Traditionally, summer school has afforded undergraduates the opportunity to catch up or get a leg up on core requirements at a quick clip. But this summer at Colorado's premier colleges, students are enjoying seemingly less academic endeavors, including courses on comic books as literature and paranormal activity as it relates to pop culture.
COLORADO'S FRONTPAGE
Face the State
Content Index: University of Colorado
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11/18: Reining in some out of control student fees
For a change, the CU Board of Regents does the right thing in protecting students' wallets.
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The week's news: Stimulus cash, an outta control HOA
Face The State's Brad Jones and Kate Melvin look at the week in Colorado news. CU students cash in on the stimulus act, and one apartment complex goes overboard on restricting minors' playtime. Plus, Breckenridge has good intentions with its wildfire planning proposal, but personal responsibility still has a role in protecting property.
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7/23: CU's costly logo expedition
Three-quarters of a million dollars for a logo?
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CU Regents predict partisan balance unchanged in 2010
A Face the State Staff Report
July 15, 2009While recent media attention has focused on statewide and congressional campaigns, the University of Colorado Board of Regents is also in play, with a third of its nine seats up for grabs next year. One Republican has announced plans to run for the open 4th congressional district, while two incumbents plan to defend their seats.
The week's news: A naked coffee shop? GJ skirts election law; Isgar to USDA
FTS managing editor Brad Jones and staff writer Kate Melvin wrap up the week in Colorado news. A CU student has a bold idea for a new topless coffee shop, but it won't be on campus. Grand Junction skirts electioneering laws for a second year in a row, and state Sen. Jim Isgar's departure to the Obama administration reopens debate over legislative vacancies.
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Study comic books at CU, 'imagine' work at DU
June 29, 20096/26: Thought Police at CU-Colorado Springs
A CU student is vindicated, but not before having his name drug through the mud by school administrators.
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New CSU leaders to earn less than CU counterparts
June 25, 2009
After weeks of controversy and a heated lawsuit surrounding his selection process, former Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce President Joe Blake was confirmed Wednesday as Chancellor of the Colorado State University system. Blake will be paid $275,000 annually, significantly less than his peers at the University of Colorado, while other details of his contract are still being finalized.
OpenSecrets launches Facebook application
June 22, 2009At Face The State we're big fans of databases, government primary documents and open records. One of the best sources for information on political contributions and campaign finance is OpenSecrets.org, the nonpartisan online guide that tracks money’s influence on U.S. elections and public policy. Recently, the site launched a Facebook application that allows users to view top donors and donations to their U.S. Senators and Representatives, targeted by zip code.
New mandatory CU fee is not a 'contribution'
FTS Opinion
June 18, 2009
A recent Face the State report detailed CU Boulder's new "Forever Buffs" fee, a $70 per student subsidy for the school's alumni association. The money - collected on matriculation, not graduation - will be instituted in the name of fraternity and togetherness, but is unfair, overreaching and excessive.
Segment 1 - The week's news: CU alums deliver; big spending at CSU; sweatin' it at work
FTS managing editor Brad Jones and staff writer Kate Melvin wrap up the week in Colorado news. More alumni than ever are donating to the University of Colorado, but that doesn't stop the implementation of a new, mandatory fee for students. North in Fort Collins, the Coloradoan reports CSU spends $60,000 in a single month on food and entertainment. And Gov. Bill Ritter and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper want you to sweat it out for the environment.
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FTS Exclusive: Details on CU's $29+ million in cuts
A Face the State Staff Report
June 2, 2009
Face The State has obtained a comprehensive list of cuts made by the University of Colorado to cover a $29 million budget shortfall in fiscal years 2009 and 2010.
'The Buzz' on 1310 KFKA, 6/1/09
FTS visits with 1310 KFKA talk show host Amy Oliver for an extended update on state politics. Up this week: U.S. Senate hopeful Cleve Tidwell and Democrat incumbent Michael Bennet have very different campaign styles - and Bennet's brings in a heck of a lot more campaign cash. Gov. Bill Ritter faces some tough choices on legislation before Friday, and CU socks students with a new, $70 "Forever Buffs" fee.
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5/29: CU forces alumni association membership
Welcome to CU-Boulder. Now join the alumni association, or else!
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Segment 1 - The week's news: Nudity a first amendment right?
FTS managing editor Brad Jones and staff writer Kate Melvin take a look at the week that was in Colorado News. Is public nudity a First Amendment right? Should CU force freshmen to join the school's alumni association? And who cares if state Sen. Shawn Mitchell gives out his capitol security code when capitol security is laughable?
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CU trims $29 million in spending...but can't provide list of actual cuts
A Face the State Staff Report
May 23, 2009The University of Colorado Board of Regents voted to raise tuition this week without considering a local think tank's call to cut all six-figure salaries by 5 percent, a proposal that would have saved the university more than $4 million. In addition, the Regents supported $29 million in cuts, but weren't able to provide a list of actual cuts as of press time.
A CU fee to make Tony Soprano proud
A Face the State Staff Report
May 22, 2009The University of Colorado at Boulder has adopted a new "Forever Buffs" fee. The one time $70 charge goes directly to the alumni association and grants all undergraduate students membership status. The move is causing many students, alumni, and critics to cry foul.
Denver Post looks the other way on state of higher ed in Colorado
FTS Opinion
May 11, 2009While the media has eagerly clambered to cover stories chronicling higher education's budget woes, reporters have rarely - if ever - bothered to look closely at the real sources of the problem.
Time to give up on student government at CU?
May 11, 2009
Unknown to many Coloradans, one of the most powerful governments in the state is actually a group of power hungry twenty-somethings. The University of Colorado at Student Union, known as UCSU, recently saw its representatives elected by just 17 percent of the eligible student electorate.
Segment 1 - CU concealed carry lawsuit update, Tidwell announces for Senate
FTS managing editor Brad Jones and staff writer Kate Melvin discuss two stories from the week in Colorado news: A lawsuit challenging CU's campus weapons ban gets no love, but plaintiffs vow to appeal. Plus, a third Republican has filed for U.S. Senate, but who is Cleve Tidwell?
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Kopel responds to dismissal of CU gun ban challenge
A Face the State Staff Report
May 7, 2009A lawsuit brought against the University of Colorado by a group of students challenging CU's concealed carry gun ban has been dismissed. In analyzing the decision, which was made based on a technicality, a leading national gun expert says CU leaders must still address larger inconsistencies and inequities resulting from the policy.
CU researcher: Benson's cuts 'insulting'
A Face the State Staff Report
May 6, 2009Responding to CU President Bruce Benson's announcement that his institution will cut more than 50 jobs and implement 5 percent salary reductions for a handful of top administrators, a researcher in the CU medical school is calling the strategy "insulting."
4-20 rallies draw thousands in peaceful protest
A Face the State Staff Report
April 21, 2009
Thousands of activists gathered at Denver’s Civic Center Park Monday afternoon to celebrate what has become known as International Cannabis Day to peacefully protest the prohibition of marijuana.
Metro State identifies funding strategies; CU still quiet
April 20, 2009
As the state budget bounces back and forth around the legislature, higher education institutions are bracing for a collective cut of up to $300 million. The Metropolitan State College of Denver has identified specific areas where changes could be made to fill a funding shortfall, but the leadership at Colorado's flagship institution is remaining quiet.
As college costs skyrocket, alternative model thrives
A Face the State Staff Report
April 20, 2009As lawmakers debate the future of higher education funding in Colorado, one company's free-market approach to helping students earn college credit provides a viable alternative to the traditional liberal arts environment.
Segment 1 - Voter turnout at CU; Cheeba Hut vs. City of Greeley
FTS managing editor Brad Jones and staff writer Kate Melvin take a look at Colorado news you may have missed this week: Only 17 percent of CU-Boulder students turned out for their spring election, but they did reject an effort to make it easier to pass hefty new capital construction fees. Also, college-town sandwich shop Cheeba Hut meets its match in Greeley, where a municipal judge denied its application for a liquor license.
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"The Buzz" on 1310 KFKA, 4/13/09 - Ex-lawmakers at CU, 2010 races take shape
FTS managing editor Brad Jones visits with 1310 KFKA talk show host Amy Oliver for a look at state politics. This week: Does CU have a bias when considering former lawmakers for teaching appointments? And, the 2010 ballot begins to take shape with Republicans lining up to challenge Democrat incumbents for state constitutional offices.
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FTS Humor: The Pinnacol of Successful Budgeting
Face The State Humor
April 10, 2009By Andrew Ripemoff
I find this whole idea of raiding Pinnacol Assurance very amusing. The one quasi-governmental agency that is NOT going broke is the one going to be cleaned out.
Some would say they deserve it for having a name like "Pinnacol," which is what happens when you want to name your company "Pinnacle" but discover that some two-bit plumbing contractor in Sterling already trademarked it.
FTS on 1310 KFKA: Higher ed cuts in perspective
FTS managing editor Brad Jones visits with 1310 KFKA morning hosts George Gray and Trevor Carey to discuss the state budget "Long Bill." Of particular interest: How will Colorado's institutions of higher ed fare if required to tighten the belt?
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4/7: Churchill wins lawsuit, but he's no professor
It's official. Ward Churchill won his wrongful termination lawsuit against CU. Now what?
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