Basic Needs
It is imperative that universities prioritize catering to their students' basic needs, given that their academic success and personal development is significantly influenced by their overall well-being. Depriving students of fundamental necessities such as housing, food, and healthcare can lead to a lack of focus on their studies, resulting in poorer academic performance and diminished prospects of success. Furthermore, tending to students' basic needs can alleviate the detrimental effects of stress, anxiety, and financial burden, which can negatively impact their mental health and overall well-being. By providing support in these areas, universities can improve student retention rates, since students who feel supported are more likely to remain enrolled and complete their degrees. Ultimately, prioritizing students' basic needs is crucial for universities to fulfill their mission of providing a quality education and enabling students to excel academically and personally.
Defining what is "Basic"
Universities bear a responsibility that goes beyond merely addressing the provision of minimum food and shelter. Students encounter multifaceted challenges in terms of housing insecurity, where the ability to afford rent emerges as a priority that frequently leads to food insecurity. Furthermore, transportation obstacles present hurdles that impede students from fulfilling their basic needs and succeeding academically. Those with nontraditional characteristics, graduate students, and out-of-state students confront distinctive hurdles in meeting their basic needs, compounded by limited financial aid and insufficient guidance. Additional challenges arise from fees, which add to the struggle of students.
This section addresses the way administrators can offer better services in terms of food, housing, transportation etc. Services related to healthcare and finances will be addressed in detail later in the module.
Common ways to Address Basic Needs Insecurities in the Student Population
Food pantries: Food pantries located on campus may evolve into all-encompassing basic needs centers, capable of furnishing a variety of resources, including food, housing, clothing, and transportation.
Meal Vouchers: Enrollment in a meal voucher program, which entitled students to free meals several times a week, has been shown to yield a beneficial effect on the participants' financial health.
Connecting students to publicly available resources: Implementing programs that link financially challenged students with a range of resources, such as food aid, child care, and financial assistance may lead to higher rates of academic achievement and persistence in college.
Emergency aids: Universities can furnish emergency assistance in the shape of monetary grants obtained from state, federal, and alternate channels— allowing students the freedom to cater to a gamut of pressing needs.
What can Senior Leadership do to Improve Services?
The following strategies may help the leaders to identify challenges and improve the services they provide to the students population.
Conduct a campus-wide survey
To gain better insight into the basic needs of the student body and raise awareness about basic needs insecurity on campus, it is recommended to conduct a comprehensive assessment across the campus. This information can be used to make informed decisions regarding the provision of basic needs services on campus.
Establish a single point of contact
To aid students experiencing basic needs insecurity, a single point of contact should be established, perhaps in the student union, where college staff can connect them with the required services within the campus or the community.
Consider a trauma-informed approach
A trauma-informed approach acknowledges the possibility that an individual has experienced trauma and seeks to provide services in a way that is sensitive to their potential trauma history. It involves creating a safe and supportive environment, building trust, and providing appropriate interventions to address the impact of trauma. It is crucial to consider a trauma-informed approach that takes into account the past, present, and future traumas associated with basic needs insecurity.
Foster partnerships
Collaborating with other colleges and agencies can help leverage existing resources and services for students. During the pandemic, for instance, Michigan colleges teamed up with churches to offer food to students through mobile food pantries.
Further Reading
Martinez, S. M., Esaryk, E. E., Moffat, L., & Ritchie, L. (2021). Redefining Basic Needs for Higher Education: It’s More Than Minimal Food and Housing According to California University Students. American Journal of Health Promotion, 35(6), 818–834. doi:10.1177/0890117121992295
Addressing Basic Needs Insecurity Among College Students, Institute of Education Sciences