From the Chancellor

July 2017

Philip P. DiStefano

Dear Friends,

It's easy to have the misconception that a college campus is closed during the summer as students depart for summer jobs, travel and spend time with their families. At CU Boulder, the lazy days of summer are hardly that. In fact, the campus is a hive of activity and educational opportunities as we work to support our students in their success and develop tomorrow's leaders.

As of mid-July, we've had nearly 9,000 degree-seeking undergraduates and 1,000 graduate students taking classes this summer, with some sessions yet to begin.

We also are hosting 1,400 middle and high school underrepresented and first-generation students who are taking part in our many Pre-Collegiate Development Programs.

The programs help motivate and support these young students as they prepare to achieve their higher education goals. We are excited about our newest program serving two dozen students from eastern Colorado, the first of several expanding our reach to rural areas statewide.

Another example of our Pre-Collegiate Programs is the weeklong boys2MEN summit, which hosted students from the Denver metro area in leadership seminars, group activities and meet-and-greet sessions with CU Boulder alumni and faculty who have become successful in fields such as banking and information technology. (Read the story below.) Hearing these powerful success stories from those who lived them creates energy, passion and confidence among the young men to forge their own college and career paths.

This summer we’re making important upgrades to facilities, classrooms and residence halls to further support students. In the heart of campus, we have watched with excitement the construction of the Center for Academic Success and Engagement, a building that will be transformational for our students and their families as a gateway to campus and home to student support services.

Nearly two dozen classrooms have received tech upgrades, and five residence halls have been upgraded. A new pedestrian and bicycle underpass to enhance safety and facilitate the use of multimodal transportation was completed this summer on the south side of campus under Baseline Road.

This summer also found us meeting with the proud members of our oldest international alumni chapter: 400 members strong in Japan, and more than 40 years old! In addition, we met with hundreds of Colorado alumni and friends in their hometowns when we toured the state from Greeley to Carbondale in June.

And don’t forget, we love it when our alumni come and see us! I hope you will join us for Homecoming, Oct. 26 to 29, when we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ralphie tradition!

Go Buffs!

Sincerely,