Posts tagged student
CU-Boulder to host Military Student Day March 21
Mar 19th
The University of Colorado Boulder will host Military Student Day on March 21 to assist military service members interested in transitioning from military service to life as a college student.
Co-sponsored by CU-Boulder’s Office of Admissions and the Office of Veteran Services, the daylong event is aimed at supporting Colorado’s service members who are interested in pursuing college degrees, specifically those who are close to military retirement and separation, according to Michael Roberts, program manager of CU’s Veteran Services office.
“Military Student Day is designed to allow service members the opportunity to ask questions of current CU-Boulder staff and student veterans about the admissions process and what it is like to be a CU Buff,” Roberts said. “We’re committed to supporting Colorado’s military community and are excited about this inaugural event to assist service members in making an informed decision about their educational pursuits.”
The event will include specific information sessions on veteran educational benefits and veteran services, provide personalized counseling advice on how to transition to a college environment, and offer advice on admission, academics and transferring to CU-Boulder. In addition, participants are invited to take a guided campus tour and attend a sample lecture. In the afternoon there will be breakout sessions with campus faculty, staff and student veterans to discuss specific questions about transitioning to campus life.
Service members interested in attending the event should contact Jack Kroll in CU-Boulder’s Office of Admissions at jack.kroll@colorado.edu or Michael Roberts in CU-Boulder’s Office of Veteran Services at michael.roberts@colorado.edu.
CU president Bruce Benson cracks back at news media over salary debacle
Mar 11th
Perception and reality
Public universities such as ours are subject to public scrutiny. Even though the state of Colorado provides less than 6 percent of our budget, we have an obligation to be open and accountable to our students, alumni and citizens. The close examination that comes along with that obligation is fair.
CU President Bruce Benson
Public universities such as ours are subject to public scrutiny. Even though the state of Colorado provides less than 6 percent of our budget, we have an obligation to be open and accountable to our students, alumni and citizens. The close examination that comes along with that obligation is fair.
The university has had its share of scrutiny from Colorado media recently. In the past month, stories and editorials have covered everything from salaries to proposed tuition increases. Suffice it to say that most have been negative. Many CU alumni and friends have shared with me that they feel the coverage paints an unfair picture of our university. I agree in some cases but not all. Regardless, I want to take this opportunity to address some common perceptions (and misperceptions) in recent reports about CU and provide context that may not always make headlines or sound bites.
Perception: CU makes important decisions about tuition and salaries out of the public eye.
Reality: The Board of Regents every year sets tuition and compensation pools in public meetings that occur over many months. For instance, the regents began discussing compensation for fiscal year 2011-12 in February 2011, furthered the conversation in early April and established a 3 percent merit salary pool at their public meeting in late April, at the same time they approved tuition rates. The media was at the meeting and reported the story. The merit pool was contingent upon campuses meeting established budget targets, which they did in October.
For fiscal year 2012-13 tuition setting, the discussion began at the board retreat last July (with media present), continued with two meetings in September, another in November and a budget retreat in January. All are public meetings. We will have another one on Wednesday.
Perception: Tuition and fees at CU are too high.
Reality: We know the pressures facing students and families in a down economy. But a CU education is a considerable value. Tuition on all our campuses is at or below peer averages. Many similar universities charge thousands more than we do, even though their state support is also thousands more per student. Colorado ranks 48th nationally in state funding per resident student. And the quality of a CU education is a great investment, perhaps the best a person will make. It leads to more income, greater opportunities, increased civic and community engagement and better health.
Perception: Middle-income families are being priced out of an education at CU.
Reality: We have made considerable investments in financial aid, increasing our pool of internally generated aid (apart from state and federal financial aid) from $38 million in 2002 to $120 million today. Student debt and default rates at CU ($23,125 and 3.4 percent) are below the national average ($25,250 and 8.8 percent). We believe a factor in the low default rate is that our students are getting jobs after graduation.
Perception: CU is an inefficient bureaucracy.
Reality: We have made operating efficiently one of our guiding principles. CU’s administrative overhead is 44 percent below our national peer average. We have streamlined bureaucracy, made strategic cuts and instituted better business practices. We have cut millions in the past four years but are always looking for more efficiencies. The result of all this can be seen in our outcomes. CU produces the most degrees for one of the lowest costs in the nation.
Perception: Salaries at CU are out of control, as evidenced by raises for “top administrators.”
Reality: We are in a market economy and are a people-intensive enterprise. Some three quarters of our expenditures are for people. Delivering a quality education at CU means investing in people. Additionally, our business has increased substantially during the recession, with an 11.5 percent increase in enrollment the past decade and record enrollment on our campuses. Degrees awarded over the same period increased 34 percent.
Top administrative raises accounted for a small percentage of the total salary pool. The vast majority went to faculty, who are critical to the quality of a CU education. More than 85 percent of those who received merit raises received less than $4,000.
Perception: Our faculty members are underworked and overpaid.
Reality: While some believe faculty only teach a couple of courses, the reality is our world-class faculty teach many courses, advise and mentor students, conduct scholarly activity, generate research funding, and are active in community and university service. They have stepped up during difficult times. For example, at CU-Boulder, some 400 faculty members taught more than the standard course load. CU has a great faculty whose prime imperative is to deliver a quality education. And they deliver.
CU is a complex place with many moving parts. We understand that standing on the outside looking in at just one of those parts may not show the whole picture of who we are. But the sum of those parts is a university that operates openly and efficiently, delivers to our students a world-class education and advances the economy, health and culture of Colorado and beyond.
For feedback, contact officeofthepresident@cu.edu
Sincerely,
Bruce Benson
President
Bruce Benson
President
Scholarship funds available for multicultural students
Mar 1st
Boulder County, Colo. – Scholarships ranging from $500-$1,000 each are now available to low-income students through Boulder County’s Community Action Programs.
Sheila Goetz pointed out to Boulder Channel 1 News that the grants we based on need and not on color. The grants are open to all colors: Anglo, Hispanic, Native American, Asian, and black. There is no color quota, though Latino students are a disproportionate large population of those in need.
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Minimum one year residency in Boulder County
- Currently attending university, community college or technical school as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student
- Low to moderate income level
Scholarships are made possible through proceeds from the Community Action Programs’ annual Multicultural Awards Banquet. Preference is given to students actively involved in a student or community organization.
Prior scholarship recipients are not eligible to apply again and scholarships are not available to students graduating from high school this spring or summer.
Students of color are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications are due by April 13 and are available on the Multicultural Awards webpage. Please contact Sheila Goetz at 303-441-3976 or sgoetz@bouldercounty.org for more information.
