I&R Employee Newsletter - July 2025 | Infrastructure and Resilience

I&R Employee Newsletter - July 2025

VC's Corner

Vice Chancellor for Infrastructure & Resillience Chris Ewing

Appreciation, events, and a look forward

Dear Infrastructure and Resilience team,

Summer is in full swing, and I want to thank you for the incredible work happening across campus. From construction and maintenance to planning and design, your efforts keep us moving forward. ��

A special shout-out to our Outdoor Services team, whose work keeps our campus vibrant and welcoming during these hot months. The care you put into our landscapes is noticed and appreciated by all who visit. I love walking across campus after our summer rainstorms—the Flatirons are glowing and the air is cool. It reminds me how lucky we are to work in such a beautiful place, and how much of that beauty is thanks to you.

I am also looking forward to three upcoming events:

I&R Summer Picnic – July 15
CU Employee Softball Tournament – July 30 and 31
I&R Day of Service – Aug. 12

These are great opportunities to connect, unwind, and show our Buff pride.

Our I&R division joined the Finance and Business Strategy (FBS) division this past January. With a new chancellor and provost now in place, the university is entering a new phase with fresh leadership and clear goals.This shift has brought new energy and focus to our work. I'm really looking forward to what’s ahead. The integration of FBS and I&R gives us a great chance to build stronger partnerships and find smarter, more efficient ways to support our work.

As we prepare for the fall semester, I am grateful for your continued dedication. Your work—so often behind the scenes—makes a visible difference every day.

With appreciation,
Chris Ewing, vice chancellor for infrastructure and resilience

News and Notes

Save the date! I&R Staff Picnic – July 15

Get ready for one of the best days of the summer! The I&R staff appreciation summer picnic is coming on Tuesday, July 15. This event is open to our I&R staff, student employees and I&R temporary staff. See you there!

Tuesday, July 15, 2025
11:30 am – 1 pm
West Varsity Lawn, Main Campus
(supervisors can RSVP for their whole team)
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Volunteer Day of Service: Aug. 12

On Tuesday, Aug. 12, staff from Infrastructure and Resilience (I&R), Finance and Business Services (FBS) and the Division of Public Safety (DPS) are invited (and encouraged) to come together and dedicate a few hours of service back to our campus community. Our goal for the day is to engage with and give back to our campus. All registrants will receive lunch and a 91�Թ��-branded trucker hat.

Please consider joining us for a fun day of volunteering. Registration closes at 5:00 pm on Thursday, August 7—so sign up today. After you register, full details about where to go and what to bring for your job will be emailed to you no later than Friday, Aug. 8.

Click here to view the full list of volunteer jobs
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Volunteer for Fall Welcome

Move-in and Fall Welcome are back and we need your help again! This is the official welcome to campus for new students as well as a welcome back to campus for all of our continuing students.

91�Թ��’s Buffalo Bicycle Classic scholarship bike ride coming Sept. 7

The Elevations Credit Union Buffalo Bicycle Classic is more than just a bike ride—it’s the 91�Թ��’s biggest scholarship cycling fundraising event. Since 2003, the ride has raised over $3.9 million, helping more than 450 high-merit, high-need Colorado students graduate from 91�Թ��. I&R staff members can use the code CUSTAFF for $20 off of registration, and CU students can use the code CUSTUDENT for $50 off. CU students and staff must use their @colorado.edu email when registering to receive the discount (valid through Sept. 1). Find your favorite route and register for the event today. If you don’t want to ride, but still want to support the scholarship fundraiser, you can . 100% of all donations go directly to fund student scholarships.

Employee Spotlight

Michael Stanley, Fire Systems Technician, Facilities Operations

How long have you been working at CU? I’m still quite new to CU. I began working in June of 2024.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? Outside of work I try to find myself rock climbing as much as I can. I’m also an avid drummer. My wife and I are expecting our first child this summer so I’m looking forward to having a new climbing partner soon.

Tell us something that might surprise us about you. In my past career I worked as a professional chef. I have two degrees in the culinary arts that I earned while living in Europe. Aside from the typical restaurant jobs that one has, I have worked for some pretty notable chefs, musicians, actors, and politicians as well as owning my own food truck. At the end of the day, my favorite thing to cook is a simple wood fired pizza in the backyard.

What do you love about 91�Թ��? My wife is a 91�Թ�� alum and since we met, there has always been a CU blanket on the couch or hoodie hanging in the closet. I never expected to find myself working for CU but I sure am glad that I was given the opportunity. Working on campus is a delight and I’m proud of the work we do in the fire systems shop.

What are you currently reading? Currently I’m bouncing between two books; City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty and The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. Both fantastic reads that I highly recommend to anyone looking for a good story.

Are you a die-hard fan of anything? I’m a die-hard fan of scotch. Particularly peated scotches from the Isle of Islay in Scotland. Also, one of my favorite places to visit and where I hope to retire.

Safety Toolbox

Summer Safety Reminders

During the monthly FacMan safety committee meetings, our agenda covers various safety topics to make sure our team members are safe while at work. One of the topics we discussed during our June meeting was summer safety. A few reminders include staying hydrated (limit your caffeine), apply sunscreen, wear protective clothing and take breaks in cool places to avoid overheating. And do not forget to seek shelter during summer storms. These best practices can also be shared with your family and friends while enjoying our Colorado sunshine!

FM Safety Committee

The FM safety committee meets the third Tuesday of every month to discuss general safety concerns, review safety reports and on-the-job injuries and recommend training needs and resources. If you are interested in attending a meeting or bringing an issue or idea that is safety-related, please reach out to your area representative on the or contact our Safety Specialist Don Fitzpatrick.

I&R IT Tech Tips

Keep in contact with one another

If you are like most people, you don’t have many phone numbers memorized. Did you know we have an available that allows I&R staff to contact anyone on our I&R staff phone list? You can download the app onto your cell phone—it works on both CU-issued cell phones and personal cell phones. Here's the info on how to access it from your mobile device.

Find building addresses in a click

We’re happy to announce the launch of our new Campus Building List app! This tool makes it easy to look up campus building addresses—perfect for quickly finding the right info when starting a work order or calling for help at a specific location.

The idea came from Claude Masson on the Arborists team, who wanted to replace the paper copies of building names and addresses kept in work trucks. The app was developed with help from the Office of Space Optimization and I&R IT, and tested by members of the FM Safety Committee.

To use the app on your phone, download the PowerApps app, sign in with your IdentiKey email and password, and search for Campus building list.

I&R Star and Constellation Awards

William Lor (CBS Team 7), nominated by Provost Russ Moore (via Jessica Bradley)

William is a star employee of custodial Team 7 (Brenda Chavez is his supervisor). William was recognized by Provost Russ Moore recently. Here are the kind words the Provost said about William, "I'm writing to commend and compliment one of your employees, Mr. William Lor. ��In my many years as provost, William has periodically rotated through Regent Admin Center. ��Given that I often work into the evening, I have had occasion to interact with him. First, I have found William to be an extremely thorough custodian whose attention to detail is noteworthy. Second, when we do interact, he has been very thoughtful and respectful. As is the case in my job, I suspect that you get more complaints than you do compliments about your staff. Thanks for all that you do for 91�Թ��, William!!"
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Nyima Dolma (CBS), nominated by Alexander Hoehn, PhD, AERO/BioServe Space Technologies (via Sam Miller)

Nyima Dolma has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, work ethic, and attention to detail in maintaining the Aerospace building, particularly impressing us in the BioAstro kitchen, which was always spotless thanks to her efforts. If she took a few days off it was always immediately noticeable, underscoring the high standard she sets. Nyima not only takes pride in her work but also shows genuine interest in our research, making her a valued part of our community. As I prepare to retire after 37 years at CU, I want to ensure Nyima is recognized for her outstanding contributions, along with the excellent team supporting our building.

June comings and goings

New Hires

Jesus Gomez Carbajal, Utility & Energy Services, Utility Plant Operator
Karyn Brusate, I&R Business Services, IT Project Manager
Lobsang Dhargye, CBS, Custodian
Andrea��Zelinko, Facilities Management, Director of Strategic Initiatives

Promotions/Transfers

Cheri Baumgartner, Transportation Services,Transit Coordinator (previously Driver Coordinator)
John Krueger, Asst Director, Parking Services (previously Project Manager - PD&C)
Rasi Shrestha, CBS, Custodian (previously Custodian - Housing)
Michael Chrzanowski, Facilities Maintenance Operations, Plumber II (previously Plumber I)

Moving On

Zdzislaw “Chris” Dobis, Facilities Maintenance Operations, Elevator Technician (retired)
Marjorie "Margie" Hiestand, EH&S, Executive Asst to the AVC for EH&S (retired)
Pablo Vivanco, CBS, Custodian (retired)
Eric Miller, Business Services, Information Technology IV (retired)
Maria Munoz-Paulino, CBS, Custodian (retired)
Pascuala Compean, CBS, Custodian (retired)
Heidi VanGenderen, Infrastructure and Resilience, Sr. Advisor for Sustainability and Climate (retired)
Cary Thrash, Outdoor Services, Groundskeeper
Ohitika��Zahn, CBS, Custodian
Jesus Gomez Carbajal, Utility & Energy Services, Utility Plant Operator
Neal Given, Facilities Maintenance Operations, HVAC Technician (retired)
Jangchup Dorjee, CBS, Custodian
Tim Hicks, Utility & Energy Services, Utility Plant Operator
Kyle Nichols, Utility & Energy Services, Utility Plant Operator
Devon Montoya-Cahill, CBS, Floor Crew General Labor

Quick Links

I&R Employee Website
I&R Homepage

Employee Recognition Program

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