"Faculty & Staff Support Through Affinity Groups: Finding Your People" explores how affinity groups, also known as employee resource groups (ERGs), provide a vital support system for faculty and staff, especially those from underrepresented or minority backgrounds. These groups foster a sense of belonging, promote professional networking, and create spaces for mentorship and validation. At CU Boulder, initiatives like the Employee Affinity Group Summit and the Alliance for Neurodiversity (AND) demonstrate the university’s commitment to inclusivity. AND, for example, supports neurodivergent employees by hosting events, raising awareness, and advocating for inclusive workplace practices. The blog underscores the value of affinity groups in enhancing workplace engagement and calls for their expansion to build more inclusive communities across campuses. Elizabeth Novosel is an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and serves as the Librarian for Computer Science, Mathematics, and Social Sciences.
The blog article "Growing Pains: Analysis Explores Opportunities to Expand Public Access to Federally Funded Research" discusses the evolving landscape of public access to research funded by federal agencies. It examines current challenges, such as balancing open access with intellectual property rights, and highlights opportunities to improve transparency and equity in research dissemination. The article underscores the importance of collaboration between stakeholders to develop policies that broaden public access while maintaining research quality and integrity, ultimately aiming to enhance the societal impact of federally funded studies.
Alastair Norcross, Philosophy Professor at the University of Colorado Boulder and Chair of the Faculty Council, shares his appreciation for faculty across all four campuses, recognizing their dedication and contributions to the university's success. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration and shared governance in addressing challenges and shaping the university's future. Norcross expresses optimism about the Faculty Council's ability to foster meaningful dialogue and develop innovative solutions, ensuring that faculty voices remain central in decision-making processes. His letter highlights a commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and strengthening the partnership between faculty and university leadership.
Rhonda Glazier is the Chair of the Faculty Council Budget & Finance Committee. She has been active in shared governance for many years and continues to be a leader in faculty budgetary goals and awareness across all for campuses.
Faculty Council Secretary, David Paradis, discusses his time with shared governance and the multiple roles he's played in working with the CU community.
Faculty Council LGBTQ+ Committee Co-Chairs and CU Denver Colleagues, Ed Cannon and Troyann Gentile, discuss what shared governance means to them and what this means for their future goals.
Faculty Council Communications Committee Member, Liesl Eberhardt discusses her experience with shared governance and the influence she has had on the department/campus-level.
As faculty transition “back to normal” in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we hope that discussions about the lasting impacts of the pandemic continue to occur at the unit, campus, and system levels, and that CU continues to focus on building robust scaffolding to support its faculty, staff, and students during periods of stress or crisis.
