This is an exhilarating time of year in which we honor our graduates and celebrate their achievements. Our campus community members are a highly productive group. Graduates are launching new careers, some students and faculty are continuing their work during Maymester and on into the summer term, while other students are heading to internships and summer jobs. And of course university research rarely, if ever, takes a break. Even with busy schedules I hope you will take time to recharge over the summer.
I would like to take a moment of your time to tell you what I will be working on over the summer on behalf of the campus.
I will be joining with the campus community to engage with new CU President Mark Kennedy, who officially starts on July 1, to ensure he understands our campus priorities, culture and extraordinary strengths. I will also be following up on my work with shared governance groups on campus issues and priorities and prepare for meeting with them again in our next academic year.
I look forward to embarking on two state tours to meet with alumni, business and government leaders on the West Slope and the Front Range. In addition I will be meeting with donors across the nation.
As a member of the board for the Association of American Universities, there are several critical issues to discuss that impact the future of our nation’s research universities, including security of university research. On our campus, Provost Russell Moore has asked Terri Fiez, vice chancellor for research and innovation, to lead our campus discussion on protecting our intellectual property.
There continues to be significant discussion with our AAU peers about federal budget appropriations for higher education. Please see my recent guest editorial in the Colorado Sun on this important subject.
Another important topic in higher education is the mental health and wellness of young people. This is an important issue not only on our campus but on campuses across the country. Last month our campus received an unprecedented gift to establish The Renée Crown Wellness Institute to develop research-based solutions to challenges facing children, youth, families and schools. We are looking to expand our partnerships in this critical area.
If you’re like me, you will want to build a little fun into your summer, and I encourage you to attend the Colorado Shakespeare Festival on campus, especially if you are staying in Boulder or the metro-area. I also hope you have an opportunity to check out other events and happenings on campus this summer.
Philip DiStefano
Chancellor
