As students return to campus and faculty and staff prepare for another academic year, CU Boulder offers a wide range of resources designed to help every member of the campus community stay informed, connected and supported. Whether you're finding your way around campus for the first time, looking to get involved, or learning about workplace resources as a new employee, there are tools and services available to help make the transition into the fall semester smoother.

Get involved and find your community

College is about more than academics. Getting involved outside the classroom is one of the best ways to make connections, develop leadership skills and feel at home on campus.

The Center for Student Involvement (CSI) offers numerous opportunities for students to connect with others who share similar interests. Through CSI, students can explore events, leadership programs, cultural programs and hundreds of student organizations.

Students looking for ways to get involved can use BuffConnect, the university's online engagement platform, to:

• Browse student organizations
• Discover campus events
• Learn about leadership opportunities
• Connect with affinity groups and communities
• Find volunteer and involvement opportunities

With hundreds of recognized student organizations representing interests ranging from academics and recreation to cultural engagement and community service, there are opportunities for nearly every Buff to find a place to belong.

Students can also take advantage of other resources throughout the Division of Student Life, including wellness services, recreation programs, student government, cultural centers, leadership development opportunities and programs specifically designed to support new students and families.

Resources for new faculty and staff

The beginning of the semester is also a busy time for new faculty and staff joining the Buff community. CU Boulder offers a variety of onboarding resources designed to help employees successfully transition into their new roles. The new employees website serves as a central location for information related to onboarding, benefits, required tasks, employee programs and campus resources.

New employees can find resources including:

• First-day and first-month checklists
• Information about the MyCUInfo portal
• Transportation and employee resource information
• New employee programs and campus orientations
• Contacts for support and assistance across campus

New faculty and staff are also encouraged to participate in onboarding opportunities such as the New Employee Welcome Experience, which introduces employees to CU Boulder's culture, mission, history and campus resources while helping them build connections across the university.

Download the CU Boulder Safe app

A key addition to the CU’s safety resources is the CU Boulder Safe app, the university's official mobile safety app available to students, faculty and staff. The app was designed to bring important safety tools, emergency notifications, health and wellness support and other campus resources together in one place.

The app includes several features designed to help users stay connected and informed:

• Push alerts provide real-time emergency notifications
• Text-to-Dispatch allows discrete, nonemergency communication with dispatchers
• Virtual Walkhome enables dispatchers to monitor a user's walk across campus in real time
• Friend Walk allows users to share their location with trusted friends or family members
• Quick access to resources such as Buff Bus, CUNightRide, parking information, campus maps and mental health resources 

Downloading the app and enabling push notifications is one of the easiest ways to stay connected to campus safety information throughout the year. Safety is a shared responsibility, and becoming familiar with available resources in case  they're needed can help create a more prepared and resilient campus community.

Stay informed with CU Boulder Alerts

One of the most important ways to stay safe on campus is knowing how CU Boulder communicates during emergencies and other situations that may affect the campus community.

CU Boulder uses a three-tiered alert system that provides different levels of information depending on the severity and nature of an incident. For more information about the alert system, CU Boulder community members are encouraged to take the Responding to CU Alerts training on Percipio. 

The three CU Boulder Alert Levels: Emergency Alerts (red), Safety Alerts (orange) and CU Advisories (yellow)

Emergency Alerts (Red): Emergency Alerts are used when there is an immediate threat to safety or if there is a change to the university’s operating status due to weather. These messages provide critical instructions to anyone on campus. 

Safety Alerts (Orange): Safety Alerts are issued when there is an ongoing threat on or near campus that requires awareness, such as certain criminal incidents. These alerts help community members make informed decisions about their safety.

CU Advisories (Yellow): CU Advisories share nonemergency information that may affect campus operations or daily activities, such as road closures, power failures or nearby police activity.

Students, faculty and staff are automatically enrolled to receive alerts through their @colorado.edu email accounts. Community members are encouraged to add or update their  mobile phone number in MyCUInfo to receive text notifications and stay informed of emergencies in real time. Understanding these alert levels before an emergency occurs can help reduce confusion and ensure everyone knows what actions to take when a message is received.

A successful start to the semester

Whether you're arriving on campus for your first semester, returning for another year or beginning a new role at the university, taking a few minutes to familiarize yourself with available resources can make a meaningful difference.

Exploring ways to get involved, connecting with campus support services, understanding the alert system and downloading the CU Boulder Safe app are simple steps that can help make everyone feel more informed, engaged and prepared for the months ahead. As the fall semester begins, these resources are here to help every member of the Buff community thrive.