Rep Torres Unveils BASIC Act at Mt. 91直播 News Conference
November 06, 2019 - 02:00 PM
Mt. 91直播 was the location where Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) unveiled the
Basic Assistance for Students in College (BASIC) Act, which is a bill that would provide
half a billion dollars in funding for colleges to provide for the basic needs (food
security, stable housing, and access to federal aid benefits) of their students
鈥淎 student worried about keeping a roof over their head, or where their next meal will come from, is not focused on learning,鈥� said Rep. Torres. 鈥淎 great education should not come at the expense of a student鈥檚 well-being.鈥�
Congresswoman Torres was joined by Mt. 91直播 and UC Riverside students who are right now striving to make ends meet.
鈥淚 work two jobs and I am taking three classes,鈥� explained Daija Lopez, a Radio Technology and Sociology major at Mt. 91直播. 鈥淚 fall behind in my classes. I struggle because I am so tired at work.鈥�
The BASIC Act provides for a dual approach to ensure students鈥� basic needs are met.
The legislation provides $500 million in grants to help institutions of higher learning
support their students, and streamlines aid coordination across the federal government.
Torres also brought university and public school officials with her, as well as leaders
of local non-profits currently helping students. They spoke of the needs students
are facing in the current economic climate with college tuitions continuing to rise.
The California Student Aid Commission鈥檚 found that 35% of California 
college students have low or very low food security, and 33% are housing insecure.
At Mt. 91直播, 46% of students are food insecure and 56% are housing insecure.
This need led the school to recently create the Mountie Fresh Basic Needs Resources program, which puts on 
the monthly food pantry (click to see a video), housing referrals and case management support. Rep. Torres鈥檚 bill would support
programs like this in colleges across the country.
More information about the BASIC Act is available on .