Brown optimistic about future, grateful for present at CU
y, President Hank Brown knows what’s happening. The 21st president of the University of Colorado told nearly 60 downtown Denver campus staff, faculty and administrators that a choice for the finalist for the UCDHSC chancellor position was near, as was the death of post-tenure review bill HB 1284. As predicted, less than two days after the President’s Open Forum at St. Cajetan’s Center on Tuesday, March 8, M. Roy Wilson was announced as finalist for the chancellor position at the University of Colorado Denver, and sponsor Rep. Keith King, R-Colo., the bill's sponsor, was mourning the death of HB 1284.
At the forum, Brown said he was confident the controversial tenure bill would soon meet its demise. The legislature agreed, killing the bill that day on a 7-6 vote. In addition, Brown reported chancellor candidates had been narrowed to five: at that point he had talked to two, ruled out two others and was planning to interview the final candidate soon. He expected to narrow the field to one—maybe two—within days. M. Roy Wilson, president of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, was announced as the lone finalist on Thursday, March 10.
During his discussion, Brown outlined a bright future for the university, its students, faculty and staff. “With the passage of Referendum C, we have every reason to be optimistic,” he said.
Voters passed the measure in November 2005, allowing the state to bypass TABOR for five years in order to keep and use extra state funding for education, health care and roads. “With this ability to increase revenue, we hope to come close to making up for cuts over the past three years.” The university also should be able to recoup about $25 million in unfunded enrollment dollars, he said.
In addition to extra money from the state, the president anticipates improved fundraising opportunities through the CU Foundation. “Wayne Hutcheson, the new foundation president, is terrific, not only because he’s a good fundraiser, but because he’s great to work with.”
Saying the Blue Ribbon Commission on diversity was delighted by the work of the downtown Denver campus, Brown announced a $1 million 10-year endowment to the university for scholarships to promote diversity. The university will seek $7.5 million in matching contributions for diversity scholarships within the decade. The university will ask the foundation and corporate community to fulfill that goal in part, and faculty and staff will also be invited to get involved. “We hope for 100 percent participation,” he stressed.
“This is an opportunity for each of us to say [to our diverse populations], ‘we want you here; we value you.’ ” he said. “It’s ensuring different people with different views and different backgrounds feel welcome.”
Brown thanked UCDHSC interim chancellor Greg Stiegmann, saying he’s a “godsend to the university.” He also thanked the audience for the opportunity to be their president. “I’m lucky to be here and privileged to serve the university,” he concluded. “We have outstanding people who are so committed to helping students.”