T
he University of Colorado Board of Regents recently made two significant decisions. Firstly, they approved a proposal to rename the Institute of Behavioral Science as the "Jessor Building" in honor of Professor Emeritus Richard Jessor, a World War II veteran and founder of the institute who significantly contributed to its success over his 20-year tenure as its director. Jessor donated $1.15 million of his salary to fund a new building for the institute. This decision honors his extraordinary service and legacy at CU Boulder as he approaches his 100th birthday.

    Secondly, the board also approved a proposal to rename the CU Real Estate Center as the "Michael A. Klump Center for Real Estate" after alumnus and philanthropist Michael Klump donated $15 million to CU Boulder to enhance real estate education and student wellness. Klump's generous donation will allocate $13 million to expand the Michael A. Klump Center for Real Estate at the Leeds School of Business, endowing faculty positions, scholarships, and innovative programs. The remaining $2 million will support student mental health and wellness initiatives in the College of Arts and Sciences. This investment highlights the transformative impact of philanthropy on education and student well-being.

    During their meeting, the board also received preliminary fall enrollment estimates for the year 2024. According to these estimates, total enrollment is projected to increase by 3.5% compared to fall 2023, which is equivalent to an additional 1,305 students. This increase is primarily due to improved student retention rates. However, the projections also indicate a 1.5% reduction in first-year student enrollment. The final census data will be available next week for further analysis.

    The board also discussed several other important matters, including changes to Regent Policy 1.D, which concerns guidelines on personal expression in university-controlled digital spaces. Although the board was scheduled to vote on this matter, they decided to defer further discussion on this issue until a future meeting after more thorough discussion.

    The board also approved a utility infrastructure project in the North Boulder Creek (NBC) neighborhood. This project will provide energy-efficient utilities for the under-construction student housing facility Residence One, as well as future housing in the area. The project is expected to last from November 2024 to April 2026 and will provide medium-voltage power, hot water heating, and chilled water to the NBC neighborhood.

    On Friday, discussions focused on the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across various fields. The board emphasized the importance of preparing students for future jobs that may not yet exist and of preparing students to be able to "learn, unlearn, and relearn." They also discussed the need for clearer guidelines on AI use and education for students, given the potential opportunities and risks associated with AI.

    The next regular board meeting will be held on November 7-8 on the University of Colorado Colorado Springs campus.