On Tuesday, February 11th, The CSFE welcomed back the College Debates and Discourse Alliance’s Kayla Johnson to serve as our discussion leader on the topic:
What should be done about the lack of affordable housing in the Western NC region?
This is the first ABCD format discussion cohosted by CSFE. This new discussion format asks students to share their ideas with one or two participants nearby before sharing their ideas with the entire group. As each idea is shared with the group, participants are encouraged to then ask questions about the ideas presented. The first line of questions focused on the housing challenges faced by residents of western North Carolina by asking:
What is the heart of the issue for you? 
After sharing in small groups, participants shared their knowledge and experience with the entire group. The challenges are many. One challenge that students felt strongly about is the high price of rent in Cullowhee. High rent is particularly a challenge for full-time students who are no longer guaranteed on-campus housing after their second year at WCU. Many students are worried that the lack of affordable housing might require them to transfer from WCU after their first two years. Other participants noted the longer work commute people often face so that their rent is manageable.
The second phase of the discussion asks: What should be done? Participants talked about ways to increase the number of houses through tax incentives and subsidies. Others brought up ways for the government to reduce building restrictions and bring higher paying jobs to the area. Each presenter fielded questions about their ideas and sought ways to persuade others about the way to move forward.
This enlightening event would not be made possible without the support of the Barnes Family Foundation and WCU’s own Melanie Lewis, Whitney McCall, and Brynne Murphy.