University of Colorado at Boulder
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Welcome, Incoming Graduate Students!

NOTE: See http://admissions.colorado.edu/graduate/admitted-students for the latest version of this information.

Prior to Arrival on Campus

• Activate Your CU Login Name and IdentiKey Password

Before you can register for classes, you must create a CU-Boulder login name and IdentiKey password. You will need your Student ID number, which was sent to you in your official admittance email. Please visit the ITS IdentiKey manager page for instructions on creating your IdentiKey: http://oit.colorado.edu/accounts.

• Activate your CU-Boulder Email

CU-Boulder's e-mail and calendaring service is built on a feature-rich, easy-to-use interface provided by enterprise e-mail leader Mirapoint. It can be accessed from a web browser (https://culink.colorado.edu) or from an e-mail program such as Outlook or Mac Mail. Access your CULink e-mail account with your CU Login Name and IdentiKey password.

Please note: CULink will be replaced with a new mail service, Buffalo Mail, which is expected to be online by Fall 2011, so watch for updates about the new email server!

• Register for Classes

For details on registration, please visit the website for the Office of the Registrar.

Once you have secured your IdentiKey and password, and you have read the information on how to register, you can log in to MyCUInfo (https://mycuinfo.colorado.edu). The first item to note is your registration "enrollment appointment." This will tell you the dates and times that you will be allowed to register. Be sure to click the “details” button to determine exactly what time of the day your appointment begins. Once you have determined your registration date and time, you can begin searching for classes.

• Submit Immunization Records to Wardenburg Health Center
Colorado State Law requires new freshman, transfer, and graduate students to submit proof of two doses each of measles (rubeola), two rubella (German measles), and two mumps (or “MMR”) vaccinations. This is a mandatory requirement for all college students born on or after January 1, 1957. Submit forms by fax, mail, or in person by the end of August. Visit http://healthcenter.colorado.edu/forms/immunizations for more information.
• Submit a Photo for your Buff OneCard

Your Buff OneCard is your student ID card and your key to many different services and events, including dining, printing, banking, and public transportation. Plan ahead and submit an application and valid photo over the summer, and when you arrive on-campus in the fall you can quickly pick up your card and get moving, rather than waiting in line. Visit the Buff OneCard website for deadlines, applications, and instructions: http://services.jsatech.com/index.php?cid=59

• Read the CU-Boulder Graduate Student Bill of Rights & Responsibilities
Know your rights and your responsibilities. Familiarize yourself with the CU-Boulder Graduate Student Bill of Rights & Responsibilities

Moving to Boulder

• Getting to Boulder, Colorado
• Housing

Once you've moved, don't forget to change your address. Changes can be made on MYCUInfo.

Temporary Housing

Boulder International Hostel is an independent hostel that has been in business since 1961. The hostel offers dorm (shared) rooms and private rooms for travelers on a budget. It also offers temporary housing with weekly and 4-weekly rates. Please see rates for details. Current hours are 8am - 11pm.

On-Campus Housing Options for Graduate Students

Graduate & Family Housing: for families, married couples, and single parents, the university maintains furnished and unfurnished one-, two-, or three-bedroom apartments a short walk from campus. A limited number of efficiency or studio apartments are available to single graduate students who are 21 or older. Prices here are less expensive than in the Boulder community. Eligible applicants must be registered as full-time students. Only students and members of their immediate families may reside here. These apartment complexes offer onsite laundry facilities, playgrounds, and access to the day care center for housing residents. Nearby shopping is accessible by walking or city bus. To get on a waiting list, apply early through the Family Housing Office.

Off-Campus Housing

Most graduate students typically live in one of the many apartments, condominiums, or houses in Boulder. Check out popular Boulder Student Neighborhoods!

  • Off-Campus Student Services (a service of UCSU) maintains listings of rooms, houses, and apartments for rent in the Boulder community. Students can also schedule an appointment with a lawyer on Tuesdays or Fridays to discuss rental concerns. You can also find Off-Campus Student Services on Facebook for regular updates about the housing fair and new postings on Ralphie's List.
  • Ralphie's List has over 200 property ads for you to search through. There are also message boards to help you locate other graduate student roommates, carpools, and furniture. If you are looking to buy property, be sure to check out the For Sale section. Just log in with your CU username!
  • Bear Creek Apartments at Williams Village provides fully furnished apartments and community amenities to undergraduate and graduate students. A majority of the residents are sophomores and juniors with a few seniors and graduate students. Graduate students will not be placed together unless they request roommates during the application process. Residents are matched by lifestyle and personality criteria only. A few one-bedroom and efficiency apartments are available.
  • Housing Helpers is a relocation company that can help you find roommates, apartments, and homes in the Boulder area for FREE. Housing Helpers is especially helpful for those students moving to Colorado for the first time and can assist in searching for housing.

    Boulder County and North Metro Denver
    2865 Baseline Rd.
    Boulder, CO 80303
    Toll-free 1.800.795.5937
    Local Phone 303.545.6000
    Fax 303.545.9405
    Boulderinfo@housinghelpers.com
  • Boulder’s Craigslist offers a list of available rooms, apartments, and houses, as well as those seeking roommates.
  • Boulder Property Management is the “Largest and Number One Property Management Company in Boulder” and is located at the southeast corner of 28th Street and Colorado, directly across from the University of Colorado.

    Boulder Property Management
    1100 28th ST
    SUITE 100
    Boulder, CO 80303
    Tel: 303.473.9559
    Fax: 303.473.9614
    information@bpmco.com
• Getting around Boulder
  • Bus Service
    Student fees pay for students to have a bus pass each semester, which means that a Buff OneCard with a valid RTD decal sleeve makes students eligible for free bus rides throughout Boulder and the Denver metropolitan area, including rides to Denver International Airport (DIA) and the Eldora Mountain ski area. For more route and RTD information visit: www.RTD-Denver.com

    The Buff Bus provides free transit around the main campus to 30th Street. The Buff Bus operates each day and night throughout the fall and spring semesters when classes are in session. View the Buff Bus schedule.
  • Late Night Transit
    The Late Night Transit bus route provides expanded hours of operation on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in conjunction with the start of CU's fall semester (Late August). Late Night transit operates on its regular route every 15 minutes from 10 pm to midnight on these nights and connects Boulder's main activity centers, downtown, CU and Twenty Ninth Street. The Black, Gold and Silver Line routes run Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, from midnight until 3 am.
  • Parking
    Students may purchase student permits to park on-campus. For more information on rates and parking lot locations visit Parking and Transportation Services.
  • Biking
    Many students enjoy biking to campus and around Boulder. Bicycle registration is mandatory at CU. Register your bike at the CU Bike Station just east of the UMC from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Bring your bike, our student ID, and $10 to register. To learn more about the Bike Program, or find local bike routes, visit Parking and Transportation Services. Don't have a bike? Boulder B-cycle is a community nonprofit formed to implement and operate a bike-share system. Or visit the Environmental Center for information on short-term and semester-long bike rentals.
  • Carpool
    CU-Boulder has launched Zimride, a social network for ridesharing. Zimride is a simple way to find friends, classmates, and co-workers who are going the same way you are. For more information please see Parking and Transportation Services.
  • CarShare
    PTS and eGO CarShare, a local non-profit, have collaborated to provide a campus carsharing service available to students, faculty and staff. Three vehicles are located in the UMC/Farrand Field areas. Three more are located at outlying housing areas with one each at Bear Creek, Williams Village, and Newton Court. Members may use any of the 23 vehicles in the eGo fleet: eight cars in Denver, six on our campus, nine elsewhere in Boulder including a pick-up truck stationed at McGuckin Hardware.
• Childcare
The Children’s Center serves the children of university residents, students, staff, and faculty. For information on services, schedules, and rates, call the office or visit the website, which includes a detailed list of resources for parents in the Boulder area.

For a listing of childcare services in the Boulder area, visit http://www.boulderparenting.org/directory.html.

Note: Most childcare services in Boulder have a long waiting list; it's a good idea to arrange for childcare as soon as possible.

Family Resources: http://childcare.colorado.edu/current-families

Child Learning Center: http://slhs.colorado.edu/clinical/clc.php
• Utilities
A Sampling of local utility service companies to choose from:
Qwest local telephone service and internet service
3LongDistance (inexpensive with local access on campus)
Comcast Cable/Phone/Internet service
XcelEnergy

Before Classes Begin

• Get your Buff OneCard

Your Buff OneCard is your key to all kinds of services and events here at CU. It is your official university identification as a student, but it offers you so much more! If you submitted an application and photo over the summer, visit the Campus Card Office to pick up your card. If you missed the deadline, go to the office to have your card made on-site.

  • Buff One Banking is optional, but is one of our most popular and convenient card programs. It allows you to use your Buff OneCard as an ATM and debit card.
  • CU-Campus Cash allows cardholders to make small dollar transactions while on campus for dining, laundry and printing anywhere on campus where the Buff OneCard and CU-Campus Cash transactions are accepted.
  • Your RTD bus pass sticker and Buff OneCard together allow you to ride all local and regional RTD buses at no charge. This includes the skyRide to Denver International Airport.
  • As a student Buff OneCard holder, your card is turned into a season ticket by the Athletic Department when you purchase student football or basketball season tickets.
  • Campus Card Office
    Center for Community (C4C) N180
    159 UCB
    Boulder, CO 80309-0159
    303-492-0355
    M-F 8:00am - 4:30pm
• Attend Graduate Student Orientation

Sponsored by the United Government of Graduate Students (UGGS), the campus-wide graduate student orientation gives incoming students a chance to learn about campus resources and make new friends. The Fall 2011 orientation will be held on August 15th 8:30 am-12:00 pm in Hale 270. Departments will also hold their own orientations and will contact you directly.

• Double-check your Status on MYCUInfo

MyCUInfo will provide you with your course schedule, classroom locations, financial aid status, and your bill.

• Ask your Department Important Questions

Essential Questions

  • Who is my advisor? Can I switch advisors?
  • Are there sequential course requirements I need to be aware of in order to complete my degree on-time? What semesters are required courses offered?
  • Does my department offer teaching, research, or grading opportunities for students? How can I become eligible for these positions?
  • Are there any upcoming department events or activities? How do I find out about them?

Additional Questions

  • Does my department maintain an email list serve for students?
  • Do I have an office or a department mailbox? Where are they located?
  • Do I have department copy privileges? Where is the nearest location to make copies?
  • Does the department offer independent study courses? How do I set up an independent study course?
  • Does the department have a student handbook, wiki, or other general resource for information?
  • Who are the graduate students I could contact for advice on coursework, teaching, or the program requirements?
  • Are there any department clubs, internships, or professional societies?
  • Are there any exchange or summer programs that support my degree?
  • What academic centers/programs are going to be the most useful to me?
  • Does the department support travel expenses for conferences or research?
  • What are some common certificate programs for students in this department?
  • What opportunities does the department offer in the summer?
  • Am I allowed to switch disciplines?
  • How do I fulfill or waive a foreign language requirement?
  • Who do I contact in the department about payroll?
• Waive or Sign Up for Health Insurance

Wardenburg Health Center is the primary health care facility for CU students located conveniently on campus. Services include primary care, psychological health, sports medicine, women’s health, and peer health education. You can waive a health insurance plan online if you have your own.

• Get a Job

The Student Employment Office posts job announcements for on and off-campus employers, visible only to current CU students. If you are a current student, you can access the online job board through MyCUInfo. You may also qualify for work-study, a need-based financial aid. In order to determine eligibility for work-study, students must first submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). After receiving notice that you are eligible for financial aid, verify if you are eligible for work-study through the Student Employment Office. Note, only incoming undergraduate freshmen are automatically notified of this eligibility. All others must inquire.

• Attend Discrimination and Harassment Training

All student employees (including teaching assistants and GTPIs) must take a mandatory discrimination and harassment training class (within 30 days of hire) provided by the Office of Discrimination and Harassment. The Graduate Teacher Program offers two workshops on Friday August 19th in Chem 140. If you are unable to attend one of the workshops, the training can also be completed online at http://hr.colorado.edu/dh/Pages/Training.aspx. Note: Check with your department to verify whether or not the in-person workshop is required.

Discrimination & Harassment Policy Training for New Teaching Assistants & GPTIs
08/19/2011 - 8:30am
(this is the same as the 2:30 PM session, attend only one session) Megan Rowland, Investigator, Office of Discrimination and Harassment
Chem 140

Discrimination & Harassment Policy Training for New Teaching Assistants & GPTIs (Repeated)
08/19/2011 - 2:30pm
(this is the same as the 8:30 AM session, attend only one session) Megan Rowland, Investigator, Office of Discrimination and Harassment
Chem 140

• Establish Colorado Residency for In-State Tuition

If you do not already qualify for in-state tuition, you can become eligible after one full year of living in Colorado. To qualify for in-state tuition you must complete a Petition for In-State Tuition Classification. The petition requires proof of residence in Colorado for the entire year, such as a signed lease, as well as documentation that you have registered to vote, obtained a Colorado driver’s license, registered your vehicle, and filed Colorado state income taxes. For more information on the process, visit the Office of the Registrar.

For general information on vehicle registration, obtaining a driver's licence, etc., visit www.colorado.gov.

Visit the Boulder DMV to obtain a Colorado license, register your vehicle, and register to vote!
Boulder DMV Office
2850 Iris Ave., #F
Boulder, CO 80301 (Northeast end of 28th and Diagonal Plaza)
M-F, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
(303) 442-3006


Voting
Your vote is important! Whether it’s for the University of Colorado Student Union (UCSU), local, state, or national candidates, or issues, exercise your right to vote.
If you want to register to vote in the State of Colorado, you must meet the following requirements:
• Eighteen years of age or older on the date of the next election
• A citizen of the United States
• A resident of your precinct in which you intend to vote at least 30 days before the election
• Registered to vote at least 29 days before the election
You can register to vote in Colorado online at www.GoVoteColorado.com.
If you are not a Colorado resident and you are registered to vote in your home state, you can still vote in your state’s elections by requesting a ballot be mailed to your Colorado address.

If you are a Colorado registered voter who will be absent from the state during an election, you can request your ballot be mailed to you—known as a mail-in ballot—by visiting www.GoVoteColorado.com. For complete election information in Boulder County, visit www.BoulderCountyVotes.org or call 303-413-7740.
• Attend The Graduate Teacher Program Fall Intensive

The Graduate Teacher Program Fall Intensive is your chance to attend seminars on teaching techniques, pedagogy, and graduate student professional development offered the week before classes begin. The Fall Intensive is supplemented by Friday Forums and Special Workshops throughout the semester.

Familiarize Yourself with Campus

• Get to Know the IT Infrastructure

Primary IT Resources for Graduate Students:
As a CU-Boulder student you'll be able to take advantage of educational technology tools, wireless network access, an extensive array of modern computing labs, and innovative classroom technology.

  • OIT QuickStart: A Tour of ITS Services at UC-Boulder
  • CULink Email Account:Your official university email account. Note: CULink will be replaced by Buffalo Mail, which is expected to be online by Fall 2011, so watch for updates!
  • MyCUInfo: Your primary portal for financial aid, billing, registration, academic information, and much more!
  • CUConnect: This student portal is slowly being replaced by MyCUInfo. Some services are still available only through CUConnect including CUClicker resources, computer-based training, and software resources for discounted software.
  • My.cu.edu:This employee portal will be useful for CU graduate students who are also employees of the university. My.cu.edu gives you access to employment-specific information and forms such as travel authorization requests, employee reimbursements, and W-2 Forms.
  • Printing On-Campus: Both black-and-white and color printers are located throughout the CU-Boulder campus in libraries and campus computing labs. Black-and-white printing costs ~$0.10/page and color printing costs $0.50/page. In order to pay for your print job, you must use Campus Cash from your Buff OneCard. A limited amount of cash is provided on your Buff OneCard originally, and you can add more by visiting the Buff OneCard website and clicking on "Add Campus Cash," or you can use one of the Patron Card Vending machines located in Norlin Library.
  • Virtual Private Network (VPN) Information: Once downloaded, this software provides a secure encrypted tunnel from your computer to CU's network whether you are on campus or off. If you are using the client from off campus, it appears that your computer traffic is originating from the CU network thus allowing access to resources that require on-campus connections such as library resources.
  • Campus Computing Labs
  • Campus network and Internet access (via Ethernet or wireless)
  • CULearn is CU-Boulder's online component to courses, including online paper submissions, discussion blogs, document distribution, and more. If you are enrolled in a class that uses it, or if you would like to use it as a teaching tool in your classes, click on the link above.
    Note: CULearn is also being replaced with D2L, Desire to Learn, which is expected to go online by Fall 2011.
  • SkillSoft, CU-Boulder's computer based training
  • Hardware and Software: Learn about recommended and supported hardware and software, some of which is free.
• Campus Maps
• University Memorial Center

More than 25,000 people use the University Memorial Center (UMC) each day as a gathering place, a restaurant, or a shopping center. The UMC has a variety of study areas and lounges that are used by students for relaxation and study. In addition, the center offers a wide array of entertainment, including concerts, movies, bowling, pool tables, and an arcade. The UMC also houses the CU Book Store, a branch of the Elevations Credit Union, Off-Campus Student Services, the Women's Resource Center, student groups, a copy center, and the Dennis Small Cultural Center. You'll also find a ride-sharing board, a bulletin board for posting items for sale, and 24-hour automated teller machines.

• Center for Community

The dynamic Center for Community features centralized key student services and programs on the upper floors including Career Services, International Education, and Counseling and Psychological Services, among others. The center is home to the largest dining center on campus with the capacity to serve 900 people and the flexibility to host special events and meetings.

• Coffee & Tea
• Food
  • Center for Community (C4C)
    Features the newest dining center on campus, offering a wide variety of international cuisine, plus two cafés, and a Grab-n-Go outlet. Payment options vary. Campus Cash on your BuffOne card can be the most reliable and economical.
  • University Memorial Center (UMC)
    Features several different eateries offering a broad range of choices, from entrees to salads, sandwiches, pizza, Japanese food, baked goods, and smoothies. Cash and credit cards accepted. umc.colorado.edu
  • Dorm Options
    Graduate students may use any of the dining options located in the undergraduate dorms (Farrand, Libby, and Sewall). For details and payment options, see housing.colorado.edu/dining.
    • Dining Centers feature seasonal entrées and side dishes, deli bars, salad bars, fruit, desserts, and beverages.
    • Retail Markets offer snack foods and beverages.
    • Grab-n-Go outlets feature freshly prepared salads, sandwiches, soups, and more.
• Bookstores
  • Bookstores

    CU Book Store
    The CU Book Store is proudly owned and operated by the university, with a service and product selection designed with you in mind. Conveniently located on campus in the University Memorial Center, the CU Book Store is ready to support all of your academic and apparel needs—from textbooks and buybacks, to gifts and CU merchandise, to school supplies and general books, to a complete range of computer hardware and software.

    Colorado Bookstore (on the hill)
    The Colorado Bookstore offers a wide selection of textbooks and general interest books. In addition, it sells school supplies, computer software, postage stamps, gifts, and other merchandise.
• Quiet Study Areas
  • Libraries
    Business Library
    Group Study Rooms - Book in advance
    Earth Sciences & Map Library
    Group Study Rooms - First come, first served
    Engineering Library
    Group Study Rooms - First-come, first-served
    Group study is welcomed and encouraged in the study areas on the first floor. The downstairs area is designated quiet study.
    Norlin Library
    Group Study Rooms - Book in advance
    Quiet Study Areas in Norlin Library
    Norlin Floor Plan
    Music Library
  • Reserve a Study Carrel Through Library Services
    Don't have an office space and need a quiet place to study on-campus? Library Services offers a limited number of study carrels to graduate students by semester. Carrels are located in Norlin Library and reserved on a first-come, first-served basis by presenting a valid UCB ID at the Circulation desk. If carrels are not available at that time, graduate students can put their name on a waitlist. A five dollar refundable key deposit is required.
  • Atlas Study Rooms
    -Quiet Study Lounge with comfy couches on the 2nd Floor
  • Biolounge
    Located on the Museum's lower level, the new BioLounge is an inviting, relaxing, and totally unique space at the Museum of Natural History. An amalgamation of exhibit, cabinet of curiosities, coffee bar, lounge, and venue for science, art, and music, the BioLounge brings a new approach to the art and science of biodiversity.
  • Center for Community (C4C)
    3rd Floor lounge
  • Center for Multicultural Affairs
    Located in C4C N320, 3 small study rooms, up to 6 people, check out with front desk
  • Top floor of Duane Physics Building (Physics graduate students: Check out the Physics Help Room in the basement of Duane, Room G2B90)
  • University Memorial Center (UMC)
    -First floor
    -Conference Rooms on the 3rd floor near Room 381
    -227 near the Reception desk
    Secret Study Spot One of the best-kept secrets of great study spots is the fifth floor of the UMC. While some people are astonished there is a fifth floor of the UMC, the rest of us have already utilized the comfy couches, chairs, tables, and relaxing views to our advantage. It’s a prime nap area, so if you’re studying, make sure to keep it down. The only downside is the size of the room; it’s pretty small, so you take your chances finding a place. But it’s worth it.
  • More ideas for quiet study areas: http://studentlife.colorado.edu/features/great-places-to-study
  • Off-Campus Study Spots:
    Innisfree Poetry Bookstore
    Buchanan's Coffee
    Starbucks
    The Cup
    Boulder Public Library

Student Services for Graduate Students

• Academic Resources
  • Academic Advising
    For assistance with academic issues including requirements, thesis and dissertation guidelines, deadlines, and more, visit one of the following advising sites. The Graduate School oversees all graduate programs other than law and the Leeds MBA.
    Graduate School Advising Services
    School of Law Advising
    Leeds School of Business Advising
  • Library Services
    Through University Libraries at ucblibraries.colorado.edu, you can:
    -find sources for your thesis or dissertation
    -access thousands of online, full-text, peer-reviewed journals, as well as books, theses and dissertations, primary sources, government information, the OED online, and more at http://libraries.colorado.edu
    -receive on-demand delivery of article PDFs via email
    -retrieve additional sources from other local, national or international libraries
    -find tools and workshops to make your thesis or dissertation research easier: RefWorks, EndNote Web, citation tracking, literature review tools and more at ucblibraries.colorado.edu
    -contact personal research consultations with librarians knowledgeable about resources in your field of study
    -find study/work space for graduate students available in Norlin Library. Carrels are reserved for a semester on a first-come, first-served basis.
    -Graduate students may check out books for 180 days (six months) with the exception of journals or short-period loan items. Graduate students may have up to 300 items checked out on their account.
• Career Services

Career Services assists graduate students in pursuing careers after obtaining a master’s or doctorate degree. Career Services offers workshops, events, and online resources to help graduate students begin searching for jobs. Graduate students can sit down with a career counselor, receive feedback on resumes, and meet with potential employers through this office. For more information please contact Valentine Roche at Valentine.Roche@colorado.edu.

• Health & Wellness
  • Counseling Services: offers individual counseling, groups & workshops, crisis intervention, alcohol and drug counseling, and career assessments. All counseling services are free for registered students and walk-ins are accepts Monday thru Friday 10am-4pm.
  • Wardenburg Health Center is the primary health care facility for CU students located conveniently on campus. Services include primary care, psychological health, sports medicine, women’s health, and peer health education.
• The Graduate Teacher Program

The Graduate Teacher Program strives to help graduate students perform effectively as graduate teaching assistants and graduate part-time instructors in undergraduate labs, recitations, and courses on the Boulder campus. It prepares graduate students for their future roles in teaching, research, and service on the faculties of diverse postsecondary institutions in the state of Colorado and elsewhere.

• Multicultural & Diversity Resources
  • The Center for Multicultural Affairs will connect you with student advocates who'll get to know you and help you get to know yourself so you can pursue the path that's right for you. The CMC will put you in touch with peers and mentors whose experiences can offer useful guidance and support; and connect you with organizations that will enhance your community involvement and leadership skills. The CMC offers graduate students a conference room, meeting and study space and computer and multimedia resources.
  • Disability Services works within the CU-Boulder community to build partnerships that remove physical and attitude boundaries. Disability Services supports the needs of approximately 450 students with a variety of disabilities, including those who are blind or have low vision, deaf and hard of hearing, learning, physically, or psychologically disabled, ADHD or have experienced a traumatic brain injury. Support services include registration and academic scheduling assistance, strategy development, determining appropriate accommodations, campus networking, interpreting, and advocacy. No-cost screening appointments are available, but other testing may require a fee.
  • The Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Resource Center (GLBTRC) is here to help gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and allied (GLBTQIA) students at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Come by the center to check out resources, get involved, make new friends, have a quiet place to study, and more! The center offers a Graduate Student Network group for social support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender graduate students.
    Email: wilenche@colorado.edu for more information.
  • International Student and Scholars Services Program is the office which bears the overall institutional responsibility for international students once they are admitted to the University of Colorado at Boulder. There are five advisers in the office to advise international students and scholars on a variety of topics ranging from immigration to housing.
  • The Veterans Services Office at the University of Colorado at Boulder supplements the recruitment and retention of veterans to the Boulder campus. Veterans Services provides a key point of contact for counseling and program information for the veteran/military community at CU-Boulder, while developing and maintaining productive relations with off-campus organizations and programs serving veterans. Veterans Educational Benefits is part of the Office of The Registrar and helps eligible students apply to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs for their VA educational benefits. The office also process VA enrollment certifications for students each term.
  • The Women's Resource Center strives to create a campus environment where women will thrive. The center offers referrals and information, a resource library, a gathering place, consultation and education, advocacy, peer groups, programming, and volunteer opportunities.
• Safety and Crisis Support
  • Campus Safety provides comprehensive safety resources for faculty, staff, and students. CU Night Ride is a student-run program created to improve the safety of the members of our university community by providing free, after-dark transportation, on and off-campus, for students, faculty, and staff. Call 303-492-SAFE (7233) to request service.
  • Campus Alerts provides real-time info about campus closures, extreme weather, and other emergencies—sent straight to your mobile via a new text messaging service.
  • Victim Assistance provides free confidential response services for students, faculty, staff and their significant others who experience traumatic, disturbing or disruptive life events.
  • Student Legal Services provides consultations concerning traffic violations, criminal charges, consumer affairs, contracts, landlord/tenant relations,and more. Low fees.
  • CU Helpline offers a confidential service run by trained CU students to hel you with any issue you may be facing.
• Forever Buffs Program

The "Forever Buffs" Program offers current students and alumni networking opportunities such as, Ask a Buff where students can ask alumni about careers, relocating, and more. Students can learn about on-campus and off-campus events and enjoy lifetime career services. All for free! Visit the CU-Boulder Alumni website for more information.

Campus Activities

• Connect with Other Students
  • Clubs and Organizations
    Whether you're looking for a group that emphasizes ethnic or cultural heritage, political involvement, environmental issues, or hobbies, clubs and organizations are an important part of campus life. Joining a club is a good opportunity to pursue specific interests and meet people.
    For information on student activities, clubs and organizations, see www.colorado.edu/studentlife/activities.
  • Dissertation Support Group This is an on-going weekly drop-in support group for graduate students who have passed their comprehensive examinations and who are starting or working on their dissertations. Group members will support one another in setting and meeting concrete goals toward completing their dissertations.
    Tuesdays 1-2:45 PM, C4C S435
    Facilitator: Glenda Russell, Ph.D., Glenda.Russell@colorado.edu
    ***Check out the article about this group, featured in the Daily Camera!!!***
  • Smart Start A group for Masters students who want to develop concrete skills that will work for you in graduate school and beyond.
    Sept. 14, 21, 28 Oct. 5, 12, 19 1-2:30 PM, C4C S435
    Facilitator: Glenda Russell, Ph.D. Glenda.Russell@colorado.edu
  • For more ideas on how to get connected to campus life, visit www.colorado.edu/inthemix
• Get Active
  • Funded largely by student fees, the 210,000-square-foot Student Recreation Center is one of the most popular facilities on campus. The center includes a 25-yard swimming pool, ice rink,climbing wall, aerobics studio, and more. Current students paying full fees have an automatic membership to the recreation center.
  • Intramural sports provide a range of men’s, women’s, and coed team and individual sports activities at various ability levels. The program of leagues, tournaments, and special events varies from season to season, with specific information available at the beginning of each semester. Club Sports Programs enable students to compete in a variety of sports at local, intercollegiate, regional, and national levels in an atmosphere that is less intense than varsity athletics, but more competitive than intramurals.
• Visit Museums and Galleries

CU-Boulder is fortunate to offer a variety of museums, galleries, and other on-campus attractions. The CU Art Museum—set to re-open in fall 2010 in the state-of-the-art Visual Arts Complex at the heart of campus—organizes year-round exhibitions of major national and international art in addition to showing work by regional artists and students. Visit the UMC Art Gallery to see contemporary exhibits by CU-Boulder graduate students and international, national, and regional artists. In addition, visit our online events calendar for information about the CU Heritage Center, the Sommers-Bausch Observatory, the Fiske Planetarium & Science Museum, the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History, CU Presents, Macky Auditorium, and dozens of additional CU-Boulder events.

• Find Religious Organizations

Religious Campus Organizations is an officially recognized organization that provides religious outreach to the CU-Boulder community. Members work together to help students stay spiritually connected. Many have special centers or churches close to campus. Visit the website for a list of participants.

• Support CU Athletics

The NCAA Division I Colorado Buffaloes have won 23 NCAA championships, including 17 in skiing, three in men’s cross country, two in women’s cross country, and one in football. Each year our athletics program ranks in the top 40 of the Director’s Cup/NACDA competition. We’ve also had at least 10 teams nationally ranked in each of the last 12 years. Our teams compete in the Big 12 Conference, consistently one of the toughest and most competitive conferences in the country, and CU-Boulder students turn out in large numbers to support their Buffs. http://www.cubuffs.com/

• Get Involved with Student Government
  • Based on its budget of more than $34 million, of which half comes from student fees and half from self-generated revenues, the University of Colorado Student Union (UCSU) is the nation's largest student government. UCSU operates facilities such as the Wardenburg Health Center, the University Memorial Center (UMC), the Student Recreation Center, and the campus radio station, KVCU. UCSU also offers students assistance in finding off-campus housing, legal counsel, and many other services.
  • The United Government of Graduate Students (UGGS) is the primary advocacy group for graduate and professional students on the CU-Boulder campus. UGGS is committed to enhancing the graduate student experience at the university concerning issues such as financial aid, graduate stipends, health care, tuition and fees and graduate student well-being.

Off-Campus Activities

• Graduate Student Hot Spots

The Boulder Bookstore - local bookstore with a café and weekly author visits!

Boulder Theater - Located in downtown Boulder, the Boulder Theater hosts concerts and performances.

Chautauqua Park - Visit a historical landmark walking distance from campus!  Hike the many trails or just enjoy studying outdoors.

Dushanbe Tea House - Located in downtown Boulder, the Dushanbe Tea House, a gift from our sister city Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and delicious teas!

Farmers' Market - takes place every Wednesday evening and Saturday morning in downtown Boulder. Peruse local organic food and entrees.

Harpo's Sports Grill - offers 27 televisions of your favorite sports games and a Geeks Who Drink Trivia Quiz every Tuesday!

Illegal Pete's - Order at the counter and walk away with tacos, burritos, and more! The cheap prices are a favorite with students.

The Laughing Goat - offers coffee, tea, and live music!

The Mediterranean ("The Med") - The Med offers Italian, Spanish, French, and Greek cuisine and offers a great tapas happy hour! It was voted Boulder's Best Overall Restaurant in 2011.

The Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery / Southern Sun Pub & Brewery - local brewery and restaurant!

• Boulder

Located at the base of the Rocky Mountain foothills, Boulder offers 45,000 acres of open space and 300 miles of trails. Boulder has about 100,000 residents and prides itself as a health-conscious and environmentally friendly community. Residents enjoy 300 days of sunshine, a nationally recognized high quality of life, and strong education system.

The community of Boulder has a wide range of offerings, from arts and culture to outdoor adventures and culinary delights. It offers exciting nightlife, interesting annual events and celebrations, and a diverse population.

Visit the links below for more information.

• Denver

Just 45 minutes from Boulder, Denver is the closest metropolitan city and boasts a beautiful mixture of historic and modern buildings, old-west charm and chic urban attractions. With a thriving arts and cultural world, excellent restaurants, shopping, thriving nightlife, and much more, Denver is a fun and exciting place to visit.

Visit the links below for more information.

• Get Outside
  • Hit the Trails
    Boulder is surrounded by 43,000 acres of open space and has over 300 miles of bikeways. Hiking, biking, and climbing are the most popular local outdoor activities. For an Open Space and Mountain Parks Trail Guide, go to www.bouldercolorado.gov and select "biking" or "hiking" in the city A-Z.
  • Hit the Slopes
    Excellent downhill ski areas are a relatively short distance from Boulder. National forest and park service lands are open to cross-country skiers wherever there’s snow. Maps of national forest and park locations are available at retail stores specializing in mountain sports. Wherever you go, be alert to snow and weather conditions. Remember that storms might approach quickly during the winter, and the State Patrol might require chains or adequate snow tires for traveling on mountain roads. Drive and ski carefully!
    Colorado Department of Transportation Information Hotline: 303-639-1111 | cotrip.com
    Colorado Ski Country Report: 303-825-SNOW (7669) | www.coloradoski.com
• Volunteering

Numerous volunteering opportunities are available on campus and in communities all over the world. Read on to find out about university resources and organizations that provide volunteer opportunities locally, nationwide, and globally.

  • Volunteer Resource Center The Volunteer Resource Center (VRC) is CU-Boulder’s volunteer placement service. VRC links students, staff, and faculty to community programs for both short- and long-term volunteer service that match a variety of interests, including education, law, health, environment, animals, disabilities, seniors, women, justice, arts, language, culture, and more. VRC hosts volunteer fairs at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters, short-term service projects, Alternative Breaks volunteer trips during university breaks, campuswide food and shelter supply drives, and CU’s annual day of service, Better Boulder Better World.
  • Volunteer Connection As a community-based clearing house for nonprofit organizations, the Volunteer Connection offers more than 1,000 volunteer opportunities in the Boulder area. Visit the website to schedule a meeting with referral counselors who will help you search the extensive volunteer database.
  • VolunteerMatch In partnership with thousands of local nonprofit organizations, VolunteerMatch has built the nation’s most comprehensive and up-to-date online database of volunteer opportunities. You can search for volunteer opportunities by zip code, category, and date, and you can inquire via e-mail about specific programs that fit your interests and schedule.
  • Institute for Ethical and Civic Engagement The Institute for Ethical and Civic Engagement (IECE) prepares CU-Boulder students for a lifetime of service to society. IECE is working to make ethical and civic engagement a defining characteristic of our educational community. Visit the website to learn how you can get involved.
  • INVST Community Studies The INVST Community Leadership Program (CLP) develops community leaders who engage in compassionate action as a lifetime commitment. The INVST CLP is a two-year experience that combines community service with theoretical learning and practical skills training. Students earn 24 academic credits and receive an AmeriCorps scholarship and a “Certificate in the Study and Practice of Leadership.”
  • Student Ambassadors 303-492-6301 Join our admissions staff and help recruit outstanding students to our campus. Volunteer student ambassadors lead campus tours and assist with campus visit programs, sharing their college experience with prospective students and their families. If you’re interested in becoming a student ambassador, call or stop by the Office of Admissions. The College of Engineering and Applied Science also offers a student ambassador program. Stop by Engineering Center ECAD 100 or call 303-492-1146.

For additional information on campus-wide services, activities, and groups, see http://colorado.edu/studentlife.