Announcements

Teacher programs lauded. Teacher education programs in the College of Education at UCCS meet the highest standards for professionalism, according to a team of evaluators for the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. (Read more)

Fundraising is focus of new certificate. The School of Public Affairs will offer a graduate certificate in non-profit fund development beginning in January. (Read more)

SGA process review. Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak announced this week plans for a three-year audit of student activity fee funds, review of the Student Government Association Constitution and sessions to improve understanding of concepts of viewpoint neutrality.

Student retention peaks; efforts celebrated. UCCS retained a record 70 percent of its freshman class last year, thanks to a multitude of efforts by many people on campus, Barbara Gaddis, director, Office of First Year Experience, said during a Wednesday forum. See Gaddis’ presentation here.

Funds, present and future, focus of December forum. Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak will provide an update on state funding projections at forum scheduled for 9:30 a.m., Dec. 5 in the University Center Theater. She will be joined by members of the CU Legislative Relations staff who will provide an overview of CU’s lobbying efforts.

Saturday night TV. The Mountain Lion men’s basketball game against Southwest Oklahoma State University will be telecast on Comcast station 20 beginning at 8 p.m. Saturday. The broadcast is a cooperative effort between the Athletic Department and Information Technology.

Breaker, breaker “stay off Austin Bluffs.” Brian Burnett, vice chancellor, Administration and Finance presented UCCS opposition to City of Colorado Springs efforts to designate Austin Bluffs Parkway as a truck route this week. Burnett presented a series of arguments opposing the designation, including pedestrian traffic, high traffic speeds, and the parkway’s steep grade. Next week, Jim Spice, chief, Police Department, and Gary Reynolds, director, Facilities Services, will continue the argument.

Caterpillar to butterfly. Changes in the current UCCS Student Information System and plans to launch a new system in summer 2009 will be discussed at a MeamorphoSIS town hall meeting beginning at 3 p.m. Dec. 3 in the UC Theater. SIS users or those with questions about the new system and transition plans are encouraged to attend. Questions? Or want to join an e-mail list for regular updates? Contact Steve Ellis, executive director, Student Systems and Registrar, sellis@uccs.edu.

Kudos

Dana Rocha, director, Veteran and Military Student Affairs, and Laura Barela, assistant director, Veteran and Military Student Affairs, were presented with American flags in recognition of their work on behalf of students with military ties. The flags previously flew at the U.S. consulate in Baghdad, Iraq.

In the News

• Gazette editorializes about the UCCS SGA in Our view
• KOAA 5/30 reports on UCCS SGA in UCCS debate over gay rights
• KRDO 13 reports on Spectrum and SGA in Panel: Student's Action Hurt Gay-Lesbian Group
• Gazette writes about David Williams in UCCS student president could face impeachment

For more UCCS news mentions, visit www.uccs.edu/ur