News and notes: Board of Regents, February 2017
News and notes from the CU Board of Regents meeting Feb. 16-17 at CU Boulder:
Students raise DACA concerns
During public comment, several students voiced support for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students, and called on university leadership to maintain its support. CU President Bruce Benson and the four campus chancellors last month signed a letter of support expressing commitment to access and success for all students.
In a statement, Regent Vice Chair Glen Gallegos thanked those who spoke on the issue.
“We understand that recent actions have created a great amount of uncertainty and anxiety, not only for undocumented students and workers, but for those who care about them,” Gallegos said. “The Board of Regents also cares about the future for all of our students and workers, including those who are DACA recipients, receive in-state tuition under the ASSET program, or who have traveled to the University of Colorado on study or work visas. You are part of our community and we value your contributions to the University of Colorado.
“For you, as well as for every member of our community, we ask that everyone draw from our Guiding Principles, which recognize that faculty, student, and staff diversity will promote ‘the rich interchange of ideas in the pursuit of truth and learning.’ Each of us must work towards our principle of ‘providing an outstanding, respectful and responsive living, learning, teaching and working environment.’ Every student who earned, through hard work and commitment to their own education, a place at the University of Colorado deserves our support and respect.”
‘Practically perfect’ Shockley-Zalabak given chancellor emerita designation
The Board of Regents granted Pam Shockley-Zalabak the title of chancellor emerita of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Pressed for time, Regent Kyle Hybl summarized the resolution rather than reading it aloud by saying, “Whereas Pam Shockley-Zalaback is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, and whereas she is practically perfect in every way, now therefore be it resolved that the University of Colorado Board of Regents expresses its deep gratitude to Pam Shockley Zalabak for her loyal and faithful leadership and service, and outstanding contributions to the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and to the entire University of Colorado system.” The resolution was passed unanimously, 7-0, with regents John Carson and Sue Sharkey not present. Shockley-Zalabak retired Feb. 15 after 15 years as UCCS chancellor and 40 years with UCCS. Read more in Communique.
Notes
Board Chair Irene Griego reported the university has hired the law firm of Cozen O’Connor and its attorneys Leslie Gomez and Gina Maisto-Smith to assist with an independent inquiry into events around the eventual resignation of assistant football coach Joe Tumpkin. The inquiry will look into what occurred and when, if university policies were violated and whether those policies should be modified to better explain requirements on reporting. Read more in CU Boulder Today. … The board approved the appointment of Ethan Cumbler, M.D., to the Board of Directors of the University of Colorado Hospital Authority, and the reappointments of Peter F. Steinhauer, D.D.S., and John W. Bliss to the Board of Directors of the Coleman Colorado Foundation. … A new bachelor’s degree in data analytics and systems engineering at UCCS received board approval. … The board voted 7-0 to approve a new professional graduate degree program in higher education in the CU Boulder School of Education. Read more in CU Boulder Today.
- Jay Dedrick and Cathy Beuten