CU Boulder Announces $25 Million Diversity Investment

BOULDER, CO — The University of Colorado Boulder announced Thursday an investment pool of $25 million over five years to support campus diversity initiatives.

The funding, which was recommended by Carla Ho'a, the university's chief financial officer, will contribute to the IDEA Plan, the campus' diversity blueprint. The $25 million will also provide support for programs that support diversity, equity and inclusion, university officials said.

“I want to first acknowledge that systemic racism and inequity continue to cause pain and suffering for communities of color on our campus and beyond," said Philip DiStefano, CU Boulder chancellor, in a statement to CU Boulder Today. "I know we have much work to do on our campus to develop a culture of belonging where everyone feels welcome.”

“As I reflect on the past year, I am grateful for the individuals and groups who are committed to creating a more diverse, equitable and inclusive campus. As a campus, as leaders and as individuals, we are taking steps personally and institutionally to deepen our ability to share and engage with diverse perspectives, address pressing inequities, and support the success of each member of our community. We have much more work yet to do,” the chancellor said.

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The funds will provide resources to help accelerate campus progress and sustain and grow resources that foster "a welcoming and inclusive campus community," CU Boulder said in a news release.

Areas of support for underrepresented communities on the campus will include:

• Admission, retention and graduation
• Financial access to higher education
• Mental health and wellness services
• Workforce recruitment, retention and progression
• Ability to establish and maintain community on campus

DiStefano is set to meet with the IDEA Council, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement, shared governance groups and other campus representatives in the coming weeks to further refine resource priorities in preparation for the onboarding of the senior vice chancellor for diversity, equity and inclusion later this summer, officials said.

The news of the funding comes after CU President Mark Kennedy announced he will leave his position "in the coming months." CU Boulder's faculty assembly voted to censure Kennedy over what some called a lack of leadership on diversity and equity.

>> Read more about the $25 million funding distribution at CU Boulder Today.