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The approved the 2024–25 budget for all four campuses this week, voting unanimously on a plan that anticipates a 0.5% overall increase in enrollment for CU �鶹ӰԺ this fall.

The regents also approved the construction of a solar array and an 18-building energy efficiency project.

The board also discussed campus concealed carry, and recognized Philip DiStefano with the new title of chancellor emeritus.

Budget approval

The board voted to approve the fiscal year 2024–25 budget. Key aspects of CU �鶹ӰԺ’s budget include: 

• 3% tuition increase for incoming resident undergraduate students.
• 4% tuition increase for incoming nonresident undergraduate students.
• 3% tuition increase for graduate students.
• 2.7% increase for incoming undergraduate students’ mandatory fees.
• 4% compensation increase pool for university staff, faculty and graduate students.
• 3% across-the-board pay increase for classified staff, as directed by the state of Colorado.

The 2023–24 budget included a 4% merit compensation pool for university staff and faculty following the state’s approval of an 8% increase over two years.

The board also approved a proposal to roll most mandatory fees into tuition effective fall 2025. While this change doesn’t reduce costs for students, it will reduce administrative burden and builds on the elimination of program and course fees in fiscal year 2018–19, the elimination of the student information systems fee in FY 2020–21 and the elimination of the capital construction fee in FY 2022–23.

Next year, the campus is projecting a 0.5% enrollment increase, or about 200 additional students. The 2024–25 fiscal year begins on July 1.

Concealed carry

The board resolved to change current campus concealed carry policies to align with state law. Early this year, Gov. Jared Polis signed a law making it a misdemeanor to knowingly carry a firearm onto school grounds. The law, which takes effect July 1, includes the open and concealed carry of firearms.

Campus sustainability projects

Regents approved the construction of a 1.1-megawatt solar array on East Campus and an 18-building energy efficiency project. 

Chancellor Emeritus Philip DiStefano

Ken Montera (right) presents Chancellor Emeritus Philip DiStefano (left) with a plaque. 

DiStefano was named chancellor emeritus in a resolution issued by the board. 

“The impact you've had over the course of 50 years in �鶹ӰԺ is really quite amazing, and the fact that you were able to weather so many storms during that time is a credit to your ability to work with people from different backgrounds and interests, and to manage different situations," Regent Frank McNulty said.

During his time as chancellor, CU �鶹ӰԺ established the College of Media, Communication and Information, navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and doubled research funding, among many other highlights and challenges.

DiStefano will retire as chancellor on July 1 and return to the School of Education as a faculty member. He also will serve as executive director of the CU Center for Leadership.

Other business

The board also:

• Heard public comments from several speakers calling for CU to divest from Israeli companies and submitting complaints about pro-Palestinian campus protests.
• Passed a resolution that condemns protesting at the regents’ homes and encouraged the public to pursue other avenues of sharing their input.
• Approved a resolution recognizing Alan Slinkard, project specialist within Campus Building Services, for his service as a shared governance leader. 
• Approved awards of tenure and sabbaticals to CU �鶹ӰԺ faculty members.
• Approved an amended and restated employment agreement for Thomas “Tad” Boyle, head coach for men's basketball.
• Approved rescinding a civics resolution report policy that had been approved in 2019.
• Updated several regent policies.
• Voted to re-elect Regent Callie Rennison as board chair and Regent Ken Montera as board vice chair.

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