A new era began at Metropolitan State University of Denver on Friday, as the Board of Trustees unanimously approved two major campus infrastructure projects, including the first student-housing complex in the University’s history.
The 550-bed building will go up on the Auraria Campus’ north end, next to the Tivoli Garage, and will include the University’s Classroom to Career (C2) Hub. Construction on the development is expected to begin this summer and to be completed in 2027.
“This is going to be a really big couple years, starting now,” said Janine Davison, Ph.D., president of MSU Denver. “This campus is going to be amazing.”
MSU Denver is partnering with the Auraria Campus and developer Columbia Ventures on the project, and Community College of Denver is a partner in the C2 Hub space. The Board of Trustees voted to approve the program plan and reimbursement resolution for the development, which will largely be funded through debt supported by student-housing revenue, state allocations and philanthropic contributions.
Student Trustee Michael Warner said that over the past three years, the need for housing and community space has been a recurring theme he has heard from fellow students.
“I just see the endless opportunities from having students in a centralized location on campus — the community-building that it can bring,” he said.
Event Center renovation plan
The trustees also unanimously approved the program plan for renovation of the unused pool in the Auraria Event Center to support activities of programs across campus.
The plan is to replace the aquatic facility with a divisible, accessible 500-seat event space that can be used for academic and nonacademic activities. It will also repurpose the underused racquetball and squash courts. The University plans to issue bonds to finance the project, which will not impact operational budgets.
“We are happy to be able to put that space to use as a preeminent events space on the Auraria Campus,” said Will Simpkins, Ed.D., vice president for Student Affairs.
New and discontinued programs
In response to changing enrollment patterns and the evolving needs of industry, Shaun Schafer, Ph.D., associate vice president for Curriculum, Academic Effectiveness and Policy Development, presented 16 new academic programs. Schafer also recommended to the board that 14 programs be discontinued.*
The programs include majors, minors, concentrations and certificates. The board unanimously approved the following:
New programs (16)
- Aerospace Systems and Mission Design major
- Instructional Design and Technology major
- Electrical Engineering major
- Animation and Illustration minor
- Disability Studies minor
- Latin America Studies minor
- Banking Concentration (Finance major)
- Finance Concentration (MBA)
- Music Production and Songwriting Concentration
- Musicology and Ethnomusicology Concentration
- Multiple Woodwinds Performance Concentration
- Airport Hospitality Management Certificate
- Airport Hospitality Operations Certificate
- Event and Meeting Design Certificate
- Certificate in Communication Essentials
- Certificate in Translation Studies
Discontinuations (14)
- Electrical Engineering Technology major
- Extended Major in Journalism and Media Production
- Fire and Emergency Response Administration extended major
- Lifestyle Medicine extended major
- Banking major
- Global Business Studies major
- Appraisal and Title Concentration (Real Estate)
- Property Management Concentration (Real Estate)
- Real Estate Investment and Asset Management Concentration (Real Estate)
- Construction Concentration (CET)
- Structures Concentration (CET)
- Facilities Management Concentration (CPM)
- Organ Concentration (Music)
- Entrepreneurship Certificate
These changes are net neutral to faculty, as they do not require new hiring or the phasing out of any faculty positions.
Trustees and University leadership also acknowledged the quickly evolving political landscape and emphasized the measures in place to continually and diligently monitor any policies that may impact MSU Denver’s students or mission.
*While approved by the MSU Denver Board of Trustees, these new and ending programs still require additional external review and approval from the Colorado Department of Higher Education and the Higher Learning Commission prior to being considered fully approved.
Additional updates
Larry Sampler, special advisor to the president, presented an update on the SpringHill Suites hotel on campus, discussing successes and previewing upcoming changes.
Shelley Thompson, associate vice president for University Advancement, drummed up excitement for the Roadrunners Rise Campaign Launch event and shared progress on University Advancement’s fundraising goals.
Members of the second culinary cohort of the WorkReady program spoke to the board about their experience. The program, previously set to conclude this summer, has been extended until December.
The Board of Trustees at MSU Denver is responsible for the governance of the University and has authority over and control of its assets and resources.