Announcements

The waiting is the hardest part. Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak told university deans and directors this week to closely monitor expenses as CU prepares for mid-year cuts to the 2008-2009 budget and the likelihood of a reduced 2009-2010 budget. Budget reduction targets are not expected for another week to 10 days. In the meantime, the university’s leadership will continue to review all vacant positions. See President Bruce Benson’s budget communications here.

Budget forums planned. Faculty and staff are encouraged to attend one of several budget forums beginning Feb. 4. Supervisors are encouraged to make arrangements for staff to attend one of the forums. The first forum is scheduled for 10 a.m. Feb. 4 in the University Center Theater. Additional sessions are scheduled for 8:15 a.m. Feb. 9 in Engineering 109, 9:30 a.m. Feb. 10 in Columbine 128, 1 p.m. Feb. 11 in University Hall 109, 9:30 a.m. Feb. 12 in Science 191, and 1:30 p.m. Feb. 12 in Dwire 121.

Obama inaugural speech captivates campus. Though he may have fallen short of the standard set by Franklin Roosevelt, John Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama’s inauguration speech was a success, according to a UCCS professor. (Read more)

255 goes smoothly. The 255 prefix change, now in effect for nearly three weeks, has gone smoothly, according to Jerry Wilson, executive director, Information Technology. During the first week of the change, some smaller phone companies had not updated their databases causing callers to have trouble connecting, but those hiccups have all been remedied.  As well, most departments have updated business cards and communication materials to reflect the new prefix. For those who haven’t, the UCCS Print Shop can help.  Contact them at 255-3213.

Columbine Hall freshens up over semester break. Columbine Hall doesn’t just look, smell and feel different – it is different following a four-week whirlwind of contractors and university employees who attacked the building following the last day of fall semester classes. (Read more)

Partnership allows rural community to “grow its own” health professionals. A rural healthcare outreach effort between UCCS and Lamar Community College will support close-to-home baccalaureate and graduate nurse education for residents of southeast Colorado. (Read more)

Alum among four honored for Jeffersonian ideals. Two University of Colorado professors, a student and a recent UCCS alum are the winners of the 2009 Thomas Jefferson Award, one of the university’s highest honors. (Read more)

Business owner, alum contributes to engineering scholarships. The president of Braxton Technologies, a software engineering and design firm, will donate $50,000 to support student scholarships for engineering students at UCCS. (Read more)

Just like mom said, “turn off the lights.” On Wednesday, UCCS began a “Turn Me Off Campaign” with an ice cream social.  The campaign, spearheaded by Staff Council, PESA and the Sustainability Office, hopes to make turning off lights and computers when not in use a campus-wide habit.  The campaign will run from Jan. 21 through the end of spring semester.  Campus leaders hope by the end of the campaign, turning off unused electronics will be a habit and the campus utility bill. For additional information about the campaign, please contact your building coordinator. Columbine: Sheryl Botts and Rose Johnson, Science: Tish Fleener, Parking Garage/Public Safety/Student Health Center: Iryse Naro, Bookstore/UC: Kim Weaver, Engineering: Laura Baur, Dwire: Windy Haddad, Main Hall: Tina Collins, Cragmor Hall: Susan Watson, Campus Services: Linda Kogan, University Hall: Debbie Beatty, Housing: Steve Horner.

Opinions needed.  How do you feel about Communiqué?  Do you love it or loathe it?  Do you read it diligently or just skim through?  Now is your chance to tell us exactly what you think about the official internal campus newsletter. The results will be featured in a later edition of Communiqué. And your opinions will be used to make improvements and changes.  Take the Communique Readership Survey and be sure to complete it by Feb. 7.

In Memory

Barbara Ruth Lorch. Barbara Ruth Lorch (Day) passed away on December 16, 2008 at Westminster Village after a long illness. On-campus memorial services were Jan. 22. (More)

William Gerald “Gerry” Riggs. A memorial tribute for Gerry Riggs, former director of the Gallery of Contemporary Art, will begin at 5 p.m. today in the gallery. Riggs died Jan. 4 at his home in Pagosa Springs. (More)

Kudos

Professor named most productive. Gary Klein, Couger professor of business at UCCS, was cited at the top of a list of the “Top 32” most productive authors in the World in information systems. (More)

New Inventor of the Year. Sara Qualls, professor, Psychology, was named new inventor of the year for UCCS by the CU Technology Transfer office at a Jan. 12 award ceremony in Denver. (More)

Ovation Awards. Theaterworks was nominated for 10 awards in the annual Denver Post review of Colorado Theater. Winners will be announced Dec. 28. (More)

Who’s New

• Keith Barnett women’s volleyball coach, Intercollegiate Athletics. His appointment was announced Jan. 19. (More)
• DeShaun Bennett, administrative assistant, Office of the Registrar, effective Jan. 5.
• Dawn Carter, client care aide, Student Health Center, effective Dec. 15.
• Patrick James, custodian, University Center, effective Dec. 15.
• Heidi Schwab, general professional, Financial Aid/Student Employment Office, effective Dec. 8.
  Aimee Pavlik, program assistant, College of Education, Nov. 24.
• Don Pawl, library technician, Kraemer Family Library, effective Nov. 24

Changes

• Steve Ellis, executive director of student systems and registrar, Office of the Registrar, assumed duties of Admissions Services Dec. 23. Admission Services includes the Admissions Office, International Student Services, and Recruitment. He will continue to direct the Office of Records and Registrar. The change was announced by Robert Wonnett, vice chancellor, Student Success.

In the News

• The Colorado Springs Gazette published a story about a UCCS alum in UCCS grad receives Jefferson award
• The Los Angeles Times published a story about a UCCS student in Keauna McLaughlin, Rockne Brubaker have come a long way
• The Rocky Mountain News published a story about college costs in Colleges aim at affordability amid cuts
• The Boulder Daily Camera published a story about student reaction to a President Obama initiative in College students cheer volunteer credit
• The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about a new UCCS coach in Former Olympian named UCCS volleyball coach
• The Pueblo Chieftain mentioned UCCS in a story about plans for a family ranch in Lawmakers pushing Fountain ranch site for new cemetery
• The Colorado Springs Gazette mentioned UCCS in a story on mass transit plans in Springs reinflamed with streetcar desire
• The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about state budget woes in Colleges say they might be able to weather cuts
• The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about preparing for the future in Old job skills no longer enough
• The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about Tom Pyszczynski, professor, Psychology, in UCCS professor wins top award
• The Rocky Mountain News wrote about a UCCS student in First lawsuit filed in DIA crash
• The Colorado Springs Gazette published a column about the future of Colorado Springs in DREAM CITY 2020: Enrich city with major university, bullet train

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