ASUM Bear Necessities

Events

Case Management or Student Support appointments can be scheduled via email or through Navigate. 

Kat has appointment availability Monday, and Wednesday. Kat also has limited walk-in availability on Mondays and Fridays. Schedule with Kat here. 
Kenzie is available Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 9:30 - 2:30. Kenzie also has limited walk-in availability on Mondays and Fridays.  Schedule with Kenzie here.

 

Looking for information about the ASUM Hardship Fund? 

Please get in touch with Kat or Kenzie directly by scheduling an appointment (using above links) or giving us a call! 

Looking for information about the FAST Fund? 

Read more and apply online here!  The Faculty and Students Together (FAST) Fund is managed by a committee in partnership with the University Faculty Association. 

About Us

Bear Necessities has three arms of service:

  • Direct Support in the form of case management and food distribution through the UM Food Pantry.
  • Education through our resource library (available in office and online) and events.
  • Advocacy for the implementation of additional programming to support students experiencing needs insecurity. 

Bear Necessities provides support for students living through or on the edge of basic needs insecurity. Through connecting students with badly-needed resources, helping determine priorities and next steps, and providing emotional support, Bear Necessities staff can wade through difficult situations with students so they do not need to go it alone. Poverty can feel like a full-time job! We are here to help students find ways to have their needs met while also protecting their time to succeed in academics and their personal life.

Additionally, Bear Necessities works closely with UM’s student government and the UM Food Pantry (an organization under our umbrella) to advocate for systemic change in order to prevent students from experiencing basic needs insecurity in the future. This can look like increasing access to resources that currently exist, helping establish further resources, and engaging in discussion with on and off campus partners to correct assumptions made about the experiences of today’s college students.

 The work we do is important not only because basic necessities are a human right, but also because by increasing student access to basic needs we enhance their educational experience, increase progress toward their educational goals, and improve UM students’ retention rates.

Inclusion Statement

Bear Necessities is dedicated to supporting & empowering all students by educating ourselves on the experiences of marginalized students & working to deconstruct the systems of power & oppression that contribute to basic needs insecurities among students whose lived experiences are impacted by their race, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, neurodiversity, disability, and/or marital, parental, and veteran status.

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Contact

Kat Cowley, Director

Kenzie Carter, Program Coordinator

Hours & Location:

  • Mon - Fri: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • University Center Room 118
  • Closed for University holidays

Mission

The ASUM Bear Necessities agency supports students experiencing basic needs insecurity, closes gaps in resources for students, and advocates for change to prevent future need.