Executive Summary
The Flagship Initiatives
Beyond staying competitive in the short term, our long-term aspirations call for visionary initiatives that will distinguish CU-Boulder among the very best public research universities. We believe our "flagship initiatives" lay a strong foundation for the university's transformation into the "new flagship" of 2030. These initiatives include:
1. Residential Colleges. We intend to build on our successful Residential Academic Programs (RAPs) by creating a new campus-wide emphasis on "residential colleges," offering a multi-year residential academic experience for every entering student.
2. Customized Learning. We will launch the "Colorado Undergraduate Academy" as an ongoing incubator for innovative learning methods and customized learning experiences. The academy will provide mentoring, individualized advising, and career counseling, as well as help attract more of the nation's best-qualified students to the university.
3. Experiential Learning. We will incorporate experiential learning programs more broadly in every student's education. These experiences may include research or creative projects with a professor, study abroad, honors or senior thesis projects, entrepreneurial initiatives, portfolios of creative work, full-time community service projects, or internships.
4. Colorado's Research Diamond. We will initiate a "Colorado research diamond" as a collaborative enterprise among regional universities, businesses, government, and federal laboratories. The research diamond will draw upon existing strengths to develop new technologies, patents, and intellectual properties—and apply them to real-world needs in Colorado and the world.
5. Transcending Traditional Academic Boundaries. We will build upon our excellent record in interdisciplinary research and creative work to become a global leader in ventures that span traditional academic fields. We will strengthen the university's advocacy, support, recognition, and financial incentives for faculty and students who engage and excel in interdisciplinary work.
6. Building a Global Crossroads. We will establish a "Colorado Center for Global Education, Research, and Advanced Studies" that will bring the world's best thinkers to visit, work, and study at CU-Boulder. The center's competitively selected "Colorado Fellows" will address specific global issues facing government, business, industry, communities, the state, and society at large. In addition, we will expand student and faculty exchanges around the world.
7. Creating University Villages. We will develop a new "university villages" concept to guide plans for the build-out of major university properties. Working in collaboration with community leaders, we propose creating mixed-use, education-related spaces that meet the needs of the university, the community, and the state.
8. Alternative Degree Tracks. We will expand the options for earning University of Colorado at Boulder degrees, providing greater emphasis on the master's degree as a primary track, greater support for students with advanced placement credits, and concurrent bachelor's/PhD degree programs in appropriate disciplines.
9. Year-round Learning. Within the next three years, we will examine changing the university's academic calendar to a three-semester, year-round schedule. This significant change in academic culture would expand learning and research opportunities for both students and faculty—and make better use of our resources, including facilities, personnel, and equipment.
10. Making Enterprise Work. We will seek greater operating flexibility and expanded resources to meet our role and mission. A new relationship with the state of Colorado will emphasize our public mission and our accountability under a more self-reliant and market-driven model. We will enhance our private fundraising efforts in support of university initiatives.
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