The University of Colorado president’s office may be on its way out of Boulder.
Hank Brown, CU’s incoming interim president, said Tuesday that he supports a regent’s suggestion that the president’s office be moved from the Boulder campus to Denver.
Brown told members of The Denver Post’s editorial board that such a move would allow the president to be closer to state officials and business leaders.
Brown said he does not think a move would help quell recent scandals by diverting attention away from Boulder.
“It’s well worth studying the advantage of being (in Denver),” Brown said. “I don’t think the problems have anything to do with location. They have to do with substance.”
Regent Michael Carrigan said there is likely to be discussion of a move at this week’s regents’ meetings, which start today.
He said he would favor a location that is away from all the four CU campuses to give the president a “neutral location.”
“It would more clearly define the relationship and role of the Boulder chancellor and the system,” Carrigan said. “It would help the public understand that there’s a lot more to the university than the Boulder campus.”
Brown said he’s not sure a move to Denver would make any difference in the public’s perception.
A move would require discussions with those people affected and the securing of desirable office space.
Carrigan said he would like to see the decision made within a year.
The president’s office is now in a converted house at 914 Broadway in Boulder.
Brown, during the editorial board meeting, also said he would urge the University of Colorado Foundation to abandon any plans to sue the attorney general’s office.
After 9News obtained details of a sealed grand-jury report last month, foundation leaders discussed a possible lawsuit to uncover how the report leaked.
“I don’t know that anybody should sue the attorney general,” Brown said Tuesday.
Foundation president Michael Byram said his board just wants to get to the facts of how the transcript leaked.
“All we’re trying to do is ask for the full facts to come out,” he said. “We have no interest in litigating. We just want full disclosure.”
Brown will take over in August for Betsy Hoffman, who resigned after more than a year of scandals and other controversies.
Brown said he will hold the job until the regents select a new president, but he did not rule out taking the position permanently.
Staff writer Arthur Kane can be reached at 303-820-1626 or akane@denverpost.com.
