The 2022–23 McNair Scholars application is now open to all current eligible sophomores and juniors. The McNair Scholars Program is a federal TRiO Program at 187 universities across the United States. The two-year program is designed to prepare carefully selected undergraduates from underrepresented backgrounds with high academic potential who are committed to attending graduate school to earn a PhD or EdD.

Deadline to apply is Sunday, Jan. 30. Apply via Canvas.

Current sophomores and juniors are invited to our virtual informational sessions, where we can explain more about the program and answer any questions you may have. Info sessions are held via Zoom. 

Our virtual information sessions will be held on:

• Thursday, Jan. 13, 12:30–1 p.m.
• Friday, Jan. 14, 12–12:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Jan. 18, 5–5:30 p.m. 
• Wednesday, Jan. 19, 12:30–1 p.m.

As a McNair Research Scholar, students receive the following benefits that will set them apart for graduate school admission:

• $2,800 stipend to support a research internship during the summer between your junior and senior year
• Paid tuition to complete a 3-credit McNair course in grant writing, plus $1,100 for living expenses
• Paid travel to research conferences and support of other McNair Scholars, locally and nationally
• Paid travel to visit prospective graduate school programs
• Research mentorship with a CU faculty member in your field
• Mentoring from current graduate students in your field and in related fields
• GRE preparation course and GRE exam fee reduction waivers
• Workshops focused on preparing competitive application into graduate study
• Fee waivers for graduate school admission applications

CU Boulder faculty, staff and students are invited to apply online for CU Boulder Outreach Awards, Community Impact Grants, Micro Grants or Undergraduate Community-Engaged Scholars Grants. Learn more about the different types of funding at our next information session on Jan. 6.

The IT Service Center and Learning Spaces Technology classroom support teams will be open with extended hours throughout finals week.

The Rec Center will be hosting free activities and events for all students with a Buff OneCard during finals week, from Dec. 10 to 15. 

Medical Services provides free flu shots for CU Boulder students in a variety of locations on campus during the flu season. Staff are unable to provide flu vaccines to CU Boulder staff and faculty.

An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to help protect against flu. Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.

The Be Fit Pass gives you unlimited access to more than 30 group fitness classes every week! 

You must have/purchase a Rec Center membership prior to purchasing your Be Fit Pass. Semester passes for the Student Recreation Center and Williams Village Recreation Center can be purchased online. All other passes must be purchased in person at the Student Recreation Center Guest Services desk.

• Early-bird fee: $55, Dec. 20–Jan. 17
• Regular fee: $65, Jan. 18–March 6
• Half-price fee: $34, March 7–April 29

The Office of the Dean of Students will be holding office hours on Thursday, Dec. 16, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the University Memorial Center (UMC 308). These office hours serve as a way to ask questions, connect with our staff and learn about resources; no appointment needed.

During maintenance that affects the portals––like the maintenance scheduled for this Saturday––remember you can directly access Canvas and some other services that are provided through the portals.
 

With finals week approaching, the CU Boulder campus will follow different building access protocols.

Dec. 11–15, campus will be following finals week access protocols. Namely, buildings will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Buff OneCard access will be required after 7 p.m.

Visit the Campus Building Access page for more information.

Placing a textbook order with the CU Book Store is the fast, easy and convenient way to get all of the correct course materials for your classes, guaranteed. For students’ convenience, all textbooks must be ordered in-store or through the CU Book Store website.

Why order course materials early?

• Don't miss an early assignment
• Choice of rental, used, digital & new
• 100% refundable (through fourth week of classes)
• Save time, money and stress

Receive free ground shipping on orders of $75 or more, or choose free in-store pickup on any order. Please make sure to bring your Buff OneCard when visiting the store and check store hours before you visit.

If you have textbook questions or need assistance ordering, contact the CU Book Store via live chat, email or call 303-492-7089.

The chancellor's Hazel Barnes Prize invitation to nominate faculty was highlighted through CU Boulder Today with an incorrect deadline. The informational resources have been corrected and the deadline is Feb. 25, 2022, for nominations. 

The Hazel Barnes Prize is one of the most prestigious awards at the University of Colorado Boulder and focuses on the enriching relationship that occurs between teaching and research. Nominees should be regionally and nationally recognized, tenured faculty members who are not only outstanding teachers but also have distinguished records in research and scholarship over a substantial period of time at CU-Boulder.

The UMC is accepting applications from student organizations for free office space or lockers for the fall 2022 semester. A central office is a fantastic way for your recognized student organization to become more accessible and productive, which will help you grow membership, promote your message and fulfill your mission. In addition, the Center for Student Involvement (CSI) has lockers available for student organizations to use.

Groups that currently have space must reapply! Applications must be submitted by noon Friday, Feb. 11. Apply online.

Most of us have at least a basic understanding of the stock market—up is good and down is bad. Watching the day-to-day variations of stock prices can easily cause our mood to shift as quickly as the market. But investments are a long game, and TIAA can help retirement plan enrollees address their concerns by better understanding market volatility and normal variations in the market.

Faculty and staff enrolled in one of CU’s TIAA-administered plans are invited to join Gregg Marsh, TIAA’s director of integrated solutions, for the webinar Market Volatility at noon MST Dec. 16. This webinar will focus on market volatility, what it is, and how it plays into your future goals. Your host will also discuss strategies to help you weather the ups and downs of the stock market.

Register now.

Instructors have received ongoing email communications requesting book and course materials information for spring 2022 courses. As a reminder, campus policy states that departments are required to identify what books and other course materials are required (or if a course will have no required materials) for their classes by the day of registration.

Course material information is critical to provide financial transparency to our students during course registration and to help them plan ahead. It is also needed in order for the university to maintain Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEA) and Americans with Disability Act (ADA) compliance (Disability Services needs sufficient lead time to gain access to and prepare books and materials in suitable alternative formats for students who need them).

Instructors who are not requiring specific books or course materials for a course (and departments with unassigned courses that won’t have required materials) or courses that will utilize open education resources (OER) still need to notify the CU Book Store of that fact as soon as possible.

The book store has designated a staff member to facilitate any faculty needs around this. His name is Ryan Windle, and his contact information is:

• ryan.windle@colorado.edu
• 303-492-3421

Thank you for your prompt attention to this faculty responsibility.