Announcements

Prius on patrol. UCCS police officers will be the first in Colorado to drive patrol cars guaranteed to deliver in excess of 40 miles to the gallon. Jim Spice, chief of police, Public Safety Department, recently ordered two Toyota Prius hybrid patrol cars to replace two SUVs used by the campus for nearly a decade. The cars went into service Feb. 25 after having radios, sirens and light bars installed. (Read more)

New regents visit campus. The three newest members of the CU Board of Regents, James Geddes, Monisha Merchant and Joseph Neguse visited campus this week to learn about campus initiatives and to tour facilities. (Read more)

Event Center update. The first precast walls for the UCCS Event Center are scheduled to arrive on campus by truck next week, according to Carolyn Fox, university architect, Facilities Services. In recent weeks, crews drilled and poured 90 caissons to support the building and cut two openings in the University Center to connect the buildings in addition to pouring concrete floors.

March forum cancelled. A 3 p.m. March 5 Chancellor’s Forum is cancelled. Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak will provide an update as soon as the Colorado General Assembly takes action on the FY 2010 budget.

UCCS celebrates women. In celebration of Women’s History Month, a film about pioneer environmentalist Rachel Carson will be shown a 5:30 p.m. March 5 at the Upper Lodge.
A panel discussion about local green initiatives will follow, according to event organizers. (Read more)

Creating futures. The CU Foundation launched this week a new publication outlining how private support strengthens the university, the role faculty and staff play and how the foundation is managing funds in difficult financial times. (Read more)

St. Patrick’s Day green event. A celebration of the U.S. Green Building Council’s award of a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design gold-level certification of the Campus Recreation Center is planned for 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. March 17. An open house with tours, giveaways and games is planned. Official ceremonies celebrating the first green building on campus are scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

Dean candidate to visit. Yi Deng, professor and dean, School of Computing and Information Sciences, Florida International University, will present to the campus at 4 p.m. Monday in the University Center Theater. A reception will follow. He is a candidate for the position of dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

Kudos

• Stephanie Hanenberg, director, Student Health Center, will receive the American College Health Association Affiliate New Professionals Award for 2009 at the ACHA annual meeting May 28.
• Jay Coakley, professor emeritus, Sociology Department, will be inducted into the National Association for Sport and Physical Education’s Hall of Fame at the NASPE banquet April 3.

Who’s New

• Jesse Johnson, custodian intern, Facilities Services, effective March 1.

In the News

• The Colorado Springs Business Journal wrote about a new technology company and quoted Sudhanshu Semal, professor, Engineering in Options for avatars abound
• The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about spring break travel warnings in Colleges warn students to be careful visiting Mexico
• The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about a new clinic operated Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences in UCCS opens health clinic for city employees
• The Chatanooga (Tenn.) Times wrote about the Iraq War and quoted David Fenell, professor, Education in The burden of war
• The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about city budget cuts and mentioned a UCCS student in pleas can’t save bus routes from the ax
• The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about local economic conditions and quoted Fred Crowley, senior instructor, College of Business, in recession’s reach expanding in area
• The Colorado Springs Gazette invited Don Klingner, professor, Public Affairs, to comment on government bailout efforts in Bailouts miss mark — and the point
• The Colorado Springs Gazette mentioned the University Village project near campus in Retailers that are growing despite the recession
• The Associated Press carried a story about applications at CU Boulder in CU freshman applications down from last year

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