Almost half of UAA students face food insecurity, according to a survey by the Hunger and Homelessness Support Network (HHSN) at UAA. This rate is higher than the national average of 41% among college students.
To help, UAA provides various resources, including the Seawolf Food Pantry, which offers non-perishable items and emergency food for three days.
Travis Hedwig, assistant dean for the Division of Population Health Sciences and co-chair of the HHSN, discussed the challenges students encounter regarding basic needs. He noted that many students skip meals or forgo food to pay for expenses like rent. Interestingly, Hedwig pointed out that some students avoid using campus resources, believing others need them more.
“You don’t have to prove you’re food insecure to use the pantry. It’s available to any student here,” Hedwig said.
Exciting changes are coming. In 2026, Seawolf Dining will take over the food pantry, potentially allowing for the inclusion of perishable items, which hasn’t been feasible before.
The rise in food and basic needs insecurity is partly due to an increase in older, independent students, many of whom may have dependents. This group, known as the “New College Majority,” tends to have lower incomes and greater challenges in meeting basic needs.
The conversation around supporting students is shifting nationally. As more non-traditional students attend college, institutions are beginning to recognize the importance of addressing these basic needs. Understanding and responding to these challenges is crucial for improving student well-being and success.
For more on this topic, you can check out this report on the New College Majority from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research.
