Shockley-Zalabak: UCCS to build on current success

UCCS is well-positioned for success, Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak told a group of community and business leaders Thursday night.

University Club members listen to a presentation by Pam Shockley-Zalabak. Photo by Michelle Erlacher.

Shockley-Zalabak delivered her annual “State of the University” address to members of the University Club during a dinner meeting at the University Center. She reviewed recent UCCS accomplishments including new degree programs, record student enrollment, new or remodeled facilities, and predictions for further declines in state funding before outlining an aggressive strategic planning process that is now underway.

“Some have said ‘why would you go forward until there is more certainty,’” Shockley-Zalabak said. “Well, I don’t know that there is going to be more certainty for a number of years. We can’t have any new degree programs or new buildings without a regentially and state approved strategic plan. Our current plan expires June 30.  We are going forward whether it is timely or not.”

Plans call for construction to begin this spring for 200 additional student housing spaces and this summer on the Lane Academic Health Sciences Center on North Nevada. Those expansion plans are possible because of the rent students will pay to live in new housing, the generosity of Margot Lane and a partnership with Peak Vista Community Health centers, Shockley-Zalabak explained.

UCCS cannot wait for state funding to recover to move forward.

“The budget outlook for the state while improving still has challenges,” Shockley-Zalabak said.  “We know we will take a budget cut in the vicinity of $1.5 million to $2 million. While we do not think this is good public policy, there is nothing the State of Colorado can do other than to allocate those cuts fairly.”

By July 1, the portion of UCCS funding that comes from the State of Colorado will be at levels similar to those in the 1970s. As a result, UCCS must focus on the things it can control including outreach to the greater Colorado Springs community, increased sponsored research, and more students.

“Our enrollment is strong,” Shockley-Zalabak. “We are up right now 5.8 percent over last year. We are in one of the strongest enrollment periods in our history. We are truly on a trajectory of being in demand.”

Shockley-Zalabak asked the community members to assist in planning suggesting items UCCS should continue, stop, or create.

“We are not separate from you, the business community, the non-profit community, the entrepreneur community,” Shockley-Zalabak said. “We feel embedded with this community. We do not thrive if you do not thrive. It is symbiotic relationship.”

Ideas ranged from continuing the UCCS mission of reaching high ability, low-and-moderate income students, a southern Colorado focus, and working closely with the business community to create jobs.

The ideas will join those submitted by faculty and staff and developed in numerous division-specific planning teams. A draft plan will be shared with the campus for comment in February prior to the submission of a plan to the CU Board of Regents in April.

 

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