October/November 2010
Management Education News from AACSB International
Homeless and Hungry but Still Taking Classes
If you are a college-level faculty member that teaches, you see all kinds of students in your classroom. Some are working full-time, raising families, living far from their homes, or training with campus athletics. And some may be sacrificing a lot more to be in your classroom—including housing and meals.
At a Canadian institution, it was reported that the rising cost of tuition is leaving students without food. In the U.S., one Washington DC student found themselves at a women’s shelter after temporary work disappeared. Another Washington DC student, laid-off from his job, struggled to rearrange his schedule to find a place to sleep at a local homeless shelter each night. In California, a student’s homeless experience, which resulted from job loss, led to sleeping in campus centers, in the library, and on friends’ couches. It doesn’t end there. Another California college student at a different institution was recently honored for his passion for education—after sleeping in the practice rooms of the music department due to homelessness. In all instances, students continued to take classes despite being homeless and/or hungry.
Perhaps you’ve never been homeless, maybe you have, but nonetheless you understand that it is a very discouraging situation. It is the type of discouraging situation that can cause bright students to withdraw from college. You’re probably thinking this is sad and there isn’t a whole lot that you can do to help, but there is. It begins with simply learning to recognize when a student needs help and encourage them to not give up. Remind students that their hard work will pay off, and help them paint that mental picture of a better life. Sometimes, all a student needs is a reminder of why they are in your classroom to begin with. Also, be aware of the campus services that are available to financially struggling students. For instance, some campuses offer food banks with donated goods for students. Other schools have partnerships with organizations such as local shelters, donation centers, religious institutions, etc.
This trend, although not a new occurrence, has seemingly worsened with a struggling global economy and recent string of natural disasters. There have been an increasing number of articles in the news related to college student hunger and/or homelessness, as well as stories that have been shared with AACSB International from faculty at member schools that are making a difference. For instance, in a recent AACSB student blog article, three students from Siena College in New York, USA described the life-changing help that a few faculty members are providing. The students are from Haiti and lost their school after the devastating earthquake in January. Siena College and the local Loudonville, New York community have funded the students’ tuition, as well as provided clothing and bicycles for transportation. All the results of a couple of faculty members that decided to help—and even allow the students to live in their homes while they complete their degrees. The students are looking forward to returning to Haiti to make a difference, from building a town’s first high school to implementing small-energy generation projects throughout the country.
As you can see, there are many opportunities for you as a faculty member to make a difference—from simple encouragement to advice on campus services. Or, by becoming more involved from leading campus initiatives to taking further steps to be sure your students don’t quit school when things become difficult. In the end, you’ll make a friend for life and help a young mind build a brighter future.
Related Articles and Web Sites
Blanton, B. (2010, August 9). Animal houseless: The rise in homeless college students. Change.org.
Gomez, M. (2010, September 22). Formerly homeless, CSULB student receives award for perseverance. Daily 49er.
Mulder, J. T. (2010, July 24). On Point program, LeMoyne College gives homeless college students shelter for summer. Syracuse.com.
On Point for College. A New York-based nonprofit dedicated to helping youth attend and graduate from college.
Turl, A. (2010, August 16). Homeless and hungry at college. SocialistWorker.org.