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.

It’s been cooking for months, and CU’s self-funded and self-administered Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program will take effect on Jan. 1. Read more on the Work/Life blog.

The 2024 BFA Excellence Awards are now open for nominations through Jan. 31.

The awards specifically recognize outstanding work and a concerted effort to make advances in the academy. The chancellor provides financial support for these prestigious awards and a ceremony in the spring recognizes the winners and features a keynote by the Hazel Barnes awardee for that year. 

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

“Zen out” while you prep for finals! Stop by the first floor of the UMC to take a break, relax or meditate in a comfy area. Read more healthy tips to finish the semester strong.
 

With winter break upon us, don’t leave Boulder without contacting Student Legal Services (SLS) if you’re facing legal trouble. SLS offers $30–$35 consultations to eligible students facing legal situations. Our highly experienced attorneys will work to resolve or minimize the effects of your legal issue so you can focus on enjoying your time off.

Get in touch with SLS at 303-492-6813 or visit the office at UMC 311 to schedule an appointment.

UROP offers funding to support undergraduate projects in all fields of study and professional practice.

• Assistantships ($1,000 to $2,000) provide funding to students to partner with a faculty mentor to help on an existing project.
• Individual Grants ($1,500 to $3,000) allow students to take ownership of part or all of a project with an original proposal.

Eligibility: Students must be degree-seeking undergraduates at CU Boulder to apply for UROP funding and should not plan to graduate before the end of a proposed project's grant term. 

All student grants must be supervised by an eligible mentor. Tenured/tenure-track, research faculty and contract instructors at CU Boulder and the Anschutz Medical Campus are eligible to mentor student grants and apply for faculty grants. Graduate students or postdocs may serve in a supervisory role on student grants, but the faculty mentor must provide some direct mentoring to the undergraduate.

Learn more and prepare a proposal. Applications due by Feb. 16. Contact urop@colorado.edu with questions.

UROP offers funding to support undergraduate projects in all fields of study and professional practice.

Team Grants ($3,000) support research and creative projects involving two or more CU Boulder undergraduates. Team Grants are intended to create compelling opportunities for students to step into exciting projects, develop skills, make connections and inspire inquiry.

Eligibility: Students must be degree-seeking undergraduates at CU Boulder to apply for UROP funding and should not plan to graduate before the end of a proposed project's grant term. 

All student grants must be supervised by an eligible mentor. Tenured/tenure-track, research faculty and contract instructors at CU Boulder and the Anschutz Medical Campus are eligible to mentor student grants and apply for faculty grants. Graduate students or postdocs may serve in a supervisory role on student grants, but the faculty mentor must provide some direct mentoring to the undergraduate.

Learn more and prepare a proposal. Applications due by Feb. 16. Contact urop@colorado.edu with questions.

During maintenance that affects the portals, such as the maintenance scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 10, remember that you can directly access Canvas and some other services that are provided through the portals.

The I-9 offices located in the ARCE building on East Campus and the Regent Administrative building on Main Campus will be closed on Monday, Dec. 11, for an HR event. Both locations will reopen on Tuesday, Dec. 12. Thank you for your flexibility! 

The Women’s Leadership Symposium seeks to explore a variety of ways women build their leadership skills and feel empowered to become tomorrow’s leaders. We are especially interested in proposals that will intentionally address the needs and interests of student audiences as part of the submission. Intergenerational or multi-audience proposals are also highly valued.

We encourage staff and students to collaborate on proposal submissions that address our key themes:

• Gendered challenges present at CU and in the broader workplace.
• Leadership styles and how to put them into practice.
• Connecting knowledge and skills to professional pursuits.

Learn more and submit online by Jan. 17.

Graduate students planning to graduate this fall: Don't miss graduation deadlines coming up Dec. 11–13.

Are you a CU Boulder student with a passion for community service and leadership? We have an exciting opportunity for you! The Volunteer Resource Center (VRC) is looking for dedicated and enthusiastic students to join our Joint Board. This is your chance to make a real impact in our community while gaining valuable leadership experience.

The VRC Board plays a vital role in shaping the future of community service at CU Boulder. We work on projects, initiatives and events that promote volunteering and community engagement. As a board member, you’ll have the opportunity to lead, contribute to and guide the direction of CU’s Volunteer Resource Center.

Why join the VRC Board?

• Gain leadership skills.
• Make a positive impact in our community.
• Build your network with like-minded individuals.
• Enhance your resume and stand out to future employers.

Applications are currently open for several voting and non-voting positions. Applications are due Jan. 5 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Ralphie’s List is your only university-affiliated resource for housing listings that are curated for students. The Ralphie’s List database lists rentals in the area, has a searchable roommate database and allows students to list sublets for free.

Get in touch with ⁠Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations for more resources or if you have questions about finding housing.

The University of Colorado Honors Journal invites all undergraduate students who have created original writing, art or film to submit their work for publication in the 2024 issue. All undergraduate students at CU Boulder are eligible to submit their work. The deadline for submission is Dec. 31.

The Honors Journal is an interdisciplinary, student-run journal published annually by the Arts & Sciences Honors Program. The journal presents a collection of works that reflect the utmost talent, diligence and creativity among undergraduate students at CU Boulder.

Each year, the Honors Journal combines undergraduate work from all academic fields including but not limited to: art, creative nonfiction, fiction, gender and ethnic studies, humanities, natural sciences, open media (e.g., film, digital art, recorded performance), poetry and social sciences.

Read the 2023 issue.

Image: “Rooster on the Run” by Rachael Cunningham (oil, sand, acrylic on wood panel 16"x20"), published in the 2023 issue.