Dear Jonathan Carter,

My name is Brandon Garrick and I am a current social work graduate student here at North Carolina State University. NC State has been my home since I moved down here from New York City roughly five years ago. I am writing you this letter to express awareness about two real issues on campus. These issues do not just pertain to our beloved university. However, there are things we can do as a community to combat these issues before it is too late. The two issues that are affecting our students are food and housing insecurity.

Food and housing insecurity are on the rise across the country in our universities. These issues are on the rise because of the increased diversity of student populations across the country. There has been an increase of lower income and first-generation students going to large universities, more than ever before. In addition, the rise of costs to attend universities has increased substantially. Universities have taken band-aid measures to combat the issues, but these measures are insufficient. These issues must be addressed because these issues can put students at risk of dropout, failing out, missing classes, dangerous acts and more.

NC State has realized that they need to evolve with the influx of a more diverse student population.  The increased effectiveness of emergency housing and creation of the Feed the Pack pantry are vast additions. However, these resources do not get enough exposure and are inadequate to the quantity of students struggling. Prevention and increase of services are essential to combat these issues before they are too severe. Let me expand on how we could proactively fight these issues as a community.

NC State has been excellent when it comes to acting once they realize there is a problem. Nevertheless, as a university we can act before there is a severe issue and that is why being proactive and focusing on prevention is important. NC State should promote the goal of ending food and housing insecurity among its student population.

One idea that should be implemented is a council or organization that focuses on the vision of every student at NC State being food and housing secure. This council can consist of faculty, students, administrations and community partners. The council can take strategic measures towards the vision.

Another idea could be a small portion of tuition can be added toward the creation of a shelter on campus. Imagine if every student paid an extra ten dollars towards tuition and it was called a shelter tax. The shelter would be innovative as there are not many universities that have an emergency shelter. In addition, you can add towards emergency housing already in place, but a shelter would really help combat housing insecurity. North Carolina State University should be an innovative institution, open to educating everybody applicable regardless of finances.

The biggest need we have for our students struggling with food and housing insecurity is outreach. North Carolina State University has some good resources that can really help. The only thing is, these resources are not promoted as much as they should. I am a graduate student and there are some resources that I am just finding out about now. The other day I was volunteering at Feed The Pack pantry and only three people came in. As a community we can improve outreach where we seek what is needed before waiting for students to tell us. I know we have evals that go out at the end of semester asking students about certain things. We should include an eval about all these resources every semester.

I am passionate about our student population and want more resources for students perceiving me. I endured an extreme struggle as a first-generation and lower income student here at North Carolina State University. I am proud that I have made it to graduate school and plan to eventually pursue a doctorate or Ph.D. Nevertheless, students shouldn’t have to struggle with issues that I have had to overcome. Imagine how well our student population can excel if every single one has food and housing security while there at this amazing University.

Thank you for your time,

Brandon Garrick

P.S. this was an assignment for a class. Therefore, take it easy on me if you respond.