CHAPTER 1

University Overview and History

A Community of Learners

Research universities should be "communities of learners" — places where each learner thrives "in a campus environment that nurtures exploration and creativity," according to the 1998 report on "Reinventing Undergraduate Education" by the Boyer Commission. That ideal is reflected in the "total learning environment" envisioned for the University of Colorado at Boulder as the campus enters a new century and new millennium.

At its core, the University of Colorado at Boulder is about  learning — in all its forms and venues. Everyone in the campus community has a role to play in the learning experience, from the young freshman enrolled in introductory political science to the biochemist examining the mysteries of RNA. And, indeed, administrators and staff members support the learning process when they advise a student, set up a computer lab, or complete a financial transaction.

By involving the entire community in learning, the campus strives to integrate world-class research, exceptional teaching, and outstanding service to Colorado and beyond. The Boyer Commission spoke of a "synergistic system" that integrates all the parts into a balanced whole. As discussed in later chapters, CU-Boulder is well on its way toward achieving that vision — with its growing cadre of residential academic programs, its ever-expanding Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, its successful faculty scholars, and its active outreach efforts.

Learning, then, is the common thread running through the life of the Boulder campus — and through the chapters of this document. The Self-Study Report offers a broad overview of the many ways learning takes place at CU-Boulder, highlighting the campus’s strong commitment to interdisciplinary work and integrative approaches. The document also examines the myriad support functions and activities that make learning possible. And, with a view to the future, the Self-Study reflects on the campus’s potential for strengthening its total learning environment as the leading comprehensive public research university in the region.