Are you a sophomore or junior with at least 60 credit hours (by end of spring 2024) seeking guidance on pursuing graduate school? Look no further than the McNair Scholars Program at CU Boulder—an opportunity designed to empower and support driven students like you. We support first-generation college students with financial need or who come from an underrepresented background in preparing for competitive application to PhD programs in their field. 

The McNair Scholars Program opens doors to a world of possibilities. Engage in hands-on research, benefit from personalized mentorship from CU faculty and graduate students, and access resources that will shape your academic and professional future. Learn about all our benefits at our website. 

Key program highlights

• Research: Immerse yourself in cutting-edge research projects guided by experienced faculty.  
• Mentorship: Receive one-on-one support to navigate the complexities of your academic journey and beyond. Become part of a close community of like-minded students who are navigating the same road to their academic goals. 
• Funding: Receive funding to support your summer research project, travel to present your research at regional and national conferences and more.  

Why McNair?  

If you're a first-generation student from a low-income background who aspires to get a doctorate, the McNair Scholars Program is tailor-made for you. Join a community that celebrates diversity and fosters success. 

How to apply

Learn more about our federally defined eligibility criteria and the straightforward application process. Priority deadline is Jan. 30. Admissions made on a rolling basis. Info sessions will be held Jan. 19, 23 and 24.

Don't miss this chance to elevate your academic journey and become part of a community dedicated to your success. The McNair Scholars Program is not just a program; it's an opportunity to transform your academic experience. Apply now and embark on a journey of discovery, growth and achievement. 

The Excellence in Leadership Program (ELP), hosted by the CU system Employee Services office, provides an exceptional opportunity for faculty and staff from the four CU campuses and system office to become effective leaders. ELP fellows participate in a nine-month (August–April) program designed to broaden their understanding of the University of Colorado and to equip them with the skills needed for effective leadership.  

Eligibility and commitment 

• The CU Boulder faculty nomination and selection process occurs in the spring semester. CU Boulder selects eight faculty fellows annually.   
• Eligible nominees include tenured faculty who have shown their commitment to the university and their potential as future leaders. They may or may not currently serve in a leadership position. 
• The program involves a significant time commitment from August to April that begins with a two-day retreat and monthly workshops held at the four CU campuses and the CU system office (see the 2023–24 schedule as an example; dates vary annually). Additionally, fellows engage in monthly conversations with CU Boulder senior leaders on the CU Boulder campus from September to April. 

Interested? Learn more about the program and indicate your interest to your dean so they may nominate you on your behalf (faculty self-nominations are not accepted). Nominations are due March 1, and successful nominees and their deans will be notified by April 30.  

All nominations and questions should be emailed to Merinda McLure, faculty fellow, Excellence in Leadership Program. 

OIT is offering a number of Canvas training sessions to help instructors make the most of their Canvas courses, including sessions on designing content with the Cidi Labs Design Suite, creating videos with Canvas Studio and more.

Schedule the Volunteer Resource Center (VRC) to come to your class! The VRC offers five-minute presentations covering:

• CUServes, the hub for finding volunteer opportunities
• CU in the Community, one-time, student-led service projects
• Alternative Spring Breaks
• The Volunteer Placement Program

To schedule a presentation at the beginning or end of class or to reach out with questions, please email volunteer@colorado.edu.

Are you a first-year student at CU Boulder? Interested in a research study on stress and coping in CU students? 

The Research on Affective Disorders and Development Lab is conducting research on stress coping in first-year CU students. We want to understand what helps CU students cope with stress during major transitions, including the transition to college and across semesters.

The study includes a few different parts that happen over a three-semester period: 

• There are two in-person research sessions, each of which takes about 4–6 hours. During these sessions, you will play some computer games while we monitor physical functioning (for example, your heart rate). You will also complete a set of interviews and surveys that ask about stress, behavior, mood and health.
• There are three 21-day periods in which we will send you a daily “micro survey” (less than five minutes to answer) asking about your behavior and mood using an app.
• There are two 1-hour online surveys that we will send to your email.

The study takes place over the course of three semesters, and you will be compensated for your participation (maximum of $446–$470 for completing all parts of the study).

If you want to learn more, contact the RADD Lab at raddlab@colorado.edu or fill out our initial eligibility screening.

Join our Transfer Advocate community of over 250 faculty, staff and students leaders who have participated in Transfer Advocate sessions! Learn more about all things transfer and brainstorm how you can best support our Transfer Buffs in your role.

Transfer Advocate 101 will describe the transfer student landscape at CU Boulder. Participants will discuss unique contributions of our Transfer Buffs, transfer campus support and resources, and what actions you can take to support this population.

Then, take your transfer student knowledge to the next level by joining Transfer Advocate 201. Participants will build on what they learned in the 101 training and apply their knowledge and experience to case studies about complex transfer student situations. Completion of Transfer Advocate 101 is required.

The spring 2024 schedule is posted on the Transfer Student Community website. Remote and in-person options are available from January to May. Sign up today!

Graduate students are invited to use the Rec Center on select weekends this spring, free of charge! Benefits include free access to the Rec and its facilities, free fitness classes, free bouldering (noon–5 p.m.) and free skate rentals during Rec Skate.

Join Saturdays and Sundays Jan. 13–14, Feb. 10–11, March 9–10 and April 13–14.

Bring your Buff OneCard for entry. Additional fees apply for rentals, guest passes and programs not listed.

If you’re moving into a new off-campus residence this week, be aware of Boulder trash ordinances. Make sure to properly dispose of any items you are getting rid of. Large items will not be picked up with regular trash, and abandoning those items can result in up to $1,000 in fines.

Here's what you should and should not do when throwing out your things.

Do

• Place unwanted items fully inside a designated dumpster.
• Wait for the dumpster to be emptied if it is currently full.
• Wait up to 60 minutes for a dumpster to be replaced if it’s been temporarily taken for emptying.

Don’t

• Leave unwanted items on the ground or to the side of the dumpster.
• Dispose of construction-related or other non-household items.
• Leave items in non-designated areas, such as yards or sidewalks.
• Many items that you may be getting rid of can be recycled. ⁠Visit Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations for resources to recycle, donate or sell your items.

The New Venture Challenge (NVC)—a signature program of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative—is CU Boulder’s “flight simulator” for students and employees driven to create real-world impact through new startups, organizations and endeavors. 

The general competition of the NVC is a multi-round, multi-event entrepreneurial competition. NVC gives aspiring problem-solvers and creatives a chance to build up these impactful ventures through entrepreneurial events and programming, community support, mentorship and—ultimately—the opportunity to compete for funding up to $50,000. 

Anyone with a Buff OneCard is eligible to compete. Application deadline is Feb. 8.

Strategic Relations and Communications is hiring a student liaison for the Buff Info program.

Job Title: Buff Info Student Liaison 
Job Category: Student Assistant I
Department/Group: Strategic Relations/Buff Info 
Job Code: 4101
Location: Hybrid 
Travel Required: No
Salary Range: Start $16
Position Type: Part-time Student Employment
Eligible for Raise: Yes

Who we are

Buff Info is CU Boulder’s centralized point of contact for information and resources. Have questions? We’re here to help. Buff Info is CU Boulder’s centralized resource for all students, faculty, staff, and community members. Our team of staff and students will provide answers to your questions to quickly guide you to campus resources. 

Ask questions via chat, email, or phone; receive help with general information; and connect with campus resources.

Buff Info can provide information about:

• Academic support
• Athletics
• Financial services
• Involvement
• Physical and mental well-being
• Registration and enrollment
• Student resources

Role and responsibilities

The Buff Info Liaison will need to demonstrate self-sufficiency, competency, and teamwork, and will be actively working on their own with emails, chats, phones, social media and other forms of contact.

• Participate in the Buff Info day-to-day cases; follow up with clients, documentation, trends, and training. This includes providing constituent support to the University of Colorado Boulder community via phone, email, chat, social media and other forms of constituent contact for general university-related questions and requests. The position is responsible for first-level assessment and triage determination for these questions and requests, as well as for questions and requests that would normally be routed to partner departments such as Strategic Relations and Communications, Division of Student Affairs, Office of Information Technology, and Offices of Enrollment Management.
• Maintain proficient knowledge to actively work Buff Info cases (answer chats and log them in our CRM system for data purposes).
• Provide constituent support to the via phone, email, chat, for general university-related questions and requests and log them in our CRM system for data purposes. 
• Accurately capture relevant and detailed information for reporting purposes. 
• Be proficient with and use tools to perform the function of being the single point of contact for campus information disbursement.
• Expected to use tools and resources according to campus IT policies. 
• Navigate the Buff Info workstations to pull up personal data, enter case notes, and communicate with professional staff.

Qualifications and education requirements 

• Current student, taking six credit hours or more or enrolled in the Leave of Absence program with the Office of the Registrar. 
• Candidate needs to be intensely interested in helping their campus community, answering questions, and providing accurate and timely information concerning campus events, policies, and procedures. 
• Employee must be able to work a set but flexible schedule around academic course times. 

Preferred skills

• Strong soft skills
• Attention to detail
• Discretion (FERPA, HIPPA, privacy, etc.)
• Strong writing and communication skills 
• Experience in the service industry or retail is desirable
• Coursework in communication-oriented classes/courses or coursework in humanities (English, journalism, sociology, anthropology, ethnic studies, education, or any other related field)  

Required minimum hours

Must commit to working 12 hours per week to maintain proficient knowledge. More hours may be available as business needs change and as terms change. 

Get more information on student employee work hours through CU Student Employment.

To apply

To apply for this position, email Caci Pippin (caci.pippin@colorado.edu) with the subject line Buff Info Student Employee Application and include the following items: 

• Your resume
• A completed Student Employment Application (PDF)
• An availability form (PDF) for your spring 2024 semester availability

Please note: A criminal background check may be required for this position. 

As part of ongoing violence prevention efforts funded by a U.S. Department of Homeland Security grant, the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence and the Boulder Valley School District will partner on a community presentation from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at Broomfield High School (1 Eagle Way, Broomfield, CO 80020). 

The program, intended for BVSD students, parents and family members, aims to share the warning signs for violence and strategies for being an upstander. Boulder Valley School District’s Safety, Security and Emergency Management Department will also discuss the district’s multi-dimensional approach to school safety. 

The community safety presentation will also cover the use of Colorado’s Safe2Tell as an anonymous reporting resource. Goodrum spearheaded CSPV’s Violence Prevention Project, raising awareness of the tool and access to resources and support among CU Boulder students, faculty and staff. The CU Boulder Police Department also promotes Safe2Tell as a reporting option. 

In November, the CU Board of Regents approved the construction of a new video board at Folsom Field. 

During construction of the scoreboard, which began on Jan. 2 and is scheduled to end in August, traffic will be reduced to a single lane on the portion of Colorado Avenue just south side of Folsom Field. The single lane will be controlled with temporary stop lights at both the east and west ends of the construction zone. People accessing the stadium will be detoured through alternate gates.

Friday, Jan. 5 is the deadline for fall master's graduates to update their diploma name or address in Buff Portal. 

Mental Health First Aid training helps a person with no clinical training assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge or crisis. Participants are introduced to risk factors and warning signs, engage in experiential activities, discuss relevant professional and self-help resources, and learn a five-step strategy to provide support. Mental Health First Aid for Higher Education provides tailored content for members of the higher education community.

This training is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9, at the UMC. 

Wildfires can happen at any time of year in Colorado, even in December and January, which makes fireworks particularly dangerous in the Boulder area. It's important to find other ways to celebrate the new year in Boulder.

The city of Boulder’s fireworks laws are more restrictive than other areas of Colorado. Laws prohibit items like sparklers, snaps, snakes, bottle rockets, roman candles and smoke bombs, in addition to fireworks that leave the ground or explode. You may also be held responsible for fireworks used by roommates and guests.

Possible legal penalties include:

• Fines up to $2,650
• Court fees
• Possible arson charges
• Possible jail time
• Liability for property or personal injury damages.
• Referral to ⁠CU Boulder Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution

Unused fireworks can be brought to the Boulder Public Safety Building at 1805 33rd St. without penalty. Connect with ⁠Student Legal Services or visit ⁠Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations to learn more about common citations and Boulder ordinances.