Institutional Description

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is one of three campuses in the University of Colorado system. The other two campuses are the University of Colorado Boulder (UCB) and the University of Colorado Denver (UCD). UCCS emphasizes a broad range of degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences and professional programs in business, engineering, nursing, education and public affairs.

In 1964, local businessman George T. Dwire offered the University the Cragmor Sanatorium and its surrounding 80 acres for the sum of $1. UCCS was created by an act of the Colorado Legislature in 1965, providing UCCS with a permanent home for its growing following of scholars.

Approximately 222 tenured or tenure-track faculty and 125 non-tenure track instructors make up the faculty at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. In Fall 2008, there were 29 research faculty and 268 lecturers, adjunct, adjoint, or visiting faculty. Several of the lecturers are professional-exempt employees at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs who teach a course or two per year in addition to their regular responsibilities.
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs aims to become the #1 comprehensive regional research universities in the nation with 10,000-12,000 students. This goal is fueled by the University of Colorado Colorado Springs status as one of the fastest-growing universities in Colorado and in the nation.
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs has seven colleges and schools: College of Business; College of Education, College of Engineering and Applied Science; College of Letters, Arts and Sciences; Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences; School of Public Affairs; and the Graduate School. The administration includes three major units: Student Success, Academic Affairs, and Administration & Finance, among other offices.

The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs offers 36 bachelor degree programs and 19 masters programs. There are 5 doctorate level degrees offered in the disciplines of Engineering, Psychology, Nursing Practice, and Educational Leadership, Research & Policy. A list of academic programs is available online at http://www.uccs.edu/~irpage/data/programs.html.
The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs conferred 1,225 bachelor’s degrees, 532 master’s degrees, and 10 doctorate degrees in the Academic Year of 2009-2010. Programs accredited by the appropriate professional agencies exist in Business (AACSB), Education (NCATE, CACREP, and the Colorado Department of Education), Engineering (ABET), Nursing (CCNE), and Public Affairs (NASPAA). The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The last accreditation review was completed in Fall 2006 and the next one will occur in 2016. Extensive documentation materials are available online at a dedicated website: http://www.uccs.edu/~ncaport/. During fall 2010 semester, more than 8,500 students enrolled in state supported instruction and about 1,600 students participated in extended studies. The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs boasts a diverse student body made up of 22 percent ethnic minority students; 52 percent of the students of color identified as Hispanic. Over half of the students are women (57%).  Although the majority of students are Colorado residents (92%), students from all 50 states and 23 countries are represented. At least 300 active military personnel and more than 30 U.S. Olympic athletes pursue higher learning at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. About 81 percent of students are enrolled in undergraduate programs and 19 percent are pursuing graduate study. Approximately 900 students live in the on-campus residence halls and apartments.

As of fall 2008, the average age of first-time first-year (freshman) students is 19 whereas the average age of undergraduate students is 24. The graduation rate is about 45 percent and has been gradually increasing each academic year. The freshman retention rate has averaged about 63 percent over the past 10 years, but reached an all-time high of 70% in 2008. The ratio of students to faculty as been approximately 18:1 over the past several years.

Library services are available over 90 hours per week during the regular semesters. Individual study carrels, a computer lab, multimedia development lab, group study rooms, an assistive technology center and copy machines are available.

Library users have access to the Library's collection of over 382, 872 book volumes, 451,602 microform volumes, 369,243 government forms and maps, and 8,809 audio-visual items. These items include over 4,754 serial titles. The Library also has 165 databases to choose from and access to over 31,000 full-text online journal titles through various databases. In addition, students and faculty have access to the collections of many of Colorado’s other academic libraries through personal visits, shared electronic catalogs or interlibrary loan. The Library's interlibrary loan agreements also provide students and faculty with access to the collections of most of the libraries in the U.S. and other countries. As the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and the community it serves continue to grow, the University's general mission remains steadfastly to emphasize quality teaching and research, and service to the University and community.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs is located at the foot of Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, Colorado. As the site of U.S. Olympic Training Center, the number of recreational activities is as high as the altitude. Colorado Springs is home to a growing high-tech industry, including companies such as Hewlett-Packard, Intel, IBM, Verizon, Oracle and many more. There is a substantial military presence in Colorado Springs as it is home to the Air Force Academy, Peterson Air Force Base, Schriever Air Force Base, Fort Carson, NORAD (HQ Of the North America Air Defense Command), and the CSOC (Consolidated Space Operations Center).
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs is one of the fastest-growing institutions in Colorado. As of Spring 2009, there were several construction projects underway, including a new engineering building, a science building renovation, a new UCCS Event Center, and other ongoing projects. Come by the campus to see the new and exciting developments!
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in admission and access to, and treatment and employment in, its educational programs and activities. The University takes action to increase ethnic, cultural, and gender diversity, to employ qualified disabled individuals, and to provide equal opportunity to all students and employees.

The Kraemer Family Library supports teaching and research activities of students and faculty by providing collections in many media, totally well over one million items and offering a wide array of interpretive services. Services include a comprehensive library instruction program, electronic data bases, interlibrary loan and reference. Access to a wide variety of electronic resources and the Library's online catalog is available through the library web page at http://www.uccs.edu/library/.