Professor Calls for Later Start to School Day
Research shows that proper rest benefits mental and physical health outcomes among adolescents.
Read the storyProfessor Calls for Later Start to School DayA survey conducted recently reported that 40% of SUNY students have been hungry and couldn’t afford food, and 33% of SUNY students have been unable to study or focus because they couldn’t afford to eat.
These statistics may come as a shock to some, but faculty and staff in the Department of Psychology began noticing the problem for some time and got to work on a solution.
“We noticed through conversations with students and our expertise as a department in mental health that students are struggling,” Chair of Psychology Amanda Lipko-Speed said. “We know that mental health and physical health are very closely tied… Being hungry is a stressful situation psychologically and physiologically, and it hinders our abilities to make good decisions.”
Last winter, Dr. Sara Margolin had the idea to create a “Survival Pantry” so students could receive food, toiletries, or other items they may need but are unable to access. She brought the idea to Lipko-Speed and colleague Debra Reynolds. With the help of other faculty and staff from the department, they began planning the pantry.
“We pulled some money from our foundation fund, and Sara bought a whole bunch of stuff to get us started,” Lipko-Speed said. “Debbie’s been doing most of the grunt work of stocking and maintaining it.”
The pantry opened in late-March in Holmes Hall, and its reception has been overwhelmingly positive. Supplies have steadily depleted as the team makes plans for future restocks.
“Fortunately and unfortunately it’s been well used. The cynical parts of us were worried someone would come in and sweep it clean,” said Lipko-Speed. “We went back and forth on whether to keep it locked, but ultimately that’s just creating another barrier for students.”
The three are now confident they made the right choice leaving the pantry open as students make sure to only take what they need.
“I’ve heard so many students saying ‘thank you, this is great, you don’t know how much we needed this,’” Reynolds said. “We’ve been restocking with donations from faculty in the building and across campus.”
The group intends to keep the pantry open indefinitely, “as long as it’s sustainable and as long as it’s needed.”
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