More than 100 attendees expected for COPLAC meeting at Fort Lewis College

Beginning June 19, Fort Lewis College will host the annual Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) meeting on campus. The theme for this year’s meeting is “Approaches to Diversity and Inclusion: The Importance of Building Community.”

Over 100 attendees from across the country are expected to come to town for the meeting. In addition to staying in local hotels and eating at local restaurants, guests will get to experience Durango with a reception hosted by Sorrel Sky Gallery and a performance by Ballet Folklorico de Durango, in addition to the many other attractions this area has to offer.

Having Fort Lewis College as the host of a meeting that will place so much focus on diversity is fitting given FLC’s diversity among its student body. Hispanic and Native American students make up more than a third of the College’s total student population. Bill Mendoza, a Fort Lewis College graduate and executive director of the White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education, will give the keynote address of the event. 

Though the COPLAC meeting, including the keynote address, is not open to the public, Mr. Mendoza will host a free roundtable discussion on Friday, June 20 from 3:30-5 p.m. at the Student Union Building that is open to everyone. The roundtable, entitled “My Brother’s Keeper,” will include discussion of the issues, challenges, and opportunities facing young boys and men in Indian Country. 

The Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges is an organization comprised of 27 colleges and universities located across the United States and Canada. The goal of COPLAC is to advocate and promote a high-quality, public liberal arts education. Fort Lewis College is a member institution of COPLAC.