![Portrait of Pat O'Rourke outdoors against a backdrop of trees](/srs/sites/default/files/styles/email_feature_thumbnail_large/public/patrick_o_rourke_headshot_news_6.jpg?itok=O2TnxybM)
April 23, 2024
Dear Strategic Resources and Support team,
I am energized by knowing who our new chancellor will be. We have been incredibly fortunate to benefit from Chancellor DiStefano鈥檚 leadership, vision and stability over the past 15 years, and I am extraordinarily grateful for what Chancellor DiStefano鈥檚 leadership has meant for our campus. I recognize that a change in top leadership on our campus may create anxiety, but I was struck positively in a number of ways during Chancellor Schwartz鈥檚 initial visit to campus earlier this month.
Why Chancellor Schwartz鈥檚 initial visit mattered
- Our purpose: As Chancellor Schwartz, whose parents were also educators, quipped, higher education is his 鈥渇amily business.鈥 He is a researcher, and he embraces our mission of serving students, advancing research and serving the state of Colorado. CU Boulder's mission doesn鈥檛 change. And all of us play a role in advancing the mission.
- Values alignment: Chancellor Schwartz鈥檚 opening remarks at his open forums got to the heart of what he cares about: diversity, equity and inclusion, sustainability, student success. He also spoke about the importance of well-being and shared governance. While we know that Chancellor Schwartz will make changes and challenge us to grow, it was validating and reassuring to hear that our core values as a campus align with the vision of our new chancellor. Changes will occur, but the values we will embody to achieve our mission of teaching and research have only been amplified.
- The importance of staff: Chancellor Schwartz acknowledged the critical role staff play in enabling our mission. The work you all do helps to create transformative change in the lives of our students, as well as the rest of humanity through the research and discovery that occurs on our campus. Our new chancellor understands the vital contributions we all make to those efforts.
- Your commitment: Some 800 of you attended Chancellor Schwartz鈥檚 staff forum either in person or virtually, and it made a positive impression on him. Your turnout and participation spoke volumes about the dedication and care you all share for the future success of our university. Please continue to share feedback, attend events and let us know how the university can better support our values.
I am humbled to work with all of you, and I am truly excited to embark on this next chapter in CU Boulder鈥檚 story.
Other SRS news and notes
- Commencement volunteering: Commencement is the signature celebration of student success on our campus, and volunteering at the ceremonies is an excellent way to feel connection to our mission. If your schedule allows, I hope each of you will take part in this celebration and find time to volunteer at the events May 9-11.
- Campus Sustainability Summit: I encourage you to visit the website for the 31st annual Campus Sustainability Summit, and register to attend the events that interest you. The event is a celebration of the inspiring and innovative work across our campus, and will include a leadership forum where we will discuss the next steps we are taking to achieve the campus goal of carbon neutrality.
- Book Access kudos: I am proud of the innovative work of our SRS units in support of equity and student success, and wish congratulations to the CU Book Store, whose program, in partnership with RedShelf, has been identified as a finalist for the 2024 EdTech Trendsetter Award. As the first implementation of RedShelf鈥檚 Cascading Access platform, CU Book Access saw a whopping 96% of CU Boulder students participate in the program when it launched in the fall. This program ensures that all participating students have access to their mandatory course materials on day 1. 聽
- Save the date to celebrate: Please hold Wednesday, May 15 from 3 to 5 p.m. on your calendars for our annual SRS end of year celebration. You can . 聽
With gratitude for all you do,
Pat