Office of the President

Statements from the President

CU Systemwide Lands Recognition Statement

We arrived at this statement after connecting with Native American groups on all CU campuses, as well as with campus chief diversity officers, chancellors and system leadership. We will post it on university websites, as well as use it in selected publications and at events.

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 meaningfully, and be reinforced by direct support and consideration of Indigenous peoples.

We arrived at this statement after connecting with Native American groups on all CU campuses, as well as with campus chief diversity officers, chancellors and system leadership. We will post it on university websites, as well as use it in selected publications and at events. Additionally, campuses and system will be able to use the statement in various ways as they deem most effective and appropriate.

Statement

As we gather, we honor and acknowledge that the University of Colorado’s four campuses are on the traditional territories and ancestral homelands of the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Ute, Apache, Comanche, Kiowa, Lakota, Pueblo and Shoshone Nations. Further, we acknowledge the 48 contemporary tribal nations historically tied to the lands that comprise what is now called Colorado.

Acknowledging that we live in the homelands of Indigenous peoples recognizes the original stewards of these lands and their legacies. With this land acknowledgment, we celebrate the many contributions of Native peoples to the fields of medicine, mathematics, government and military service, arts, literature, engineering and more. We also recognize the sophisticated and intricate knowledge systems Indigenous peoples have developed in relationship to their lands.

We recognize and affirm the ties these nations have to their traditional homelands and the many Indigenous people who thrive in this place, alive and strong. We also acknowledge the painful history of ill treatment and forced removal that has had a profoundly negative impact on Native nations.

We respect the many diverse Indigenous peoples still connected to this land. We honor them and thank the indigenous ancestors of this place. The University of Colorado pledges to provide educational opportunities for Native students, faculty and staff and advance our mission to understand the history and contemporary lives of Native peoples.

Additional Statements

 

Statement from President Saliman and CU Chancellors on the Supreme Court's Affirmative Action Decision

The University of Colorado is unwavering in its commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment that embraces and celebrates individuals from all backgrounds. CU strongly believes in the transformative power of education, and we are dedicated to reflecting the diversity of our great state, nation and world as we build pathways that provide opportunity for aspiring learners to fulfill their college aspirations.
 

Message from University of Colorado President and Chancellors Regarding Michigan State University Shooting

The University of Colorado community offers our deepest condolences to our friends and colleagues at Michigan State University in light of the terrible tragedy that happened on their campus on Monday. The families and friends of those directly affected are foremost in our minds. Todd Saliman
 

Statement on CU Treasury Issue

Dear Members of the CU Community, I want to update you on an issue I communicated about before the holiday break, funding for accelerating the systemwide strategic plan and related matters in the University Treasury. As I outlined in December, declines in the market, combined with a disconnect in