Statements from President Kennedy

I have been privileged to lead the University of Colorado and to work with the many wonderful and dedicated people inside and outside the university who are committed to its success.

The Board of Regents and I have entered into discussions about an orderly transition of the presidency of the university in the near future.

Since the health and safety of our campus communities is among our top priorities, we have determined to require that all University of Colorado students, faculty and staff receive a COVID-19 vaccine before the start of fall semester 2021.

CU President Mark R. Kennedy gave the following presentation to CU Faculty Senate on April 22, 2021

While this is an important step in the right direction, it is still just a step on a journey we must travel together toward equal justice under the law for all, no matter the color of their skin or their circumstances.

Our university is a community, not just on our campuses or in the four cities they call home, but as part of a larger whole – our state, our nation, our world. And in times like this, we must rely on our community to pull together and provide the support that will help each of us grieve and support one another.

At CU, we stand in solidarity with the AAPI community.

The violence, vandalism and acts of aggression we saw yesterday are unacceptable.

Returning to a more in-person experience will benefit our students, faculty and staff and reduce the social isolation so many have experienced over the past year. We applaud Gov. Polis for making this a priority.

In late January, CU vendor Accellion, Inc. notified us that attackers were able to exploit a vulnerability in its software that allowed temporary access to CU files uploaded by users of our file transfer service. We shut down the file transfer service immediately. CU is one of hundreds of Accellion’s customers, which include the federal government, businesses, health care companies and several universities.

We are pleased with decisions that will affect some of our faculty and staff, as well as international students and those in the DACA program, who will be able to continue their educational journeys.

We stand today at one of the most contentious times in our nation’s history. As one of America’s leading universities, CU has a role in bolstering our democracy, so that the American flag continues to inspire those at home and abroad. In recent days I have witnessed members of our community, of all perspectives and viewpoints shedding light that moves us forward together and only generating heat that further divides us.

Background Acknowledging that we reside on the homelands of Indigenous peoples is an important step toward recognizing the history and the original stewards of these lands. The intent of a land acknowledgment is to extend beyond spoken or written words. It must be implemented thoughtfully and

The University of Colorado has questions regarding the Executive Order issued on Sept. 22 regarding “Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping” and related guidance from the Office of Management and Budget, which aim to limit certain types of diversity training. The order is directed at “federal contractors” and “grant recipients,” both of which apply to CU.

U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 national rankings were announced Sept. 13, and CU’s four campuses boasted some outstanding educational highlights and overall rankings.

In no way should a shameful event in American history be equated with challenges facing the university.

I was pleased to engage with the CU Board of Regents about our efforts to address civil rights concerns at the joint meeting of the regents' Governance and University Affairs Committees.

The University of Colorado is joining our national higher education associations, as well as Colorado colleges and universities and peers nationally, to request the Department of Homeland Security to withdraw the July 6 Immigration and Customs Enforcement directive regarding international students.

Starting a leadership position during a moment as tumultuous as this is challenging. Assuming the job of chancellor of a premier urban public research university is particularly so. Fortunately, Michelle Marks, CU Denver’s new chancellor, is well-equipped to navigate this moment

We at the University of Colorado are pleased that our DACA students will be able to continue their educational journeys with us.

The decision today by the United States Supreme Court that civil rights law barring sex discrimination in the workplace applies to gay, lesbian and transgender workers affirms and aligns with the University of Colorado’s values.

It’s difficult to find the right words. The brutal death of George Floyd caught on video rendered me, like many of you, speechless and horrified. Other recent killings of African Americans compound feelings of shock and sadness that accumulate with each injustice.

Thank you to those who have shared their hopes and dreams with us. We recognize that the future is unknown and that plans change. Still, we welcome those who have informed CU of their plans for future gifts to become members of the CU Heritage Society, a prestigious group of supporters who engage in meaningful ways across our CU campuses.

We are all aware of the extremely challenging financial conditions COVID-19 brought about. Personnel costs are more than 70 percent of our expenditures.