Announcements

Regents approve modest tuition increase for UCCS students. Undergraduate students at UCCS will pay an additional $9 per credit hour beginning next fall, according to plans approved Tuesday by the CU Board of Regents. Meeting at the Anschutz Medical Campus of CU Denver, the Regents approved tuition increases for all three CU campuses. The 5 percent average increase for UCCS students is below a 9 percent rate cap established by the General Assembly in the appropriations act. (Press Release)

Budget plans detailed. Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak told more than 400 faculty and staff who attended budget forums this month that UCCS traditions of collaboration and cooperation will help the campus reduce expenses and increase revenues over the next two years and meet projected decreases in state funding. Formal plans are expected to be developed over the summer and will be shared in the fall. To see the Powerpoint used by Shockley-Zalabak explaining the need for changes, click here (.pptx).

Staff lunch and dessert. A lunch to celebrate staff contributions to the university is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today in the UCCS Gym. A 70s theme is planned. Immediately following the lunch, a “topping off” ceremony is planned for the new Event Center as the final steel beam is hoisted into place. Faculty, staff and students interested in signing the beam before it is lifted are encouraged to do so this morning. The beam is on the east side of the University Center, near the Event Center construction site.

Commencement 2009. More than 800 students are expected to participate in Commencement ceremonies beginning at 11 a.m. Friday at the World Arena. Faculty are encouraged to arrive early to greet students as they line up. See detailed instructions (.doc), a map (.doc) and features on graduating seniors Ex-roofer sets sights on PhD, LEGOs prompt 50-year-old's return and Air Force nurse completes doctoral degree while deployed.

Golden grads. Three members of the Beth-El School of Nursing class of 1959, when the college was affiliated with Memorial Hospital, will attend a convocation for current nursing graduates at 2 p.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church, 420 N. Nevada. Shirley (Glover) Ahnstedt, Longmont, president of the 14 member class, Shirley (Korte) Lee, Denver, the class secretary-treasurer, and Norma (Cope) Hanawalt Plavich, Colorado Springs, will attend the event and talk about their experiences as nurses.

Furloughs clarified. Plans to furlough state workers will not affect staff members at UCCS, according to the Colorado Department of Higher Education. The DHE recently decided that furlough decisions will be left to governing boards for colleges and universities. Neither furloughs nor layoffs are part of UCCS budget plans, Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak said during recent budget forums.

Deadline extended, holiday declared. Open enrollment for university health, dental and life insurance plans will be until 5 p.m. May 26, according to Payroll and Benefits. Additionally, faculty and staff who participate in CU benefit plans will not see premium deductions for June 2009. By shifting the premium pay date, a one-time “holiday” effect occurs. For more information, visit www.cu.edu/pbs/openenrollment.

College of Business adopts Principles for Responsible Management Education. Responding to the global call for business schools and academic associations to advance corporate social responsibility worldwide, the College of Business and Administration at UCCS has committed to adhere to the Principles for Responsible Management Education. (Read more)

Kudos

Promotions approved for 10 faculty. Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak recently approved promotions for faculty including associate professors and professors. (More)

Learning community leaders. Steve Jennings, assistant professor, Geography and Environmental studies, Constance Staley, professor, Communication, Julie Alberston, instructor, Engineering, Chris Hill, professor, History, and Kimbra Smith, assistant professor, Anthropology. These individuals secured grants allowing UCCS to expand its learning communities. The communities, directed by Emily Skop, Geography and Environmental Studies, Molly Kinne, Residence Life, and Barbara Gaddis, director, First Year Experience, bolster student engagement through shared courses and co-curricular activities that extend beyond the classroom.

Who’s New/Changes

Watson appointed UCCS counsel. A former assistant counsel and privacy officer for the University of Colorado System will serve as associate university counsel for the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. (Read more)

Michael Sanderson, recruitment and retention coordinator, Graduate School. His appointment was announced May 4 by Jenenne Nelson, dean, Graduate School. Sanderson has worked in the position for five months as a temporary.

In the News

• The Denver Post wrote about actions by the CU Board of Regents in Plea to save CU faculty newspaper fails
• The Boulder Daily Camera wrote about actions by the CU Board of Regents in CU regents approve tuition increases
• The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about tuition at UCCS in 5% tuition increase at UCCS for next year
• The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about UCCS athletics in This week's top 10 things to watch
• KRDO broadcast coverage of an investigation included commentary from a UCCS faculty member in Campaign Contributions A Conflict?
• The Colorado Springs Business Journal wrote about jury awards and quoted a UCCS faculty member in No cause, and likely no effect
• The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about job prospects and quoted a UCCS staff member in Local graduates entering a competitive job market
  

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