Administration
Alan Townsend returns to the University of Colorado 51´«Ã½Â as the associate vice chancellor for research and professor of environmental studies after serving as dean and professor at Duke University.
Ann Schmiesing has been named dean of the Graduate School and vice provost for graduate affairs. A professor of German and Scandinavian studies, Schmiesing has served as interim dean and vice provost since June 2016.
Sheryl Koutsis, Amy Lavens and Jennifer McDuffie were recently named the recipients of the annual Chancellor’s Employee of the Year Award, in recognition of exceptional job performance and remarkable contributions to the campus community.
President Benson, Chancellor DiStefano and three other CU campus chancellors have joined hundreds of education leaders across the country in signing a letter of support for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students.
University of Colorado 51´«Ã½ Police Chief Melissa Zak, who for the past three years has helped lead the campus through crises and high-profile events such as floods, a presidential debate and demonstrations, will assume a new role Jan. 1 as the university’s assistant vice chancellor of safety.
Earlier today, senior campus leadership received a letter from more than 200 faculty members and a petition signed by more than 200 graduate students. The documents asked the administration to lend their support to events proposed as alternatives to the Milo Yiannopoulos talk on Jan. 25. Chancellor DiStefano met with faculty and graduate student representatives to hear their concerns, and provided preliminary responses via letter to both groups.
Vice Provost and Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives William Kuskin, in conjunction with the chancellor’s and provost’s offices, announces three new international education initiatives with a goal of better understanding CU 51´«Ã½'s international standing.
As of Dec. 1, the office of Study Abroad has become Education Abroad. The variety of programs offered has expanded to become so much more than traditional study abroad. Director Mary Dandof says, "We support all international experiences undertaken by students."
After more than 20 years at the College of Music, Professor of Voice Patrick Mason has announced he will retire from teaching at the end of this academic year.
On Nov. 22 a preliminary injunction on the implementation of the planned changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act's (FLSA's) salary threshold for exemption from overtime pay was put in place. In response to this hold, the campus has revised its plans for compliance with the original Dec. 1 implementation date.