1. Basic Needs Security as a Student Success Strategy
October 25, 2018
Basic Needs Security as a Student Success Strategy
Academic & Student Affairs Fall Conference

2. Presenters
Maya Sullivan, Interim Dean of Students Metropolitan State University Becky Nordin, Dean of Students Minneapolis College Brad Krasaway, Director of Student Development Rainy River Community College Paul Shepherd, System Director for Student Development & Success Minnesota State System Office

3. Goals for this Session
Provide a context for basic needs security work in national research and theoretical perspectives.
Share information about the origin of basic needs security work at the system level and progress made.
Discuss practices implemented across the Minnesota State system addressing basic needs security.
Identify practical action steps to advance basic needs security work across Minnesota State.
Paul

4. Minnesota State Academic and Student Affairs Strategic Vision
To be a national higher education leader in transforming systems and practices to improve student outcomes, eliminate educational disparities, and meet Minnesota’s workforce needs.
This means:
We will be known nationally as a division and system that are continually evolving, and one that embraces and thrives on creating new and more effective ways to educate and serve students and meet the needs of our business, industry, and civic communities across the state.
We will pursue intentional, equity-focused, and evidence-based solutions to address the problems of today and tomorrow.
We will sustain rigor in our work – holding high standards and expectations of ourselves, our students, and our partners.
We will approach our work with intentionality and compassion: we will work with integrity, humility and caring, accepting people where they are and moving them forward.
Minnesota State Academic and Student Affairs Strategic Vision
To be a national leader in transforming higher education systems and practices to improve student outcomes and
eliminate disparities.
Paul

5. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Becky
Imagine from

6. Pervasiveness of Basic Needs Insecurity
Just 41% of community college students and 48% of university students were completely secure, never experiencing food or housing insecurity or homelessness during the past year.
Prior to 2011, only two national studies were conducted related to basic needs security. Since that time, over 20 national studies have contributed to the understanding of basic needs insecurity among college and university students.
The College and University Food Bank Alliance had 12 institutional members in Today, membership in CUFBA is 591.
Becky
Hope Center, 2018

7. Disproportionate Impact
Basic needs insecurity has a disproportionate impact on student traditionally underrepresented and underserved in higher education
African American/Black students 17% more likely than white students to experience food and housing insecurity.
Native American students were at greatest risk of homelessness.
LGBTQIA+ students were at greater risk of basic needs insecurity
Pell Grant recipients were at greater risk of basic need insecurity.
Student-parents were at greater risk of basic needs insecurity
Veterans are at greater risk of housing insecurity and homelessness
Maya
Hope Center, 2018

8. Basic Needs Insecurity & Student Success
Research has found basic needs insecurity is correlated with:
Lower grades
Lower rates of completion, persistence, and credit attainment
Poorer self-reported physical and mental health
Among students receiving D’s and F’s in college, more then 50% were food insecure and 55% were housing insecure.
Students experiencing basic needs insecurity exhibited similar levels of commitment to college compared to students who were not struggling.
Brad
Hope Center, 2018

9. Minnesota State Identification of Basic Needs
Child Care
Financial Emergency Benefits
Food
Housing
Mental Health
Transportation
Paul – what do we think are the most identified basic needs from students.
Child Care – Students report difficulty in finding affordable child care. Several colleges offering child care programs in the past have cut these programs because of high costs. Lack of affordable child care has a disparate impact on students who are single parents or do not have the support structure in place to provide child care while the student is in class.
Financial Emergency Benefits – These programs offer financial resources to help students temporarily cover costs such as rent and other bills in cases of financial emergency such as loss of income or other emergency situations.
Food – Students have expressed a need for access to food shelf programs to secure enough food to support themselves and family members. Access to affordable on campus dining options is viewed as a benefit.
Housing – Students have expressed a need for resources to assist in finding adequate housing with affordable rent and easy access to the campus. Affordable campus housing when available is viewed as a benefit.
Mental Health – Campuses consistently make referrals for ongoing mental health needs to off campus providers; however, administrators report an increase in expressed need for additional mental health services related to ongoing counseling and medication management.
Transportation – Students have expressed a need for reliable and convenient transportation. Rural areas without public transportation struggle to provide for this expressed need.

10. Basic Needs Security Work in Minnesota State
Campus leaders throughout Minnesota State have taken steps to address student needs and lessen barriers to success for students who lack access to basic needs.
Assessment of current practices is needed to measure effectiveness and impact.
Resources must be provided to help colleges and universities implement basic needs support services.
Advancements in basic needs support positively impact student outcomes and the elimination of educational disparities.
This effort will require innovative thinking and high levels of collaboration to transform the student experience for ALL students.
Paul

11. Recent Actions Taken to Support Basic Needs Work
A Luoma Action Learning Team conducted critical background research on regional and national practices leading to resource development.
14 colleges and universities are participating in the HOPE Center for College, Community, and Justice basic needs security survey.
Clare Cady, Director of Research Application and Founder of the College and University Food Bank Alliance will keynote ASA fall conference.
Paul - Maya

12. Basic Needs Security Work at Metro Area Colleges
Crisis response
Counseling
Group opportunity– parenting, re-entry, survivor
Food insecurities – pantry and snack packs
Housing referrals
Transportation
Lockers 
Legal services
Live Wireless
Emergency funds
Parenting Center
Campus Health Clinic
CCAMPIS
Collegiate Recovery Program
Community partnerships  MNSURE, SNAP, faith based community
Community drives – back to school, thanksgiving, toys for tots
Becky

13. Basic Needs Security Work at Greater MN Colleges
Crisis response
Counseling 
Friends Against Abuse (OFP, Supervised visitation, Legal Aid, Advocacy, Educational and Support Groups)  
Childcare initiative 
Rural Health Care Initiative 
Chemical Dependency in & out patient 
Workforce Center (DEED, NEMOJT, AEOA) 
Food Pantry 
Financial Planning Counseling 
Servants of Shelter 
Rural Rides (Transportation assistance) 
Emergency funds
Community partnerships: MNSURE, SNAP, faith based community, Service Agencies 
Community drives – back to school, Appliance Collection, Rainyexpereincegiving, Learning Tree, Coat Drive 
Brad

14. Basic Needs Security Work at Universities
Counseling
Food insecurities – pantry and "grab and go" items
Housing referrals
Transportation
Emergency funds
Parent Center and related services
Collegiate Recovery Program
Community partnerships: Ramsey County, City of St. Paul
Community drives – winter gift/toy drive and distribution
Maya

15. Basic Needs Security Workshop
Table Discussion Activity
Each table will receive a particular basic need to discuss.
Discuss how the basic need could be addressed & scaled at various institution types in our system (rural/metro, college/university, residential/non-residential, etc.)
Identify partnership opportunities to explore in the delivery of the basic need intervention.
Discuss methods to evaluate the success of the basic need intervention.
Maya

16. Final Thoughts
When we assess student's academic progress, reflect on what we are actually assessing.  Is it their academic ability and dedication or is it their access to basic human needs?
What opportunities do we have as #MinnStateLeaders to further engage in innovative strategies to address basic needs security?
What are your thoughts?
Questions?
Paul