Student Success Center helps those in need
By Kristal Humphrey, university news and communications
Miami University’s Student Success Center announces new ways to help people in need.
Food pantry at Crossroads' Outpost
The center worked with Miami departments and Oxford organizations to recently open a food pantry in Crossroads' Outpost, 406 E. Withrow St. The pantry serves anyone in the Oxford and Miami communities.
Donate to the pantry’s food drive through Friday, May 4.
The donations requested include nonperishable food items, hygiene products and grocery or reusable bags for people to carry items from the pantry.
Items can be dropped off at the Outpost from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday or 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday.
Anyone in need can access the pantry by asking staff for “The Green Room.”
The center has been addressing food insecurity through its small food pantry — and will continue to do so — but wanted to have something more structured that would serve more than undergraduates.
Ashley Hopkins, senior assistant director of the center, was part of a working group that developed the new initiative.
The working group also included people from the Oxford Community Choice Pantry, Crossroads' Outpost and Miami’s department of kinesiology and health, Institute for Food, dining services, International Graduate Student Association, student counseling service and office of community engagement and service.
“Together, with help from generous donors, we found a way to serve a need very quickly,” Hopkins said.
Other ways that Miami helps Oxford campus students with food insecurities include dining scholarships and Kroger gift cards. Gift cards can be donated to the Student Success Center, 112 Campus Avenue Building, or the Outpost.
F5 Laptop Program
The F5 Laptop Program — named for the F5 function key which is used to refresh a page — takes working laptops that departments are replacing and refreshes them to function like a Miami Notebook. They are given to students who need a laptop to complete their coursework. On the Oxford campus, they are stored at the Student Success Center. Students at the Regionals should contact Deb Newman at 513-785-3139.
To donate a laptop, contact your technical support representative.
Housing needs
The Student Success Center also works to help students who need temporary housing and/or a more permanent place to live. A staff member will meet with the student to create a plan of action.
Miami Cares Resources
Students at the Oxford campus who need help in any of these areas should complete the Miami Cares Resources form, and a staff member at the center will be in contact. If you know of a student who needs help, refer him or her to the form or contact someone at the center.
