Moving the University of Colorado’s president’s office away from Boulder may distance it from the controversies and eccentricities of the town, but it certainly won’t make the problems go away.
Still, the idea does make sense for other reasons, and it should be carefully considered by the Board of Regents. Incoming CU President Hank Brown says the notion is worth a close look, but we don’t think the move should come on his watch.
Brown was hired to boost CU’s credibility and bring transparency, accountability and leadership to Colorado’s flagship university. Moving the president’s office is heavy lifting he doesn’t need to do in the eight to 18 months he thinks he’ll be president.
Besides, he’s there to clean up problems that emanated from Boulder, and proximity will be helpful as he seeks to gain the trust of students and faculty.
The relocation idea has been percolating for years, but given today’s political dynamics, and CU’s future growth areas, it’s gaining traction. Officials want the university to be seen more as a system of strong campuses, and less Boulder-centric. Indeed, CU will soon admit students differently. Students will be accepted into the CU system, and will be asked to list which campus they prefer to attend. Most, but not all, will get their first choice.
Moving the president’s office “would help the public understand that there’s a lot more to the university than the Boulder campus,” regent Michael Carrigan said, beating the drum for his home base of Denver. That’s never been so true, especially given the emerging CU Health Sciences Center at Fitzsimons and the growth and potential of the CU-Colorado Springs campus.
With an office in Denver, the president would be closer to the state legislature and many major donors. Given today’s lack of political will to not only properly fund higher education but to let colleges govern themselves, the close proximity could pay dividends, though it’s important that the president not be at the politicians’ beck and call.
CU’s president can make the 45-minute trip from Boulder to Denver now whenever she needs to meet with lawmakers, but being in Denver would give the president a more consistent presence at the statehouse.
The move looks good on paper, but there are some risks as well. CU officials must be careful not to diminish the Boulder campus. While it’s true there’s more to CU than Boulder, CU’s flagship campus needs to be strong for the health of the whole system.
