Thanks to five years of building state-of-the-art facilities, a 13 percent increase in total faculty and a 158 percent boost in university-funded need-based financial aid, Colorado State University has reached new heights – but it won’t settle for being anything less than “the finest land-grant research university in the country.”
CSU President Tony Frank delivered that message and peered ahead at the coming challenges and opportunities facing the University on Wednesday during the 2014 President’s Fall Address. The annual event on CSU’s historic Oval was followed by a campus-wide picnic.
Frank noted that, when he became CSU’s 14th president, the country was newly in the throes of a devastating economic and debt crisis, and that ever-shrinking state support was hindering the University’s ability to maintain its position, let alone commit to making campus-wide improvements.
“Looking back now, with a half decade of history between us and that day, there are few among us who would argue that we are not in a far better position now than we were then – and far better than we had expected to be, if we’re honest,” Frank said. “At a time when the urge to just crawl under the covers and hide was very real, this university instead rose to its feet, looked that future directly in the face, focused on the fundamental reasons we exist and embarked on a period of extraordinary progress.”
Among highlights cited from the past five years:
- CSU has added 6 new academic departments/units,13 graduate degrees, 12 undergraduate majors and 17 undergraduate minors to its already-diverse lineup of academic offerings.
- During a period of record enrollment, the student-faculty ratio has been held to 17:1.
- The campus substantially increased spending on academics while holding administrative costs flat overall and cutting administration in many areas.
- 3 million gross square feet of space, at a cost of half a billion dollars, has been constructed, including the first new academic classroom buildings in decades — Behavioral Sciences, Computer Science, Rockwell Hall West, Scott Bioengineering — and new residence halls designed as living-learning communities.
- CSU has funded dramatic increases in scholarship and financial aid to counter increases in tuition costs, including an 80% increase in scholarships and a 158% increase in need-based aid funded directly by the university.
- Despite state support shrinking by 30 percent, CSU’s four-year graduation rose by 14 percent.
- An emphasis on retention has resulted in 86 percent of first-year students returning – an all-time record for CSU.
- CSU once again was ranked No. 1 nationally in campus sustainability.
- Fundraising has increased by 147 percent, and CSU shattered its previous one-year fundraising record by bringing in $143.5 million for the 2013-14 fiscal year.
- CSU faculty have achieved seven consecutive years with $300 million or more in research expenditures, including a 24% increase last year in research funded by private industry.
“I hope you are as proud of these accomplishments as I am proud of you,” Frank said to the crowd of faculty, staff, students, politicians and friends of the University. “Behind each of these data points are wonderful stories, progress to be celebrated. Above all, they’re the story of a community – our community – that refused to settle even during a time when we had every excuse to do just that. Instead, we kept our focus on moving forward, doing better and settling for no less that excellence across every part of this university.”
While trumpeting the University’s success, Frank also pointed to accomplishments of alumni who carry CSU’s land-grant mission throughout the world. He told the story of Alison Stoven O’Connor, the extension horticulture agent in Larimer County, who in August earned her Ph.D. – with a 4.0 GPA – while working full time and taking classes on the side.
Frank also pointed to the examples of former CSU athletic greats Becky Hammon – the first female full-time assistant coach in the NBA – and Amy Van Dyken-Rouen – whose courageous recovery from a spinal cord injury has inspired the nation – for proudly carrying CSU’s banner forward.
At the same time, Frank cautioned that much needs to be done, including continued improvements in the work life and benefits for adjunct faculty – an area on which CSU has focused intently the last several years – and the campus climate for women.
“The pride we feel today is because of hard work already performed, and the challenges we face today are the result of yesterday’s work left undone,” he said. “If we wish to leave – as our legacy – a university filled with more pride in our accomplishments and less with regret at what we left undone, that means we have work to do.”
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Print and Online Resources
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- Colorado State University’s response to the recession
- Funding higher education
- The character and determination of the CSU community
- The importance of a healthy land-grant university system
- Facing future challenges
Audio
- Colorado State University’s response to the recession
- Funding higher education
- The character and determination of the CSU community
- The importance of a healthy land-grant university system
- Facing future challenges
High-Resolution Photos
The Colorado State University Marching Band performs before the annual President’s Fall Address and University Picnic.
Students, faculty and staff enjoy the annual Fall Address and University Picnic on the CSU Oval.
Housing and Dining Services provides a picnic for the entire CSU community after President Tony Frank’s annual Fall Address on the Oval.
Colorado State University President Tony Frank talks with students and other CSU community members following his annual Fall Address.
The Colorado State University community enjoys the President’s Fall Address and University Picnic.
Associated Students of Colorado State University President Samantha Guinn joined Provost Rick Miranda and President Tony Franks on stage at the annual Fall Address and University Picnic.
Colorado State University President Tony Frank delivers his sixth annual Fall Address.
Colorado State University Provost Rick Miranda speaks at the annual Fall Address and University Picnic.
Colorado State University President Tony Frank delivers his sixth annual Fall Address.
