Dear Roadrunners,
To uphold Metropolitan State University of Denver’s mission and ensure the success of our students, faculty members and staff members, we all must effectively manage risks. That’s why the University has partnered with consulting firm Baker Tilly to develop a robust Enterprise Risk Management framework. This initiative will help the University proactively identify, assess and address potential risks — including financial and operational challenges, compliance and reputation — ensuring that we can meet our goals and serve our community effectively.
Here’s an update on the ERM project:
- Kickoff meeting: On Oct. 28, Baker Tilly introduced ERM fundamentals, project objectives and collaboration expectations during a kickoff session with MSU Denver participants.
- Stakeholder discussions: Baker Tilly has conducted 17 risk-assessment discussions with over 30 University leaders to identify top institutional risks.
- Steering-committee engagement: The ERM steering committee, led by Jo Erven, lecturer and director of Internal Audit Education; Jim Carpenter, chief financial officer; and Leone Dick, chief of staff to the vice president of Administration, holds biweekly meetings to refine the process. The committee is reviewing a preliminary risk register that organizes identified risks by likelihood and impact.
- Risk workshop: On Jan. 24, Baker Tilly will facilitate an in-person workshop with University leadership to prioritize risks and evaluate MSU Denver’s preparedness.
- Public update: On March 21, Baker Tilly will provide an update to the MSU Denver Board of Trustees.
ERM supports every aspect of University operations by helping us mitigate risks and allocate resources to critical areas. Strong risk management ensures financial stability, compliance, operational excellence and a strong institutional reputation, all of which directly impact your work and the success of our students.
Holiday reminders
As you may have heard, our Winter Break has been extended to include Dec. 24. The University was initially scheduled to close Dec. 25-Jan. 1, but Gov. Jared Polis this week approved an additional floating holiday for permanent employees at state agencies and higher-education institutions. So the University will now be closed Dec. 24-Jan. 1.
As you prepare to enjoy that time off, please remember to:
- Close blinds to maintain indoor temperatures.
- Clean out fridges and take any leftover food home.
- Unplug and power off devices to conserve energy.
These steps help keep our campus clean and ready for a fresh start in the new year.
Thank you, and happy holidays!
Sincerely,
Larry Sampler
Chief Operating Officer and Vice President for Administration
Metropolitan State University of Denver
