I&R Employee Newsletter - August 2025

Dear Infrastructure and Resilience team,

As summer winds down, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for the incredible work you’ve done over the past few months. Whether you’ve been out in the field, behind the scenes or supporting our campus in countless other ways, your dedication keeps CU Boulder running strong.

I enjoyed seeing so many of you at our annual summer picnic—thank you for making it such a memorable gathering.

August brings exciting opportunities to connect and grow together. I’m especially looking forward to our upcoming Volunteer Day of Service—a chance to give back to our broader community and strengthen the bonds within our team. Whether you're weeding, painting or pitching in elsewhere, your efforts reflect the spirit of service that defines I&R. Plus, there’s lunch and a CU-branded trucker hat waiting for you! If you haven’t signed up yet, registration closes today (Thursday, Aug. 7 at 5:00 p.m.)—don’t miss out.

We’re also launching a new Extreme Ownership cohort, continuing our commitment to leadership development across the division. This program has already sparked meaningful growth and collaboration, and I’m excited to see more of you engage with its principles and practices. All of us in I&R are leaders, whether you lead a department, a team, or are a single contributor. If you interact with people and make decisions throughout your workday, you are a leader.

Meanwhile, the I&R leadership team is working to refine our mission, vision, and values this month. We’ll be sharing more soon.

Thank you, as always, for your hard work, your heart and your resilience. Let’s carry this momentum into the fall semester with pride and purpose.

With gratitude,
Chris Ewing, vice chancellor for infrastructure and resilience

How long have you been working at CU? 12 years

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? Outdoor activities with my wife and two children.

Tell us something that might surprise us about you.  I’m a musician / composer who operates a small music studio out of Longmont. I recently presented a lecture on film score composition at the CU school of music, and will be doing so again in the future. My band, The Alcapones, (www.alcaponesband.com)  have a new album coming out this spring entitled “Everything Is Fine”, available on vinyl & streaming services. If you enjoy ska/reggae/rocksteady music, I’d love to see you at a show this summer!

What do you love about CU Boulder? It is satisfying to provide logistical support for an organization which actively promotes and invests in scientific research and advancement.

What is your favorite type of music? I enjoy music from many eras & genres, but I primarily perform jazz, ska, reggae, funk, and R&B.

What are you currently reading? Re-reading a favorite, “The Monkey Wrench Gang” by Edward Abbey.

Are you a die-hard fan of anything? The Pittsburgh Steelers, The Iowa Hawkeyes (class of 1997)

Our campus grounds and buildings look amazing in preparation for our students returning to campus. Now is the time to plan for their return and focus on safety around campus. Our safety begins from the time we leave for work, until we return home. Please be careful while on campus and if you are driving, be mindful of all the pedestrians. When the semester starts, be sure to pull over and stop during class change periods. Remember to always ask for help when needed so we can support one another and keep our community safe. Have a great school year!

FM Safety Committee

The FM safety committee meets the third Tuesday of every month to discuss general safety concerns, review safety reports and on-the-job injuries and recommend training needs and resources. If you are interested in attending a meeting or bringing an issue or idea that is safety-related, please reach out to your area representative on the FM safety committee or contact our Safety Specialist Don Fitzpatrick.

Infrastructure & Resilience recently hosted Aims Community College on campus to launch our new no-cost GED Preparation Program for CU Boulder staff. Participants attended one of two informational sessions and learned about Aims’ flexible GED options—including personalized support, express tracks, and bilingual instruction. This exciting partnership, part of IROCC’s commitment to expanding educational access, is paving the way for staff advancement and new opportunities. Learn more about IROCC at colorado.edu/irocc.

The FMIT team is excited to share two recent initiatives aimed at improving communication and connectivity across our facilities. New digital signs have been installed at GROC, the Distribution Center, and the Stadium, providing dynamic updates, announcements and key information to staff in real time. These signs are part of our ongoing effort to enhance visibility and engagement across locations. Additionally, the cell phone upgrade project has officially launched. The new cell phones will provide streamlined mobile access and better support for our FM employees. Stay tuned for more information as the project rolls out and the timeline is established.

I wanted to take a moment to recognize Kerry Howard for the incredible support she consistently provides. She truly deserves more credit for everything she does behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly. Throughout my time here at CU, Kerry has always taken the time to patiently answer my many questions. Every year, she takes the time to re-teach us Cornerstone (coachings, setting up weights and reviews) and ensuring we’re on track. Her support of the fire systems shop, with any and all HR questions, has been invaluable. Kerry has also been instrumental in helping me navigate Concur, which I can personally attest is not the most user-friendly system. Somehow, despite her already full plate, she still finds time to plan retirement celebrations and manage the director’s calendar (both of which are no small feats).
I’d like to nominate Kerry as a small token of appreciation for her dedication, patience and the many hats she wears so gracefully.