New video displays coming to Folsom Field

Two upgraded video scoreboards should be installed at Folsom Field on the University of Colorado Boulder campus in time for the 2012 football season. The Board of Regents approved the project during its meeting Wednesday at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

Existing video displays at the stadium are 13 years old, obsolete and have been plagued by malfunctions because replacement parts no longer are available. The $7 million project will be funded through Department of Intercollegiate Athletics auxiliary funds.

The board voted for the scoreboard project as well as other maintenance projects at CU-Boulder, all of which had been advanced to the full board from the Budget and Finance Committee’s Capital Construction Subcommittee. They include bathroom renovation at the Williams Towers and repairs to utilities services tunnels.

“We don’t have anything glamorous (among the recommendations) – no big new buildings,” said Regent Sue Sharkey. “It’s maintenance of our buildings and facilities. This is critical, because if we don’t keep up with these projects we’ll have larger expenses down the road. I’m glad this is becoming a priority.”

In other action at Wednesday’s meeting:

• Regents narrowly passed a resolution voicing support for Colorado ASSET (Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow) legislation, now being considered by lawmakers at the Capitol. Senate Bill 15 would create a new “standard” rate of tuition for undocumented students who have attended high school in Colorado for at least three years and have been admitted to a state college or university within a year of high school graduation. The rate would likely be more comparable to in-state tuition rather than out-of-state tuition. The board voted 5-4 in favor of the resolution brought forward by Regent Joe Neguse; he and the board’s other Democrats were joined by Regent Tilman “Tillie” Bishop, R-Grand Junction, in supporting the resolution.

• The board heard a report on teaching development across the system, presented by Kathleen Bollard, vice president and academic affairs officer. The report was the culimination of a sweeping survey of teaching development opportunities available throughout the system. It also identified areas of opportunity, such as further training for graduate students who teach and faculty development for new hires in tenure-track positions. The board voted to accept the report and urged continued work in the area.