While civic engagement traditionally looks at the issue of hunger and homelessness outside of the institution, Campus Compact of Southern New England believes that these initiatives can look inward to the campus community to support work addressing issues of student basic needs insecurity and supporting student retention. On issues such as basic needs security, CCSNE works with our member institutions to share knowledge and develop a collective capacity to resolve issues affecting student success and engagement.
Community and civic engagement offices can work to align themselves with on-campus efforts to support at-risk students and the wider community of the campus. When these projects are aimed at impacting retention, institutions can apply to host an AmeriCorps VISTA from Campus Compact to support this work. Our goal is to provide examples of practice and resources to support campus initiatives aimed at basic needs security and to help community engagement participate in these efforts.
