Lana Oconnell
The COVID-19 pandemic and political tensions have caused universities to send students home. During the pandemic, universities like James Madison University, Chico State University, and Indiana University sent students home to curb the spread of the virus. In contrast, political tensions between the US and China have led to the US government revoking visas for Chinese students, with Harvard University at the centre of this controversy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 13 November 2020 |
| Location | Kansas, USA |
| Reason | To prevent the spread of COVID-19 |
| Universities | KU, Emporia State University, Wichita State University, Pittsburg State University, Kansas State University, Fort Hays |
| Actions Taken | Encouraging students to get tested before leaving, providing saliva test kits, offering free tests, sending travel tips |
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What You'll Learn
US-China relations
The US has also expressed concerns about China's military development and its potential impact on US military dominance. Additionally, there are worries about Chinese espionage in the US, particularly in academia, with rising fears of influence operations in elite US universities. The US government has revoked visas and increased scrutiny of Chinese scholars and students, citing national security risks. These actions have disrupted academic exchanges and impacted the longstanding reputation of US universities as a global intellectual melting pot.
Historically, US-China relations have gone through several phases. In 1900, the US joined forces with other powers to suppress the Boxer Rebellion in China, promoting an Open Door Policy for equal trade opportunities. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, President Franklin D. Roosevelt supported China, aligning with the Republic of China (ROC) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) against Japan. However, after the Chinese Civil War, the US failed to mediate between the Nationalists and Communists, ultimately recognising the People's Republic of China (PRC) as the sole legitimate government in 1979 while maintaining unofficial ties with Taiwan, an issue that remains contentious.
More recently, under the Trump administration, US-China relations took a sharp downturn. President Trump launched a trade war with China, restricted American companies from selling equipment to Chinese companies linked to human rights abuses, and strengthened relations with Taiwan. He also labelled China a "strategic competitor" and revoked preferential treatment for Hong Kong. In response, China adopted "wolf warrior diplomacy". By 2018, observers spoke of a new Cold War between the two powers, and in 2021, the US officially classified China's treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang as genocide.
Despite the tensions, there have been recent signs of potential improvement in US-China relations. In May 2025, the two countries released a joint statement, indicating a possible resolution involving large Chinese purchases from the US and investments creating American jobs. While volatility around tariffs is expected, there is a sense of mutual respect emerging in recent talks, suggesting a potential path towards improved relations.
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COVID-19 pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, universities across the United States struggled to contain outbreaks of the virus on their campuses. In August 2020, universities in Washington state, California, and Mississippi witnessed outbreaks at fraternities and sororities, highlighting the challenges of preventing the virus's spread among students living, studying, and socialising in close quarters.
Many universities, such as Oklahoma State University, implemented a combination of in-person and online courses, along with strict codes of conduct and social contracts, to curb the spread. Students, staff, and faculty were mandated to wear masks indoors and outdoors where social distancing was not possible. Some universities, like Kansas State University, encouraged students to get tested before leaving for the winter break, especially before travelling, to prevent infecting their families. KU was the first Kansas university to make testing mandatory for students returning in the spring.
However, other universities, like Emporia State University, did not enforce testing or quarantine requirements for departing students. Wichita State University offered tests to asymptomatic students but did not require them before leaving, acknowledging that testing had limitations and could provide a false sense of security.
Universities also grappled with the decision to continue in-person classes or transition to online instruction. While some universities, like Fort Hays, allowed students to travel home during the semester, others encouraged students to remain on campus to reduce the risk of community spread. Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted universities, prompting them to adopt various strategies to balance health risks with educating their students.
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Political intolerance
During the COVID-19 pandemic, universities became hotspots for virus outbreaks, prompting swift responses from administrators. In August 2020, universities in Washington state, California, and Mississippi witnessed outbreaks at fraternities and sororities, underscoring the challenges of curbing the virus's spread on campuses. The highly transmissible nature of the virus, coupled with close living quarters, made it difficult to contain outbreaks. As a result, universities scrambled to implement preventative measures, including social contracts and strict codes of conduct, to encourage social distancing and mask-wearing. Some universities, like Oklahoma State in Stillwater, isolated students living in on-campus housing and prohibited them from leaving upon confirming coronavirus cases.
The University of North Carolina (UNC), faced with a similar predicament, opted for online-only instruction to curb the spread. This decision was met with frustration from students who felt that administrators had mismanaged the situation. The pandemic's impact extended to the 2020 Thanksgiving break, with Kansas universities taking proactive measures. Kansas State University encouraged students to get tested before leaving for the break, specifically three days beforehand, to reduce the risk of infecting their families. KU, another Kansas university, required students living on campus to get tested before returning in the spring, providing them with saliva test kits. These measures aimed to balance education and health risks, with university presidents grappling with the complexities of the situation.
Beyond the pandemic, political intolerance has also disrupted the academic sphere. The re-election of President Trump and the ensuing political environment influenced students' college choices, with some opting to study abroad. Students like Heidi Gilman, who had planned to attend the University of California San Diego, chose Trinity College Dublin instead, seeking a less tumultuous educational experience. International students faced visa challenges, and funding cuts further complicated their decisions. Additionally, concerns about rising antisemitism and intolerance on college campuses prompted the US administration to take action, particularly targeting Chinese scholars. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked Harvard University's certification to host foreign students, citing "coordination with the Chinese Communist Party" and a "toxic campus climate of antisemitism." These political tensions and national security concerns led to visa revocations and funding scrutiny, impacting academic exchanges and collaborations.
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Funding cuts
The Trump administration's cuts to federal funding for universities have had a significant impact on the operations of many institutions. These cuts have resulted in universities reducing their budgets, freezing hiring, laying off staff, and reducing admissions, particularly for graduate programs.
One of the most vulnerable universities is Johns Hopkins University, which received nearly 40% of its revenue from federal funds, amounting to $4 billion. The University of California San Diego has also been affected, reducing admissions to its biological sciences graduate program by more than 30% due to funding concerns. The University of Pennsylvania has also asked department chairs to "significantly reduce admissions rates across graduate programs."
The University of Missouri has reduced its spending and cancelled federal projects due to funding cuts. Stanford University and New York's university systems have also implemented hiring freezes due to funding uncertainties.
The funding cuts have also impacted specific research areas, such as scientific research grants and projects at Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania. There are also concerns about the impact on international students, with the Trump administration's efforts to ban them from campuses, which would further affect university finances.
Universities are scrambling to fill the gaps in their budgets, and while some have borrowed money, it may not be enough to cover the losses. The situation has been described as a nightmare scenario that could push universities into financial ruin. The cuts have also resulted in a brain drain, with foreign universities seeking to hire American scientists who have lost their jobs or grants due to the funding reductions.
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International students
This situation has created uncertainty for thousands of international students, particularly those from China, and has cast a shadow on America's longstanding reputation as an educational haven. The US's elite Ivy League institutions, including Harvard, Columbia, and their sister schools, have long been sought-after destinations for international students seeking a world-class education and a diverse intellectual environment. However, with the recent political and diplomatic tensions between the US and China, the doors to these prestigious universities are narrowing for Chinese scholars.
Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has also impacted international students in the US, as universities struggled to deal with coronavirus outbreaks on campuses. Some universities, particularly in Kansas, sent students home for the Thanksgiving holiday in 2020 to curb the spread of the virus. While universities encouraged students to get tested before leaving, the mass exodus from campuses still raised concerns among health experts about the potential for increased local transmission during the holidays.
In contrast, some American students are choosing to pursue their studies abroad due to various factors. These include political dissatisfaction, funding cuts to universities, better career opportunities, and less expensive tuition in countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. For example, Heidi Gilman, a high school senior, opted to attend Trinity College Dublin instead of the University of California San Diego due to her disillusionment with American politics. Similarly, Mr. Kotanchek chose a PhD program at the University of Cambridge, citing a desire for more reliable global opportunities and a more inclusive environment regarding ethnicity and gender identity.
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Frequently asked questions
Many universities in the US are sending students home, including those in Kansas, Oklahoma, Washington, California, and Mississippi.
Universities are sending students home to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Universities are encouraging students to get tested before leaving, providing testing kits, and recommending social distancing, mask-wearing, and outdoor gatherings. Some universities are also offering a combination of in-person and online courses.
While some universities, like Kansas State University and Pittsburg State University, are encouraging testing, it is not mandatory. Wichita State University is offering tests but is not pushing students to get tested before leaving.
Health experts worry that students returning home for breaks could spread COVID-19 to their families and communities, especially in light of previous outbreaks on campuses and the surge in cases across Kansas.
