UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Damon Sims, vice president for Student Affairs, led a discussion on food and housing insecurity among Penn State students and efforts to help address these issues, during a meeting of the Penn State Board of Trustees Committee on Academic Affairs, Research and Student Life on May 5.  

Sims noted that the problem of food and housing insecurity among college students is neither new, nor unique to Penn State. In 2015, Feeding America, a national non-profit network of food banks, estimated that nearly half its college student clients had to choose between educational expenses and food at least once annually, and more than one-fifth had to do so for an entire 12-month period.   

At Penn State, the Food and Housing Needs survey conducted among a random sample of undergraduate and graduate/professional students in fall 2021 showed that 24.1% of the 2,051 respondents indicated they had trouble securing adequate food in the last 30 days and 16.8% indicated they had some trouble securing adequate housing. These numbers reflect a nationwide trend as reported by Temple University’s Hope #RealCollege survey. 

The Penn State Student Advisory Council on Student Poverty was formed in October 2021 as an initiative between the University Park Undergraduate Association and Student Affairs in direct response to these survey results. The advisory board recognizes that food and housing insecurity rarely exist alone, as impacted students often face other challenges, including health care insecurity or transportation issues. 

“We talk a lot about food and housing insecurity, but we don't always loop in medical insecurities, we don’t talk about hygienic needs,” said Erin Boas, former University Park Undergraduate Association president. “It’s important to look at these as an intersection of things and offer students a network of support, not just specific areas.” 

During the panel discussion, it was noted that many of the elements to effectively address the food and housing insecurity needs of Penn State students already exist but require better coordination and additional resources to fully meet the challenges. 

“There needs to be a continuity of care from beginning to end for students, care that is not just reactionary but care that is continuous to be able to increase levels of retention and be able to adequately support students,” said Najee Rodriguez, president of UPUA. 

Progress at Penn State 

In 2020, President Eric J. Barron formed the Food and Housing Security Task Force to evaluate food and housing insecurity, as part of overarching efforts focused on access and affordability for Pennsylvania resident students and their families. The task force completed its assessment and shared its recommendations in March 2021.  

The University is currently advancing a number of new initiatives as a result, including a better assessment of the problem at Penn State with the fall 2021 Food and Housing Needs; housing scholarships; improvements to the student-run Lion’s Pantry at University Park – including the addition of refrigeration – and pantries at Commonwealth Campuses; a partnership with Swipe Out Hunger to assist in expanding the Penn State Student Emergency Fund; and elevated advocacy at federal, state and local levels.   

In addition, Barron and his wife, Molly, personally committed $525,000 to establish the Eric and Molly Barron Student Food Security Endowment, which will provide University meal plans for undergraduate students who encounter food insecurity. 

For students who may be facing challenges with food or housing security, resources are available at every campus. All Penn State campuses have food pantries on campus or in the community. In addition, Student Affairs has staff who can assist students in determining eligibility for public assistance and navigating the application processes for these programs. 

The Student Advisory Board on Student Poverty released its set of recommendations in March. Central to those recommendations was the creation of a new office to aid students who are struggling to access basic resources. 

Next steps 

Sims discussed some of the next steps to continue the University’s progress in supporting students with housing and food needs. He said Student Care and Advocacy, within Student Affairs, is the primary unit responsible for coordinating the University’s response to the challenges students face outside the classroom, including financial insecurity and food/housing needs. He noted the office’s caseload has increased 64% in five years and that expanding resources within this office will provide a greater capacity for addressing student need in all its forms.  

Student Affairs will pilot a new initiative housed within Student Care and Advocacy focused on food and housing insecurity. A new associate director for basic needs case management, including food and housing initiatives, will be added along with two case manager positions. This effort will allow for staff to be dedicated to the implementation of recommendations put forth by the President’s Task Force for Food and Housing Security and the Student Advisory Board on Student Poverty and to partner with the student board to pursue outreach, education and advocacy around these issues.  

As part of this initiative, staff will train case managers and colleagues at University Park and the University’s Commonwealth Campuses on various public assistance programs available at the local, state and federal levels, and how best to connect students to those important resources. The new staff within Student Care and Advocacy also will provide coordination among the various efforts on-campus and in the community to address food and housing insecurity among students.   

In addition to the expansion of Student Care and Advocacy, Sims summarized other initiatives planned in the next year, including the full implementation of the Barron student food security grants; an expanded partnership between the Lion’s Pantry and the Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Student Farm to provide fresh produce to students in need; and brown bag lunches focused on discussions around food and housing insecurity coordinated by the Center for Character, Conscience and Public Purpose in Student Affairs.  

In order to promote partnership and communication when initiatives roll out, a coordinating council consisting of representatives from the following entities will be formed: Student Care and Advocacy; Housing and Food Services; the Student Insurance Office; Student Financial Assistance; the Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center; Off-Campus Student Support; the Center for Character, Conscience and Public Purpose Commonwealth Campus Student Affairs offices; Counseling and Psychological Services; University Development; and student representatives.