Announcements

Clarification. Because of an editing error, an article in the May 7 edition of the Silver and Gold Record incorrectly reported the amount of budget reductions planned for UCCS. UCCS leaders have preliminary plans for the 2009-10 budget to reduce expenditures by $1.89 million and to use a combination of budget cuts, Federal stimulus funds and modest tuition increases to achieve a goal of $4.93 million needed for next year. Tuition rates will be set by the CU Board of Regents May 19, allowing budget plans to be completed. Faculty and staff who attended budget forums this week were briefed on the plan as was the University Budget Advisory Committee.

Campus budget is forum focus. Faculty and staff who have not attended a budget forum are encouraged to attend a final all-campus forum on the subject scheduled for 9 a.m. May 12 in the University Center Theater.

Annual awards. Faculty and staff honored with campus-wide or CU System-wide awards were feted this week at the annual Campus Awards Ceremony. See photos of the event as well as the program with citations (PDF).

   

Benefits open enrollment. Open enrollment for CU benefit plans began this week, though final costs for health and dental plans are not yet available. Faculty and staff are encouraged to review information on the Payroll and Benefits Department website, www.cu.edu/pbs/openenrollment or attend an information session scheduled for May 11 in the University Center Theater. Faculty and professional exempt staff are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., classified staff at noon. Retired faculty and staff, and surviving spouses, are scheduled for 9 a.m. Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., representatives of the various health insurance carriers will be available to answer questions on the University Center’s third floor lounge area.

Year in Review. Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak highlighted campus accomplishments over the past several months during a meeting with campus deans, department directors and academic program chairs this week. Shockley-Zalabak thanked those in attendance for their diligence and emphasized the importance of celebrating important milestones. See the Year in Review Powerpoint presentation.

Concealed carry suit shot down. District Judge G. David Miller this week dismissed a lawsuit filed by a UCCS senior, a UCCS alum, and a student at CU Denver asking that a ban of concealed weapons at CU campuses be overturned. Miller said there was nothing in the state constitution that prohibits the CU Board of Regents from enacting a gun ban on campus. See the Colorado Springs Gazette's coverage of the decision.

Commencement volunteers to meet. Volunteers to assist with Spring Commencement, scheduled for 11 a.m. May 22, will meet at  11 a.m. May 19 in the UC Theatre. To receive materials from the meeting, contact Tina Collins, Office of the Dean of Students, 255-3258, tcollins@uccs.edu.

Staff lunch looks to 70s. The UCCS Staff Luncheon will be 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 20 in the UCCS Gym. A 1970s theme is planned with bell-bottom pants, wide-collar shirts and platform shoes making a comeback. Please RSVP to Tina Collins by May 15, 255-3258 or tcollins@uccs.edu.

Last edition coming. The final edition of Communique for the spring semester will publish May 20 and will contain any last-minute details for Commencement exercises scheduled for May 22 as well as decisions by the CU Board of Regents. Communique will publish monthly in June and July, resuming weekly publication in late August. Suggestions and comments are welcome. Send ideas to ur@uccs.edu or call Tom Hutton, 255-3439, or Allison Swickard-Gorman, 255-3732.

Kudos

MOSAIC recognizes diversity leadership. The Multicultural Office for Student Access, Inclusiveness and Community recently recognized graduating seniors, student organizations, staff and faculty for efforts to promote diversity. See those recognized.

UCCS to compete for national championship. UCCS golfers won the NCAA Division II Central/West Regional Championship this week and qualified to compete for the national championship. See details of the tournament.

In Memory

Funeral services for Grace Gerstner, 82 of Colorado Springs, were today in Lakewood. From 1986 to 2001, she was administrative assistant, Gallery of Contemporary Art. See Gerstner's obituary as published in the Gazette.

In the News

• The Colorado Springs Business Journal wrote about the research of a UCCS faculty member in Forum report: worst is over for Springs economy
• The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about CU budget cuts in No UCCS jobs lost in CU cuts, but pay will fall for some staff
• The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about a new transportation plan and mentioned UCCS in Colorado Springs starting study for downtown streetcar
• The Boulder Daily Camera wrote about swine flu cases at CU Boulder in CU investigates three possible swine flu cases
• The Denver Post opined about college funding in Colleges need steady income
• KRDO aired a story about a UCCS faculty member in UCCS Professor, Community Advocate Wins $10,000 Service Award
• KRDO aired a story about Cinco de Mayo celebrations and mentioned UCCS in Cinco de Mayo Celebrated in Southern Colorado
• The Denver Post wrote about CU System budget cuts in CU pulls plug on faculty newspaper
• The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about crime and quoted a UCCS professor in
  Property crime rate in Springs continues to ebb Burglary, theft have seen a 20-year slide

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