Announcements & Deadlines

IT support during winter break

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:17:36 +0000

IT support during winter break Megan M Rogers Tue, 12/16/2025 - 08:17

OIT will be closed during the campuswide winter break Dec. 24–Jan. 2, but staff will be on call in the case of a major IT incident during this time. Visit the OIT website for more details about the schedule and self-service resources.

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Gemmill Library collections return to their permanent home

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 13:51:34 +0000

Gemmill Library collections return to their permanent home Megan M Rogers Tue, 12/16/2025 - 06:51

Now through Jan. 8, collections including computer science, engineering, mathematics and physics will be relocated from Norlin Library to Gemmill Library. During the move, these collections will be unavailable.

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Switch to new Wi-Fi happening Dec. 17–19

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 13:49:36 +0000

Switch to new Wi-Fi happening Dec. 17–19 Megan M Rogers Tue, 12/16/2025 - 06:49

The switch to CU Secure and CU Guest Wi-Fi will be completed in the remaining campus buildings Dec. 17–19, and most buildings will experience a 30-minute to one-hour interruption of Wi-Fi services.

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Projects from AI and quantum to water and wildlife receive more than $870K in seed grants

Megan M Rogers — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 20:07:06 +0000

Projects from AI and quantum to water and wildlife receive more than $870K in seed grants Megan M Rogers Mon, 12/15/2025 - 13:07

New Research & Innovation Seed Grants, awarded by CU Boulder's Research & Innovation Office and the Office of the Provost, will fund 16 new projects for up to $60,000 each.

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CU Boulder to co-host Right Here, Right Now Global Youth Climate Summit

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000

CU Boulder to co-host Right Here, Right Now Global Youth Climate Summit Megan M Rogers Fri, 12/12/2025 - 05:00

On Dec. 10, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights); Saïd Business School, University of Oxford (Oxford Saïd); and the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance (RHRN) announced a multi-year plan to host the Right Here, Right Now Global Youth Climate Summit annually on UN World Environment Day, June 5.

The annual summit will be jointly hosted by Oxford Saïd and UN Human Rights, with co-hosting support from leading universities worldwide, including CU Boulder. The summit will convene young leaders, scholars, policymakers, educators and innovators to advance human rights-based climate solutions.

Panelist Julieta Martinez addresses the audience during a youth panel at the 2022 Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit hosted by CU Boulder. Photo by Casey Cass/CU Boulder.

CU Boulder’s support of the summit will be led by the Buckley Center for Sustainability Education (BCSE), which drives sustainability curriculum and experiential learning; the Center for African and African American Studies (the CAAAS—or “the cause”), which elevates equity and justice in global climate discourse; and the Conference on World Affairs (CWA), which offers a shared CU Boulder and community-based event platform for global dialogue and thought leadership.

“Young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow, they are the drivers of positive climate solutions today,” said Max Boykoff, faculty executive director of the Buckley Center for Sustainability Education. “The Right Here, Right Now Global Youth Climate Summit elevates youth voices at a moment when their leadership is absolutely essential to advancing collective climate initiatives that protect the planet and benefit generations to come.”

The summit will serve as a global touchpoint for collaboration and capacity-building related to human rights-based climate action across campuses and communities worldwide.

“The climate crisis is not only an environmental issue, it is a human rights issue that touches every dimension of social life,” said Reiland Rabaka, professor of African, African American, and Caribbean studies in the Department of Ethnic Studies and the founder and director of the CAAAS at CU Boulder. “This summit centers the voices and leadership of young people who are already shaping new, more just futures, especially in frontline and historically marginalized communities.”

The theme for the 2026 Right Here, Right Now Global Youth Climate Summit focuses on ensuring climate technologies for mitigation and adaptation are aligned with human rights obligations. It also emphasizes developing the tools needed to support a just transition to sustainable economies and societies that uphold human rights. The summit will explore the human rights risks and opportunities of current and emerging technologies, such as renewable energy systems, resilient infrastructure, data and early-warning tools and artificial intelligence, in the context of climate action and identify strategies to ensure these risks are mitigated and human rights are protected.

The summit will be hybrid, hosted physically at Oxford Saïd and livestreamed globally, enabling broad participation while limiting travel and associated environmental impacts. Young people from 12 regions will contribute through dialogues, case studies and presentations on the intersection of climate change, human rights and climate technology, highlighting scalable solutions that strengthen resilience and protect communities on the frontlines.

“CU Boulder’s sustainability vision recognizes that climate change is a global challenge, and we need to act from the campus to the global level to address this challenge,” said Andrew Mayock, vice chancellor for sustainability at CU Boulder. “By serving as a co-host of the Right Here, Right Now Global Youth Climate Summit, we’re helping to elevate international dialogue, shared learning and collaborative problem-solving at a truly global scale.”

In December 2022, the inaugural Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit was held at CU Boulder. The summit addressed the interconnectedness of human rights and climate change, bringing together some of the world’s foremost human rights, scientific, political, educational, cultural and industry leaders to outline and commit to specific actions addressing the harmful effects of climate change on human rights. In June 2025, CU Boulder supported the University of Oxford and United Nations Human Rights hosted during a four-day global summit on climate change and human rights, alongside the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance.

The annual Right Here, Right Now Summit will be jointly hosted by Oxford Saïd and UN Human Rights, with co-hosting support from leading universities worldwide, including the University of Colorado Boulder.

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Hellems to reopen: A new era of sustainability and learning

Megan M Rogers — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 20:42:07 +0000

Hellems to reopen: A new era of sustainability and learning Megan M Rogers Wed, 12/10/2025 - 13:42

After more than two years, the historic Hellems Arts and Sciences building is ready to welcome faculty, staff and students back to campus life. This month, faculty and staff members will begin moving into their newly renovated offices, and when the spring semester kicks off in January, students will once again fill the halls of one of CU Boulder’s most iconic academic spaces.

The renovation was made possible through a combination of university resources and partial funding from the state of Colorado, underscoring the shared commitment to preserving historic campus spaces while advancing sustainability and student success.

A thoughtful renovation for modern needs

Originally constructed in 1921, Hellems was the first building on campus designed in Charles Klauder’s signature Tuscan vernacular style and has long been a cornerstone of the university’s academic experience. The renovation project was designed not only to preserve its historic character but also to meet the needs of today’s learners and educators. The updated spaces feature improved accessibility, modernized classrooms and collaborative areas that foster connection and creativity.

The building also holds cultural significance as the home of the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, which stages performances in the adjacent Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre each summer. The renovation ensures this beloved tradition continues in a space that reflects CU Boulder’s commitment to sustainability and inclusivity.

Student-first design

From the earliest planning stages, the renovation followed a student-first process, incorporating feedback from students to ensure the building supports their academic success and well-being. Classrooms were reimagined to encourage active learning and collaboration, while study spaces and common areas were designed to promote comfort, flexibility and community. These changes aim to create an environment where students can thrive academically and socially within a historic setting that now meets modern expectations.

“The renovation of Hellems was guided by a student-first approach,” said Ann Stevens, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Every design decision, from flexible classrooms to collaborative spaces, was made with the goal of enhancing how students learn and connect. This reimagined building creates an environment that supports academic success, fosters community and reflects the values of a modern university.”

Sustainability at the core

One of the most significant aspects of the renovation is its commitment to sustainability. The project incorporated multiple strategies to reduce environmental impact, including:

Energy efficiency: Upgraded HVAC systems, LED lighting and enhanced insulation dramatically improve energy performance.
Water conservation: Low-flow fixtures and efficient plumbing systems help minimize water usage.
Material choices: More than 80% of original clay roof tiles were reused, and terrazzo and hardwood flooring were refurbished instead of replaced.
Smart design: Triple-pane windows, daylight-optimized layouts and improved ventilation create healthier, more efficient spaces.

These efforts will reduce the building’s energy use intensity (EUI) by nearly 68%, even with the addition of air conditioning.

“This project is truly setting the bar for what a building that is over 100 years old can achieve,” said Chris Ewing, vice chancellor for infrastructure and resilience. “We’re dramatically cutting energy use and emissions while creating modern, flexible spaces that support student success based on their input into the design process. These upgrades foster collaboration, comfort and well-being—key elements for learning—while reducing operating costs and improving efficiency.”

“This project reflects CU Boulder’s commitment to climate action and sustainability leadership,” said Andrew Mayock, vice chancellor for sustainability. “Hellems is now a model for how we can honor our history, and create modern spaces for students and faculty, while building for a low-carbon future.”

The university is also targeting LEED Gold certification, a benchmark for sustainable building practices.

Looking ahead

With faculty returning in mid-December and students arriving for classes in January, the reopening of Hellems marks a milestone in CU Boulder’s commitment to sustainability, inclusivity and academic excellence.

“Hellems is more than a building. It’s a symbol of CU Boulder’s dedication to the liberal arts as the intellectual heart of the university,” says Daryl Maeda, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “A liberal arts education teaches us to think deeply, question critically and connect ideas across disciplines. In the reimagined Hellems, those connections become a lived experience.”

To celebrate this achievement, Arts and Sciences Donor and Alumni Relations, in partnership with Arts and Sciences academic leadership, is planning a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 10, 2026, aligning with the university’s 150th anniversary.

CU Boulder's historic Hellems building is reopening after a major renovation focused on student success and sustainability, with faculty moving in mid-December and students returning for spring classes in January. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for April to celebrate the building and the university's 150th anniversary.

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RIO Faculty Fellows cohort spans departments, disciplines

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:58:32 +0000

RIO Faculty Fellows cohort spans departments, disciplines Megan M Rogers Tue, 12/09/2025 - 12:58

The Research & Innovation Office's 2026 fellows group includes 18 faculty members from departments and research institutes spanning the campus—the largest and most interdisciplinary cohort since the program launched in 2018.

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New requirements to protect sensitive federal information

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:27:07 +0000

New requirements to protect sensitive federal information Megan M Rogers Tue, 12/09/2025 - 06:27

Our campus successfully completed a self-assessment that allows us to accept certain Department of Defense research projects with new requirements for handling sensitive federal information shared with contractors and research institutions.

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Call for nominations: Student Employee of the Year

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 20:26:20 +0000

Call for nominations: Student Employee of the Year Megan M Rogers Fri, 12/05/2025 - 13:26

Faculty and staff are invited to submit nominations for the CU Boulder Student Employee of the Year award, which recognizes and honors student employees for their contributions to the university. Submit your nomination by Jan. 23.

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Get started: CU Boulder Scholarship Application now open

Megan M Rogers — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Get started: CU Boulder Scholarship Application now open Megan M Rogers Mon, 12/01/2025 - 05:00

The CU Boulder Scholarship Application allows undergraduate, graduate, first-year, continuing and transfer students to apply for multiple scholarships for the 2026–27 school year. Apply now.

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Announcements & Deadlines

IT support during winter break

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