Sharing Food & Housing Insecurity Resources with Students

Supporting Students Experiencing Food or Housing Insecurity

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  How common is food and housing insecurity among college students?

  Financial challenges affect students at every college and university, including BYU. Students may experience temporary hardships due to unexpected medical expenses, employment changes, family circumstances, delays in financial aid, apartment fires, lack of planning, or other life events.

  Faculty have the ability to help students who share that they are facing financial challenges with them by referring them to Church and University resources. The additional information provided below will ensure faculty have the information they need to confidently refer students to appropriate university and Church resources.

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  What resources does BYU provide for students experiencing food or housing insecurity?

  Financial challenges for students vary from short-term, temporary challenges (like receiving fewer work hours than anticipated for a given timeframe) to long-term and/or chronic (students experiencing intergenerational poverty, international students who lacked sufficient funds to attend school, etc.). The university’s goal when assisting these students is to work towards long-term self-reliance. Depending on the student's unique circumstances, assistance offered may include:
  

  • Meal vouchers to the Cannon Center
  • Grocery shopping trips to purchase foods the student is familiar with or items that a student family may need such as diapers and formula that are not available on campus
  • Housing insecurity scholarships in situations where there is past-due rent, homelessness, living in a car, an eviction notice, etc.)
  • Counseling and Psychological Services, especially when financial stress is affecting well-being
  • Referral to ecclesiastical leaders, such as Elder’s Quorum President, Relief Society President and/or Bishop
  • Referral to other campus services, including the Financial Aid office, the Financial Fitness Center, etc.
  • Referral to Community resources, including WIC, SNAP, HEAT, Weatherization, Community Action Services, Tabitha’s Way, Workforce Services, etc.

  Faculty do not need to determine which resources are most appropriate or what actions they need to take next. The Dean of Students Office can help students navigate available resources and connect them with the right services for their unique situation.

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  How can I refer a student to campus resources?

  If a student shares concerns about affording food, housing, or other necessities:
  

  • Listen with empathy
  • Thank them for trusting you
  • Let them know that BYU has staff whose role is helping students navigate these situations
  • Encourage them to contact the Dean of Students Office
  • If appropriate, offer to help them make the connection while they are with you by walking them to the Dean of Students Office

  Simple language can make referrals easier:

  "I'm glad you told me. BYU has people who work with students facing financial challenges. I would like to connect you with the Dean of Students Office so they can help you explore the resources available."

  You are welcome to refer students to the Dean of Students Office, walk them to the Office personally (3500 WSC), or write an email to deanofstudents@byu.edu with the student cc’d so Dean of Students’ staff can make an appointment.

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  What if I'm concerned about a student, but they haven't mentioned financial difficulties?

  Many students are reluctant to discuss financial concerns.

  Possible indicators include:
  

  • Appearing consistently unkempt
  • Sudden changes in attendance or engagement
  • Appearing unusually stressed about finances
  • Mentioning multiple jobs interfering with school

  Rather than assuming the cause, faculty can often ask an appropriate question that may help the student share more about their situation:

  "I have noticed you've seemed more stressed lately. Is everything okay? If there are financial or personal challenges affecting school, BYU has resources that may be helpful." It is critical for faculty to allow the student to decide how much they wish to share.

  If you have concerns about a student but asking a question or engaging individually with the student is not feasible under the circumstances, you can refer the student via the Dean of Students food insecurity website (foodandhousinginsecurity.byu.edu). Click the blue “Report a Concern” button and provide information about the student. Dean of Students Office employees will reach out gently to the student, inform them that someone had reached out because of care and concern for the student, and kindly invite them in for a meeting. The person who refers the student remains anonymous and no details are shared during the outreach. Students are able to decide if they would like to meet or not.

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  Should I give a student money out of my pocket or pay for their groceries or rent?

  While these gestures are generous, kind, and well-intentioned, faculty are generally encouraged to connect students with established university resources instead of sharing their personal resources with a student.

  Campus resources are designed to:
  

  • provide equitable assistance
  • help students work toward long-term self-reliance
  • identify additional resources the student may qualify for
  • reinforce appropriate faculty-student boundaries
  • make BYU aware of potential needs
  • ensure BYU is able to coordinate support efforts across departments
  • ensure support is used for its intended purposes
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  What if a student whom I would like to help is not in a major in my department or college?

  Students should be referred to the Dean of Students Office regardless of their academic college. The Dean of Students Office and other campus resources serve the entire student body, ensuring students receive consistent support no matter where they first seek help. College and department leadership should discourage awarding scholarships to try to assist students with food and housing insecurity outside of the terms of a donor agreement.

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  What if a student says they don't want help?

  Students may decline assistance for many reasons, including embarrassment or uncertainty.

  Faculty can:
  

  • reassure the student that seeking help is common
  • provide resource information
  • let the student know they are welcome to return if circumstances change

  Sometimes simply knowing resources exist encourages students to seek help if things remain difficult or become more difficult. At no point should any BYU employee try to force financial assistance on a student.

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  How can faculty help without becoming the student's case manager?

  Faculty play an important role by:
  

  • noticing students who may be struggling
  • listening compassionately
  • making referrals
  • offering reasonable academic flexibility when appropriate and consistent with course policies

  Faculty should set clear boundaries when or if a student seeks to make them their primary means of support. Faculty are not expected to solve students’ financial crises. Referring students to the Dean of Students Office helps ensure they can connect with various options for support.

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  When should faculty contact the Dean of Students directly?

  Anytime faculty have concern about a student and would like to discuss the situation they are invited to contact the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students Office can assist with many issues related to student enrollment, behavior, and needs, including but not limited to:
  

  • Disruptive behavior
  • Policy violations
  • Student emergencies or accidents
  • Student bereavement
  • Student deaths

  You are invited to contact the Dean of Students office to discuss these issues as they arise.