POLICIES FOR STUDENT PERMANENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION: IMPORTANCE OF THE UNIVERSITY RESTAURANT PROGRAM

Abstract

The study sought to analyze the importance of the University Restaurant Program for student permanence to identify and discuss the different perceptions of the importance of the program for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Ceará Campus in Sobral-CE. A descriptive survey was conducted, with a quantitative and qualitative approach, using an electronic questionnaire with undergraduate students at this UFC campus. The information obtained in the survey was quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and Atlas.ti software, respectively. For the respondents, the University Restaurant Program is viewed as a service that guarantees quality daily meals at an affordable price and saves users' time and money. The analysis of the data showed no difference in the perception of importance between the paying public and those benefiting from the free meal program. For both categories, the program represents a fundamentally important program for the academic careers and continued enrollment of students. In summary, the University Restaurant Program plays an essential role in keeping students enrolled at the UFC Campus in Sobral.