One Conference Session Changed Everything

By: Earl Harris, Jr., Indiana State Representative, House District 2

In 2018 I attended National Alliance of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO) in Phoenix, Arizona. One of the conference sessions was on college students facing issues related to food and housing insecurities. I naively thought the percentage would be around 3–5%. I was wrong. The number is much higher.

More like above 40%.

It is an understatement to say this session changed things for me. I worked in public education for over twenty years and helping students continue their education post high school graduation is important to me.

As a State Representative in Indiana, I am in the position to effect change. I have continued work to help students through initiatives including legislation I have authored.

I immediately began looking into the topic to find put where things stand in Indiana and how I might improve the situations of students. What I discovered is that we do not know how many college students face these issues and what it means to them and their educational careers. What I really discovered is that there are a lot of questions that need answers, before solutions can be provided.

How many students drop out of college, not because they can’t or won’t do the work, but due to lack of food and housing? Because Indiana has winter, it could mean the number is even higher. What parent wants their child not only dealing with lack of food every day, but also sleeping in their car in below freezing temperatures and with snow on the ground? A parent’s response? “Come home, I can’t have my child living like that.” Anyone will understand why.

How many students, once they drop out of college, actually return? Students dropping out of college and not completing their education is not only bad for the individual, but also for businesses and organizations in need of an educated, skilled, and trained workforce.

While looking into the topic and discussing with others, I found out that people I know were in this situation when in college. I can’t be the only one.

I authored legislation for the following legislative session and have each year since. At this point, the legislation has not moved, has not received a committee hearing. Following the completion of our 2021 legislative session, I submitted a request for this to be studied in the interim. It was denied.

Frustrating? Yes. But I understand the long game. I will continue to keep talking about this and pushing for us to move forward with finding the answers and a solution. Too many are impacted by this issue, and I am determined to help.