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Students United asks legislature to boost hunger supports, naloxone access and FAFSA outreach for Minnesota State universities
Summary
Students United outlined priorities including increased Hunger Free Campus funding, broader access to naloxone on campuses, scaling the Direct Admissions (Minnesota Direct Admissions) program to improve FAFSA completion, and support for the Minnesota State System budget request.
Emily Hodge and Emma Gabbard testified for Students United, the statewide student association for Minnesota State’s four‑year universities, and presented a legislative agenda focusing on access, affordability and basic needs.
Hodge said Students United will work on hunger and basic needs issues and described her role as a legislative fellow. Emma Gabbard, student body president at Metro State University and a Students United board member, said that more than a quarter of students across Minnesota State universities face food insecurity and urged the legislature to raise Hunger Free Campus grant caps so more campuses can access existing funds for staffing, equipment and food ordering.
Gabbard also urged improved access to naloxone (Narcan), telling the committee she had used naloxone in 2023 and asked the legislature to require colleges and universities to stock naloxone in residential campus buildings and to add institutions to the Department of Human Services standing order portal to access cost‑effective supplies.
Students United also recommended scaling the Office of Higher Education’s Minnesota Direct Admissions program statewide to improve FAFSA completion; witnesses noted Minnesota ranks low nationally for FAFSA completion and that Direct Admissions has improved FAFSA completion where implemented.
Finally, Students United voiced support for Minnesota State’s fiscal‑year 2026‑27 budget request, emphasizing investments in mental health, basic needs, and open educational resources to help students graduate and enter the workforce.
No formal committee votes were taken during the testimony.
