Campus Life

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At A Glance: Downtown Denver and Auraria  

The University of Colorado Denver, Denver Campus is physically located on the 151-acre Auraria Campus, which is shared with two other institutions—Metropolitan State College of Denver and Community College of Denver. Because we share facilities, our students have access to the level of resources found at much larger public universities. Since fall 2006, the university has also been able to offer student housing adjacent to this traditionally commuter campus. Details about the campus and Campus Village are explained in this chapter.

Since opening in 1976, Auraria has become the largest campus in Colorado, enrolling nearly 50,000 students—20 percent of all the students in public higher education in the state. This is the most efficiently utilized campus in the state. Classrooms on the Auraria Campus are used an average of 50+ hours per week. Classes are held from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Some courses and programs are offered cooperatively by the Auraria educational institutions. Those pertaining to CU Denver students are outlined in this catalog.

The Auraria Campus offers numerous amenities to students, faculty and staff, from the largest bookstore in the Rocky Mountain region to a state-of-the-art fitness facility. Details of these amenities are outlined in this chapter.

In addition to its proximity to the thriving business and industry of downtown Denver, the Auraria Campus has a distinct historic flavor. The Tivoli Student Union is housed in a renovated brewery originally built in the 1860s. Historic Ninth Street Park, St. Cajetan’s Church/Performing Arts Center, St. Elizabeth’s Church, the Emmanuel-Sherith Chapel/Synagogue/Art Gallery and the Golda Meir Museum are also located on campus.

Auraria Higher Education Center

The Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC) is the administrative body that coordinates the facilities, services and activities for the three educational institutions on campus. AHEC provides common services for the campus including: classroom scheduling, facilities management and construction, campus police, telecommunications infrastructure, student union, media services, book store, early learning center, parking and transportation, mail services and facilities master planning. Visit their website for additional information.

Auraria Campus Bookstore

Location: Tivoli Student Union, 900 Auraria Parkway
Hours: Mon.–Thurs., 8 a.m.–6 p.m.; Fri. 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; call for hours during vacation and interim periods
Telephone: 303-556-4286
Website: www.aurariabooks.com

The Auraria Campus Bookstore, a department of Student & Auxiliary Services—your campus store—is located in the historic Tivoli Student Union. The bookstore provides textbooks for the Auraria schools, plus a complete general book department that is especially strong in technical and reference areas. Best sellers, new releases and gift book selections change frequently and are often accompanied by displays of special value books on many subjects.

Students need to bring course printouts to locate textbooks. Books are located by school; subjects are arranged alphabetically—departmental abbreviations, with course and section numbers—and prices are printed on the shelf tag below. Each title has the designation of required, preferred, optional or available. You can also buy books online at www.aurariabooks.com and have them shipped to your home, or you may pick them up in person.

The Auraria Campus Bookstore carries more used textbooks than any other bookstore in Colorado, but shop early as used books are the first to go. A full refund is given for new and used books accompanied by the receipt and returned within the first two weeks of class for regular semesters and two days from the first day of class for short terms.

Please read the refund policy on the back of the receipt.

When a course ends, the textbook may still have value and may be bought back by the bookstore. The buy-back policy on used texts is to pay half of the new price on books that will be used again next semester on this campus. Other texts are purchased at lower percentages. The Auraria Campus Bookstore’s buy-back services are dedicated to its student customers. A validated Auraria student ID is required to complete a buy-back transaction. Books are bought for the campus throughout the semester; however, buyers from national textbook companies are on hand at the end of each semester to purchase used books that may be required at other schools.

Campus Computers, 303-556-3726, offers the latest in hardware and software technology and is an authorized Apple Campus Store. An educational discount is offered to Auraria Campus students; a current, validated Auraria ID must be presented at the time of purchase. A full line of computer reference books and accessories are also available, as well as calculators and other small electronics. Campus Computers’ is located on the second floor of the Auraria Campus Bookstore.

A current photo ID is required for purchases paid for by check. The bookstore also accepts MasterCard, VISA, American Express and Discover.

The Auraria Campus Bookstore is owned by the State of Colorado and supports the Auraria Student Bond Fund.

Auraria Early Learning Center (Child Care Center)

Location: West Colfax and Ninth Street Park
Hours: Mon.–Fri. 7 a.m.–6 p.m.
Telephone: 303-556-3188
Website: www.tivoli.org/earlylearning

The Auraria Early Learning Center serves the child care needs of Auraria’s students, staff and faculty by providing high-quality early childhood education and care programs. The Auraria Early Learning Center is located at the south end of 9th Street Park. Its programs are consistently recognized by the educational community for their high-quality early childhood care and education. Developmentally appropriate practices for young children guide the educational programs that are provided. Curriculum planning is flexible and based on children’s interests.

Supervising teachers in the Auraria Early Learning Center are all degreed teachers meeting the certification guidelines of the State of Colorado and of the National Academy of Early Childhood programs. Children aged 12 months to 5 years are served at the center. The center also has a fully accredited kindergarten program.

Auraria Event Center/Student Recreation Center

Location: 1255 Tenth Street Mall
Telephone: 303-352-4371 (fitness center); 303-556-3210 (recreation); 303-556-2755 (events)
Website: www.mscd.edu/~cra

The Auraria Campus PE/Event Center is a 2,800-seat facility for team and individual sport activities, academic programs, events and conferences. Funds from student recreation fees support the use by students of the many health and recreation facilities found within the building. Adjacent to the building are softball fields, tennis courts and a track.

Auraria Library

University Librarian/Director: Mary M. Somerville

Associate University Librarians/Directors: Meg Brown-Sica, Marical Farner, Cynthia Hashert, Denise Pan

Location:  1100 Lawrence Street, Denver, CO 80204-2041

Telephone:  Directory and Hours: 303-556-2740
                    Ask Us Desk: 303-556-2639
                    Research Help: 303-556-2585

Website:  http://library.auraria.edu

Faculty

Professor: Mary M. Somerville, MLS, University of Hawaii Manoa, MA, Goddard College, PhD, Union Institute and University

Associate Professor: Ellen Greenblatt, MA, University of Denver

Assistant Professors: Jeffrey Beall, MA, Oklahoma State University, MSLS, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Meg Brown-Sica, MS, University of South Florida; Ignacio Ferrer-Vinent, MLIS, University of Denver, PhD, University of Miami; Nina McHale, MA/MSLS, Catholic University of America; Denise Pan, MLS, San Jose State University, MA, University of Colorado Boulder; Karen Sobel, MLS, University of North Carolina

Senior Instructors: Orlando Archibeque, MA, University of Denver; Thomas J. Beck, MLS, Emporia State University; Gayle Bradbeer, MLS, Emporia State University, MS, University of Arizona; Lorraine Evans, MLS, University of Maryland; Vera Gao, MLS, University of South Carolina; Cynthia Hashert, MLS, North Texas State University; Elaine Jurries, MA, University of Minnesota; Nikki McCaslin, MA, University of Denver; Ellen Metter, MS, Drexel University; Linda Tietjen, MA, University of Denver; Diane Turner, MLS, University of Pittsburgh; Judith Valdez, MLS, Emporia State University

Instructors: Eric Baker, MLS, Indiana University; Rosemary Evetts, MLS, Indiana University

About the Auraria Library

The Auraria Library provides a wide range of learning resources, research services and study environments to support academic programs. Whether you are looking for a quiet place to read and reflect, a source of authoritative academic information or a computer-enabled collaborative work space, the library offers a variety of spaces to meet your needs. 

Learning Materials Collection

The Auraria Library collection contains nearly a million volumes of print books and ebooks, subscribes or links to more than 65,000 journals and offers in-house and online films. The library is also a selective depository for U.S. government publications and a depository for Colorado state documents. This collection is supplemented by access to other libraries within the state and across the nation through interlibrary loan services.

Access and Discover Library Resources

The library provides on- and off-campus access to a wide variety of electronic and print materials via the library’s home page (http://library.auraria.edu). Nearly 300 databases provide access to full text articles, journal citations, statistics, laws and business data in a multitude of disciplines. Locally available items can be found with the Skyline catalog, while the WorldCat @ Auraria Library catalog facilitates finding print and electronic book, article and media holdings at the Auraria Library, regional and United States libraries, and beyond. You can customize WorldCat @ Auraria Library by adding keywords to records, submitting comments and creating lists of resources for quick access later.

Information and Research Services

When in doubt, visit the Ask Us desk for assistance with basic research questions, to borrow items for a class (Course Reserves) or from the Library’s collection, or to request materials from regional libraries (Prospector) or national libraries (Interlibrary Loan). Use the Self Check Out machines to expedite borrowing library books. For more in-depth research inquiries, you may be referred from the Ask Us desk to the Research Help desk. Librarians are also available for walk-in, appointment, telephone and online help. 

Library Research Instruction

Throughout the semester, students can learn essential skills needed to conduct scholarly research through classroom sessions, online tutorials, specialized workshops and personal consultations. During individual and classroom learning experiences, find out about powerful library search tools and Web-based resources that inform research papers, support class projects and provide career information.

Learning Spaces and Computer Resources

The Learning Commons offer technology resources including computers, scanners and printers. The Tech Help desk assists with troubleshooting hardware and software computer problems. In general, the first floor of the library is dedicated to collaborative learning and research, and the second floor is devoted to quiet study and collections. Photocopiers, microform reader/printers, a copy center and study rooms are also available.

Services for Persons with Disabilities

The library is committed to making its resources and services available to all students. Library services to assist persons with disabilities include orientation to the physical layout of the library building and assistance with the retrieval of materials.

Auraria Media Center and Classroom Support Services

Location: 1100 Lawrence Street (Auraria Library), 015
Telephone: 303-556-2426
Website: http://mediacenter.ahec.edu

The Auraria Media Center and Classroom Support Services offers a full range of media services and classroom support:

• distance learning technologies including video conferencing, webinars, audio conferencing, video over IP and ISDN and videotaping of course delivery
• circulation of a wide range of audio, video and data (AVD) presentation equipment for one-time use
• long-term classroom equipment check-out
• production of content on digital tape, DVD, CD and videotape by an award-winning staff using state-of-the-art digital editing, graphics and animation systems
• quantity duplication of DVD, CD, audio and videotape media
• equipment maintenance and repair
• equipment/systems consultation and installation

The Auraria Media Center’s 34-channel closed-circuit campus cable system can be used in the classroom to broadcast channels such as CNN, MSNBC, History, Discovery, A&E, PBS, CSPAN, NASA and local television networks. One channel is dedicated to and managed by each institution for distribution of programming of their choice.

Auraria Media Center staff are available to train faculty in the use of equipment in “smart” classrooms on campus and offer consulting services to faculty and other clients in such areas as media design and production, effective use of media types and effective use of distance learning technologies, effective use of those technologies and equipment selection to best meet instructional needs.

Auraria Media Center and Classroom Support Services will handle all of your classroom needs regarding furinture, projector screens, whiteboards, smart classroom equipment and ADA furniture placement.

Clicks! Copy and Printing Services

Locations:
Tivoli Student Union, 211, 303-556-3702
South Classroom, 119A, 303-556-2679
Auraria Library, 303-556-2751

Hours: Vary by location

Clicks! is an on-campus copying, printing and graphic design department. Four full-service copy centers around campus provide high-speed copying, color copies, laminating, binding and school supplies. Services vary by location.

Emmanuel Gallery

Curator: Shannon K. Corrigan
Location: 1205 Tenth Street Mall
Hours: Tues.–Fri. 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Telephone: 303-556-8337
Website: www.emmanuelgallery.org

Emmanuel Gallery is a tri-institutional, nonprofit art facility committed to enhancing the understanding of the visual arts. Through the presentation of high-quality art exhibits, lectures and events our purpose is to encourage critical thinking, creative research and training in gallery practices. Programs at Emmanuel Gallery promote excellence, education and enrichment to the diverse cultural community of the Auraria Campus and the Denver metropolitan area. 

Health Center of Auraria

Location: Plaza Building, 150 (lower level)
Hours: Vary (see below)
Telephone: 303-556-2525
Website: www.mscd.edu/healthcenter

All Denver Campus students are entitled to medical services at the Health Center at Auraria, and student health insurance is NOT required to use this facility. The Health Center is approved to provide emergency triage care to persons covered by Medicare and/or Medicaid. Other medical conditions will be referred to approved Medicare /Medicaid providers. Physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, radiological technologists and medical assistants staff the facility. Students will be asked to complete a sign-in sheet and show a current semester ID card each time they check in.

Services include:

• treatment of illness and injuries
• lab testing
• medications
• physicals
• annual GYN exams
• sexually transmitted disease information/testing
• birth control information/services
• minor surgery
• immunizations
• HIV testing
• blood pressure checks
• casting
• suturing
• X-ray

All services listed above are low cost. The Health Center is an “in-network” medical provider for Blue Cross/Blue Shield (BC/BS) insurance plans (including out-of-state plans) and for all college-sponsored student health insurance plans.  Patients participating in any of these plans simply pay their applicable co-payments at the time of service. Charges will be submitted by the Health Center directly to the insurance company. Patients not enrolled in one of the above plans are also eligible for services, but are required to pay at time of service. Classes regarding health-related topics are taught each semester and are offered free to all students. Scheduled and walk-in appointments are available. Walk-in services begin at 8 a.m., Monday – Friday. Access is on a first-come, first-served basis. Walk-in varies daily, contingent upon when all patient slots have been filled; thus, the daily closure time for walk-in care is variable. Patients are encouraged to check in as early as possible. Brochures with additional information are available at the Health Center.

King Academic and Performing Arts Center

Location: 855 Lawrence Way
Telephone: 303-556-2179
Website: www.ahec.edu/kingcenter

The King Center houses six performing spaces: three permanently assigned production studios, a 197-seat recital hall; 520-seat concert hall; and the 168-297 seat (depending on stage configuration) Eugenia Rawls Courtyard Theatre. There are dressing rooms, green room, recording studio, lighting lab, music electronics lab, classroom space, box office, scene shop, paint shop and costume shop. All spaces are fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and a variety of spaces for exhibiting fine art. The entire facility has more than 180,000 square feet dedicated to the education of the student and development of the student who wishes to study performance/arts. The center can support many forms of entertainment, anywhere from legit theatre to large choral ensembles and other forms of performances.

Tivoli Student Union

Location: 900 Auraria Parkway (Ninth and Auraria Parkway)
Telephone: 303-556-6330
Website: www.tivoli.org/tivoli/

The Tivoli Student Union, managed by Auraria Student & Auxiliary Services, provides a wide variety of services for the Auraria community. The student union houses student government and student life offices, two credit unions and tri-institutional services such as the GLBT student services.

If you want a break or a quiet place to study, the Tivoli Student Union is just the place. With a food court, coffeehouse, deli and convenience store, you’ll find a place to suit your appetite, schedule and budget. If you’d rather retreat than eat, you can watch plasma TVs in the Boiler Room Student Lounge, play a game of pool at Sigi’s Pool Hall and Arcade, meet a study group in the multicultural lounge or study in total silence in the Garage Quiet Study Lounge.

Additional student services at the Tivoli Student Union include the Auraria Campus Bookstore, the Club Hub, Click’s! Copy Center, event services and the ID program and Commuter Resource Center.

Club Hub
Suite 346, 303-556-8094

This uniquely designed club space on the third floor of the Tivoli features work space for more than 60 clubs, mailboxes for campus clubs, a limited number of lockers, club bulletin boards and a lounge area for group meetings. This office works closely with the Student Advisory Committee to the Auraria Board (SACAB) and the student activities/life offices.

Auraria Campus Event Services
Suite 325, 303-556-2755

Through the event services office, meeting and conference space at the Tivoli Student Union, Event Center, St. Cajetan’s and outdoor spaces can be reserved for nonacademic purposes, including meetings, weddings and receptions. Events services has five caterers to choose from for all catering needs.

ID Program/Commuter and Housing Resources
Suite 269, 303-556-8385

Auraria staff, faculty and students go here to get their ID cards, which are necessary for parking in some campus lots and for checking out library books. Student IDs also serve as an RTD bus and light rail pass with a semester validation sticker. The center provides off-campus housing resources, RTD bus information, campus and Tivoli information, lost and found and a microwave oven.

Sigi’s Pool Hall and Arcade
Suite 145, 303-556-3645

Sigi’s, named after Tivoli Brewery founder Moritz Sigi, houses 15 video game machines and six billiard tables. Sigi’s is open to the entire Auraria Campus population as well as the public. The student-friendly atmosphere encourages community socialization and relaxation. 

University Policy and Support: Tivoli Student Union, 227

Telephone: 303-556-2444

E-mail: housing@ucdenver.edu
Website: www.ucdenver.edu/life/Pages/Housing.aspx

Leasing and Payment Options: Campus Village Aparments
, 318 Walnut Street

Telephone: 303-573-5272

E-mail: mgrdenver@edrtrust.com

Website: www.campusvillageliving.com

The University of Colorado Denver, Denver Campus, has a live-in requirement for first-time undergraduate students

Benefits of living on-campus

Research has shown that living in student housing during the first year has numerous benefits for students both academically and socially. Students who live on-campus their first year experience:

• Higher graduation rates than students who live off campus.
• A higher level of satisfaction with their college experience.
• A higher level of involvement in clubs and activities on campus.
• More frequent interaction with faculty members and peers.

Live-in Policy

The University of Colorado Denver is a residential campus, and all first-year students live in the Campus Village Apartments at Auraria. No other apartments or buildings meet the live-in policy requirement. First-year students live together in a dedicated wing of Campus Village. This wing includes the following additional amenities:

• Additional Staff – This wing of the complex will have a higher ratio of staff to students to help provide additional support, guidance and resources for first-time students.
• Special Programming – Many of the programming efforts sponsored by the university will be taking place in the first-year student wing of Campus Village. Programs will focus on study skills, navigating the university and community, living with a roommate and a variety of other topics.
• Connections with other first-year students - First-year students share many of the same challenges and anxieties as they begin their college careers. Living in a community of students going through the same types of experiences provides a built-in support network and can lead to lasting friendships.

Exemptions

First-time freshman students wishing to live with their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) or who qualify under at least one of the exemptions listed below must submit the “Exemption Form” to be considered for exception from the live-in policy. Exemptions to this policy will be evaluated and made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please contact the Office of Student Life at 303-556-3399 or via e-mail at housing@ucdenver.edu.

Exemptions to the first-time freshmen live-in requirement:

1. You will be living at home with parent(s) or legal guardian(s).
2. You are a veteran of the armed forces.
3. You are married or a parent with dependent(s).
4. You are a part-time undergraduate student enrolled for less than 10 credit hours per semester.
5. You are deemed medically excusable by the Office of Community Standards and Wellness (must be supported in writing by a doctor and with appropriate medical documentation).
6. You are over 21 years of age.
7. All other requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Exemptions be evaluated and made on a case-by case basis. Exemption forms are available through the Office of Community Standards and Wellness, Tivoli Student Union, 259, or online at www.ucdenver.edu/housingexemption. For further information, please contact the Office of Community Standards and Wellness at 303-556-2444 or via e-mail at housing@ucdenver.edu.

Campus Village Frequently Asked Questions 

Amenities

At Campus Village at Auraria, students will find a community to support their academic and personal interests. It’s convenient, comfortable and affordable. Features include:

• apartment-style living with kitchenettes or full kitchens for all students
• lease rates that include heating, cooling, electricity, water, cable and high-speed Internet service
• on-site tutoring and academic support
• a variety of floor plans (from individual studios to four bedroom apartments) to meet the needs of all students
• individual lease agreements for shared units
• fully furnished apartments
• various affordable meal plans

Diagrams of floor plans, details about meal plans, pricing, applications and exemption forms are available on the website at www.campusvillageliving.com.

Important Dates and Information

May 15, 2011: CU Denver First-Year Student Priority Deadline


Freshman students are required to live in Campus Village for two academic-year semesters but this policy is subject to availability of space. Most residence hall assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis, so you are encouraged to apply for housing as soon as possible after you confirm your enrollment.

Payment and Billing

Campus Village housing and dining fees will be billed to your CU Denver student account. If you receive financial aid, your award(s) will be credited directly to your student account. Financial aid awards are used to pay your tuition and fees first; any remaining award(s) are then used to pay your housing charges. You are responsible for any and all charges not covered by financial aid and scholarships. You must provide Campus Village with proof/verification of funds by September 15, 2010.

The University of Colorado Denver places a priority on the safety and security of its faculty, staff, students and visitors. Please visit the University Policies  chapter of this catalog for additional information related to campus safety.

Emergency Notification System

The Emergency Notification System allows students, faculty and staff to register to receive alerts about threats of imminent danger at or near any CU Denver location. This service is used in conjunction with other communication channels including: public address systems, broadcast e-mail and voice-mail messages to campus telephone extensions, electronic signage, a coordinated use of public media outlets and 24-hour recorded emergency and information hotlines (Denver/Auraria Campus 303-556-2401; Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora 303-724-4636). Participants can receive various notifications including text messaging, e-mail and phone calls. Visit the CU Denver website for details.

Auraria Police Department

Office: Administration Building, Suite 110
Telephone: 303-556-5000 (Police Dispatch)
Emergency: 911 from a campus phone or 303-556-5000
Website: www.ahec.edu/acpd.htm

On the Denver Campus, CU Denver works with the Auraria Police Department to ensure campus safety. The Auraria Police Department provides campus law enforcement services 24 hours a day, seven days a week including:

• security patrols, bicycle patrols and foot patrols
• crime prevention programs
• night escorts to a vehicle
• vehicle unlocks
• informational services

Auraria Police fulfill the campus responsibilities for reporting crime as required by the Clery Act. Clery statistics are available online at www.ahec.edu/campuspolice/ucd-clery.pdf.

Crime Statistics

In compliance with the federal Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act, the Auraria Campus publishes crime statistics on campus in the Auraria Campus Clery Report. In an emergency, please contact Auraria Campus Police at 303-556-5000 or dial 911 from a campus phone.

Persistence and Completion Data

Section 103 of Title 1 of Public Law 101-542 as amended by Public Law 102-26 (the Federal “Student Right-to-Know” Act) requires that institutions produce and make available to current and prospective students the completion rate of first-time, full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students entering the institution. Six years after entering, 43 percent of the fall 2003 cohort graduated, another 13 percent transferred to other public higher education institutions in Colorado and 15 percent were still enrolled at the Denver Campus for a total six-year combined persistence and completion rate of 71 percent.

CU Denver’s one-year fall-to-fall retention rate is 70 percent for the fall 2008 cohort. That is, of the first-time, full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students who entered the university in fall 2008, 70 percent were enrolled at the Denver Campus in fall 2009.

Riot Law (Student Riot Bill)

Student enrollment-prohibition-public peace and order convictions: 1) No person who is convicted of a riot offense shall be enrolled in a state-supported institution of higher education for a period of 12 months following the date of conviction; 2) a student who is enrolled in a state-supported institution of higher education and who is convicted of a riot offense shall be immediately suspended from the institution upon the institution’s notification of such conviction for a period of 12 months following the date of conviction, except that if a student has been suspended prior to the date of conviction by the state-supported institution of higher education for the same riot activity, the twelve month suspension shall run from the start of the suspension imposed by the institution; 3) nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a state-supported institution of higher education from implementing its own policies and procedures or disciplinary actions in addition to the suspension under (2) of this section, regarding students involved in riot.

Sex Offender Information (Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act)

Sex offenders are required to list the locations of all institutions of post-secondary education where he or she volunteers or is enrolled or employed. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation maintains a database identifying all such persons and makes it available to all law enforcement agencies in which jurisdiction the institution of postsecondary education is located. The campus community can obtain this information by contacting the Auraria Police Department at 303-556-5000.

Voter Registration (National Voter Registration Act)

In compliance with the National Voter Registration Act, the state of Colorado voter registration application form and information is available online at www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/ or www.fec.gov/votregis/vr.shtml.