BLOOMINGTON – Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington campus launched a month-long crowdfunding effort that started on April 1 for Ivy Tech’s newly-established COVID-19 Relief Fund to assist students. Ivy Tech State Board of Trustees member, Marianne Glick and her spouse Mike Woods, committed $500,000 total in matching funds across the state, with the Bloomington campus receiving up to $20,000 in matching funds as part of the effort.
While Ivy Tech closed its facilities on March 20, academic courses and related student services continue to be delivered virtually through fall semester start on Aug. 24.
“Many Ivy Tech Bloomington students live in rural areas with limited internet connectivity and few resources for purchasing the necessary technologies to complete their classes successfully,” said Chancellor Jennie Vaughan. “Our students rely on using physical campus resources such as access to computer labs, the library, and the student success center where students receive personal tutoring services. It is nearly impossible for our students to engage with their instructors and peers without the ability to connect virtually.”
In addition to academic challenges, Chancellor Vaughan says that students are now also coping with job loss and thus loss of income to buy food, clothing, and medicine. “We want to ease the burden on our students and help them complete their education, in order to obtain new and gainful employment in the future,” she said.
Ivy Tech’s COVID-19 Relief Fund provides increased flexibility to assist in meeting unplanned challenges head-on in the coming days. The funds are entirely supported by unrestricted charitable donations and gifts at any level to help meet Ivy Tech Bloomington’s time-sensitive needs.
“We wanted to do something to help Ivy Tech students at this challenging time,” said Glick and Woods in a statement on the crowdfunding site. “We hope this gift will inspire others to open their hearts to enable our students to have access to the resources they need to stay in school and stay healthy.”
Make a gift to Ivy Tech’s COVID-19 Relief Fund at impact.ivytech.edu/COVID.Relief.Fund.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
