The CINO Pantry, a resource on campus for students in need of necessary supplies like food or hygiene products, has undergone new policy changes.
This resource program was created to help reduce hunger and increase nutrition at Coastal Carolina University, according to Coastal’s website.
Historically, students could access the pantry at will. Students are now required to register through a QR code to use the pantry. After registering, students receive 30 points to spend per month, and points reset every month. The points can be used all at once or over the course of the month, and students can access more points if necessary.
Matthew Schur is the assistant dean for Student Empowerment and Advocacy, which is housed under the Dean of Students Office to help students overcome barriers to success. He said this new policy is the result of students taking excessive amounts of supplies, leaving few things for other students in need. This recent change raised concerns regarding the privacy of students who utilize the pantry services.
“All information concerning the pantry, concerning registration, stays within the Dean of Students Office or within the university if there is a need to know,” Schur said.
However, students are still guaranteed privacy protection under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Schur said the registration can gauge why students use the pantry in the first place.
“It doesn’t charge an individual, but it allows us to actually build an inventory system, so we know what’s available, what’s being used, what’s popular, what we need to focus on for purchases for the month, because needs change from month to month,” Shur said.
This is the first academic year the Dean of Students Office has overseen the pantry. Well over 3,000 students have been served this academic year so far. Some students may not be aware of the resources available through the CINO Pantry. Gaven Mayo, coordinator for Student Empowerment and Advocacy, said lack of awareness may lead to the pantry being underutilized.
“I’ve met a few students that weren’t even aware that we had a pantry. So as soon as I tell them about it, you know, they’re up here getting things they need,” Mayo said.
Mayo emphasized this point in the case of local, non-traditional students who commute to the university daily.
Stephanie Southworth, assistant professor of sociology, has seen other food pantries around Conway struggle with similar product shortages faced by the CINO Pantry. Southworth said potential reasons for food scarcity include increasing grocery prices and less availability of resources throughout South Carolina. Fewer items are being donated because individuals cannot afford it.
Southworth believes CCU students should have unlimited access to the CINO Pantry.
“It’s hard for people when they need food for whatever reason; if they’re hungry, if they feel like they need to stock up, it’s hard for them to go there,” Southworth said. “For the most part, people aren’t cheating the system to get food.”
Scan this QR code to register for monthly points to use at the CINO Pantry, located in Lib Jackson Student Union room A-215: 
