I&S Employee Newsletter - May 2021

Enabling campus climate action

Dear Infrastructure and Sustainability team,

I feel pride and excitement as commencement nears this week and as we put a cap (and gown) on an academic year that was like no other -- one that would not have been possible without the selfless contributions of all of you.

April is always a sprint to the finish and our attention spans are often spread thin as the spring term draws to a close. So I hope that, if you weren’t able to attend the virtual Campus Sustainability Summit on April 22, you can find a few minutes to watch and read Chancellor DiStefano’s Call to Climate Action that he issued during the summit. Among other action items, the chancellor declared our university’s intent to reach carbon neutrality by no later than 2050, and he announced the formation of a sustainability council that will integrate sustainability efforts across the campus.

The Call to Climate Action is great news for our I&S team. Our organization has played a key role in the campus sustainability progress. Our successes have included planning, designing, constructing and upgrading 27 buildings to achieve at least LEED Gold status, with 11 now certified as LEED Platinum; topping a 50% campus waste diversion rate for three years in a row; implementing sustainable landscape practices; and so much more.

We will need to continue seizing every opportunity for progress, as we play a major role in campus’s ability to achieve the vision the chancellor has laid out. I’m excited about our Energy Master Plan, which is nearing completion and targets a 30% reduction in energy use intensity in our campus buildings by 2035 and 100% use of clean energy in campus buildings by 2050. In conjunction with the housing and transportation master plans, completed in 2019, and our Campus Master Plan, which will be completed later this year, Infrastructure and Sustainability continues to play a vital role in creating and executing the roadmap that will help our campus achieve the chancellor’s vision. (Our Campus Master Plan team recently gave a public presentation on the scenarios being laid out in the plan that you can watch via our CMP website.) Our Chief Sustainability Officer, Heidi VanGenderen, will also be leading the upcoming update to our Climate Action Plan.

I’m excited with the reimagination of our future campus in the years ahead that will contribute toward a shared vision for a more sustainable and resilient future that is so vital to our society. We have the passion, the knowledge and right team in place to get us there. Thank you for all you do!

Sincerely,

David Kang, vice chancellor for infrastructure and sustainability

Infrastructure and Sustainability diversity and inclusion training coming May 20, 1-3 p.m.

When an interaction does not achieve best outcomes and it seems repair is needed, where do we begin? This conversation with Donna Mejia aims to explore how our social and cultural identities interface with our individual temperament. This slippery slope of a topic requires large doses of humor and a sense of adventure. Please bring your questions and curiosities for a rich exchange. Join via Zoom on May 20 at 1 p.m.

From the Chancellor: Message about winter break

In recognition of the hard work, dedication and sacrifices made by our campus community this year and last, I am announcing a revised campus winter break schedule to set year-end expectations and to give our faculty and staff time to plan ahead.

COVID-19 vaccinations, monitoring, Buff Pass requirements

The requirement for COVID-19 monitoring testing ends May 10.
CU Boulder’s monitoring testing program will not operate in the fall semester.
Those who are interested in continuing with a monitoring testing program can sign up for the state of Colorado Binax At-Home rapid testing program.
The daily completion of the Buff Pass form will be optional after May 10.
CU Boulder will require staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccine before the fall 2021 semester. As updates to the vaccination requirement processes are announced, they will be added to the CU Boulder COVID-19 Vaccine webpage.

Remembering Steve Marvel

We are sad to share that Steve Marvel, who retired from the Distribution Center at the end of March, has passed away. In lieu of any flowers, Steve's family and friends have set up a fund in his name at the Arvada Youth Football Association. The fund is meant to provide scholarships for low income youth to be able to participate in the football program. Steve coached for many years and he always spoke fondly of his time coaching. Donations can be mailed directly to the address below, noting that the donation is in honor of Steve Marvel.

Arvada Youth Football Association
PO BOX 1679
Arvada, Co 80001

Information on a memorial service will be posted on the FM employee webpage once it has been arranged.

Remembering Alan Wright

We are saddened to share the news that Alan Wright passed away on Saturday, April 24. Alan was a part-time bus driver in Transportation Services since 2015. Alan is survived by his wife. No services are planned at this time. You can view Alan's obituary and add condolences here.

Lynne Harrahy memorial service and celebration of life

Lynne Harrahy was a valued member of our Utility and Energy services team who passed away on Dec. 16, 2020. Her husband Dave has shared with us that a memorial service and celebration of life is planned for Lynne on May 15, 2021 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Greenwood & Myers Mortuary, 2969 Baseline Road in Boulder. All are welcome to attend in person or virtually. The service will be streamed live for those unable to attend in person. The link to the live service will be available on the Greenwood & Myers Mortuary site.