Buff Bulletin Board

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

 

Higher catch-up retirement contribution limits available for employees nearing retirement

As of Jan. 1, the Secure 2.0 Act introduced enhanced catch-up contributions for individuals aged 60–63 and the CU voluntary retirement plan options have adopted this feature effective Jan. 1, 2025.

This enhanced catch-up provision allows employees to contribute additional money to their age-50 catch-up contributions. For example, the 2025 catch-up contribution limit for those over 50 is $7,500, but if you are age 60–63, your limit increases to $11,250. This increase applies to CU’s voluntary retirement plans: the CU 403(b), PERA 401(k) and PERA 457.

Donate a meal swipe to a fellow Buff in need Jan. 28–30

Help fight food insecurity on campus Jan. 28–30 by participating in Swipe It Forward! Anyone with a meal plan can donate one swipe per day. As you check-out, tell the cashier you would like to donate.

Accepting donations at the following locations:

  • C4C Dining Center
  • Village Center Dining
  • Alferd Packer Grill
  • The Alley
  • Sewall Dining Center
  • SEEC Cafe
  • CU on the Run
  • Libby on the Run

Don’t have a meal plan but still want to help? Donate to the Basic Needs Center or register to volunteer.

Enjoy a reduction in retirement plan fees for 2025

The University of Colorado routinely reviews its retirement programs to ensure it provides competitive retirement benefits. A recent review successfully initiated a reduction of administration fees for the CU retirement plans administered by TIAA effective for 2025.

This reduction is part of CU’s ongoing commitment to provide the best possible benefits to help maximize employee’s retirement savings.

Important 2024 tax forms arriving soon

By Jan. 31, all 2024 W-2s will be sent to the mailing address employees had on file in the employee portal as of Dec. 15, and available in the employee portal shortly afterward. Form 1095-C will be available in the portal by March 3 for employees eligible for 2024 health benefits.

Student orgs: Apply for UMC office space, lockers by Feb. 14

The UMC is accepting applications from student organizations for free office space or lockers for fall 2025.

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 events and programs, and fulfill your mission. In addition, the Center for Student Involvement (CSI) has lockers available for student organizations to use.

Apply online. Groups that currently have space must reapply! Applications must be submitted by Feb. 14 at noon.

Adult piano lessons offered this spring; prior experience required

Take piano lessons with an undergraduate piano intern this semester! These lessons are for students, staff or faculty who have had at least three years of previous piano instruction (no exceptions this semester).

The instructors are undergraduate piano majors (juniors and seniors) taking a piano pedagogy course. No university credit. Professor Alejandro Cremaschi supervises the interns.

You must have a piano or keyboard to practice. Get more information.

Colorado Shakespeare Festival summer camps registration open

Hello world

Registration for all 2025 summer camps now open!

The Colorado Shakespeare Festival offers summer camps for kids and teens (ages 6 to 18) on CU Boulder’s campus. Students will rehearse, stage and perform a shortened Shakespeare play (scenes for Sprites). Camp Shakespeare and Shakespeare's Sprites are a fabulous way for kids and teens to explore theatre and Shakespeare in a creative and supportive environment.

Shakespeare's Sprites (ages 6–9)

Shakespeare’s Sprites is a playful introduction to the Bard for ages 6–9. Discover the fun of Shakespeare through pool-noodle fights, silly insults, Renaissance songs and lively scene work. Each week culminates in a final showing for family and friends. This program is the perfect way to instill a love of language and theater in your child. Students enrolled in Shakespeare’s Sprites should have basic reading skills.

Dates

Session 1: July 7–11, 2025, 9 a.m.–noon
Final showing: Friday, 11:30 a.m., Loft Theatre

Session 2: July 14–18, 2025, 9 a.m.–noon
Final showing: Friday, 11:30 a.m., Loft Theatre

Location

University Theatre building (on campus at CU Boulder)

Tuition

Early bird (before March 1): $265/session
Regular (on or after March 1): $295

Discounts available for multiple sessions or registering two or more siblings.

Camp Shakespeare (ages 9–18) 

Camp Shakespeare is a fabulous way for kids and teens to explore theater and Shakespeare in a creative and supportive environment. Working in small groups, students learn about Shakespeare by rehearsing, staging and performing a shortened play. Camp Shakespeare will culminate in a free public performance in the Roe Green Theatre.

Dates

Camp days: July 21–Aug. 8, 2025 | Monday–Friday, noon–4 p.m.
Final performance: Saturday, Aug. 9, 9–11 a.m., Roe Green Theatre

Ages 9–11: "Doctor Faustus"
Ages 12–14: "The Tempest"
Ages 15–18: "Richard II"

Location

University Theatre building (on campus at CU Boulder)

Tuition

Early bird (before March 1): $1,040
Regular (on or after March 1): $1,185

Discounts available for registering two or more siblings. Scholarships are available (email csfedout@colorado.edu).

While the Hellems building, which surrounds the Mary Rippon Outdoor stage, is under construction, we're moving our Camp Shakespeare performances indoors. Curious about the renovations? More info here!

A call for bold ideas on environmental tipping points and transformations

globe on a scale

The Environmental Data Science Innovation and Inclusion Lab (ESIIL) is inviting applicants for the 2025 Innovation Summit: Environmental Tipping Points and Transformations. The 2025 ESIIL Innovation Summit aims to bring together a diverse group of participants passionate about leveraging big data to enhance our understanding of environmental tipping points and transformations. 

The summit will focus on identifying opportunities for data synthesis, exploring the cutting-edge capabilities of ESIIL’s cyberinfrastructure, and fostering innovative solutions through collaborative, inclusive teams. Whether your expertise lies in environmental science, policy development, or community engagement, this event will offer valuable insights and the chance to collaborate with others from a variety of sectors and backgrounds. 

We encourage applications from individuals across all career stages and disciplines. Applications are due by Jan. 31, and participants will be selected through a review process.

Enter the Buffs One Read Storytelling Contest to win $500

campus community member holding the book 'Solito'

The University Libraries invites undergraduate students to share an essay, original artwork or multimedia reflection that responds to or celebrates “Solito: A Memoir” for a chance to win $500. Submissions are due by noon on Jan. 24.

First-year and transfer students: If you haven’t already, pick up your free copy of this year’s Buffs One Read selection and join the campus discussion! 

Volunteers needed for cardiovascular research study

The Integrative Physiology of Aging Laboratory is looking for volunteers to study the potential healthy aging effects of MitoQ, an antioxidant that is attracted to the mitochondria of cells, supplementation on physiological function.

Requirements:

  • Age 60+
  • Willing to undergo a three-month period taking MitoQ or placebo pills

Benefits include:

  • Detailed blood panel (cholesterol, glucose, etc.)
  • Monetary compensation for time

If interested: call 303-735-6410 or email mitoqstudy@colorado.edu.

Seeking volunteers for study on effects of heat therapy on blood pressure, vascular function

The Integrative Physiology of Aging Lab at CU Boulder’s campus is seeking volunteers to participate in a clinical research study. We are looking for adults, ages 40-plus who are willing to participate in water immersion sessions approximately three times per week for 12 weeks and have above normal blood pressure (a top number of 115 or higher; if you are unsure of your blood pressure, please still contact us for screening). 

Benefits for volunteers include: cardiovascular health assessment, exercise stress test, body composition, blood chemistries and monetary compensation for time.

For more information, please email hottubstudy@colorado.edu or call 970-460-8970.