Re-envision. Re-imagine. Re-invent. Then re-prioritize and re-commit.

Those words from Colorado State University President Tony Frank provide the framework for an initiative to prepare the University for the next 150 years. Called “Re-Envisioning Colorado State,” the initiative – inspired by CSU’s impending 150^th birthday in 2020 – seeks to take “a thoughtful, collective look at the legacy we wish to leave” for future generations of CSU students.

Frank’s comments came Wednesday during the annual President’s Fall Address and University Picnic on the historic CSU Oval. Nearly 4,000 students, faculty, staff and community leaders gathered for the seventh Fall Address of Frank’s presidency to share lunch on a picture-perfect September day.

The Fall Address has been a campus fixture for decades, giving University presidents the opportunity to welcome students to campus while presenting the state of the university. The picnic was added in 1997 – after a flash flood devastated campus and the surrounding community just a few weeks prior to the start of classes – to celebrate the resiliency of the campus and to look forward to a bright future.

Frank hit on those same themes during his address, celebrating many campus highlights over the past year while challenging those present to make sure future generations have the same opportunity to advance knowledge, improve society and change the lives of the next generation.

Watch the entire address here.

Highlights

Among high points featured during the 30-minute address:

• Record enrollment of the most diverse and among the most academically qualified classes in CSU’s history. Students come from every Colorado county, every state and 101 countries.
• Investments in scholarships and programs like Commitment to Colorado allowed 42 percent of 2014-15 CSU graduates to leave with zero student loan debt.
• As the student body has grown, so has the faculty; CSU’s student:faculty ratio remains 16-1.
• CSU’s reputation as a world-class research university continues, with another year of more than $300 million in research expenditures.
• Outreach and engagement remains at the core of CSU’s mission, and the University now serves every Colorado county, supporting community and economic development.
• CSU has invested more than $1.3 billion in infrastructure and academic improvements over the past 10 years.
• Athletics programs enjoyed unprecedented success in 2014-15;
• CSU set a one-year fundraising record for Colorado campuses;
• initiatives to improve the climate for women and adjunct faculty on campus are taking effect;
• Sustainability efforts were rewarded when CSU became the first campus to earn Platinum status in the STARS rating system.
• CSU’s 2014-15 graduation rate rose to a record 67.4 percent – a university record.

“As we wrestle with our challenges, we also see around us the evidence of excellence,” Frank said.

Reframing campus conversation

At the same time, Frank challenged the campus – particularly males – to end sexual violence. A new program, REFRAME, has been implemented to address this issue in ways that are profoundly new and meaningful.

“Let’s end the silent culture that allows this disease to live the dark places where it hides,” he said to rousing applause. “Let’s end sexual violence – not someday, not tomorrow – let’s end it now.”

As for the “Re-Envisioning Colorado State” initiative, Frank said he has charged campus governance groups – Faculty Council, Classified Personnel Council, Administrative Professional Council and Associated Students at CSU – to take the lead moving the program forward. Frank hopes the collective vision for the future will begin to take shape within the next five years.

“If we focus on these efforts now, we will be able to celebrate the foundation we leave CSU for her 150^th birthday,” he said.