Colleges And Universities Are Closing Classrooms And Dormitories, Students Are To Study Online.
LEMON: The coronavirus pandemic is forcing many colleges and universities across the country to shut down classrooms and dormitories, forcing students off campus and to continue their studies online, from elsewhere. But that's leaving a lot of students scrambling. Let's bring in one of them. Braeden Foldenauer is a student at Harvard who is vice president of Primus. It is the first-generation student union organization on campus that not only works with first-generation undergraduate students but also supports low-income and under- resourced students. I had been reading your resume here, and you are an overachiever. You do a lot. So thank you for joining us. I understand you have a deadline to get out of there and we appreciate you joining us tonight. So, Braeden, you are still at Harvard tonight. What was it like when they said to you that you got to be out by Sunday?</s>BRAEDEN FOLDENAUER, STUDENT, HARVARD UNIVERSITY: Well, it was chaotic. I mean, we woke up yesterday to an e-mail that said that you've got until Sunday to get off campus, move out of your dorm, make arrangements for your stuff. There is a lot of uncertainty right now. People are trying to make last-minute arrangements.</s>LEMON: What's the mood like? How are people dealing with this on campus?</s>FOLDENAUER: I think that a lot of people, probably the vast majority, are upset, particularly seniors, who thought they had two months to say good-bye, they've got a few days. And, you know, one thing that we are experiencing right now is that it is disproportionately affecting our low-income and disadvantaged students. So I just think there is a lot of concern right now about cost and how to afford it.</s>LEMON: Yeah. Let's talk about that a little bit more because not only are you the VP of an organization that's aimed at supporting under- resourced students on campus, you are a low-income, out-of-state student yourself, correct me if I am wrong, right?</s>FOLDENAUER: Yes, sir.</s>LEMON: So what are students doing to help students who need it, students like you?</s>FOLDENAUER: So right now, the university is offering students a cash advance. And so basically, if I say, look, I've got no money, I can't get home, the university will, say I need $400, the university is charging $400 to your student account and then putting it into your checking account. And they've asked to -- they've asked the faculty of arts and sciences to help cover the cost to reimburse students, but it's not clear that we're going to get that right now. So, right now, it really seems like it's a zero-interest loan. So, a lot of low-income students are worried that they're going to have to pay back the university to make these last-minute arrangements. And one thing that we have done working with the Harvard alumni Association is trying to find alumni who are willing to donate and willing to help. The student government has stepped in to try to offer some help. But I think my big concern is it seems like a lot of efforts to make this more affordable has been student led. And I think we're hoping for a stronger university response.</s>LEMON: So I'm just wondering if -- what that means. You said they've offered to help. That means computers and so on because -- listen, not everybody has Wi-Fi or computer access at home or internet access. What have they said about that?</s>FOLDENAUER: Yeah. Well, look, it's a big concern and there's still a lot of uncertainty around that. I was talking to a friend at a dinner today who said that he doesn't think he is going to be able to go home to his parents. He might stay with another relative because, you're absolutely right, he doesn't have internet access at home. My roommate is from Mumbai, India. He said that, if I have to live stream (ph) in the class, I would be taking class from 12 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day. So --</s>LEMON: Yeah.</s>FOLDENAUER: - there is still a lot of concern around that. The alumni association has raised some money. People in the area have offered to host students, to store stuff over the summer. So we are trying to get students connected to alumni who are willing to help. But still, I think there is a lot of confusion about what's it look like going forward for me to complete my coursework. You know, for students who have term-time jobs and rely on that income, there is a lot of concern. You know, summer stipends where we are still waiting to hear about that for students who have unpaid internships. So there are just a lot of questions that are unanswered.</s>LEMON: Yeah. Listen, I had to work in college. There are students who have to work on campus. They have summer jobs lined up and on and on and on. So it's tough. Listen, what are your major concerns right now, Braeden? What would you like to hear Harvard address?</s>FOLDENAUER: Number one, I think that we'd like to hear a confirmation that students are going to get reimbursed because, you know, like I said, essentially what students are getting right now is a zero- interest loan.</s>FOLDENAUER: I'm really appreciative of the Harvard employees who are working with students to make sure that travel arrangements are made. But it really seems like Harvard's number one priority right now is getting students off campus. And it seems like there's been a lack of concern or lack of response about what those repercussions look like and those consequences for low-income students. So I think, number one, is just an affirmation that, look, this -- whatever cost you incur, if you're in financial aid, we'll make sure that will be covered. I think that's the number one thing that we're hoping for.</s>LEMON: Braeden, are you sure you're from Mississippi?</s>FOLDENAUER: I am sure.</s>LEMON: Where is your accent? That's people always ask me, where is my Louisiana accent, but where's your Mississippi accent?</s>FOLDENAUER: Yeah. So my parents are from the north.</s>FOLDENAUER: I wasn't blessed with that deep southern drawl.</s>LEMON: He is taking me seriously.</s>FOLDENAUER: But I am very much identified as a Mississippian.</s>LEMON: I'm just messing with you, Braeden. I'm just messing with you. Listen, good luck to you and good luck to all of your students. We appreciate you joining us here on CNN, OK? Thanks a lot.</s>FOLDENAUER: Thank you so much for having me.</s>LEMON: Absolutely. And thank you for watching, everyone. Our coverage continues.