Squeezed on All Sides: Economic Pressures Facing Berkeley Students

We understand that this is, therefore, not a problem solely of economic circumstances, right, but of the very multitudinal impact that economic circumstances simply help to illuminate.
Jovan Scott-Lewis

Squeezed on All Sides: Economic Pressures Facing Berkeley Students

Squeezed on All Sides: Economic Pressures Facing Berkeley Students | Teaching in Troubled Times

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Event Description:

According to a July 2017 nation-wide report, 60 percent or more of the total cost of attending a college or university comes from expenses other than tuition, and the cost of living for college students has increased by more than 80 percent over the past 40 years. In a high-cost area such as Berkeley, affordability is especially acute and impacts many aspects of students' lives beyond the financial: housing and food insecurity, commute time, mental and emotional health, the ability to pay for course materials, working for money vs. doing research or taking on an internship, time for degree completion, and more. How do we address issues of equity and inclusion in light of these challenges—both in our classrooms and on campus in general? Hear from faculty and staff who are working to help address and alleviate these issues. Learn about campus resources, and join in a discussion about what we, as individuals and as a campus, can and should do.

Panelists:

What we know about any basic needs insecurity, whether its food or housing insecurity, [is that it] has long-term impacts on students' mental health, as well as their academic performance.
Kiyoko Thomas

Key Takeaways

Na'ilah Nasir

Basic Needs Services

Basic Needs Services (BNS) is a service for students to work with the Basic Needs Manager, Kiyoko Thomas, on the complex needs of students. The Basic Needs Center (BNC) is located on the lower level of the MLK Student Union.  This area of the Student Union is also a one-stop location for students to navigate their needs with other university services and meet with community programs and officials. Learn more.

Na'ilah Nasir

Basic Needs Financial Aid Services

Basic Needs Services has partnered with the Financial Aid Office so that financial aid counselors can help students identify basic needs services. Review drop-in hours for students to meet with a Basic Needs Financial Aid Counselor at the Basic Needs Center, Lower level of MLK Student Union (BNorth), Suite 72. Learn more

Cal Fresh @ Berkeley Logo

CalFresh

CalFresh, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or 'SNAP,' is a federally funded financial assistance program that provides financially eligible students financial assistance for food every month.  CalFresh can provide eligible students with the ability to buy and eat nutritious and healthy foods like fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, whole grains and much, much more. Learn More.

UC Berkeley Food Pantry Logo

Food Pantry

With rising costs and living expenses, it has become increasingly difficult for students to juggle the costs of living with the costs of obtaining a university degree. The UC Berkeley Food Pantry was established as part of the campus-wide food security efforts and provides two key services: (1) The Food Assistance Program, which gives real dollars to students who have maximized their financial aid packages and need additional food support; and (2) emergency relief food supply for all students and staff. Learn more. 

Na'ilah Nasir

Nutritional Science and Toxicology 20: Personal Food Security and Wellness

Beginning Fall 2019, the Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology will offer 'NUSTCX 20,' a class on personal food security. This course teaches students ways to meal prep affordable and healthy foods and take them home. Learn more.

Resources for Faculty

Na'ilah Nasir

Create Your Own Open Textbook

Library services can help instructors determine whether the University Library can license unlimited electronic copies of textbooks so that all students in a class may access the texts. Instructors can then upload a textbook's content to bCourses. Contact librarian, Rachael Samberg, for more information.

Na'ilah Nasir

The Course Content Affordability and Accessibility Committee

The Course Content Affordability and Accessibility Committee oversees a pilot program for textbook affordability and accessibility. The program gives stipends to faculty to adopt, adapt, or create open educational resources or textbooks. Instructors may also send course syllabi to the committee so they can determine whether there are licensed versions of assigned textbooks available to students online, and allow affordable access to materials to students who can't afford a print course pack.

Na'ilah Nasir

Ending Youth Homelessness Catalyst Group 

Ending Youth Homelessness Catalyst Group is a group for homeless/homeless youth composed of different faculty members that partner with nonprofits and a member of the Berkeley mayor's office for monthly meetings on community partnership strategies, housing insecurity around Berkeley, and current available resources.

Panelists' Recommendations for Instructors

"Both/And" -- Try to provide students with solutions for their problems that can help them immediately while also addressing the larger systemic issues and attitudes that we must adjust regarding housing, food, or other financially burdening aspects of our students' lives.

Leverage resources available to faculty and students. Often, resources are allocated for students and faculty, but there is little use or awareness of them.

Try not to require your students to purchase printed materials. Instead, try:

  • checking in with your subject matter liaison librarian to see whether the library catalog has what you may be looking for in your courses by sending in your list of readings,
  • searching online whether there are electronic versions available, or
  • contacting the library to see whether they can acquire unlimited user licenses.

Reexamine attitudes on leaves of absences and replace suspicion with compassion in these cases.

Try to embrace the idea that attendance shouldn't be part of the grade and consider alternatives. For example, if participation is part of a student's grade, grade participation on engagement in class or office hours, rather than attendance. If possible, "split" your weeks; i.e. if your class is held on Mondays and Wednesdays, have lectures on Mondays and discussion on Wednesdays. Also be sure to upload and share lecture power points and notes with students on Mondays after lecture, so students may review them and be able to participate in class discussion on Wednesdays.