About the Basic Needs Center
Basic needs are the minimum resources necessary for personal well-being, generally described as food, water, shelter, clothing and sleep. The Basic Needs Center works to provide access to essential resources for all students at CU Boulder to support students’ overall wellness.
Our office is in the University Memorial Center (UMC), room 458.
The Basic Needs Center and the Buff Pantry are run by our team of student and professional staff, with the support of many campus and community volunteers.
Requesting resources
Select the “Request Resources” tab at the top of our website, and complete the Student Support and Case Management (SSCM) referral form. You can also call us at 303-735-9938, stop by our office in UMC 458 or email us at basicneeds@colorado.edu.
The Basic Needs Center partners closely with several student services departments on-campus. We work directly with SSCM to process student requests and referrals through one referral form. SSCM and BNC review incoming requests together and determine which office is assigned to each case based on the student’s needs and situation. This collaboration with SSCM makes the intake process more efficient and decreases the number of touchpoints students must navigate to receive support.
SSCM provides individualized support for students throughout their college career. SSCM takes a holistic, non-clinical case management approach to help students address myriad needs or personal life events that may impact their educational career. A case manager supports a student facilitating connections and navigating the resources and services available to them whether on campus or in the community. Learn more about SSCM.
We strive to respond to requests in a timely manner. Be sure to check your email for a message from the Basic Needs Center or SSCM.
The Basic Needs Center can only provide direct assistance for food and housing needs at this time. However, we provide referrals to campus and community resources that can support additional needs. Contact our office to see which resources are available for you.
We are here to help you! We strive to ensure that our office feels safe and welcoming for any student that needs assistance. Reach out to us in any way that feels comfortable for you.
You can submit a request for resources on behalf of someone else. Once we receive your referral, we will connect with the student in need without disclosing who submitted the request or requiring that they respond.
Experiencing basic needs insecurity can feel overwhelming and isolating. Let the student know you’re here to support them and there are resources available for them at CU Boulder. If the student needs support beyond basic needs, we can connect them to SSCM for long-term support.
Buff Pantry
There is no weight limit on food distributed to Buff Pantry visitors. Our staff will weigh your food at the end of each visit to track how much we are distributing, but the weight of your food is not attached to your name in our database.
Refer to the community resources page to see other food assistance programs and pantries are available within the Boulder area. Additionally, we recommend filling out a referral form to meet with one of our staff members so that we can determine how to serve your needs better.
Eligibility
Our programs are available to all CU Boulder students currently enrolled in classes, regardless of financial aid status. When visiting the Buff Pantry, please bring your Buff OneCard to verify your student status. If you need housing assistance, our staff may ask for financial aid information to support you.
University staff can attend our mobile food pantries held once a month. Additionally, we can assist with connecting staff to community and governmental resources.
Using our food assistance programs will not affect financial aid. If you need housing assistance, we will need to schedule a meeting to discuss potential changes to financial aid awards.
I am an undocumented or international student. What Basic Needs Center programs are available to me?
Except for some governmental assistance programs, all Basic Needs Center programs are available to undocumented and international students.
Supporting the center
Thank you for advocating for the well-being of those around you; we appreciate your support! You can share information about our office with other students, classes and departments by requesting a presentation, referring a student in need or by visiting our office to pick up outreach materials.
We provide a variety of volunteer opportunities for students, staff, faculty and community members, including one-day events and long-term volunteer opportunities. Visit our volunteer page to learn more and sign-up.
In addition to volunteering, there are many other ways to support the center, such as giving financially, donating items via our Buff Pantry Amazon wish list and emergency housing Amazon wish list, or participating in programs like Swipe It Forward.
Food resources
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally funded food assistance program that provides nutrition benefits for qualifying families and individuals to support their food budget. The Basic Needs Center can submit SNAP applications on your behalf. Learn more or schedule a meeting with us.
Housing resources
Our staff can help connect students to emergency housing if needed. Please complete the referral form on our website or call our office at 303-735-9938. We strive to respond to requests on time. Be sure to check your email for a message from the Basic Needs Center.
Students can find available housing listings through Ralphie’s List, a housing search platform maintained by Off-Campus Housing and Neighborhood Relations. Students can also find listings on Apartments.com, Zillow, Facebook Marketplace, and local Facebook housing groups. Students needing support finding housing should contact Off-Campus Housing and Neighborhood Relations.
A lease is a legally binding document that contains relevant information about a rental agreement. It contains information on payment amounts, payment dates, what the renter is responsible for, what the landlord is responsible for and more. Violation of a lease may result in fines or eviction. You should read your lease before signing to ensure you understand the agreement. You can review your lease with an attorney for free through Off-Campus Housing and Neighborhood Relations.
The main cost of renting is the monthly rent payment. However, there are other costs that renters should expect. In addition to rent, the monthly payment may include utilities (if these are not covered in the base rent), regular fees (such as ground maintenance), rental insurance and pet rent (if applicable). Renters will likely also encounter one-time costs upfront, such as a security deposit, application fee and pet deposit (if applicable).
Many students choose to have one or more roommates to split the cost of housing. Students may also choose to live outside Boulder and commute by car or bus from cities such as Longmont, Louisville, Broomfield or other cities. All students receive an RTD pass, making commuting an option for students without cars. It is also recommended that lease requirements be followed to avoid extra fees.
Scams are most often found online. Scammers may urge potential renters to sign leases quickly, sign leases without seeing the property or ask for a money transfer or wire before signing a lease. Potential renters should also note the high cost of housing in Boulder and be wary of listings that seem too good to be true. Listings on Ralphie’s List are verified as legitimate by Off-Campus Housing and Neighborhood Relations, and legitimate landlords are registered through the City of Boulder.
Landlords can decide how many pets a renter can have (if any) and what kinds of pets are allowed. They can legally charge a refundable deposit of up to $300 and monthly pet rent of up to $35 or 1.5%, whichever is higher.
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are legally required to be given reasonable accommodations. The landlord can request a document from a medical professional detailing the need for an ESA, but the document is not needed to disclose the disability itself. ESAs cannot charge deposits or rent.
Service animals are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Renters have the right to have a service animal if it works and performs a task related to the renter’s disability. Like ESAs, service animals must be given reasonable accommodations and are exempt from certain pet restrictions.
Students who are unhoused, at risk of eviction, or in an unsafe housing situation (including but not limited to violence and health hazards) should contact the Basic Needs Center. The Basic Needs Center may be able to support students by providing financial assistance or emergency housing.