As the federal government ended its recent shutdown, students and faculty at Southern University reflected on how the weeks long closure affected campus life, federal aid, and travel plans.
Dr. Albert Samuels, Chair of the Department of Political Science, said the recent shutdown reflected ongoing challenges in federal negotiations. “A shutdown affects everything from air travel delays to safety issues,” Dr Samuels said. “This was one of the worst shutdowns we’ve had because there’s was very little negotiation between the parties. Programs like SNAP and other food assistance were even used as leverage, even though a majority of the people who rely on them are white Americans. Our last major shutdown was under the Trump administration so we’re seeing some of those same patterns now.”
For many students, the shutdown is more than just news it affects their families and financial security. La’Niaya Black, a freshman biology major, said delays in federal assistance put extra stress on students and households that depend on those programs. “A shutdown puts a lot of pressure on low-income families who rely on food stamps,” Black said. “People already struggle, and when federal benefits or financial aid get delayed, it affects college students too. Some students depend on that money to stay in school.” Black explained that the uncertainty can make it difficult to plan for basic needs like groceries or textbooks. “Even a short delay in financial aid can change whether a student can pay for tuition or other essentials,” she said. “It’s something we worry about more than people might realize.”
Cire Portegies, a junior majoring in Urban Forestry, said the shutdown also affects travel plans for out-of-state students. “One of the most concerning issues is reduced access to SNAP benefits for families who really need them,” she said. “As an out-of-state student, it’s also stressful knowing that travel could be disrupted if airline workers aren’t being paid.” Portegies added that disruptions at airports and with airline staff could make returning home for holidays or breaks more complicated, creating additional challenges for students balancing school and family obligations. With the shutdown now lifted, students and faculty are beginning to recover from the delays and disruptions, but many say the experience highlighted how the government can impact daily life.
