Wow. This thread has so much going on. Let me start with I don’t think anyone in college should be truly hungry. However struggling a bit in college does not hurt and may actually help one focus on their studies and the opportunities having the degree will offer.
I was FGC in the 80’s. I was strongly encouraged to apply to Ivies. I did not want to be that far away from home so I did not. I went instead on a large, but not full ride, scholarship to a well regarded school in “the big city” closest to my hometown. I lived on campus for a semester and 2 weeks only because it was required. I hated it.
Orientation felt like summer camp. Mixers were a waste of precious time. I was very focused on getting my degree. My roommate was not. I was working and rarely was on campus for the lunch or dinner hours for the meal plan. I lived on potatoes baked in my workplace microwave, canned soup, and cheese - peanut butter crackers.
An understanding Dean allowed me to move back home and commute an hour each way for the rest of 2nd semester freshman year. I saved my money and got my own place sophomore year 30 minutes from campus. Even with paying for gas and parking, I saved LOTS of money on food that I was never there to eat anyway.
I graduated in 4 years very near the top of my class. I had multiple job offers from big names in my field. My supervisor at the job I accepted asked me how to motivate his kid to finish UG in YEAR 6. My response: Don’t make it so easy for him to stay.
College is not one big party. It is a time to grow up and become self sufficient. The gap between those two approaches is just one more specific example of income inequality. It will take many ideas to close that gap. Feeding hungry kids on campus is a great place to start.
Schools that are trying to attract the college is for “fun and connections” crowd will have a hard time meeting the needs of the college is “the place to get my degree and a job” crowd so there need to be a lot of options. No one school can have them all. There is a place in the system for Ivies, state flagships, tiny LACS, CC and everything in between including vocational skills training. Ever tried to get an electrician to your house? I just hope my kids honestly weigh all the options and pick what works best for them financially, academically, socially, etc.
I also hope my kids have a bit more fun in college than I did–but not too much.