I first want to remind everyone that a draft of the CLAS Strategic Plan is now posted on a secure page on the CLAS website (log-in from the campus network or VPN plus university ID and password are required to view the page). This draft version will remain posted for comment until March 31. Comments will then be discussed and incorporated, and the final Strategic Plan will be posted in mid-April for a vote. This very important work has involved many of you already, and I hope to have more input from all of you.
As the regulations and restrictions for gatherings on-campus are loosening, I hope all of you are getting a chance to reconnect with each other. I am spending more and more time on campus, meeting with people who aren’t speaking via a box on zoom, and I’m very much enjoying the renewed human connections. One of the best ways to get back into the swing of campus life is by attending some of the many events that are transitioning back to in-person formats, so I want to highlight just a couple of upcoming options here.
The CLAS Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’s Interdisciplinary Exchange will be returning to an in-person format for the first time in two years on Tuesday, April 12th, in Student Commons 1401, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm (back in the timeslot it had been enjoying for almost a decade). The topic “Immigrants in the West” will feature Political Science Assistant Professor C/T Jim Walsh, History student Kira Boatright, and History Associate Professor Peter Kopp. Lunch will be served to everyone in attendance to enjoy together (if permitted next month) or to take away.
I also want to encourage everyone to attend a specially-designated CLAS Conversation with Chancellor Marks on Thursday, April 14th, from 9:30 am - 10:30 am, in Student Commons Room 1500. The presentation will focus on university priorities and the progress made on the university’s 2030 Strategic Plan, but the event will also include time for you to ask questions directly to the Chancellor and to let her hear your thoughts and ideas. Chancellor Marks is eager to connect more with faculty and staff in each college in a way that can only happen when we come together in-person (no zoom alternative will be provided).
Finally, at the end of the semester all members of our CU Denver community are invited to celebrate our graduating students at both an in-person Grad Bash (Friday, May 13th) and Commencement (Saturday, May 14th). Grad Bash will take place from 11: 00 am - 2:00 pm in the Lola & Rob Salazar Student Wellness Center Courtyard. Faculty and staff are invited to join graduates, families, and guests to kick off commencement weekend and celebrate the end of the semester together. If you're not able to attend commencement, this is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our graduates with activities, live music, and lunch. Commencement will start at 9:00 am Saturday morning, tickets are not required, and seating will be first-come-first-served. Everyone can visit the Commencement website for other details on activities, registration, academic regalia, and more.
Who could have imagined two years ago that we would have to wait until 2022 to fill the quad again with the kind of excitement and celebration that only commencement can provide? I can’t tell you how ready I am to celebrate the amazing achievements of our Class of 2022. I also want to assure everyone that we will continue to monitor COVID conditions and public health guidelines, and we will share any necessary updates to our event plans and campus COVID protocols should the situation require. In the meantime, let’s cross our fingers and enjoy our wonderful campus and community.
