A problem that the average person would never think about is being homeless while attending college. On CBS Sunday Morning, there was a segment on homeless college students.

Back when I attended college in the mid to late ’80s I would never dream that anyone attending school with me was homeless.

Now, it’s a problem that has manifested over the years and is commonplace.

According to /bigfuture.collegeboard.org: the average cost of tuition and fees are as follows: 

Public Two-Year College 

(in-district students) $3,440

Public Four-Year College 

(in-state students) $9,410

Public Four-Year College 

(out-of-state students) $23,890

Private Four-Year College 

$32,410

However, the cost of housing, food, books, transportation, and general cost of living are not included in these estimates.

Subsequently, after grants, financial aid, and other sources of income run dry, many students often end up homeless.

The fact that so many students are actually homeless is a very disturbing statistic. One student was so distraught he contemplated suicide. Fortunately near the campus of the college he was attending, there was a building that could house 6 students. When that student inquired about having a place to stay, the place was full. However, he saw that they young man was so desperate, he converted one of the offices into a room for that student.

Another student had approached the President of the college and made it known to her that he was living under a bridge and there were others living there, too.

This prompted her to put into action a plan where canned goods were provided for students. Also, a farmers market provided fresh vegetables to any student – no questions asked.

At UCLA there is a group home for homeless students run by student volunteers. They even dine with the students living there.

It’s unfathomable that this problem even exists today. Even more disheartening is the fact that many students whine and complain about such trivial matters as changing the name of a college or university because it is named after a historical figure who many have done something 100 years ago that offends them.   

Also institutions of higher learning pull classic literature that they feel will offend the students.  Many times the content of these are books were prevalent the time they were printed and despite this, they are still important works that should be taught today. Some of these books include: To Kill a Mockingbird, Fahrenheit 451, Green Eggs and Ham, The Harry Potter Series, The Catcher in the Rye, The Grapes of Wrath, etc., and the list goes on.

Many professors are injecting political views instead of the subject they are paid to teach. Maybe then students can have a career and an opportunity to be able to pay off their huge student loans.

The problem of homelessness can affect anyone. Some researchers state that 1 out of 10 college students have spent at least one day where they didn’t know where they were going to sleep. That’s scary.

When college students have to live in a homeless shelter, even one set up just for college students, that is a sorry state of affairs of the country.

To all of you protesters who, after you are done airing your grievances, instead of going to your warm, comfortable dorms or apartments with a cozy bed and a full belly, why don’t you try switching places with those homeless students and see how you feel? 

To the administrators and students who recognized the problem and actually took action, we say: 

To see the full segment go to: https://www.cbsnews.com.

C.M. & K.M.