Getting help: an exploration of student experiences with a campus program addressing basic needs insecurity

ABSTRACT

There is growing awareness in higher education institutions concerning the barriers faced by students who experience food and housing insecurity, and some institutions have begun to enact programs and services to help mitigate student barriers. This qualitative study examines the perceptions of college students experiencing basic needs insecurity who accessed a short-term emergency support program at a university campus in southern California. Students reported that supportive campus relationships facilitated access to the program and that emergency services provided important support that enhanced their retention. Participants also reported a need for expansion of recruitment strategies and reconsideration of eligibility requirements. This study contributes to a broader understanding of how students lacking food, housing, and financial security navigate support services and highlights steps higher education institutions can take in response to students’ needs.

KEYWORDS:

• Housing insecurity
• homelessness
• food security
• higher education
• student affairs

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Dr. Rashida M. Crutchfield is an associate professor in the School of Social Work at California State University, Long Beach. She is an advocate committed to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities through research and service. Her areas of practice and research focus on student homelessness in higher education, basic need security for students, and social work community practice.

Dr. Ruth M. Chambers is a professor in the School of Social Work at California State University, Long Beach. Her prior practice experiences include clinical work with children youth and families, community and policy work, supervision, and grant writing. Her research interests are focused in three primary areas: child neglect and its relationship to poverty, child welfare services and family outcomes, and service integration.

Andrea Carpena, MSW, is a Clinical Social Worker at a community hospital in Whittier, California. During her time in the Master of Social Work program at California State University, Long Beach, Andrea conducted research under the leadership of Dr. Rashida Crutchfield exploring food and housing insecurity in higher education.

Tahirah N. McCloyn is an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW) in the state of California. She holds a Master’s of Social Work (MSW) degree from California State University, Long Beach. During the final year of her graduate studies, Tahirah worked as a research assistant with Dr. Rashida Crutchfield, whose research focused on homelessness and basic need security among students in higher education. Having graduated with her MSW in May of 2019, Tahirah is excited to further explore and grow as a Social Work professional.