SDG1 focuses on issues related to reducing poverty on a global scale. This means eradicating extreme poverty everywhere; reducing the proportion of men, women, and children living in poverty; and implementing appropriate national social protection systems to aid those most vulnerable, among other indicators. At Lynn University, these efforts take a variety of forms, including engaging students with programs that expose them directly to issues of poverty to securing affordable housing for students in the midst of a ballooning housing crisis.
This report is organized into three sections:
Institutional Initiatives: Refers to ongoing initiatives at the institution that are currently active, occur every year, and relate to SDG1. Wherever possible, statistics are provided to show the impact of this work.
Events/News: Refers to single events or news that occurred during the reporting year of AY21-22 relating to SDG1. These are not recurring, and as such are not part of the long-term initiatives.
Courses: Refers to all the courses in the university’s academic catalogue for the reporting year of AY21-22 that deal with issues related to SDG1.
Goal 1
Institutional Initiatives
Map the System competition
Lynn University students participate in Oxford University’s annual Map the System competition. By participating, students are encouraged to explore any topic relating to social, environmental, or economic issues. Lynn has participated in the program for the past three years, and each year, at least one group of students tackles issues related to poverty as component of their project. In mapping the system, students learn about the factors contributing to poverty and how to recognize points at which change can be introduced for its alleviation.
Affordable housing
Lynn University provides more affordable housing for students compared to the market price of rents in the area. Year-over-year inflation for South Florida was 7.8% higher in August 2023 than August 2022. Lynn’s affordable housing options help students better navigate higher cost environments. In AY21-22, a total of 342 beds were added for students to be able to live in affordable and convenient housing, thanks to the development of Capstone Apartments. These apartments increase the housing options for the students but are by no means the only affordable housing options for them. The university boasts six residence halls and Capstone Apartments, all of which provide a more affordable option for living than the market prices in the area. Additionally, an eighth dormitory is planned to open in two phases in 2025 and 2027, thereby expanding the university’s affordable housing options for current and future students.