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

Master's students must submit to the Graduate School a Candidacy Application for an Advanced Degree by Feb. 2. Applications follow a workflow process and must be approved by the academic department before they are directed to the Graduate School. 

As part of International Love Data Week 2026, the Center for Research Data & Digital Scholarship is holding the annual Buffalization Data Visualization Challenge. To celebrate CU Boulder's 150th anniversary we invite you to use a dataset of historic campus buildings to create a data visualization with your preferred software or tools. Enter by Feb. 15.

CU Boulder faculty and staff are invited to register for the Student Success Conference. Taking place on Feb. 18, this is a chance to engage in professional development and network with colleagues. Register by Jan. 30 to attend.

Journey Leaders are students in New Student & Family Programs (NSFP) that help welcome our newest class of CU Buffs to campus. Journey Leaders help facilitate all NSFP events, ensuring events run smoothly and assisting new students and their families in their adjustment to CU. As a Journey Leader, you will gain valuable leadership experience while meeting new people and getting involved on campus.

Learn more and apply by Jan. 30.

Donate a meal swipe to a fellow Buff in need!

From Jan. 27 to 29, help fight food insecurity on campus by participating in Swipe It Forward. Anyone with a meal plan can donate one meal swipe per day. As you check out, tell the cashier you would like to donate.

Donations are accepted 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 Dining

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

If you have questions about this program, email basicneeds@colorado.edu.

On Jan. 31, all 2025 W-2s will be sent to the mailing address employees had on file in the employee portal as of Dec. 15, 2025, and available in the employee portal shortly afterward. Form 1095-C will be available in the portal by March 3 for employees eligible for 2025 health benefits.

During campus portal maintenance, which is next scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 25, you can still access Canvas and some other campus services through direct links (e.g., canvas.colorado.edu).

This spring, all instructional faculty can sign up for a chance to bring a speaker from the 2026 Conference on World Affairs (April 13–16) directly into your classroom. This updated form enables you to request a CWA speaker to visit your class and share their expertise.

Your students can engage directly with speakers and explore topics relevant to your courses through dynamic, cross-disciplinary discussions. You can request a speaker whose background aligns closely with your course content, creating a unique and meaningful learning experience for your students.

Sign up for a classroom visit using this updated link.

Employee Health & Well-Being has launched the Well-being Innovators Network (WIN). Apply today to become a WIN advocate!

The UMC is accepting applications from student organizations for free office space or lockers for fall 2026. 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 11:59 p.m. Feb. 15.

Circle K International (CKI) is the world’s largest student-led collegiate service organization, and we’re inviting you to join our mission of leadership, fellowship and service.

Why volunteering matters

Being a Buff means more than just attending classes; it’s about being a responsible citizen. Volunteering is the heartbeat of a strong community, it provides vital support to local organizations and allows us to tackle challenges like food insecurity and animal welfare head-on. In CKI, we believe that service isn't just a box to check; it’s a way to lead.

What we do

Our members turn passion into action through high-impact projects. This past semester, we:

• Tackled food insecurity: Organized a massive Thanksgiving food drive for the Food Bank of the Rockies
• Supported animal welfare: Crafted and donated dozens of homemade pet toys to the Boulder Humane Society
• Built community: Celebrated our hard work with our Pumpkin Pie and Puppies social event

Why join us?

By joining CKI, you aren't just adding a line to your resume; you are gaining real-world project management experience and joining a global network of peers. Whether you want to lead a service initiative or simply want to meet like-minded friends, CKI offers a platform to grow as a leader while giving back to the community we call home.

Ready to get started?

Next meeting: will be announced soon on our Instagram. Follow us on Instagram @cubouldercki.

We can't wait to see the impact you'll make!