“It took a lot of work and care to stay within the budget, and we tried to add as many resources as possible while still maintaining our standards,” said Tara Feigenbaum, Interior Design Project Manager for IP&O’s Planning, Development, and Design group. “We were able to get accent lighting, sound baffles, and acoustical products for the walls. No one should feel uncomfortable when getting the support they need.”

The interior design team was able to optimize the space and add many new amenities to help support the varied basic needs of the students.

A stocked food pantry that functions much like a grocery store has sections for produce, frozen meats, dairy, breads, canned goods, and even a hydroponic farm, where students can browse the aisles and grab the food items they need.

A clothing closet provides students a place to acquire up to five items of clothing articles a month, including casual wear and professional clothing such as suits and dresses.

The space features a lounge and workshop where students can work on projects, as well as taking part in life skills courses and basic needs seminars.

In addition, a textbook rental program provides a cost-effective way to obtain course textbooks. Consultation offices allow students to attend private consultations to receive support for any need, such as obtaining connections with community resources or getting information about the SNAP Navigator program.

The design of the center was so well executed that it is now being used as a showcase space for other universities that want to add or renovate their own basic needs center. A Phase 2 feasibility study is underway to see if new resources can be added such as a testing kitchen, where students can learn how to cook meals with items from the pantry. Laundry machines are also under consideration for donated clothes to be washed onsite, as well as the possible addition of bathrooms with showers.

The center has been a tremendous success so far, with thousands of students already receiving assistance.

“The Office of Institutional Research and Decision Support group put out a survey to better understand the needs of students,” said Feigenbaum. “We learned from that survey that over 50% of students were concerned about how they were going to pay for college. We hope that the Basic Needs Center can help ease some of that burden.”

To learn more about the Basic Needs Center, or to donate, please visit here.

This article can be found in the IP&O Insights Newsletter May Issue.