Redefining Basic Needs for Higher Education: It’s More Than Minimal Food and Housing According to California University Students

Abstract

Purpose: A student-specific definition of basic needs for higher education is warranted to inform programs and policies for underserved students. The purpose of this study was to: 1) explore how students define basic needs, 2) understand experiences of housing insecurity, and 3) understand experiences of food insecurity within the context of housing insecurity. Design: Qualitative research elicited student perceptions of basic needs and experiences of housing and food insecurity. Setting: Focus group discussions were conducted at 5 University of California campuses between February and March 2019. Participants: Undergraduate (n = 37) and graduate (n = 21) students were recruited from campus basic needs centers. Methods: Each student completed a brief survey. Researchers conducted 11 focus groups using a semi-structured interview guide. Transcripts were coded to identify themes. Results: Students were female (76%), age 23.6 (SD = 5.8) years; 46% were Pell grant recipients; and 52% were first-generation college students. Most had experienced food insecurity (98%) and 26% had experienced homelessness. Eight themes were identified: 1) students define basic needs as more than minimal food and shelter and as the responsibility of students and the university, 2) students encounter multifaceted housing insecurity issues, 3) affording rent is a priority that most often leads to experiencing food insecurity, 4) transportation barriers interfere with meeting students’ basic needs to succeed as students, 5) students with nontraditional characteristics, graduate students, and out-of-state students face unique challenges in meeting basic needs, 6) limited financial aid and lack of financial aid guidance are barriers to meeting basic needs, 7) fees contribute additional challenges to students meeting basic needs, and 8) additional university basic needs services are essential. Conclusion: A student-informed definition of basic needs included food, housing, mental health, sleep, hygiene, and transportation. This understanding of basic needs can inform future research, programs, and policy to address housing insecurity in higher education.

Food insecurity and utilization of campus food resources differ by demographic and academic group

“…A spotlight on these factors provides implications for promoting equitable campus food access that reaches out to and empowers students to utilize resources. While the issue of student basic needs has become a priority, especially in California due to current legislative efforts, these results indicate more can be done (Laska et al, 2021;Martinez et al, 2021;UC Global Food Initiative, 2017). The addition of campus food pantries has been shown to be successful in providing crucial immediate access to food as well as bringing student experience of food insecurity to the forefront (Esaryk et al, 2021;Gammon et al, 2021;, but further research is needed to explore how students use food resources and to understand their experiences in traversing the campus food access landscape.…”

Basic Needs Insecurities Are Associated with Anxiety, Depression, and Poor Health Among University Students in the State of New Mexico

“…Assessing basic needs insecurity as a continuous variable with multiple components provides insight into severity of insecurities, rather than the traditional binary approach (food secure vs food insecure and housing secure vs housing insecure). We recommend developing and fully validating a comprehensive basic needs insecurity scale, including variables previously identified by students such as food, housing, mental health, sleep hygiene, and transportation [ 22 ]. Access to healthcare and other social risk factors may also be important components of a comprehensive basic needs insecurity scale [ 34 ].…”

“…More recently, the need to expand basic needs research beyond food insecurity among college students has been recognized [ 11 , 21 ]. A small qualitative study of college students in California found students define basic needs as including food, housing, mental health, sleep hygiene, and transportation [ 22 ]. Relationships between housing security and health are not as well established, perhaps due to the lack of uniformity in defining housing insecurity, and the difficulty in finding solutions to improve housing insecurity.…”

Understanding the Role of CalFresh Participation and Food Insecurity on Academic Outcomes among College Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Although many factors may contribute to each student’s academic success, current observations of college campuses point to an increased focus on improving basic needs access as a way to support student success [ 24 , 25 ]. At the University of California (UC), the definition of “basic needs” includes “equitable access to nutritious and sufficient food; safe, secure, and adequate housing […]; healthcare […]; affordable transportation; resources for personal hygiene care; and emergency needs for students with dependents [ 26 ]”.…”