CU Boulder is considering converting Bear Creek Apartments, the current apartment-style on-campus housing option for non-freshman, into freshman housing. This would displace current residents, including students, who need to live on campus because they cannot afford to do so otherwise. In addition, the decision is being made so late in the year that many of the quality off-campus housing options are already filled and few are available. For many students, the ability to live in Bear Creek, where they can pay rent using student loans, is their ONLY option for living in Boulder and attending classes. Not only would this decision force students from apartments they have lived in for years, but it might even force them to leave Boulder. 

Bear Creek is the only affordable housing option in the Boulder area. Rent at Bear Creek is hundreds of dollars cheaper per month than the average rent price in Boulder. For example, a 4 bed 2 bath at Bear Creek (a furnished apartment) costs $913 per month for 9 months, but a 4 bed 2 bath at the Lotus (also furnished apartment) is $1220 per month for 9 months, a difference of 300 dollars a month. Another important note about the Lotus is it is on the lower end of the price range for furnished apartments. Most furnished apartments in Boulder for four bedrooms are $1350 per month or more. 

In addition to cheaper rent, Bear Creek rent is charged on a semesterly basis and added onto students' tuition as opposed to paying every month. Some students are on scholarships that only cover the cost of tuition, so Bear Creek is the only place they can live and have their scholarships cover housing. Bear Creek is the only place, besides the expensive dorms, where the cost of living is billed through students' tuition. Help support students' right to affordable housing and on-campus housing protection by signing our petition!