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CSCU launches coordinated response to student food insecurity; system expands SNAP E&T, pantries and 2-1-1 outreach
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Summary
System leaders described a multi-year effort — funded partly by Stop & Shop donations and partnerships with FoodShare and United Way 2-1-1 — to expand campus pantries, SNAP employment & training enrollment and student-facing communications to address food and basic-needs insecurity.
Connecticut State Colleges and Universities staff told the Board Committee on Academic and Student Affairs that the system has expanded a coordinated response to student food insecurity and related basic-needs barriers, leveraging private donations, community partnerships and a newly formed Student Success Council.
Leslie Mara, associate vice president for systemwide initiatives and sponsored programs, told regents the system began focused work after a 2019 Lumina Foundation grant that assessed nonacademic barriers to student success. Since 2022 the system has received recurring donations from Stop & Shop — $100,000, then $133,000 and $156,500 in successive years — that campuses have used to support on-campus pantries and related student food programs.
Mara described a range of campus responses: traditional pantries, meal “grab-and-go” services, mobile distributions (she mentioned a “magic school bus” at Middlesex), kosher offerings at Western and online pantry ordering at Central. She said campuses have trained at least 1,200 faculty, staff and students to use United Way 2-1-1 to find immediate food and related services in students’ home communities.
Tamara O’Day Stevens, associate vice president for enrollment and student success, described the Student Success Council (launched December and meeting monthly) and its early priorities: better communications about campus resources (Blackboard shells, syllabi, orientation and student-activity channels), coordinating SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) participation across CT State campuses, and aligning the council’s work with a student advisory survey required by a state public act (referenced in the meeting).
Why it matters: System officials said pantries reduce stigma and act as hubs to connect students to broader services — housing, mental health, childcare and tuition supports available through SNAP E&T — that can improve persistence and graduation.
Other partnerships and points made at the meeting - FoodShare: most campuses partner with FoodShare; partnerships have provided fresh food and equipment (refrigerators/freezers). - Dignity Grows: hygiene-product partnerships were noted as active at four campuses. - SNAP Employment & Training: CSCU has worked to make CT State campuses SNAP E&T providers; the program provides tuition waivers and participant supports (books, transportation, uniforms). - United Way 2-1-1: staff noted the system trained campus personnel to navigate 2-1-1’s resource tools and described it as a practical first step for students to find immediate assistance.
Next steps O’Day Stevens said the Student Success Council will develop coordinated communications strategies, refine campus marketing and integrate resource information into financial-aid award letters, orientation and course shells. The council will also take up mental-health supports, tutoring and academic support as follow-up topics and will relaunch the required biennial student-survey process this fall for board reporting.
Regent and regent-office questions Regents praised the emphasis on wraparound services and philanthropic partnerships, asked for continued focus on data and outcomes, and discussed outreach to stop-out students. Officials said a planned student-success summit in May will address communication strategies and that the council intends to incorporate student voice through the Student Advisory Committee as the work matures.
