Bill Summaries: S778 (2019-2020 Session)

Tracking:
  • Summary date: May 15 2020 - View summary

    Identical to H 1120, filed 5/14/20.

    Requires the UNC Board of Governors and the State Board of Community Colleges to establish the Hunger Free Campus Initiative (Initiative) at UNC constituent institutions and community colleges under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Community Colleges, in order to address student hunger and food insecurity. Allows constituent institutions and community colleges to use the funds made available to them under this act to establish new programs, expand on existing programs, and use community resources on their campuses. Also allows funds to be used to provide basic needs and other essential resources to students vulnerable to food insecurity.

    Requires settings goals for constituent institutions and community colleges receiving funds to be designated as "hunger free campuses" and to implement at least the following: (1) designate a campus employee to help ensure that students have information necessary to enroll in campus meal plans (for constituent institutions) or locate other meal options and resources, (2) provide for an on-campus food pantry or regular food distributions on campus, and (3) designate a campus employee as a point of contact to work with student volunteers. Additionally requires constituent institutions to establish or enhance existing meal-sharing programs that allow students to voluntarily donate their unused meal plan credits to be distributed for use by students in need to access dining halls or to support an on-campus food pantry; requires that the parameters of the meal-sharing program be made publicly available, including the specified information. 

    Appropriates $1.6 million in recurring funds for 2020-21 from the General Fund to the UNC Board of Governors to be allocated to each constituent institution in the amount of $100,00 each fiscal year to implement the act. Excludes the NC School of Science and Math.

    Appropriates $5.8 million in recurring funds for 2020-21 from the General Fund to the Community Colleges System Office to be allocated to each community college campus in the amount of $100,000 each fiscal year to implement the act.

    Effective July 1, 2020.