Status

Approved by the Vice-Chancellor in 2025. In effect from February 2025 . Next review February 2027. Published at Campus Life

Purpose

The Emergency Meal Fund gives quick, short-term food help to students who cannot afford meals because of sudden or short-term hardship. It supports SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 1 (No Poverty).

Scope

The fund is open to all enrolled students, including students who hold a need-based tuition waiver. Students can ask directly, and no waiver is required. The fund gives short-term meal help only. It does not replace tuition waivers, the Student Support Loan or the Meal Card Scheme.

Key terms

Emergency meal support: meals or a meal voucher given quickly, usually the same day.

Self-referral: a student asks the Office of Student Affairs for help directly.

Referral: a teacher, adviser or the Dropout Prevention Cell asks for help for a student, with that student’s agreement.

How to ask for help

Visit the Office of Student Affairs in person, email info@uttarauniversity.edu.bd. or be referred by a teacher, adviser or the Dropout Prevention Cell (DPC). Student ID verification and _______ is needed for a first request. A staff member records a short note of the request.

What a student receives

Up to 1 meal or a voucher worth BDT 100 per request, given the same day or within 1 working day. A student can ask again up to 3 times in a semester, and each request is reviewed. If the need continues, the Office offers the Meal Card Scheme and the case review for fee support. The Office also offers a referral to the Office of Student Services & Counselling or the Mental Health Unit, if the student wishes.

The fund

The Vice-Chancellor sets aside an annual budget each year. Finance and Accounts holds it separately and tops it up when it runs low. Donations are accepted only through official channels with a receipt.

Confidentiality and dignity

Requests are handled privately. Only the named staff in the Office of Student Affairs and Finance and Accounts see a student’s name. Reports use numbers only.

Responsibilities

• Vice-Chancellor: approves this policy and the fund.
• Office of Student Affairs: accountable for the fund. The officer decides requests and keeps the register.
• Finance and Accounts: holds the fund, pays out against the register and checks it every month.

Records and monitoring

The Office of Student Affairs keeps a register of date, type of request (waiver student, self-referral or referral), amount or meals given and outcome. Finance and Accounts checks it each month. Each year the Office reports to the Vice-Chancellor the number of students helped, the total spent and what will change. Summary figures without names are published on the web page.

Concerns

A student unhappy with a decision can complain under the Grievance and Appeal Policy, without any penalty.

Published location and review

Published on the University website with the Meal Card Scheme, under Campus Life and listed in the policy register. Reviewed at least every three years, or sooner if needs change.