DiStefano’s State of the Campus advances collaboration, efficiency

CU-Boulder Chancellor Phil DiStefano addressed an audience of about 300 in the Glenn Miller Ballroom Oct. 16 in his annual “State of the Campus” address, and offered an update of the Flagship 2030 Strategic Plan and a strategy of “coming together” to improve CU-Boulder’s finances, reputation and the student experience.

The chancellor began the address by welcoming new leaders to campus, including Arts and Sciences Dean Steven Leigh, Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer Kelly Fox, Vice Chancellor for Administration Louise Vale, and Chief of Staff Catherine Shea. The speech focused on what the chancellor feels are elements critical to the university and its success, including enhancing the student experience, establishing new and diversified funding sources, and building and protecting the reputation of the institution.

Included in the address was an overall progress report on the campus’s Flagship 2030 Strategic Plan. This is the fifth year since the launch of the plan and DiStefano announced he will post a full update on the Flagship 2030 website in the coming weeks.

Highlights shared in the address included growth in the research and scholarly work of the faculty, the almost-doubling of the number of Residential Academic Programs, and significant investment in campus facilities.

This year’s address also had particular import for the faculty and staff of the campus. In light of the continual decreases in state funding for the university, DiStefano said that university employees must lead the changes that will allow the university to thrive under new funding models.

“If we are going to be the university that models how a public institution can survive, and even thrive in the new fiscal reality, we must think boldly, we must come together as a team,” he said.

The chancellor closed the address with the announcement of a new Advisory Council, composed of leaders outside the CU-Boulder community.

“This council will help us identify new funding sources, build support for new research partnerships, make innovations in how we serve our students, and help us build and sustain our reputation in Colorado and across the nation,” he said.

The full text of the speech, as well as a recording of the LiveStream, are available on the chancellor’s website.