COVID-19, Racial Inequity, and Basic Needs Insecurity
Dec 13, 2023
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Dr. Frank Harris, III, Rjaa Ahmed, and Bryce McKibben discuss racial inequities and basic needs insecurity among college students during COVID-19. They emphasize the need for higher education reform, supporting students through advocacy, and creating an inclusive environment. They also discuss concerns about racism, transphobia, homophobia, and the importance of ongoing data collection for policy decisions.
Black and indigenous students face alarming rates of food and housing insecurity, as well as high rates of mental illness, highlighting the urgent need for campus leaders and policymakers to address these inequities and make higher education more accessible and supportive for all students.
Campus leaders should center student voices and involve them in decision-making processes to inform institutional policy and support services, while also prioritizing student well-being and simplifying the process of accessing essential supports.
Deep dives
Racial inequities in student basic needs highlighted in new report
A recent report from the Hope Center sheds light on the persistent racial inequities in the basic needs and security of college students, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report, based on a survey of almost 200,000 college students and focus groups, reveals that black and indigenous students face alarming rates of food and housing insecurity, as well as high rates of mental illness. The data also show that students of color, especially women, face intersecting challenges that hinder their ability to succeed in college. The report emphasizes the need for campus leaders and policymakers to take decisive actions to address these inequities and make higher education more accessible and supportive for all students.
Campus leaders urged to prioritize student voices and expand support
Campus leaders play a crucial role in addressing the racial inequities in student basic needs experienced by marginalized populations. The report highlights the importance of centering student voices and treating students as experts in their own experiences. Campus leaders are encouraged to actively involve students in decision-making processes and ensure that their lived experiences inform institutional policy and support services. Additionally, the report calls for a broader perception of basic needs, including access to Wi-Fi and mental health support, and emphasizes the need for streamlined and easier-to-access resources. Campus leaders are urged to prioritize student well-being and simplify the process of accessing essential supports.
Policy recommendations to address systemic inequities
Beyond the campus level, the report underscores the significance of policy changes to combat systemic racial inequities. Policy recommendations include implementing tuition control measures, increasing transparency around the cost of attending institutions, streamlining federal financial aid processes, and expanding access to public benefits. The report also highlights the importance of universal programs, such as emergency aid and dual enrollment, to reduce barriers and ensure equitable support for students. Policy makers are urged to revive and expand successful programs implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and to consider comprehensive approaches that address the complex intersections of basic needs and racial inequities.
Addressing the urgent need for change
The report's findings emphasize the urgent need for change in higher education to address racial inequities in student basic needs. It highlights the ongoing crises faced by students, such as transphobia, Islamophobia, racism, and attacks on reproductive rights. The report calls for higher education leaders and policy makers to prioritize racial equity, dismantle systemic barriers, and create a culture of care and inclusion. Collaboration between campus leaders, policy makers, and students is essential to redefine higher education as an accessible and supportive system that addresses the diverse needs of all students.
This conversation discusses the report from The Hope Center on the implications of racial inequities on basic needs insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Frank Harris, III, Rjaa Ahmed, and Bryce McKibben discuss findings from a survey of almost 200,000 college students and numerous focus groups as well as implications for campus leaders and policy changes on and beyond individual campuses.
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