Análise da política de assistência estudantil dos restaurantes universitários da Universidade Federal do Ceará: o programa de restaurante universitário

Abstract

The National Student Assistance Program (PNAES) aims to guarantee the permanence of undergraduate students at Federal Higher Education Institutions (IFES) in Brazil. One of its key areas is food, with university restaurants being the main tool in this effort. However, the pricing policy in the university restaurants is a complex and vital issue both for maintaining accessibility for students and for financial sustainability. In this context, this research analyzes the Student Assistance policy of the University Restaurant (RU) of the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) with the goal of discussing pricing models for the University Restaurant. For this purpose, current practices of the Student Assistance policy at UFC were mapped, including an analysis of the size and service capacity of the RU, as well as a comprehensive survey of pricing and exemption policies adopted by other IFES. Based on this information, four price differentiation models for fees charged to UFC students were proposed and analyzed. Furthermore, an economic viability analysis of the proposed pricing models was carried out, showing the possible revenues generated by the adoption of the models as well as the possibilities of using these new revenues, which can be directed to the acquisition of essential equipment, scholarships, aid, renovations and maintenance. Therefore, this research offers a comprehensive analysis of Student Assistance policies in the context of UFC and presents results that can assist in decision-making by UFC's top management, based on RU pricing policy and the allocation of budgetary resources.