Buff Bulletin Board

The Buff Bulletin Board, a listing of campus announcements, is a service of Campus Communications.

 

Register your off-campus parties to avoid an expensive ticket

Party registration

Having friends over to celebrate being back in Boulder? Register your party to lessen your chances of receiving an expensive ticket. By registering your party with Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations, the registrant will get a 20-minute warning before police officers arrive if your residence receives a noise complaint.

Students must take an in-person orientation before using the party registration program. Visit UMC 313 or email OCHNR at och@colorado.edu to learn more.

Unlock your potential with the McNair Scholars Program

Are you a sophomore or junior with at least 60 credit hours (by end of spring 2024) seeking guidance on pursuing graduate school? Look no further than the McNair Scholars Program at CU Boulder—an opportunity designed to empower and support driven students like you. We support first-generation college students with financial need or who come from an underrepresented background in preparing for competitive application to PhD programs in their field. 

The McNair Scholars Program opens doors to a world of possibilities. Engage in hands-on research, benefit from personalized mentorship from CU faculty and graduate students, and access resources that will shape your academic and professional future. Learn about all our benefits at our website. 

Key program highlights

  • Research: Immerse yourself in cutting-edge research projects guided by experienced faculty.  
  • Mentorship: Receive one-on-one support to navigate the complexities of your academic journey and beyond. Become part of a close community of like-minded students who are navigating the same road to their academic goals. 
  • Funding: Receive funding to support your summer research project, travel to present your research at regional and national conferences and more.  

Why McNair?  

If you're a first-generation student from a low-income background who aspires to get a doctorate, the McNair Scholars Program is tailor-made for you. Join a community that celebrates diversity and fosters success. 

How to apply

Learn more about our federally defined eligibility criteria and the straightforward application process. Priority deadline is Jan. 30. Admissions made on a rolling basis. Info sessions will be held Jan. 19, 23 and 24.

Don't miss this chance to elevate your academic journey and become part of a community dedicated to your success. The McNair Scholars Program is not just a program; it's an opportunity to transform your academic experience. Apply now and embark on a journey of discovery, growth and achievement. 

What helps you cope with stress? First-year students needed for study

Group of young people walking together

Are you a first-year student at CU Boulder? Interested in a research study on stress and coping in CU students? 

The Research on Affective Disorders and Development Lab is conducting research on stress coping in first-year CU students. We want to understand what helps CU students cope with stress during major transitions, including the transition to college and across semesters.

The study includes a few different parts that happen over a three-semester period: 

  • There are two in-person research sessions, each of which takes about 4–6 hours. During these sessions, you will play some computer games while we monitor physical functioning (for example, your heart rate). You will also complete a set of interviews and surveys that ask about stress, behavior, mood and health.
  • There are three 21-day periods in which we will send you a daily “micro survey” (less than five minutes to answer) asking about your behavior and mood using an app.
  • There are two 1-hour online surveys that we will send to your email.

The study takes place over the course of three semesters, and you will be compensated for your participation (maximum of $446–$470 for completing all parts of the study).

If you want to learn more, contact the RADD Lab at raddlab@colorado.edu or fill out our initial eligibility screening.

Tips for moving to a new place or sublet for the semester

If you’re moving into a new off-campus residence this week, be aware of Boulder trash ordinances. Make sure to properly dispose of any items you are getting rid of. Large items will not be picked up with regular trash, and abandoning those items can result in up to $1,000 in fines.

Here's what you should and should not do when throwing out your things.

Do

  • Place unwanted items fully inside a designated dumpster.
  • Wait for the dumpster to be emptied if it is currently full.
  • Wait up to 60 minutes for a dumpster to be replaced if it’s been temporarily taken for emptying.

Don’t

  • Leave unwanted items on the ground or to the side of the dumpster.
  • Dispose of construction-related or other non-household items.
  • Leave items in non-designated areas, such as yards or sidewalks.
  • Many items that you may be getting rid of can be recycled. ⁠Visit Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations for resources to recycle, donate or sell your items.

Win $50K! Registration open for New Venture Challenge

NVC General Competition

The New Venture Challenge (NVC)—a signature program of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative—is CU Boulder’s “flight simulator” for students and employees driven to create real-world impact through new startups, organizations and endeavors. 

The general competition of the NVC is a multi-round, multi-event entrepreneurial competition. NVC gives aspiring problem-solvers and creatives a chance to build up these impactful ventures through entrepreneurial events and programming, community support, mentorship and—ultimately—the opportunity to compete for funding up to $50,000. 

Anyone with a Buff OneCard is eligible to compete. Application deadline is Feb. 8.

On-campus job opening: Buff Info, Strategic Relations and Communications

Strategic Relations and Communications is hiring a student liaison for the Buff Info program.

Job Title: Buff Info Student Liaison 
Job Category: Student Assistant I
Department/Group: Strategic Relations/Buff Info 
Job Code: 4101
Location: Hybrid 
Travel Required: No
Salary Range: Start $16
Position Type: Part-time Student Employment
Eligible for Raise: Yes

Who we are

Buff Info is CU Boulder’s centralized point of contact for information and resources. Have questions? We’re here to help. Buff Info is CU Boulder’s centralized resource for all students, faculty, staff, and community members. Our team of staff and students will provide answers to your questions to quickly guide you to campus resources. 

Ask questions via chat, email, or phone; receive help with general information; and connect with campus resources.

Buff Info can provide information about:

  • Academic support
  • Athletics
  • Financial services
  • Involvement
  • Physical and mental well-being
  • Registration and enrollment
  • Student resources

Role and responsibilities

The Buff Info Liaison will need to demonstrate self-sufficiency, competency, and teamwork, and will be actively working on their own with emails, chats, phones, social media and other forms of contact.

  • Participate in the Buff Info day-to-day cases; follow up with clients, documentation, trends, and training. This includes providing constituent support to the University of Colorado Boulder community via phone, email, chat, social media and other forms of constituent contact for general university-related questions and requests. The position is responsible for first-level assessment and triage determination for these questions and requests, as well as for questions and requests that would normally be routed to partner departments such as Strategic Relations and Communications, Division of Student Affairs, Office of Information Technology, and Offices of Enrollment Management.
  • Maintain proficient knowledge to actively work Buff Info cases (answer chats and log them in our CRM system for data purposes).
  • Provide constituent support to the via phone, email, chat, for general university-related questions and requests and log them in our CRM system for data purposes. 
  • Accurately capture relevant and detailed information for reporting purposes. 
  • Be proficient with and use tools to perform the function of being the single point of contact for campus information disbursement.
  • Expected to use tools and resources according to campus IT policies. 
  • Navigate the Buff Info workstations to pull up personal data, enter case notes, and communicate with professional staff.

Qualifications and education requirements 

  • Current student, taking six credit hours or more or enrolled in the Leave of Absence program with the Office of the Registrar. 
  • Candidate needs to be intensely interested in helping their campus community, answering questions, and providing accurate and timely information concerning campus events, policies, and procedures. 
  • Employee must be able to work a set but flexible schedule around academic course times. 

Preferred skills

  • Strong soft skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Discretion (FERPA, HIPPA, privacy, etc.)
  • Strong writing and communication skills 
  • Experience in the service industry or retail is desirable
  • Coursework in communication-oriented classes/courses or coursework in humanities (English, journalism, sociology, anthropology, ethnic studies, education, or any other related field)  

Required minimum hours

Must commit to working 12 hours per week to maintain proficient knowledge. More hours may be available as business needs change and as terms change. 

Get more information on student employee work hours through CU Student Employment.

To apply

To apply for this position, email Caci Pippin (caci.pippin@colorado.edu) with the subject line Buff Info Student Employee Application and include the following items: 

Please note: A criminal background check may be required for this position. 

Get certified in mental health first aid over break

Mental Health First Aid training helps a person with no clinical training assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge or crisis. Participants are introduced to risk factors and warning signs, engage in experiential activities, discuss relevant professional and self-help resources, and learn a five-step strategy to provide support. Mental Health First Aid for Higher Education provides tailored content for members of the higher education community.

This training is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9, at the UMC. 

New Year’s Eve reminder: Fireworks are illegal in Boulder

Wildfires can happen at any time of year in Colorado, even in December and January, which makes fireworks particularly dangerous in the Boulder area. It's important to find other ways to celebrate the new year in Boulder.

The city of Boulder’s fireworks laws are more restrictive than other areas of Colorado. Laws prohibit items like sparklers, snaps, snakes, bottle rockets, roman candles and smoke bombs, in addition to fireworks that leave the ground or explode. You may also be held responsible for fireworks used by roommates and guests.

Possible legal penalties include:

  • Fines up to $2,650
  • Court fees
  • Possible arson charges
  • Possible jail time
  • Liability for property or personal injury damages.
  • Referral to ⁠CU Boulder Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution

Unused fireworks can be brought to the Boulder Public Safety Building at 1805 33rd St. without penalty. Connect with ⁠Student Legal Services or visit ⁠Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations to learn more about common citations and Boulder ordinances.

Things to know if you’re staying in Boulder over winter break

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you live off campus and are planning to stay in Boulder over winter break.

  • Remember that snow must be removed from sidewalks 24 hours after the snow stops falling. Check with your landlord if its your responsibility to clear snow.
  • Keep your heat at about 60 degrees to prevent pipes from freezing.
  • Plan ahead when walking, cycling or driving in winter weather. Watch for black ice, slush and other hazardous conditions.
  • Turn your front porch light on at night and lock up whenever you're not home.
  • Remember that fireworks are illegal in Boulder. Find other ways to celebrate.

Contact ⁠Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations if you have any questions.

Buff Bus schedules for finals and winter break

Buff Buses will be running with additional hours during finals week and reduced service over winter break.

Finals week Dec. 16–20

Buff Buses will be running with additional hours during finals week. See the finals schedule.

Winter break Dec. 22–Jan. 15

There will be no Route W, Route WL or Route B Buff Bus service from Thursday, Dec. 21, through Wednesday, Jan. 10. Route S will continue to run on an adjusted schedule, except for the holiday closure (dates below).

Holiday closure

There will be no Buff Bus service from Monday, Dec. 25, through Monday, Jan. 1 (campus closed).

Visit the bus route information page for more information.

Building access during finals and winter break

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

Finals week Dec. 16–20

  • CU Boulder affiliates can access most academic buildings on campus from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., you will be able to access these buildings with your Buff OneCard.
  • For buildings that house a 7:30 p.m. exam, doors will remain open until 8 p.m. before the Buff OneCard protocol kicks in.
  • Outside these hours, you will need to have previously been granted Buff OneCard after-hours access permissions.

Winter break Dec. 22–Jan. 15

  • Most buildings will be available via Buff OneCard swipe between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.
  • On university holidays and administrative leave days during the break (Dec. 25–29, Jan. 1 and Jan. 15), building access will only be available for affiliates with Buff OneCards who have been provisioned for 24/7 access to their respective facilities.

University Libraries, the Recreation Center, the UMC and Health and Wellness Services publish their respective hours on their websites.

For more information about building access protocols, visit the campus building access page.

TRANSforming Gender Conference calling for programs

The 2024 TRANSforming Gender Conference is now accepting program submissions. The conference raises awareness about issues and identities in the trans community.

Staff, students and community members are encouraged to submit session proposals that address our key themes:

  • Parent and family Q&A
  • Intersex 101
  • Queering biology
  • Transgender youth advocacy
  • Medical transition
  • Education for mental health providers

For full consideration, please submit your proposal by Feb. 19.

Save the date

2024 TRANSforming Gender Conference
March 16–17
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Koelbel Building