The Results

Should the SA set up a Community Pantry to address the student cost of living crisis?

With a 98% majority vote in favour, this idea has been passed.

THE ISSUE

The cost-of-living crisis is going to have a negative impact on student finances. Many students were already struggling to make ends meet before the rise in costs and may now be forced to choose between eating and heating. Students may be forced to take on additional hours or may be looking at dropping out as they simply cannot afford to get to college.

A 2021 survey by NUS Scotland found that: 60% of students worry or stress about their finances “frequently” or “all the time”. A third of students have considered dropping out due to financial difficulties, and an alarming 69% said worrying about their finance's impacts negatively on their mental health.

THE IDEA

CitySA could have a student pantry set up in both their SA Spaces, where our students can come and access free snacks and resources for use during their day on campus.  The pantry could potentially stock a variety of non-perishable foods to suit a variety of dietary needs as well as basic study resources such as notepads, pens and folders. Starting with non-perishable items will, ensure that staffing is kept to a minimum with regards to maintenance and up-keep.  Additionally there are a variety of external sources available that would fund such a project reducing costs to the SA directly (EG National Lottery Awards for All Scotland).

THE IMPACT

Having a student pantry will help students by ensuring they can get a bite to eat on their lunch and maintain their energy for study, it will provide an option if they are struggling financially. This will alleviate some of the financial pressures for students and will ensure they can access lunchand resources on site and will hopefully have a positive impact on student wellbeing and the student experience on site