Carole Delga Tackles Rural Student Needs in Rodez

A Close Look at Rural Students’ Needs: President Delga Visits Rodez University Institute

A Candid Discussion on Food, Finances, and Future Plans

The Champollion University Institute in Rodez welcomed a special visitor this Monday: Carole Delga, president of the Occitanie Region. Her morning began with an intimate meeting with over 1,500 students, a vital step in her regional tour.

Delga’s visit to the stunning new campus, inaugurated just this September, crystals the Region’s commitment to education. As the main financier of the €15 million project (with €9 million coming from the Region, including €3.3 million from the Feder fund), Delga’s focus was clear: understanding the needs and concerns of the students who now call this space their academic home.

Leading the conversation was Paul Fages, a 3rd-year student at the IUT of Rodez and president of the newly-formed association “Ruthen Corpo”. Under his guidance, the discussion delved into crucial themes such as food security, healthcare access, mental well-being, and mobility options.

“Linked to the government’s budgetary choices”

The limitations of the current University Restaurant became a focal point. With student numbers far exceeding its capacity, the need for a new facility is pressing. President Delga acknowledged these concerns, highlighting her efforts to secure funding from the Barnier government for the construction of a new restaurant adjacent to the Inu and the IUT.

Sourced: “We are linked to the government’s budgetary choices,” she explained to the students, who remain hopeful for a 2026 opening.

Beyond immediate concerns like food services, Delga addressed the wider issue of student precariousness. While expressing satisfaction with the quality of study conditions at the new university, she acknowledged the region-wide challenges students face.

“But I am well aware, from an overall point of view, of student precariousness. The Region has taken exceptional measures, but it will be difficult to support them all given the budgetary context,” she admitted.

Mental health emerged as another priority. Recognizing the immense pressure young people grapple with, Delga emphasized the Region’s commitment to addressing this critical issue. Access to culture, a valuable resource for personal enrichment, was also brought to the forefront.

Solving the Transportation Puzzle

President Delga reiterated the Region’s commitment to improving mobility for students, outlining existing initiatives with the bus and SNCF networks.

Parking emerged as a shared concern. Students highlighted the urgency of finding a solution, and Delga assured them that a project near the station is “under study.”

However, its current status seems to be on “stand-by.” Regardless, Delga’s attentive approach suggests that this file will remain under close scrutiny.

Looking Ahead: From Students to Farmers and Beyond

Delga concluded her initial Ruthenian stage with a visit to the INU Champollion before embarking on the rest of her busy day. This included a working meeting with farmers and a visit to the ATS Laser company in Lioujas, showcasing the breadth of her regional scope.

How ⁤does theChampollion University ⁢Institute in Rodez address the rural student challenge of food security?

## Rural Students⁣ Face Challenges, Region Steps Up

**Interviewer:** Today we’re discussing a recent visit by President Carole Delga​ to ⁣the Champollion University Institute⁢ in Rodez. President Delga met with over ⁤1,500 students to discuss their needs and concerns. Joining us​ to shed light on this important conversation is Alex Reed, an expert on rural education ⁢issues. Welcome to the program.

**Alex Reed:** Thank ‍you for having me.

**Interviewer:** President Delga’s visit underscores the region’s dedication to education. What were some of ​the‍ key concerns raised by the students?

**Alex Reed:** The ⁣students highlighted a number​ of‌ pressing issues, many of which are common to ⁢rural students nationwide. Food ‍security was a‌ major concern, with the existing University Restaurant struggling to accommodate the growing student population. There were also concerns about healthcare access, mental well-being, and transportation options. These are all challenges faced by students in rural areas, often due to limited resources and geographic isolation.

**Interviewer:** It seems ⁢the lack​ of adequate dining facilities was a particularly pressing issue.

**Alex Reed:** Absolutely. The current restaurant is simply too small to meet the needs of the students. ⁢President Delga acknowledged this and shared her efforts to secure ⁢funding⁣ from the ‌regional government⁣ for a new ⁤facility. This demonstrates a commitment to⁢ addressing the immediate needs of the students.

**Interviewer:** This visit seems to⁤ showcase a proactive ⁢approach to tackling issues faced⁢ by rural students.

**Alex Reed:** Yes, ​I believe it’s positive that the President took ​the time to directly engage with‌ the student body. Understanding their ‌experiences and concerns is crucial to crafting effective solutions. As we see with the issue of the University Restaurant, the President ‍is actively working to address these challenges.

**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Alex Reed.‌ This was ​a valuable discussion on the ⁣critical issues facing ‍rural students and the positive steps being taken‍ to ⁣address them.