University Relations

Announcements

Regents to vote. The CU Board of Regents is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday in Denver to vote on the appointment of Bruce Benson, a prominent Denver businessman and higher education advocate. (More)

Heller Center receives preservation funds. The State Historical Fund, a program of the Colorado Historical Society, will provide a more than $90,000 grant to the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs to develop a master plan and historic structure assessment for the Heller Center for the Arts and Humanities. (More)

Recycle mania. More than 60,000 pounds of waste will be used again, thanks to the efforts of faculty, staff and students who chose to recycle during the first two weeks of RecycleMania, a friendly competition among university recycling programs across the country. Want to see UCCS rank in the contest (and help the earth)? Put glass, aluminum, plastic (1-7), tin or steel into “mixed container” cans and paper into recycling bins. (More)

Be an energy star. State agencies are encouraged to purchase products labeled Energy Star or, in the absence of the official rating, to seek out the most energy efficient products. (More)

It’s all in the grip. Jeff Broker, assistant professor, Biology, will present “Get a Grip: Measuring Grip Pressures and Forces in Golf to Understand Club Control” as part of the February Café Scientifique event Tuesday at Poor Richard’s Restaurant, 320 N. Tejon. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. Questions? Contact Tom Huber, professor, Geography, thuber@uccs.edu or David Anderson, associate professor, Chemistry, danderso@uccs.edu.

Education dean applies black history lessons to today. School-segregation might have been declared legally dead 54 years ago but racism in the educational system is alive, La Vonne Neal, dean, College of Education, said at a Black History Month-themed presentation for University Club members this week. (More)

“Three Cups of Tea” discussions continue. Faculty and staff who’d like to continue the conversation begun by “Three Cups of Tea” author Greg Mortenson are invited to join campus leaders for a free cup of joe – or tea – at Jazzmans’ café on Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 3:30 p.m. This will be the second campus gathering inspired by Mortenson’s UCCS-sponsored visit to Colorado Springs. The New York Times best-selling author was recruited by Steve Recca, director, UCCS Center for Homeland Security. The Jan. 15 event drew an over-capacity crowd of more than 2,000 listeners and tapped into fundamentally significant local and international concerns.

In Memory

Kenneth Gurrera. Funeral services for Kenneth Gurrera, 45, structural trades, Facilities Services, are scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18 at the Holy Family Catholic Church, 331 Main St., Security,  80911. A visitation is scheduled on Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dove-Witt Mortuary, 6630 S. Highway 85-87. Gurrera, a UCCS employee since 2001, died at home Feb. 14. He had been on medical leave from the university for approximately two months. (More)

Who’s New

• Diauntha Grant, administrative assistant, Student Success Center, Feb. 11.
• Todd Casey, general professional, Student Success Center, Jan. 25.
• Elaine Davis, administrative assistant, Student Success Center, Feb. 9.
• James Wilder, security officer, Public Safety, Jan. 20.

In the News

• The Rocky Mountain News wrote about CU Boulder student reaction in CU student reps oppose Benson and faculty reaction in Faculty says 'no' to Benson.
• The Rocky Mountain News wrote about responses to shootings at Northern Illinois University Colorado campuses responding to Illinois shootings
• The Denver Post wrote about business leader reaction to the CU president search in Benson's backing mixed
• The Denver Post editorialized about the value of community colleges in A bargain for state taxpayers
• The Colorado Springs Business Journal editorialized about the CU president search in Benson’s business background bodes well for Springs, UCCS
• The Colorado Springs Independent wrote about the CU president search in Benson faces questions, talk of 'back-room deal' for CU post
• The Denver Post published a guest commentary in  Bruce Benson's service to Colo. education unmatched
• The Rocky Mountain News wrote about Bruce Benson in Benson again vows he won't be partisan if named CU chief
• The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about UCCS softball outfielder Stacy Haney in UCCS outfielder Haney honored
• The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about credit and possible effects on development in Credit crunch boosts cost of redevelopment
• The Boulder Daily Camera wrote about financing plans for higher education in Groups plot cash plan for higher ed
• The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about emergency message plans in In emergencies, 3 colleges will notify students via text message

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