The University of Colorado has a huge impact on the state of Colorado, and its return on investment is substantial. CU President Todd Saliman speaks with host Emily Davies on CU on the Air about the value of education; how the institution, its students, faculty and staff are adapting today; and how a collaborative environment is guiding the university and the state into the future.

* The resilience of CU’s students, faculty and staff is inspirational! Higher education adapted impressively to the pandemic.
* The importance of a collaborative environment to maximize CU’s ability to operate efficiently and support its mission for its students, employees and the state.
* Diversity, equity and inclusion as a priority, and CU’s goals in terms of graduation rates, retention rates, the number of students, faculty and staff that reflect diversity, including diversity of thought.
* An equity survey will be coming out in October for the entire CU community.
* Mitigating challenges before they occur. Nobody knows what’s ahead – such as the degree the Delta variant will impact on-campus experiences – but CU is planning for every variable.
* Funding challenges in the state – Colorado is 48th in the nation in higher education – are ongoing despite the continued efforts of the governor and legislature.
* The perception that higher education is too expensive is unfortunate. A college degree is within grasp and is in some ways less expensive now than in years past.
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Administrative spending at CU Boulder is second from the lowest compared to PAC-12 peers.
* Upcoming outreach tours are truly listening tours. Not just a one-time visit, it is imperative that CU builds sustained relationships and truly understands each community’s needs across the state.
* How is CU succeeding? Walk around the campus and talk to the students, visit people across the state and see how CU is building their communities and contributing to the health and welfare of Colorado.
* How must CU do better? We have the gap at most of campuses in terms of graduation rates, where underrepresented minority students are graduating at a lower rate compared to the total student population.
* The campuses have created five-year goals to close that gap, and they developed action plans to do the work that it takes to close it.
* Learn more about CU’s five-year Strategic Plan, 2021-26.
* President Saliman, a CU Boulder alumnus and a long-standing CU employee, served eight years in the Colorado legislature, was in the cabinet for two of Colorado governors. How has that helped in his new role leading CU?
* CU works very closely with the state and federal delegations, which have been incredibly supportive during the past two years to get CU the support needs during challenging times.
* CU is working with the federal delegation to communicate the importance of doubling Pell grants for students all over the country, and especially here at CU to make higher education more affordable for students all over the nation.
* The university works closely with the state delegation and governor’s office to communicate the priorities and needs of the University of Colorado, and to better understand what the state needs from CU.
* President Saliman looks forward to moving the needle during his time as president, as then will the next president.
* The president is also looking forward to spreading the good word about CU to give people better understanding the value of a four-year degree, and a better understanding the affordability of CU.

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Resources

* CU website