Early Bird

President’s Cabinet recap

Members hear updates on return-to-campus efforts, RTD passes, funding, policy and proposed infrastructure improvements.

By Lindsey Coulter

May 27, 2021

Members of the Metropolitan State University of Denver President’s Cabinet gathered virtually and in person for the body’s meeting Wednesday. President Janine Davidson, Ph.D., began by again encouraging all employees to continue prioritizing self-care and wellness, adding that vacations are necessary and encouraged after this stressful past year-plus.

Davidson also applauded the University Events team for a successful week of Commencement events that celebrated more than 2,200 graduates.

Vaccinations and return-to-campus updates

Davidson reiterated that employees should return to campus according to their office’s or department’s return plans by July 6, with the goal of getting all Roadrunners through at least their first vaccine shot by July 1. “Coming back hinges on our ability to vaccinate,” Davidson said.

According to Colorado Immunization Information System data, about 60% of MSU Denver students have been vaccinated, compared with 63% of Community College of Denver students and 83% of University of Colorado Denver students. “(Those high rates) say something about our Auraria Campus community,” Davidson said. “We believe in the science, and we’re ready to come back.”

She also referenced a recent statement by Gov. Jared Polis that for vaccinated Coloradans, the pandemic is essentially over, as masking and distancing are no longer required for vaccinated people. For those who have not yet been vaccinated, the 5^th Street Garage continues to offer free vaccinations on appointment and walk-up bases.

“If you’re still not convinced, as of Tuesday, Gov. Polis is offering $1 million (via lottery giveaways to vaccinated Coloradans),” Davidson added. “If you’ve already been vaccinated, you’re already in.”

Protocols for vaccine exemption will be available for students Tuesday and for faculty and staff members shortly after.

RTD pass update

After working with Regional Transportation District leadership, the University will offer free RTD passes to professional faculty and staff members for the fall semester as a benefit. More information on accessing passes will be available in the Early Bird soon.

Funding update

The Colorado state-budget long bill was approved May 17. It includes increased base funding for MSU Denver as well as dedicated funding for Information Technology Services improvements. The University is aiming to hold fall tuition flat, depending on enrollment. Additionally, the Auraria Higher Education Center received funding for infrastructure improvements to shared campus buildings, including upgrades to heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems and other operational renovations.

Davidson thanked Kaycee Gerhart, director of Government Affairs, for her leadership and all Roadrunners who have participated in legislative advocacy.

University Material Lending Policy

Nick Stancil, J.D., deputy general counsel, provided an overview of the University Material Lending Policy, which was first brought to the Cabinet earlier in the semester. Based on feedback from Cabinet members, some policy language was softened to make it less punitive for students who fail to return certain materials. The policy will be housed between the Offices of Finance and Academic Effectiveness. Cabinet members voted unanimously to recommend the revised policy to Davidson for next-level review.

Built Environment and Infrastructure presentation

Amy Kern, assistant professor of Industrial Design and co-lead of the President’s Advisory Council on Built Environment and Infrastructure, presented on the council’s recommendations to align with the 2030 Strategic Plan and to intentionality craft community on campus.

Noting that feedback from stakeholders routinely included safety concerns, the council brainstormed about how to get all community members to spend more time on campus while promoting a sense of safety, purpose and belonging. Kern highlighted proposed improvements to transportation hubs, pathways and the Tivoli quad.

Using Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles, the council proposed changes such as clustering evening classes into specific campus buildings, improving sightlines and visibility, increasing glazing for observational control, making building access and egress points more obvious, improving way-finding and adding more landscaping and signage at building thresholds. Kern also noted the opportunity to capitalize on the new 5280 Loop, which will bisect the Auraria Campus.

Additional ideas included creating a corridor through the campus and reimagining the Tivoli quad to host festivals, pop-up events, a farmers market, art installations, etc., to reinforce the image of campus as a community destination.

General updates and announcements

• The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council will host listening sessions and forums to solicit feedback on the Diversity Strategic Plan and Campus Climate Survey findings with the goal of finalizing a Diversity Strategic Plan by the end of the fall semester.
• The digital transformation and website migration are underway. Primary pages will be live by July, and the project will continue through the fall.
• TEDx MSU Denver applications have been extended. Please encourage Roadrunners and community partners to share their big ideas.
• University Advancement has reached $5.3 million of its $5.5 million goal with additional gifts still in the pipeline and one month to deadline.
• The Faculty Senate approved the Safer Spaces Resolution at its May meeting. The Staff Senate is also crafting a statement in support of the resolution.
• The Office of the Provost by July will appoint an associate vice president to support graduate studies.
• John Masserini, Ph.D., new dean of the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, will officially join the University on July 1. Stay tuned for welcome-celebration details.
• Rebecca Trammell, Ph.D., interim dean of the College of Health and Applied Sciences, will continue in her role. The search for a new dean will continue in the fall.
• Work on the Faculty Compensation Structure is ongoing. Stay tuned for details.
• Staff Senate nominees must accept or decline nominations by Monday. Voting will take place June 7-21, with newly elected leaders announced June 29. The new Senate members will begin in their roles July 1.
• For summer, undergraduate full-time-equivalent enrollment is down 13.9%; graduate FTE enrollment is up 11%.
• For fall, undergraduate FTE is down 13.9%; graduate enrollment is up 14.3%.
• Overtime pay was approved for transfer evaluators in an effort to aim for a seven-day transcript-evaluation turnaround.
• Learn more about the dissolution of the Student Government Assembly and the newly established leadership body.
• Met Media is moving under the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion umbrella. More details to come.
• The Department of Athletics maintained a less than 0.5% Covid-19 positive rate throughout the year, while student-athletes completed more than 1,800 hours of volunteering and community engagement.
• The University hosts the NCAA Division II softball championship beginning today.
• Athletics camps start again this week.
• Human Resources partner positions are now posted, available to HR team members to create better alignment throughout the branch and to build relationships with leadership, improve retention and culture, etc.
• Please continue to nominate colleagues for the Soar Awards, Team Roadrunner Award and the Distinguished Service Awards.
• Professional Development Conference sessions continue through today.
• Administrative Employee Evaluations are due to HR by June 30.
• Reference the ITS support calendar to see when ITS professionals will visit each branch to support technology needs related to the return to campus.