From the Acting Co-Presidents

Alex Jennings ’22 and Myriam Ortiz ’23 watch “Jojo Rabbit” during an outside movie night on Washburn Field this summer, organized by the Office of Campus Activities and sponsored by Colorado College Student Government Association. The event was socially distanced based on apartment assignments to lower the risk of COVID-19 infection among on-campus students.

Dear Alumni, Parents, and Friends,

We want to begin by thanking you for all you have done to support Colorado College during an exceptionally challenging time. Although we have felt a wide range of emotions this year, we are inspired by dedicated CC faculty, staff, alumni, and most importantly, our students, who are working together toward meaningful change in our community and beyond. As we step into the role of acting co-presidents, we sincerely appreciate the opportunity to share our gratitude and reiterate our commitment to the safety and success of our students.

As we planned for Fall Semester, we collaborated with numerous organizations around the state and country to strategize how to best return to campus safely. Some of these organizations include El Paso County Public Health, Children’s Hospital Colorado, and the Education Advisory Board, together with the wisdom of multiple campus working groups.

We are implementing numerous changes that significantly impact life on campus, but also allow us to return to the campus in a way that supports the safety of students, faculty, and staff. The flexibility of the Block Plan continues to play a meaningful role to allow for creative solutions to the challenges the pandemic has presented, and we could not be more thankful for its versatility as we celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Colorado College continues to implement programming that prioritizes equity and inclusion both in and out of the classroom. Moreover, we have three new diversity officer positions for academics, student life, and human resources; respectively, senior associate dean for equity, inclusion, and faculty development; senior associate dean of students for equity and inclusion/director of the Butler Center; and director of diversity, equity, and inclusion for staff. (See story here)

We welcome your engagement as valued members of this community, and we invite you to follow our progress for this and other initiatives on the antiracism initiative webpage: coloradocollege.edu/antiracism

With the start of a new academic year, we are piloting a temporary adjustment plan that grants students and their families more flexibility. We welcome a new cohort — the Class of 2024 — to our living learning community. The Colorado Pledge, coupled with the test optional admission policy, increased access for all applicants and delivers on our commitment to support Colorado families. We are proud to welcome 139 students from this great state, comprising 22% of the incoming class, which is a 10% increase since Fall 2016. Our students join us from across the state and around the globe, and we are excited to witness all that they will accomplish in the years ahead. Please join us in welcoming these new members to our community!

As we continue to work though unique challenges, we are inspired by the strength this community has shown, and are grounded by the network that connects us to one another. We invite you to stay engaged as we support our students’ learning and safety, build on our commitment to antiracism, and move forward with our search for the college’s next president. Thank you for all you do to support Colorado College and most importantly, our students.

Sincerely,

Mike Edmonds, Acting Co-President

Robert Moore, Acting Co-President