According to a 2018 California State University study of student basic needs, 42% of CSU students reported food insecurity, while 11% reported experiencing homelessness one or more times during a 12-month period. If the basic needs of our students are not met, they tend to not perform well in class; they take longer to graduate or, they stop attending the university altogether.
In response to these challenges, CSUN has developed several initiatives that are located in various areas of the campus, including the CSUN Food Pantry that provides non-perishable foods and occasional fresh fruit and vegetables during pop-up events, Matty’s Closet (a store that provides free clothing for students to wear to interviews and internships), and a basic needs coordinating staff that assists students with securing temporary and long-term housing while also providing other referrals and wrap-around services to address housing instability, food insecurity and other needs.
Today, as part of a planned construction expansion project, the University Student Union has included the creation of a Basic Needs Center. The suite of services would house a Basic Needs department and an apparel space for Matty’s Closet. The CSUN Food Pantry, which would provide perishable and non-perishable items would be located there, as would a community kitchen equipped with a demonstration kitchen to help students prepare healthy meals. The space would include a bank of microwaves and refrigerated food lockers.
Working collaboratively with faculty members from the College of Health & Human Development, the Basic Needs department, and the USU, this opportunity allows California State University, Northridge’s basic needs initiatives to be located in an environment that promotes synergy, collaboration, and partnership, while normalizing the experience of students who seek supportive resources.
The university has allocated funding towards the design, construction, and furnishing of the Basic Needs Center to meet these objectives. The USU has contributed funding to support exterior improvements on the exterior plaza to complement the suite’s functions. Your gift today would help create, launch and operate the center and its critical student services.
