President Janine Davidson, Ph.D., began the March 30 meeting of the President’s Cabinet by highlighting the seventh annual Day of Giving. The University Advancement team organized a series of events and efforts to drive giving and enthusiasm, including a Facebook Live telethon and crowdsourcing efforts to support scholarships, special projects, student-support services, athletics, student organizations and more. See today’s Early Bird for post-event totals.
“It’s really a critical day for the University, not just on the fundraising front but for building up excitement about MSU Denver and getting our name and our story out there in the community,” Davidson said.
Legislative update: JBC recommends 11% increase in higher ed funding
In March, the Colorado Joint Budget Committee recommended an 11% increase in total funding for higher education. The state is also giving institutions the flexibility to increase tuition by up to 5%. Recommendations must be approved by the Colorado House and Senate before going to Gov. Jared Polis, but Metropolitan State University of Denver leadership expects these numbers to hold.
“Through the current funding formula, MSU Denver would receive a little bit more because of the students we serve, and we’re looking at an additional 13.4% increase in base funds compared to last year, which works out to about $11 million extra,” Davidson explained, adding that the amount is dependent on enrollment staying flat, which in turn is dependent on retention.
Outside of base funding, the JBC recommended funding for two information-technology projects that are already in progress:
- $795,000 for the Network Infrastructure Modernization Project
- $1 million to close out the Finance and Human Resources Workday transition
Lawmakers also recommended $33 million for the Auraria Higher Education Center’s campuswide replacement of heating/ventilation/air-conditioning equipment and other maintenance projects.
“MSU Denver did not receive any funding for the capital projects including the Health Institute Tower or the C2 Hub, but we will continue exploring all avenues to make those projects a reality,” Davidson added.
University Closure Policy revisions pending
Shaun Schafer, associate vice president of Curriculum, Academic Effectiveness and Policy Development, presented a brief overview of the proposed University Closure Policy and took questions and comments from Cabinet members regarding safety, events, communication, equity, access and making up lost work.
The policy is designed to:
- Address gaps in current AHEC and Universitywide policies related to:
- Clarity on decision-making, communication and implementation
- Academic accreditation concerns
- Guidance on remote work
- Social and technological impacts, need to care for dependents, access to internet and maintaining critical operations
- Provide guidance on aspects of in-person and online/remote work and coursework in the event of a full-day, late-start or early closure due to severe weather, another emergency or a planned event such as a holiday.
Several possible adjustments were discussed. The Policy Advisory Council will be working to integrate those minor suggestions and bringing back to cabinet in April. More details and a summary of the policy are available in the presentation.
AHEC statutes
Skip Spear, general counsel and chief administrative officer for AHEC, presented a statutory overview of the center. The presentation outlined the history and establishment of AHEC; board composition, duties and powers; private-partnership authority; off-campus authority; interinstitutional dispute authority; and related duties. See the full presentation.
New brand platform “Changemakers Wanted” unveiled
Whei Wong, associate vice president of Marketing and Brand, presented the University’s bold new refreshed brand platform and campaign “Changemakers Wanted.” The new creative strategy reflects the new brand strategy and aligns with MSU Denver’s goals to increase brand awareness as well as recruitment and enrollment.
The new brand platform aims to disrupt the higher-education category in Colorado and beyond and solidify MSU Denver’s identity and position as an excellent academic institution. It is designed to reach a variety of audiences and age groups across Colorado and in a number of metropolitan areas across the country, including Phoenix, Dallas, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston and Albuquerque.
The brand platform and campaign are in the soft-launch phase, with new billboards, digital ads and perimeter branding on campus. More campus-community engagement will occur in fall with refreshed advertising copy in digital ads, Regional Transportation District buses and trains and more. Roadrunners are encouraged to share photos and videos of the campaign with the University Communications and Marketing team.
See the PowerPoint presentation for details and samples.
Faculty Workload Taskforce
Marie Mora, Ph.D., interim provost, provided an update on the cross-functional task force addressing faculty workload. The group was formed following the workload-decision pause by the Board of Trustees on Jan. 26. Many details shared were also outlined in a March communication to the University community and are available on the Faculty Workload Taskforce website.
Mora provided highlights from a recent update to the Board of Trustees. The next presentation is June 2.
Announcements and upcoming events
- The Roadrunners Who Soar Awards ceremony is Thursday at 6 p.m. Employees are invited to watch online.
- On April 12, Davidson will host “A Conversation on Tibet, Asia and the Global Fight Against Climate Change” with Lobsang Sangway, former prime minister of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile.
- To submit an inquiry to the University Communications and Marketing team, please use the Service Request Form and/or contact the team to identify your office/department communication liaison.
- See the University Fact Sheet for validated and consistent data.
- University Advancement has raised $36 million toward its capital-campaign goal of $75 million.
- MSU Denver will be involved in multiple events throughout the Cities Summit of the Americas from April 26-28. Stay tuned for details.
- See the recent Faculty Senate update to learn more about recent progress on academic requirements.
- Arlene Sgoutas, Ph.D., professor, Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies, is the new Colorado Faculty Advisory Council representative.
- Summer and fall registration are open.
- Please encourage students to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid paperwork.
- As of March 27, MSU Denver has received 13,997 applications for fall 2023 (up 24% from this time last year) and has accepted 12,815 students (30% more than this time last year).
- The MSU Denver softball team is 20-2, and the baseball team is averaging 15 runs per game. Tennis is undefeated in conference play.
- Watch for news on network upgrades to the Science Building.
- Information Technology Services is offering Workday training. See details in the Early Bird.
- Congratulations to the February and March Roadrunner Shoutout Award winners.