THE INDEPENDENT

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Indigenous People's Day 2025 Indigenous People's Day 2025

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | Written by Mya Simon, Photographed by M'iitra Pino

Indigenous People's Day 2025

October rain does little to keep FLC from celebrating Indigenous culture 

Banging Heads in Buckley Park Banging Heads in Buckley Park

Thursday, October 2, 2025 | Mya Simon and Garrett Middleton

Banging Heads in Buckley Park

Locals share an inside look into Durango's metal scene. 


Safety First, Because Accidents Last
Safety First, Because Accidents Last

Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Nels Christensen

Safety First, Because Accidents Last

Fort Lewis police report safety statistics in recent years. 

Hotels: the new Dorms?
Hotels: the new Dorms?

Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Jimena Lopez

Hotels: the new Dorms?

Back to school! While some Fort Lewis students were making sure they had their backpacks ready to go, others were making sure they had somewhere...
59th Annual Hozhoni Days Powwow
59th Annual Hozhoni Days Powwow

Friday, May 2, 2025
Written by Junior Parrish, Photographed by Donovan Riley and Junior Parrish

59th Annual Hozhoni Days Powwow

An event that brings joy and beauty, Hozhoni Ambassadors and First Attendant said.
Students Test the Waters
Students Test the Waters

Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Nels Christensen

Students Test the Waters

Students take leaps for public health.


All News

Faculty Senate revisits tabled motions to amend the handbook

Meritt Drake

Fort Lewis College Faculty Senate met on Oct. 4 to revisit amendments to the faculty handbook and hear from the advisory committee on accessibility of information technology.

Fort Lewis College Faculty Senate met on Oct. 4 to revisit amendments to the faculty handbook and hear from the advisory committee on accessibility of information technology. Changes to handbook wording Faculty Senate will begin looking at policies that need updated wording, Michael Martin, faculty senate president, said. “We want to get these cleaned up and remove limiting...

Renovations cause housing overflow

By Meritt Drake

Some residents in on-campus housing have been placed in rooms not typically used for housing, like lounges and study rooms, due to an overbooking of housing caused by Cooper Hall being closed for renovations during the 2018-2019 school year. 

Some residents in on-campus housing have been placed in rooms not typically used for housing, like lounges and study rooms, due to an overbooking of housing caused by Cooper Hall being closed for renovations during the 2018-2019 school year.    Housing has placed students in rooms that would be similar in size to a traditional double occupancy room, said Margaret Watts,...

New President Begins Tenure by Engaging with Campus Community

By Ben Mandile

Tom Stritikus, the new president of Fort Lewis College, wants to make students a priority in his work to ensure their success.

Tom Stritikus, the new president of Fort Lewis College, wants to make students a priority in his work to ensure their success. People around campus, including student and faculty leaders, say they feel that he is open to listening and understanding the campus community and that they are excited to see what happens during his tenure.    The President’s...

416 Fire Offers Educational Opportunities For FLC Faculty and Students

By Mandy Lorenson

The 416 Fire, which broke out 10 miles north of Durango and burned over 55,000 acres impacted Fort Lewis College in numerous ways. 

The 416 Fire, which broke out 10 miles north of Durango and burned over 55,000 acres impacted Fort Lewis College in numerous ways.    The wildfire broke out on June 1 and subsequently burned over two months, leaving hundreds of people evacuated .   However the trouble didn’t stop when the fire was fully contained. The flooding that came after the fire is the...

Q&A: Root Routledge

By Max Rodgers

Root Routledge is a Durango resident who has audited eight different classes at Fort Lewis College from 2012-15.

Root Routledge is a Durango resident who has audited eight different classes at Fort Lewis College from 2012-15. A class audit is when a resident who isn’t registered for classes sits in on lectures and keeps up with the readings, but isn’t graded on assignments or exams. He received a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Washington State University in 1968; a...

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