Fort Lewis battles enrollment decline - Chuck Slothower, Herald Staff

Fort Lewis College's enrollment has fallen to its lowest level in a decade, reducing tuition revenue as the college faces steep budget cuts. If our enrollment continues to decline the way it has the past 10 years, the impact on FLC and Durango will be devastating. The college's enrollment fell to 3,685 this fall, down 17 percent from a high of 4,441 in 2001. Since President Brad Bartel took over in 2004, enrollment has dropped by more than 500 students. Bartel has announced he will step down in mid-2010 to pursue other jobs.