Announcements & Deadlines

Williams Village East's new namesake has long legacy at CU Boulder

Elizabeth Lock — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 22:52:51 +0000

Williams Village East's new namesake has long legacy at CU Boulder Elizabeth Lock Thu, 09/18/2025 - 16:52

The University of Colorado Board of Regents voted unanimously to rename the Williams Village East residence hall the Onizuka Hall to honor CU Boulder graduate and astronaut Ellison Shoji Onizuka, who perished in the 1986 explosion of the space shuttle Challenger—the latest in a long list honors.

Onizuka attended CU Boulder as an undergraduate (bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, June 1969) and graduate student (master's degree in aerospace engineering, December 1969) and received his commission as a U.S. Air Force second lieutenant through CU Boulder's U.S. Air Force ROTC program. He entered active duty in 1970.

"Ellison Onizuka exemplified many of the qualities that Buffs hold dear: tenacity, compassion, valor," said Chancellor Justin Schwartz. "It's fitting that we remember and honor his achievements with the renaming of CU Boulder’s largest residence hall."

He served as an aerospace flight test engineer at McClellan Air Force Base and at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base in California’s western Mojave Desert, and was selected as an astronaut candidate in January 1978 from among 8,000 applicants.

Onizuka's first NASA flight was on the space shuttle Discovery, and he became the first Asian American, the first person of Japanese ancestry, and the first Hawaiian to explore space. On board the Discovery, he was a mission specialist responsible for primary payload activities.

From Jan. 24 to Jan. 27, 1985, Discovery completed 48 orbits of Earth, for a total of 74 hours in space. Onizuka carried CU memorabilia with him on this mission: a CU flag and football.

After the completion of the Discovery mission, Onizuka was selected to be a member of the Challenger mission. On Jan. 28, 1986, the Challenger exploded shortly after launch, killing Onizuka and six other astronauts on board.

Among the wreckage recovered from the sea was the CU football Onizuka had brought on the mission and which his family donated to CU Boulder shortly after the opening of the CU Heritage Center in Old Main in 1986.

The university has also honored Onizuka in other ways:

Ellison S. Onizuka Memorial: A memorial plaque honoring Onizuka and his fellow astronauts from the Challenger disaster is located in front of the College of Engineering and Applied Science.
An annual ceremony for Onizuka and other fallen astronauts: Organized by the Air Force ROTC and Arnold Air Society, the ceremony honors the memory of Onizuka and Kalpana Chawla (Columbia disaster) and the other astronauts who perished in space shuttle tragedies. The ceremony culminates at the Ellison S. Onizuka Memorial at CU Boulder’s Engineering Center and the Challenger/Columbia Memorial located near Fiske Planetarium, where a rose is placed for each fallen astronaut.
The campus's Arnold Air Society Squadron is named after him.
A conference room on the third floor of the Ann & H.J. Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences building is named after Onizuka.

The CU Board of Regents voted unanimously to rename the Williams Village East residence hall Onizuka Hall to honor a CU Boulder graduate and astronaut, the late Ellison Onizuka.

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Compliance Week: Why it matters

Megan Maneval — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Compliance Week: Why it matters Megan Maneval Mon, 09/15/2025 - 00:00

Each September, CU Boulder partners across campus to deliver Compliance Week—a coordinated series of messages about the policies and resources that keep our community safe, ethical and connected. Over the coming days, you’ll receive eMemos on key topics such as student privacy, voter registration, alcohol and other drugs, and the Annual Security Report.

Why it matters

At CU Boulder, successful Buffs thrive in an environment built on respect, integrity and accountability. Compliance safeguards the integrity of our research, supports a safe and inclusive campus where everyone can succeed, and sustains our shared values over the long term. By learning and following these policies, we demonstrate how Buffs collaborate to protect opportunity and well-being for all.

Campus resource: OCEP

The Office of Compliance, Ethics and Policy (OCEP) provides leadership across the university to strengthen accountability, manage risks proactively and support compliance through training, communication and reporting.

Simplifying reporting: 1 page for all concerns

As part of Compliance Week 2025, CU Boulder is highlighting the updated reporting website—a single, accessible location for reporting compliance, ethics and policy concerns. This tool makes it easier for students, faculty and staff to raise concerns, while ensuring reports are directed quickly and consistently to the correct offices. The new site reflects our commitment to transparency, collaboration and a culture of trust.

Join the Education Series

OCEP will host the next session in its Compliance, Ethics and Policy Education Series on Thursday, Oct. 16, from noon to 1 p.m. on Zoom, featuring Conor Waladay, OIT’s AI program manager. This session will explore the intersection of compliance and artificial intelligence at CU Boulder, highlighting emerging risks, responsibilities and opportunities for higher education in the era of AI. Register here.

Learn more about the Education Series and register for upcoming events.

Over the coming days, you can expect to receive e-memos about topics such as student privacy, voter registration, alcohol and other drugs, the Annual Security Report and more.

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RIO awards Distinguished Research Lectureships for 2025–26

Megan Maneval — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 15:45:57 +0000

RIO awards Distinguished Research Lectureships for 2025–26 Megan Maneval Thu, 09/11/2025 - 09:45

The Research & Innovation Office announced that Dan Doak and Alexis Templeton have been recognized with Distinguished Research Lectureships, which are among the most esteemed honors bestowed by the faculty upon a faculty member at CU Boulder.

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Take this year's Constitution Day quiz

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Take this year's Constitution Day quiz Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 09/11/2025 - 08:00

How well do you know the Constitution? Test your knowledge by taking this year's Constitution Day quiz!

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Apply for the RIO Faculty Fellows program

Megan Maneval — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 19:43:28 +0000

Apply for the RIO Faculty Fellows program Megan Maneval Tue, 09/09/2025 - 13:43

Research & Innovation Office Faculty Fellows applications are open for the 2026 cohort and will be accepted through Oct. 31. Selections will be announced in November.

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Faculty Leadership Institute welcomes 15 fellows

Megan Maneval — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 19:32:15 +0000

Faculty Leadership Institute welcomes 15 fellows Megan Maneval Tue, 09/09/2025 - 13:32

The Office of Faculty Affairs is pleased to welcome the 2025–26 cohort of the  Faculty Leadership Institute (FLI) fellows, joining a network of 175 faculty participants since the program's inception in 2013.

Through mentorship, leadership workshops and yearlong cohort activities, FLI provides rising leaders with opportunities to connect with senior campus leaders and cultivate sustained networks of support. Lessons from last spring’s leadership conversations—spanning the importance of presence, relationships and adaptability—continue to guide how fellows advance and develop as scholars, educators and leaders.

At its core, FLI is about more than leadership training—it builds community. By bringing together faculty from across campus, the program strengthens connections across academic units and disciplines while preparing the next generation of CU Boulder academic leaders.

Congratulations to those named as part of this year’s FLI cohort:

Melissa Cantrell, Associate Professor, University Libraries

Angie Chuang, Associate Professor, Journalism

Neal Evers, Teaching Associate Professor, Environmental Design

John Farnsworth, Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering Sciences

Kate Fischer, Associate Teaching Professor, Arts & Sciences Residential Academic Programs (RAP)

Azza Kamal, Associate Teaching Professor, Environmental Design

Zachary Kilpatrick, Associate Professor, Applied Mathematics

Xiang Li, Associate Professor, University Libraries

Srinivas Parinandi, Associate Professor, Political Science

Jeremy Reger, Associate Professor, Music

Alice Reznickova, Associate Teaching Professor, Masters of the Environment Program

Alexandra Siegel, Associate Professor, Political Science

Ross Taylor, Associate Professor, Journalism

Lizzy Trower, Associate Professor, Geological Sciences

Terri S. Wilson, Associate Professor, Education

The Office of Faculty Affairs is pleased to welcome the 2025–26 cohort of the  Faculty Leadership Institute fellows, joining a network of 175 faculty participants since the program's inception in 2013.

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3 HR updates to know

Megan Maneval — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 19:33:10 +0000

3 HR updates to know Megan Maneval Fri, 09/05/2025 - 13:33

As the 2025–26 academic year commences, campus Human Resources has a trio of updates to share related to compensation increases, performance management and the HR Blueprint.

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Colorado Law's Govind Persad named National Academy of Medicine fellow

Megan Maneval — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 16:51:16 +0000

Colorado Law's Govind Persad named National Academy of Medicine fellow Megan Maneval Thu, 09/04/2025 - 10:51

Professor Govind Persad has been selected for a fellowship that is among the most prestigious opportunities in the field of bioethics, recognizing Persad as a rising thought leader shaping national conversations on ethics, law and health policy.

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Buff Bus evolves: Marine Street Express goes on demand

Megan Maneval — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 15:51:09 +0000

Buff Bus evolves: Marine Street Express goes on demand Megan Maneval Thu, 09/04/2025 - 09:51

This fall, CU Boulder’s Buff Bus system is rolling out a major update designed to make campus transit more efficient, flexible and accessible for all riders.

On Oct. 1, the Marine Street Express will be replaced by a new on-demand transit service powered by Via. This service will allow riders to request rides between eight designated stops across campus using a new mobile app (coming soon). Riders will be able to select their pickup and drop-off locations, choose a departure time (ASAP or scheduled) and receive real-time wait estimates.

Stops

Stops will include:

Euclid Avenue and 18th Street (across from the CASE building)
C4C westbound (Regent Drive, south side of the Center for Community)
C4C eastbound (Regent Drive, across from the Center for Community)
Regent at Lot 436 (Regent Drive, across from the engineering building)
Marine Street Science Center (3394 Marine St.)
OIT (East Campus Computing Center) 3760 Marine St.)
CINC (Center for Innovation and Creativity) (1777 Exposition Drive)
Distribution Center and CU Boulder Surplus Store (3300 Walnut St.)

This new service is ADA accessible and designed to offer broader coverage to our East Campus locations than the current fixed-route system.

Why it matters

These changes are part of CU Boulder’s ongoing commitment to smarter, more sustainable campus mobility. The new on-demand model:

Reduces per-boarding costs
Increases rider flexibility
Supports accessibility with ADA-compliant vehicles
Aligns with sustainability goals through EV integration

What to expect

QR codes will be posted at stops for easy app access.
Buff Ride stickers on the sides of the Via vehicles will help riders identify Buff Ride vehicles.
Transit app and campus map updates soon will reflect the new service.
Internal communications will be sent to building proctors and departments along the Marine Street corridor.

In addition to these changes, updates to the Williams Village route are posted online. The Stampede and Bear Creek Express routes remain unchanged.

Stay tuned for more details as the semester approaches. For Buff Bus questions contact Buff Bus Services at transportationsvcs@colorado.edu. For accessibility support contact Disability Services at dsinfo@colorado.edu.

CU Boulder's Marine Street Express route will transition to a flexible, ADA-accessible on-demand service this fall, offering riders app-based access to key campus locations and marking a major step forward in sustainable, user-centered transit.

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Doctoral student earns Department of Defense fellowship

Megan Maneval — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 15:54:10 +0000

Doctoral student earns Department of Defense fellowship Megan Maneval Fri, 08/29/2025 - 09:54

College of Engineering and Applied Science

Lorin Achey has earned the prestigious 2025 National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship for her promising research in robotic perception systems.

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Announcements & Deadlines

Williams Village East's new namesake has long legacy at CU Boulder

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