Recent Webinar: "Using the New CAS Basic Needs Standards On Your Campus"

​On October 24, 2024, more than 300 student affairs professionals joined an impactful webinar on leveraging the new CAS Basic Needs Standards to better support students on their campuses. Co-hosted by The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs and the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS), the event highlighted essential strategies and tools for addressing basic needs insecurities in higher education.

Key Takeaways
1. The Urgency of Addressing Basic Needs in Higher Education
With three in five college students experiencing basic needs insecurity, creating a strong support system is essential. Panelists underscored that supporting students’ basic needs is vital not only for academic success but for holistic well-being.

2. Introduction to the CAS Basic Needs Standards
The CAS Basic Needs Standards were introduced as a comprehensive, evidence-informed framework for developing and assessing basic needs programs on campus. The standards’ new structure and rating scale allow institutions to evaluate their efforts systematically and enhance support where it’s needed most.

3. Practical Insights for Implementation
Panelists shared their own experiences with the CAS standards, offering practical advice on building partnerships, using data effectively, and fostering a campus culture of support.

Resources for Further Action
If you missed the live session or would like to revisit it, you can view the full recording on YouTube here. The slide deck from the presentation is also available, providing a helpful guide as you implement or enhance basic needs initiatives.

To dive deeper, consider purchasing the CAS Basic Needs Programs Standards and Self-Assessment Guide from the CAS store.

Additionally, for institutions seeking a broader commitment to basic needs, explore The Hope Impact Partnerships (HIP). Learn more and get involved here.

Moving Forward: Sustaining Support for Student Basic Needs
Thank you to all who joined and contributed to this essential conversation. By integrating these standards and tools, institutions can work toward ensuring a college experience where all students have the resources they need to thrive.

Stay tuned for additional resources and future events as we continue advancing the conversation on student basic needs in higher education.