Tape 1

Capital Planning Study Session. August 6, 2003

CU-Boulder South  Sign - public comment

Regent Kirk: I am going to convene the capital planning study session, and ask for a, an approval to change the format for the agenda priorities. We have a guest speaker, or I’m not even going to allow him. Regent Emeritus Bob Sievers would like to speak on the south campus, and we welcome you. Would you like to come forward? This will be an item that is under the Boulder campus update. but Emeritus Sievers wanted a crack at it first.

Regent Emeritus Sievers: Thank you.

Regent Kirk: And you know we're under time constraints, as always.

Regent Emerltus Sievers.: I know that, I know I have 120 seconds and I'll try to make it. (laughter) For eight months I've resisted the temptation to provide public comment, but I think the future of the CU-Boulder South is too important to future students for me to remain silent. Acting Mayor Havelick in the Colorado Daily proposed the following message be substituted for the one that is now there, which is “CU-Boulder South to Serve the Needs of Future Students."  He suggested, I assume tongue in cheek, that the sign should instead read and be carved in sandstone, “Future of Gravel Pits Unknown."  I only ask you, is the message that led the board to acquire the property in 1996 now changed? Or is it any more unclear than it ever was? And if not, why is history now being re-written, or proposed to be re-written? So, if it must be changed, why should it be less honest or candid?  This board, like predecessor boards throughout the 20th century, must have a clear vision of the future, even in difficult financial times.  And there is nothing fundamentally more important for any board than to preserve its options to serve the needs of future students, and it shouldn't be bashful about saying so.

But if changing the sign is what you want to spend the university’s money on, then I bring to you four candidates that have been suggested by faculty and students as possible substitutes for the present signage:

“CU-Boulder South - to Serve the Needs of NIMBYs!”

“CU-Boulder South! Better Rodents than Students!"

“CU-Boulder South, No Lights Please, This is Wilderness!"

“CU-Boulder-South. No Restrooms, No Water, No Services."  (You've seen that sign along the highway, before you're coming upon an exit that is totally dead end, and is not going anywhere.)

Finally, “CU-Boulder South, Regent X for City Council,"  Thank you for your <time> (sic)

Regent Kirk: Thank you. We will get to that item in a few minutes.