Create lasting memories of your achievement at CU Boulder with graduation photos at one of the most iconic spots on campus: Folsom Field! Register now at folsomfieldevents.com.

From CU Boulder parent Bevin Trennert:

My husband Jason (57) was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (a form of blood cancer) in March of this year. Upon his diagnosis he was immediately admitted to the hospital with kidney failure: a serious effect of myeloma. He recently completed seven months of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant and is now cancer-free. Throughout his illness and for the rest of his life, he will have to have dialysis treatments three to four times per week. As a result of chemotherapy, Jason has also experienced nerve damage in his legs (neuropathy) and for a few months, reduced to using a walker. Through physical therapy, we hope his mobility will return over the next year.

It has been a brutal seven months, physically for my husband and emotionally for the whole family. We feel like the rug has been pulled out from under us. Jason was at the peak of his career, presenting to clients all over the world while managing a company. In the wake of his diagnosis, he had to turn down a once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity. He has always been a loving father and husband and truly the keystone of the family. It has become more apparent to us over the last few months how blessed we are to be able to rely on our Catholic faith, family and friends.

We were thrilled to learn that the doctors at the New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Kidney Transplant Program believe Jason would be able to return to an active and productive life (without dialysis) with a kidney transplant via a living donor.

Living donors

The average wait time for a kidney from a deceased donor is over five years. However, living donor kidney transplantation is considered the gold standard, with better outcomes and without a long wait. Through our participation in kidney exchange via the National Kidney Registry, I was approved and plan to donate a kidney on Jason’s behalf in a few months. Although we are not a match, the National Kidney Registry will connect my kidney to another patient while they find a compatible donor for Jason. Finding a compatible donor through friends and family is a long shot, but it would greatly accelerate the transplant process and increase the chances of post-operative success.

How you can help 

Doctors at Weill Cornell said Jason can receive an organ faster in the chain depending on the options the doctors have available to them. Asking someone to consider being a donor is difficult for us. We hate asking for favors in matters big and small. We know it’s an unusual request, however this is not a request for commitment, only an appeal to get tested. Jason has O+ blood type. Are you or a friend O+?  You don’t have to be, but that would be very helpful.

Would you or someone you know consider coming forward to be tested? Be tested as a potential donor for Jason or register as a potential donor.

This will enable the Weill Cornell living donor team to reach out to you to discuss testing and to set up some basic lab work that can be done close to home at no cost to you.  All conversations with the living donor team are confidential. There is no obligation to donate, and potential donors can back out at any time. Unless you inform us yourselves, we will not know who has been tested. 

Call the Weill Cornell Living Donor Program at 212-746-3922.

Please share Jason’s story

We are asking humbly for two things: 1) to get tested if you would consider being a donor; 2) share this story with your network. The more people who hear about this need, the higher the chances of finding a donor. We hear that donors are usually friends of friends and/or people who are seeking a “sign” or an opportunity to present itself to them.  Many people have been thinking about doing something like this for a long time.

We thank you so much for your consideration and support. We hope you consider being tested or think about any people you know who would like to learn more about organ donation.

With love,

Bevin Trennert
CU Boulder parent – Dom 2026

Life is a story, and retirement is just the next chapter. As retirement grows closer, you may be struggling with one of the hardest questions: What happens next?

Each year, Employee Services hosts Retirement Ready—a series of educational sessions designed to help faculty and staff nearing retirement age outline their next chapters and create the retirement story that suits them.

Paid participants are needed for a study investigating tactile and spatial awareness of the piano keyboard, conducted by Alejandro Cremaschi and Luca Pompilio in the College of Music and Mélanie Henry in Integrative Physiology. This study involves a 40-minute session where participants will be asked to reproduce hand spans by memory and to find keys on the piano "by touch" without looking. 

The 40-minute sessions are scheduled at your convenience in the Ramalay Integrative Physiology Lab. To participate you must be 18 years old or older and familiar with note names. Ideally, we would like participants with three or more years of formal piano lessons. Payment is $20 in the form of an Amazon gift card.

If you are interested in participating, contact alejandro.cremaschi@colorado.edu.

Join the Young Emerging Adult Research Study (YEARS) study at CU Boulder and CU Anschutz (IRB# 23-2067) to understand emotions.

Earn $25 per hour (up to approximately $400 total) for up to three study session phases (one hour and 45 minutes). Must be 18–25 years, be able to attend in-person sessions, and have a personal history of bipolar disorder or no mental health history.

There's still time to register for the 2026 New Venture Challenge (NVC), where you can build your network, collaborate with mentors to refine your ideas and form your startup team to pitch for a share of $220,000 in funding at the NVC finals!

NVC is a signature program of CU Boulder's Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative. During this multi-round, multi-event entrepreneurial competition, teams develop impactful ventures through entrepreneurial events and programming, community support, mentorship and—ultimately—the chance to win cash  and pitch to a live audience at the Boulder Theater! 

NVC is open to venture teams founded by current CU Boulder students, faculty, staff or recent graduates. Application deadline is Feb. 6.

University of Colorado nonexempt (federal overtime eligible) employees will transition from a monthly to a biweekly pay schedule in September of 2026.

Sko Serve sends teams of college students to engage in meaningful service during their breaks from school. This weeklong journey over spring break allows students to explore the United States while making a difference through service, reflecting upon their experience and creating long-lasting connections with others.

Learn more about spring 2026 programs and apply by Feb. 5.

On Monday, Feb. 2, Duo Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) will update security certificates that may affect users of the Duo mobile app. Make sure your app is updated with the most recent version so you don’t get locked out of Buff Portal or MyCUInfo. Visit the OIT website for more information.

CU Boulder has resources and support for faculty who are critical to the university's emerging global leadership in sustainability education. The founding of the new SPIKE Center for Sustainability Education (SCSE) is critical to this success.

The theme for the inaugural cohort of SPIKE Faculty Fellows will be information integrity and sustainability education. It includes research on climate change and environmental relations that intersect with building societal trust, fostering healthy public spheres of engagements, mis-/disinformation campaigns and transparency of data. 

If interested in joining, please review this PDF to learn more about the program. Submit all application materials by noon to spikecenter@colorado.edu. Decisions will be announced by March 13.

The CU Public Interest Internship Experience (PIIE) connects students who care about making a difference with paid summer internships at nonprofits and government agencies. Since launching in 2006, PIIE has helped more than 200 students gain hands‑on experience while working in areas such as animal welfare, education, health, law, sustainability and more.

Applications for summer 2026 are open Jan. 19–Feb. 8. If you’re interested in civic engagement and want meaningful, paid experience, PIIE could be for you—apply now!

Employees who claimed “exempt” from federal withholding tax on their 2025 W-4 form should be aware that their exemption expires Feb. 15, 2026.

Scholarships are available for student leaders and UMC student employees. The UMC Board awards scholarships of up to $1,000 each year.

The James E. Schafer Scholarship is for CU student leaders who currently involved in a Center for Student Involvement-recognized student group or organization.

The Carlos García UMC Director’s Scholarship is for students currently employed by the Basic Needs Center, Center for Student Involvement, CU Book Store, CU Collegiate Recovery Community, Cultural Events Board, Distinguished Speakers Board, Environmental Center, Fraternity & Sorority Life, Ink Spot, Off-Campus Life, Radio 1190, Service Learning & Impact in Community Engagement, Starbucks or the University Memorial Center.

Applications are due by Sunday, Feb. 15, at 11:59 p.m.

If your department is planning a program for any history or heritage month, submit your event to be part of our campuswide celebration. The Division of Student Life will include submitted events from campus departments in marketing and promotional materials.

In the coming weeks and months, CU faculty, staff and students will begin receiving critical documents needed to file their annual income tax returns. For certain international employees and students, this means receiving forms W-2 and/or 1042-S from CU over the next month.

Form W-2 is issued to any employee who receives taxable wages from CU and was required to be sent out to all employees by Jan. 31. If you didn’t receive your W-2 in the mail, visit the Tax Forms webpage to learn how to obtain a copy.

It’s also important to remember that even if they did not earn U.S. income, nonresident F and J students and scholars are required to file IRS Form 8843.

Form 1042-S available electronically through Sprintax Calculus

Form 1042-S is issued to resident and nonresident alien employees to report tax treaty exempt wages. Nonresident alien scholarship and stipend recipients with taxable or tax treaty exempt income will also receive Form 1042-S. Employees and students with more than one type of 1042-S reportable income should expect to receive more than one 1042-S.

Tax year 2025 1042-S forms for employees and students will be available electronically in Sprintax Calculus. Paper forms will be mailed only to individuals who have not provided consent to receive their 1042-S form electronically through Sprintax Calculus. This month, please watch for an email from CUintltax-noreply@sprintax.com with notification that 1042-S forms are available.

Employees and students who provided electronic consent but no longer have access to their campus portal or did not provide e-consent and have not received their mailed form by March 25 should visit the Tax Forms webpage and follow the Form 1042-S request instructions.

Sprintax Calculus integrates with free Sprintax Returns

This year, CU is again partnering with Sprintax to support nonresident alien employees and students in their personal tax filing obligation. The International Tax Office will offer a discount code to access Sprintax Returns online tax preparation tool free of charge.

The discount code will enable nonresident alien employees and students in F or J status to file their 2025 federal tax return and other required forms. Sprintax can also help with state tax filing. However, if you elect to file a state tax return using Sprintax, you’ll need to pay an additional fee.

In addition, Sprintax Returns integrates with Sprintax Calculus, the International Tax Office’s platform for gathering international employees’ documents, saving you time during the tax season. All international employees are required to complete a Sprintax Calculus profile during onboarding and to maintain their profile with updates as their circumstances change.

Together, Sprintax Calculus and Sprintax Returns provide a user-friendly and reliable resource to help international employees:

• Determine resident or nonresident U.S. tax residency status and filing requirements.
• Prepare preemployment tax documents including forms W-4, W-8BEN, W-9 and 8233 which can be signed and submitted electronically to ensure accurate withholding.
• Prepare necessary tax return documents including forms 1040-NR and 8843 which can then be printed, signed and mailed for filing with the IRS and State Department of Revenue. (Some users may be able to file electronically, instead.)
• Ensure all applicable tax treaties are applied.
• Find assistance and information with an available FAQ, blog, YouTube channel and email access to Sprintax tax professionals.

To take advantage of Sprintax Returns, watch for emails from the International Tax Office that include your discount code in February and March.

Visit the International Tax website anytime throughout the year to learn more about your filing obligations.

Sprintax Open Webinar dates, times and registration links

Sprintax will host regular tax webinars throughout the spring where you can learn more about your U.S. tax filing obligations and how Sprintax can help you meet them.

• Thursday, Feb. 5, 11 a.m. MT – Register here
• Tuesday, Feb. 10, 5 p.m. MT – Register here
• Wednesday, Feb. 18, 1 p.m. MT – Register here
• Thursday, Feb. 24, 8 a.m. MT – Register here
• Thursday, March 5, 10 a.m. MT – Register here
• Wednesday, March 11, 11 a.m. MT – Register here
• Monday, March 16, noon MT – Register here
• Friday, March 27, 9 a.m. MT – Register here
• Wednesday, April 1, 11 a.m. MT – Register here
• Tuesday, April 7, 6 a.m. MT – Register here
• Tuesday, April 14, noon MT – Register here