The system includes CSU, Fort Lewis College and the University of Southern Colorado in Pueblo. The Colorado School of Mines was also down 28 students, the staff said. In contrast, the University of Colorado was up 322 students this year. Student retention a problem Harlan Steinle, FLC s vice president in charge of admissions, said students have been taking fewer courses in recent years than in the past, and they have not been staying around to graduate. This costs FLC money because the state subsidizes a school based primarily on its full-time students.
Kids stop out for a term or two and then come back.
Jones, who still teaches at FLC, said he has 21 students in a senior seminar called Celebration of Teaching. About half graduate in just four years, he said. Jones said FLC had a reputation 20 years ago as a party school. Now it is regarded as a place to mountain bike, ski and kayak. But it is the same choice faculty make, which is why FLC s faculty is so strong.