Colleges are Looking for Ways to House and Feed Students

Tue, 02 Apr 2019 08:55:30 -0400

"Colleges Are Looking For Ways to House and Feed Homeless Students" by Charlotte West. March 18, 2019 from Pacific Standard.

"Widely reported research has shown surprising levels of hunger and homelessness among American college and university students. Some have been found living in their cars in campus parking lots; others rely on food banks, often stocked by classmates.

Now colleges and universities themselves are pulling together more permanent solutions, often in collaboration with local housing authorities and non-profit partners.

In some cases, colleges and universities are trying to avoid losing enrollment; not surprisingly, students in unstable living environments or who can't afford food have poorer physical health, symptoms of depression and psychological stress, and are more likely to drop out, research shows.

"Higher education is not a social service agency, and we recognize that," says Ed Mirecki, dean of students at the University of Washington–Tacoma... "But on the other hand, if we really are focused on increasing access and providing these [educational] opportunities for students, we have an obligation to help support their success and that means creating these support structures around affordable housing and food insecurity.""

Retriever Essentials is proud to be on the forefront of addressing basic needs insecurity in our campus community. Visit our website to find more information on referral services on and off campus that can help you find security and provide a structured pathway to academic success!