I write to address the issue of student homelessness covered in the article, “In the shadows: UW’s homeless students struggle to succeed” by Briana Reilly. Before reading this article, I was unaware of the severity of the issue of student homelessness on the University of Wisconsin’s campus. I never thought a student couch-surfing could be considered homelessness, but it is nevertheless.
Reilly brings to light the severity of the topic at hand and uses real life examples of students experiencing homelessness. Reading Brooke Evans’ story really put into perspective the hard realities she faces every day. Never having a stable place to sleep and carrying her pantry on her back while attempting to get good grades seems impossible.
Reilly then provides a few solutions UW is implementing, including an emergency loan of $500 for economically challenged students and a new food pantry. But these two options have not addressed students’ needs well.
While these options help in some respect, it seems that UW is blaming the students for why these options aren’t making a huge impact, sighting that students never ask for help. But UW is simply ignoring the bigger problem at hand, which is their lack of involvement when it comes to campus housing. These men and women are students just like those who are able to afford housing, and yet they seem to have gone unnoticed.
Meanwhile, the city of Madison has no problem continuing to build elaborate and expensive housing options, and the only grocery store at the heart of campus is expensive. The new Hub is just one example of the outrageous and unnecessary rather than affordable housing or grocery stores options currently popping up around downtown.
Hub Madison II receives feedback at Urban Design Commission meeting
That issue may be more for the city government to cover, which Reilly discusses, but UW is still not using their voice to defend these homeless students. If it weren’t for the student government pushing this issue into the Capitol and around campus, it may have still been in the shadows.
If I were in a position of homelessness as a student and saw UW putting money into less necessary things than providing a shelter, I would be very upset. Imagine if there were specific housing options built for struggling students instead of building a Hub II or if there were a quality grocery store besides the overpriced Fresh Market.
While UW is attempting to make strides in the right direction with the scholarships and food pantry, the administration needs to take more action to allow all students to feel secure.
Kayla Hietpas ([email protected]) is a junior majoring in community and nonprofit leadership.
