In January 2023, NAU will open the Early Learning and Development Center (ELDC) to help serve the childcare needs of the NAU community, as stated in a release from President José Luis Cruz Rivera.

After many years of discussions between the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), professors from the Women’s and Gender Studies Program and educators from the College of Education, operations will finally begin at the ELDC. Rivera mentioned in his email this facility will create access to affordable childcare while increasing access to education.

Currently, the pilot program is planned to serve 25 children ages 3-5. Initial preferences will be given to children of NAU students, followed by children of NAU employees.

NAU also offers a Childcare Voucher Program, which awards a student-parent $1,000 per semester, to assist in coursework-related child care coverage.

Sanjam Ahluwalia, professor of women and gender studies and history, pointed out international students are not eligible for this program.

“Know that there is some recognition and acknowledgment that they need some support as well,” Ahluwalia said. “International students cannot work outside of campus, so it’s a double whammy, so to speak, if they can’t get the voucher and they can’t work.”

An Economic Policy Institute report in 2020 found the average annual cost of infant care in Arizona is roughly $10,948, equal to $912 a month. Infant care in Arizona costs $390, or 3.7% more per year than Arizona in-state tuition for four-year public college, making Arizona one of 33 states where infant care is more expensive than college.

Vice President of Student Affairs Margot Saltonstall said students’ awareness of the new program will be necessary to the ELDC’s success.

“NAU is currently working on the pricing structure, which will need to be aligned with the local market,” Saltonstall said. “Importantly, we will want to ensure current students are broadly aware of application timing and other logistics, and perhaps down the line, consider making prospective students aware as this resource may create new opportunities for some to attend NAU.”

A study by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) recorded there are 3.9 million student-parents enrolled as undergraduates in colleges, who face significant barriers in postsecondary school, and institutions are often not prepared to provide for their needs.

According to research conducted by the IWPR, state colleges with childcare opportunities only provide 5% of the childcare slots that student-parents need. Moreover, even when parents attend universities that offer care, the facilities are less than ideal — many have long waiting lists, few centers provide infant care and even fewer schools offer care at night or during the summer.

“Childcare focused on early development provides parents peace of mind that allows them to focus on their studies,” Saltonstall said. “Knowing their children are not only cared for and have their needs met but also are in a stimulating learning environment can help fuel student-parents’ pursuit of their goals to earn a degree.”

The cost of a child increases from there, and with the overturn of Roe v. Wade, more mothers will be carrying to term.

Arizona’s abortion bill, AZ SB 1164, which makes abortion illegal after 15 weeks, will go into effect on Sept. 24.

“We’re in uncharted territory,” Ahluwalia said. “We really don’t know what post-Roe is going to look like. What does ‘pro-family’ mean? It means ensuring there is childcare, ensuring there is monetary care, monetary leave and paternity.”

Ahluwalia and NAU Professor Frances Julia Riemer published an article in Inside Higher Ed, that found NAU’s mountain campus has a student body consisting of 63% female-identified and 37% male-identified students.

In partnership with the Arizona Department of Economic Security, NAU will offer additional support to full-time undergraduate students enrolled in nursing, K-12 education and early childhood education programs starting this fall. This opportunity will allow eligible students to apply for child care expense reimbursement to pressure their studies. To apply for the program, visit nau.edu/heccp.

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