DENVER – A surge in student demand is prompting Metropolitan State University of Denver to bolster support at Rowdy’s Corner, the campus food pantry. Faced with a nearly 70% increase in usage last semester, the university is partnering with MBA students to develop a long-term sustainability plan for the vital resource.
Rowdy’s Corner provides a critical lifeline for students facing food insecurity, offering basic nutritional food, snacks, and pantry staples. “I’ve been using Rowdy’s Corner for almost three years now and it really just provides peace of mind and a stress-free place where I recognize that I can get food on a hard day and notice welcoming people and just get what I need,” said Chase Jurgaitis, an MSU Denver student.
To address the growing demand, 35 graduate students in Professor Paul Anderson’s course on Integrative and Strategic Perspectives of Organizations are acting as business consultants, crafting a three-to-five-year plan to ensure the pantry can continue to serve the student body. The project emphasizes a “triple bottom line” approach, considering not just financial sustainability, but also the environmental and social impact of the pantry’s operations.
“In business, we look at like the triple bottom line, not just the profit, but the planet and the people,” explained Professor Anderson. “This is a great opportunity for these capstone students to really take something that’s viable from a curriculum perspective, and then take it to another level, which would be serving their people, their communities and society as a greater whole.”
Developing a Strategic Roadmap
The MBA students are divided into four groups, each tasked with developing a comprehensive proposal. These plans will include detailed research, executive summaries, and step-by-step guides for the pantry’s future operations. According to Anderson, the proposals, expected to be 30 to 40 pages in length, will be delivered to Rowdy’s Corner leadership the following week.
The timing of this initiative is crucial, as broader economic factors are contributing to increased food insecurity among college students. “There’s definitely been some changes with SNAP benefits and just food insecurity in general in the last six months, and that’s also part of like the strategic plan which is to allow Rowdy’s Corner to be able to forecast some of those changes into the future,” Anderson said. “Also thinking about the geopolitical landscape, legal landscape, technological landscapes.”
The students’ perform will also consider technological solutions and the evolving landscape of food assistance programs. The ultimate goal is to equip Rowdy’s Corner with the tools and forecasting capabilities needed to adapt to future challenges and continue providing essential support to MSU Denver students.
Addressing a Growing Need
Rowdy’s Corner, overseen by the Health Center at Auraria, is committed to providing a welcoming and dignified experience for all students, offering a range of food options to accommodate dietary restrictions and cultural preferences. The pantry strives to source products locally and regionally, providing nutritious and culturally relevant food choices, including vegan, vegetarian, Halal, and Kosher options. More information about Rowdy’s Corner can be found on the MSU Denver website.
The increase in demand at Rowdy’s Corner reflects a national trend of rising food insecurity among college students. The MBA students’ sustainability plan aims to ensure the pantry can continue to meet this growing need and support the well-being of the MSU Denver community. “The outcome is for the long-term sustainability of Rowdy’s Corner. So being able to serve the students, being able to adjust the long-term sustainability of Rowdy’s Corner and ensure that they’re equipped with the tools and the forecasting to be able to grow MSU Denver,” Anderson stated.
As the proposals are reviewed and implemented, Rowdy’s Corner will be better positioned to navigate the challenges ahead and continue serving as a vital resource for students facing food insecurity.
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