University Relations

Announcements

New degrees approved. The first new Letters, Arts and Sciences undergraduate degrees in more than 25 years were approved this week by the CU Board of Regents. See Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak’s announcement of a successful day at the CU Regents meeting. (More)

Personnel changes announced. Robert Wonnett lost the interim before his title and is officially vice chancellor for student success. Wonnett’s appointment was one of several personnel changes that began the Spring 2008 semester. (More)

Peace activist wows. The impact of “Three Cups of Tea” author Greg Mortenson’s UCCS-sponsored city visit continues to ripple through campus and beyond. (More)

Youth to emphasize global warming, need for green technology. The next generation will highlight the future of UCCS and the world Jan. 31 as part of local participation in a national Focus the Nation “teach in” event.

Branding, it’s more than a logo. A UCCS branding and marketing review will begin Tuesday, Jan. 29, with a 2 p.m. forum featuring Bob Sevier, senior vice president for strategy, Stamats, Inc. (More)

Emergency messages coming to a phone near you. Answer the phone.That’s the directive being issued to faculty and staff this week as safety officials unveil a new campus-wide emergency notification system. (More)

Spring semester forums scheduled. Chancellor’s Forums for the Spring 2008 semester are scheduled for the following dates.9:30 a.m. Feb. 6; 2 p.m. March 4; and 10 a.m. April 10. The Feb. 6 forum will feature discussion of the priorities for the university’s strategic plan. All forums are in the University Center Theater.

Mountain Lions in the living room. UCCS basketball games will be televised live on Comcast channel 20, thanks to a joint effort of the UCCS Athletics Department and Information Technology. (More)

Sports, it’s not all sweat. A new undergraduate program in sport management will begin this fall in the College of Business. Campus leaders recently approved the program and Eric Olson, professor, Business, as its director. (More)

Human Resources director candidates to visit. Cindy Corwin, manager employment and compensation, CU-Denver, will meet with faculty and staff at 3 p.m. Monday in UC 303A. Maria Isquierdo, human resources director, Swedish Medical Center, Englewood, will meet with faculty and staff at 3 p.m. Tuesday in UC 303A. Both are candidates for the director of human resources position at UCCS.

Health care providers selected. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Kaiser Permanente will provide medical benefits for faculty and staff beginning July 1, Payroll and Benefit Services announced in mid-January. The two companies were selected following a request for proposals process. Details about transition plans will be announced by PBS in coming weeks.

Who’s New

• David Willower. A facilities expert with more than 35 years experience is the new physical plant director at UCCS. (More)
• Whitney Porter, general professional, Student Success Center, Jan. 14.
• Daryl Miller, program assistant, Matrix Center, Jan. 7.
• Anne Persinger, early childhood educator, Family Development Center, Dec. 1.
• Cora Mosely, early childhood educator, Family Development Center, Dec. 1
• Deanne Mattice, early childhood educator, Family Development Center, Dec. 1.
• Shannon Henry, early childhood educator, Family Development Center, Dec. 1.
• Shandra Robles, early childhood educator, Family Development Center, Dec. 1.
• Marlene Ryan, early childhood educator, Family Development Center, Dec. 1.
• Cindy Carara, early childhood educator, Family Development Center, Dec. 1.
• Penny Burton, early childhood educator, Family Development Center, Dec. 1.
• Robert Dotson, dining services, Family Development Center, Dec. 1.
• Holly Crigger, early childhood educator, Family Development Center, Dec. 1.
• Chenyu Hung, early childhood educator, Family Development Center, Jan. 1.

Kudos

Carole Schoffstall, dean, Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences, was honored by M.D. News with an inaugural Nursing Service Award Jan. 15.

Michael Larson, El Pomar Chair of Engineering and Innovation, was named New Inventor of the Year, Colorado Springs, by the CU Office of Technology Transfer Jan. 14.

In the News

• The Rocky Mountain News wrote about college tuition for children of illegal immigrants in Fair shake on tuition
• The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about community efforts to help the less fortunate in Record $1.1 million raised for charity
• The Denver Post wrote about higher education funding discussions in Higher-ed fights stall funds
• The Rocky Mountain News wrote about possible effects of a recession in Recession could slash college funds by 36%, lawmakers told
• The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about local retail spaces, quoting UCCS faculty member Fred Crowley, in Wide-open (retail) spaces
• The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about North Nevada redevelopment in $50M approved for N. Nevada improvements
• The Rocky Mountain News wrote about Gov. Ritter’s plans for education in Ritter plan would emphasize proficiency for college access
• The Colorado Springs Independent included UCCS Dean La Vonne Neal in its story Rearing the rainbow: CC-sponsored summit explores better ways to educate kids of color
• The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about Gov. Ritter’s address to the Legislature in STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS: RITTER PUSHES LEGISLATORS TO ACT
• KKTV aired a story about the Colorado primaries, interviewing Josh Dunn of the UCCS faculty Colorado and the Primaries (video)
• The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about a new licensing agreement in AIDS treatment with potential

Communique is the on-line newsletter for UCCS faculty and staff. It is published weekly during the fall and spring semesters, monthly during the summer semester. Communique is sent to faculty and staff e-mail lists and, by request, to other e-mail addresses. Previous issues are available at //www.uccs.edu/ur/communique. Suggestions and comments are welcome. Send ideas to ur@uccs.edu or call Tom Hutton, 262-3439