and higher education.

Business

Michigan Community Colleges See Decline in Summer Enrollment

Michigan community colleges are seeing a decline in summer enrollment, an indication of what’s to come in the fall.

Food Service

Houston ISD and Houston Food Bank Distribute Food to More Than 4,000 Cars

Houston ISD and Houston Food Bank officials handed out 90,000 pounds of food at NRG Stadium on Saturday, April 18.

Grant

IIE to Provide Emergency Funding for International Students

The organization is calling IIE Network Member institutions to nominate international students who are not able to return to their home countries over the summer due to COVID-19 for a grant of up to $2,500.

Contingency Planning

Boston University Plans for Possible Delay of Fall Semester

Boston University is planning for the possibility that the fall term might have to be delayed and instead reopened in January 2021.

Construction

New Jersey Halts Construction Except for Schools, Hospitals, and Other Projects

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced the indefinite halt to non-essential construction, effective April 10 at 8 p.m. The new executive order tightens restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Fabricate, the new carpet collection by designer Jhane Barnes.

Flooring

Tarkett Launches New Carpet Collection by Designer Jhane Barnes

Tarkett, a flooring and sports surface solutions company, launched a new carpet collection in partnership with menswear designer Jhane Barnes.

COVID-19 & Cleaning

CIRI Science Symposium Focuses on Coronavirus Cleaning and Response

The Cleaning Industry Research Institute (CIRI) will host an all-day online science symposium focused on coronavirus cleaning and pandemic response on March 31.