ASUM Bear Necessities
Case Management or Student Support appointments can be scheduled via email or through Navigate.
We understand that students have busy schedules, so our team works hard to provide appointment availability throughout the week with the hope that at least one 45-minute window will work for you! For the best view of our availability please log in to Navigate and schedule a "Hardships" appointment with any member of our team.
Please reach out if you need help scheduling!
Our Team -
Kat Cowley, Program Manager
Austin Skeens, Program Coordinator
Clio Whittington, Practicum Student
Mission
The ASUM Bear Necessities agency supports students experiencing basic needs insecurity, closes gaps in resources for students, and advocates for change to prevent future need.
Contact
Kat Cowley, Director
-
Call: (406) 243-2017
- Email: kat.cowley@mso.umt.edu
Hours and Location
- Monday - Friday 9:00am - 4:30pm
- University Center Room 118
- Closed for University holidays
Looking for information about the ASUM Hardship Fund?
As of Tuesday 1/21/2025 the Hardship Fund is open for applications.
The Hardship Fund is intended to support students experiencing emergency financial strain that is limiting their academic success or progress in their degree path. Some adjustments have been made to the fund this semester to protect its longevity including decreasing max awards to $250, capping available funding per semester, and limiting awards to ONE per student per academic year.
Students seeking support through the Hardship Fund must schedule an appointment with Kat Cowley to begin the application process. Schedule online via Navigate or reach out to Kat directly.
Looking for information about the FAST Fund?
The Faculty and Students Together (FAST) Fund is managed by a committee in partnership with the University Faculty Association.
About Us
Bear Necessities has three arms of service:
- Direct Support in the form of case management and food distribution through the UM Food Pantry.
- Education through our resource library (available in office and online) and events.
- Advocacy for the implementation of additional programming to support students experiencing needs insecurity.
Bear Necessities provides support for students living through or on the edge of basic needs insecurity. Through connecting students with badly-needed resources, helping determine priorities and next steps, and providing emotional support, Bear Necessities staff can wade through difficult situations with students so they do not need to go it alone. Poverty can feel like a full-time job! We are here to help students find ways to have their needs met while also protecting their time to succeed in academics and their personal life.
The work we do is important not only because basic necessities are a human right, but also because by increasing student access to basic needs we enhance their educational experience, increase progress toward their educational goals, and improve UM students’ retention rates.
Inclusion Statement
Bear Necessities is dedicated to supporting & empowering all students by educating ourselves on the experiences of marginalized students & working to deconstruct the systems of power & oppression that contribute to basic needs insecurities among students whose lived experiences are impacted by their race, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, neurodiversity, disability, and/or marital, parental, and veteran status.