THE INDEPENDENT

The Latest

The Housing Crisis at FLC

The Housing Crisis at FLC

By: Jake Fry & Dianna Montoya Indy Staff Writers

Author: Fry, Jake/Wednesday, April 5, 2023/Categories: Home, Campus

Rate this article:
No rating

 

In the Fall 2019 semester, Fort Lewis College reported an increase of campus housing that would have required the housing of 103% students, Lauren Pope, Media Relations Strategist, said. 

FLC housing capacity is set at 1550, she said. 

Obtaining housing as a student has been a conversation around campus. Here is the data of what the institution has collected in relation to that conversation. 

Statistics and Surveys

“FLC saw an increase of first-year students from 760 in the Fall 2019 semester, to 960 at the end of the 2021 academic year”, Pope said. 

The 2021 academic year was the biggest, in regards to the first year students, it’s been in a decade, she said.

“With eight housing complexes and two apartment buildings FLC resorted to local apartment complexes and other temporary living situations to house students”, she said. 

“Students who wanted on campus housing but had no more space had a subsidized room option at the hotel off campus or affordable off campus housing during the pandemic,” Pope said. 

With the help of Associate Professor of Political Science, Paul DeBell and ASFLC, Project Moxie, a housing consultant in Durango, was able to obtain survey results from 135 student respondents from May 2 through May 13. 

According to the survey more than 1 in 4 Fort Lewis College students are experiencing housing insecurity while attending FLC. 

1 in 5 people reported currently living out of their vehicle, according to the survey. 

“The survey was conducted to gain a better understanding about the housing crisis facing students, in particular the effects of rising rent prices in Durango”, DeBell said. 

“DeBell was put into contact with the Director of Community Strategy at Project Moxie for his help in spreading the word about the survey on campus”, he said. 

“Flyers about the survey were posted around campus so students could then complete the survey and take further action steps like being interviewed by Project Moxie”, he said. 

Affordability and availability were the most common reasons cited for housing insecurity, the survey said. 

Of those dealing with housing security, nearly half reported not receiving assistance, the survey said. 

“It almost seems like you need a full time job to just keep up with rent,” said one student in the survey. 

 “Housing around Durango either is too expensive or many properties do not allow students. This really leaves very few options for students. It really is a frustrating issue.” said another student in the survey. 

When students were asked what could be helpful, the most common response was rental assistance, financial aid or increased variability of affordable housing, according to the survey. 

What Now?

“ASFLC President and Vice President are going to tour San Juan College who recently underwent the building of new housing units in only one year versus Fort Lewis’s three year plan, with hopes to mobilize the creation of more housing as soon as possible,” Pope said. 

Jeff Dupont, Dean of Student Engagement, said FLC has partnered up with a local hotel and apartment complex to secure housing for students. 

“The Grubhub is another source in which 10 Skyhawks have found secure housing,” he said. 

“Fort Lewis will make two new housing structures on campus by 2025,” Pope said.

Print

Number of views (5008)/Comments (0)

Please login or register to post comments.

All News

FLC faculty calls for awareness of indigenous history through class curriculums

By Will Charles Indy Staff Writer

Some professors of Fort Lewis faculty support the idea of issuing mandatory courses that inform FLC students, faculty and staff  about their culture while exploring a history that accurately portrays indigenous people.

Some professors of Fort Lewis faculty support the idea of issuing mandatory courses that inform FLC students, faculty and staff  about their culture while exploring a history that accurately portrays indigenous people. Deanne Grant, visiting instructor of sociology, said that a basic Native American history should be implemented at Fort Lewis so that teachers and students are aware of...

ASFLC meets with city official, approves new RSO and talks about collaboration with the Environmental Center

By Dorothy Elder Indy Staff Writer

The Associated Students of Fort Lewis College met with Durango City Councilor Kim Baxter during their meeting on Feb. 20  as part of an on-going effort to keep communication open between FLC and the city. 

The Associated Students of Fort Lewis College met with Durango City Councilor Kim Baxter during their meeting on Feb. 20  as part of an on-going effort to keep communication open between FLC and the city.  Baxter, who was elected to City Council in April 2019, briefed the senate on the happenings within the city administration, including the ongoing CBI investigation into the...

Black Student Union speaks on the importance of Black History Month and campus inclusion

By Dorothy Elder Indy Staff Writer

“Black History is American History: and American History is made up of heroes big and small.”

“Black History is American History: and American History is made up of heroes big and small.” That is the statement spread across this year’s Black History Month posters, dispersed throughout campus, promoting a variety of month-long events to honor Black History Month, sponsored by the Black Student Union and Student Union Productions.  The Indy sat down with the...

ASFLC senators discuss new technology in career services, appoints new ambassador, and learns about SASO advocacy group

By Charlotte Williams Indy Staff Writer

Jeff Seville, the new career services director, discussed the current and future status of career services with the Associated Students of Fort Lewis College during its meeting on Feb. 5. 

Jeff Seville, the new career services director, discussed the current and future status of career services with the Associated Students of Fort Lewis College during its meeting on Feb. 5.  In lieu of the job fair on Feb. 6, Seville met with ASFLC to receive student feedback on what the career services department has to offer, such as the use of artificial intelligence to help students...

Students raise concern about Native misrepresentation on campus

By: Amber Labahe Indy Staff Writer

The Fort Lewis College’s clocktower panels display images of the college’s history, military post, and Native American boarding schools.

The Fort Lewis College’s clocktower panels display images of the college’s history, military post, and Native American boarding schools.  The Charles Dale Rea Memorial Clocktower was named after the college’s first president from 1949 to 1962, and was completed in 2001.  “I noticed it mostly had history of the college but no history to contribute to...

First1819202123252627Last