In exchange for free food and transit passes, students need to take classesIt is “cruel” to ask students to have an education plan and think about finding jobs in order to access free food, bus passes, laptops, and housing, a “basic needs expert” says. Beginning in fall 2027, second year students at Compton College will be asked to meet certain criteria to access perks, including food pantry access and free meals. But the changes have basic needs experts concerned, according to comments provided to Inside Higher Ed. Concerns were shared by Mark Huelsman, director of policy and advocacy for Temple University’s basic needs center. “Compton College does deserve real credit for trying to link basic needs to completion outcomes rather than just treating them as separate efforts,” she said.