A New Year’s wish from the Chancellor
Over the years, I’ve written many long email messages, but never, to my increasingly leaky memory, a New Year’s Eve message.

Tony Frank: On research
With the pandemic and elections taking so much of our focus this fall, it can be easy to lose track of the fundamentals that drive higher education and the CSU System: teaching, research, and outreach that supports our communities. But all this year, even while moving their courses online and working to connect with students in their new digital classrooms, our faculty have not only kept their focus – they have excelled.
Statement from the Board of Governors of the CSU System on CSU Athletics
Recently, there have been many allegations surrounding the culture within the Department of Athletics at Colorado State University. We respect the experiences of individual student-athletes, and our commitment to student safety is unambiguous.

Third annual CSU Spur water symposium goes virtual, emphasizes power of storytelling
This year’s program focused on the critical role storytelling plays in building and driving social and environmental movements — specifically, how stories and various media can lead to greater public awareness around water issues, and also inspire actions necessary to solve and address them.

Higher education finance impacts from the 2020 election
Having been trained as an economist, I was always envious of the famous economists who had theories or maxims named after them.

Tony Frank: On elections
This past week, I was struck by an odd realization that this year’s election reminded me of the end of most of my college semesters.

For members of a university community: take care of who you are
As the national election approached several weeks ago, we saw a surge in mental health, mindfulness, and self-care resources, along with calls across social and traditional media sites to “take care of yourself!”

Understanding must be the new winning
The people have voted. The election is over, but our country remains divided. We remain divided, because we view politics as sport – games with distinct winners and losers.

Moving forward together
This has been a tumultuous year, to say the least. People are stressed, overwhelmed, and simply exhausted.

Looking for wins in a losing campaign
In 1968, I started college at a small liberal arts college in upstate New York. That year, like this year, saw America bitterly divided and in the midst of a presidential race.

Tony Frank: On voting
A week from today, election night will be over. So whether you vote out of respect for past sacrifice, or on behalf of a hope for tomorrow, my message this month is simple: If you can vote, vote.

New CSU campus in Denver fully under-construction, will open in 2022
Today, the CSU System breaks ground on Hydro — the final of three buildings at its CSU Spur campus that is being constructed as part of the future National Western Center, just northeast of the intersection of I-25 and I-70 in Denver.

Water in the West Symposium looks to inspire action
True to its mission as an initial offering of the Denver-based CSU Spur campus opening in 2022, the Water in the West Symposium brings together diverse speakers to discuss water issues in the West and beyond — a topic of increasing importance as fires and droughts top headlines.
Strong returning student numbers help offset fall enrollment declines across the CSU System
While the COVID-19 pandemic impacted new student enrollment across the CSU System this fall, declines in the number of new freshmen were partially offset by strong returning student enrollment.

CSU Spur: Anchored in community
Even before construction on its CSU Spur campus is completed in 2022, the CSU System has been following an anchor institution model of engaging and working with the communities surrounding the future site.

Art students complete mural at CSU Spur campus during CRUSH Walls event
As part of a partnership with the CSU System, eight students in CSU’s Department of Art and Art History painted images of Colorado’s official state fish, bird and flower on a building that will be renovated and eventually attached to the water building at the CSU Spur campus, expected to be complete in 2022.

Parsons legacy at CSU is one of large projects, connections
As Amy Parsons steps away from a collective 16 years at Colorado State University and the CSU System, she leaves a legacy as a respected leader and colleague responsible for landmark projects and strong community connections forged.

Tony Frank: On how we talk to each other
Most Americans don’t like the way we talk to each other these days, but no one seems to know how to fix it. The Colorado State University System proposes that we start at the most obvious point: Let’s talk about it.

“Can I say that in class?”: The answer is complicated — and it should be
Like many public land-grant institutions, especially those in swing states, Colorado State University is a politically contested space. Nationwide, critiques of classroom speech come from both the left and the right, usually drawing on the importance of academic freedom and free speech.

A task not taken alone
As a woman of color, at an early age I learned that the world can be a difficult place, filled with discrimination, hate, racism, and violence. This environment teaches many lessons for survival and living.

We need real social change, not “purified discourse”
The right to speak out, to protest, to make your voice heard to hopefully affect change, without government retribution. This is what we know the First Amendment is supposed to be about.

Getting “straight to the heart”
We are navigating challenging times in this country. Our long history of racial injustices has, once again, brought speakers to the streets, to platforms, and to the airwaves and internet.

The First Amendment in practice in higher education
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution contains only 45 words. Although brief in length, it is mighty in force. The rights and freedoms that arise from these words — religious freedom, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to peaceably assemble, and the right to petition the government — are pillars of our democracy.

Talking about how we talk to each other in the online space
Online education is a unique space for personal interactions among students and faculty. It is important that we keep the classroom a space that allows for academic freedom and opinions but also a space that maintains a professional atmosphere that is respectful and appropriate. The rules of engagement in a successful online classroom can actually provide key lessons for online communication in general.

Beyond free speech: Why engaged inclusive discourse matters
Free speech matters, but acknowledging an individual’s right to freedom of speech is not enough. In fact, I worry that that the way we discuss the First Amendment and free speech — by focusing primarily on people’s right to speak — does a disservice to universities like CSU, where we are poised to rigorously engage some of the most important questions confronting our nation.

Activism is who we are
Our students have never shied away from activism or issues, but activism looks and feels different at CSU Pueblo. When I interviewed for the Presidency in early 2017, members of our community mentioned to me that activism is not something CSU Pueblo does; activism is what this campus is.

CSU art students to paint mural at Spur campus during CRUSH Walls event Sept. 14-20
Eight CSU graduate students have been invited to paint a mural on a building that will become part of the future CSU Spur campus, as part of this month’s CRUSH Walls, a street art festival in Denver’s River North (RiNo) Art District.
In memory: Brian A. Snow
Brian A. Snow, General Counsel Emeritus of the Colorado State University System and former member of the CSU System’s Board of Governors, died peacefully after a long illness on August 29, 2020, in the arms of his beloved wife, Crissie. He was 79.

Amy Parsons to become CEO of Mozzafiato LLC
Amy Parsons, executive vice chancellor for the CSU System since 2015, will leave the System at the end of September to become CEO of Mozzafiato LLC.

David Axelrod joins 2020 CSU Spur Symposium
David Axelrod — former chief strategist and senior advisor to President Barack Obama — will join the lineup of speakers for the CSU Spur Water in the West Symposium, to be held virtually Nov. 18-19.

Tony Frank: On college costs and COVID-19
The State of Colorado produces a college graduate at a lower cost to taxpayers than any other state, and our tuition costs for public colleges and universities are solidly in the middle of the national pack. The total amount of student loan debt in Colorado has been on the decline for several years, and recent state studies indicate that higher education remains a wise investment for our students.
Becky Takeda-Tinker’s remarks to the August Board of Governors meeting
In the August Board of Governors meeting, Dr. Becky Takeda-Tinker — CSU Global’s first president who is transitioning to the role of chief educational innovation officer for the CSU System — reflected on her time as president and the strides CSU Global and the CSU System have made in serving nontraditional learners.
What we get when we learn in person
Learning in person – interacting face-to-face with an instructor and other students – is not a new idea: for most of human history, it was the only educational idea.
CSU System Board of Governors names next president of CSU Global
The Board of Governors of the CSU System today announced that Pamela Toney, currently chief operating officer for CSU Global, will become the University’s next president.

Together We Grow convenes thought leaders to foster diversity and inclusion in higher ed, agriculture
On July 30, five higher education thought leaders convened virtually to share their stories and perspectives on the future of higher education, focusing primarily on the role colleges and universities can and should play in diversifying the U.S. agricultural workforce.

Tony Frank: On public art
In June, the CSU System completed its public art selection for the Spur campus at the National Western Center. This has been in the works for months, and part of our Spur planning for years – then we found ourselves making the final selection in the middle of a national conversation about monuments and statues and what art belongs in the public square.

CSU System and Latin American Educational Foundation: Partnering to support Latinx students
The CSU System’s partnership with the Latin American Educational Foundation has enabled more than 400 Latinx students to enroll at one of the System’s three campuses over the past decade.

CSU System selects artists for installations at the Spur campus in Denver
The CSU System selected eight artists, including four from Colorado, to activate the CSU System Spur campus in north Denver with one-of-a-kind, large- format art installations.
Chancellor Frank Statement on the Supreme Court DACA Decision
The CSU System, led by our Board of Governors, has had a long-standing position in support of DACA students who have the drive and commitment to pursue higher education.

Tony Frank: On the Board of Governors
I don’t often get the opportunity to talk publicly about the Board of Governors of the CSU System.

New System logo reflects strength of campus connectivity
The Colorado State University System unveiled a new logo that visually represents the distinct brand of each of its three campuses, and showcases the strength of the campuses being part of the same university system.
CSU Global president to lead educational innovation at Colorado State University System
The Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System today announced that Dr. Becky Takeda-Tinker, Colorado State University Global’s first president, will transition to a new role as chief educational innovation officer for the System.
CSU System Board of Governors approves FY2021 budget
Even as it faces massive revenue shortfalls at its universities in Pueblo and Fort Collins, the Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System today mapped out a budget plan for next year that holds tuition steady and avoids deep job and pay cuts across the CSU campuses.

Tony Frank: On navigating a pandemic
Wrestling with the operational and budgetary challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged employers in nearly every industry.

CSU System breaks ground on Spur campus in Denver; to be complete 2022
Colorado State University System broke ground today on a new Denver campus — called Spur — which will invite the public to explore and interact with educational content around water, food, and health.

Tony Frank: Dear COVID-19
I’m writing to get some thoughts off my chest as I sit here late at night, unable to sleep.

Tony Frank: The employment sector that led the last recovery is at major risk
Elected officials in our nation’s capital are deeply engaged in discussions around stimulus packages to restart our economy.
Colorado higher education leadership letters to elected officials
Dear Senators Bennet and Gardner and Representatives DeGette, Neguse, Tipton, Buck, Lamborn, Crow and Perlmutter: we write to express our appreciation for your leadership and support of higher education during these troubling times.

Tony Frank: On COVID-19
I had been at Colorado State University for only a few years in the summer of 1997, when a late-July storm flooded the Fort Collins campus and surrounding community, leaving devastation in its wake.
CSU System selects CDR Associates to lead strategic planning for water policy institute at Spur campus
Colorado State University System has selected CDR Associates as the lead consultant to conduct strategic planning for a water policy institute at the future Spur campus at the National Western Center in north Denver.

Colorado State University classes moving online March 25
In response to the global coronavirus pandemic, Colorado State University is extending its Spring Break by two days, and when classes resume on March 25, they will be delivered online, CSU President Joyce McConnell announced Wednesday, March 11.

Together We Grow appoints first members to its Board of Directors
Together We Grow (TWG), a consortium of some of the world’s largest agribusiness interests focused on building a skilled, diverse, and inclusive agricultural workforce, today announced the appointment of its board of directors.
Colorado General Assembly confirms two state leaders to CSU System Board of Governors
The Colorado General Assembly today confirmed two longtime state leaders – both Colorado State University alumni – to the Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System.

Tony Frank: On Founders Day
On February 11, we celebrated 150 years of Colorado State University in Colorado.

CSU earns STARS Platinum sustainability rating for record third time
Colorado State University is building upon its global reputation as an innovative leader in sustainability by becoming the only institution in the world to earn three Platinum ratings from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

Tony Frank: On college affordability
With the start of the Colorado legislative session, it’s a good time to talk about state funding, tuition, and return on investment.

Tony Frank: On CSU’s commitment to Colorado
The CSU System has a home in every county in Colorado, and our employees are important threads in the fabric of communities across Colorado.

Tony Frank: On Veterans Day
The celebration of Veterans Day has special meaning for the Colorado State University System.