Paul Tabolt, vice chancellor for administration at the University of Colorado at Boulder who played a role in every major building project since arriving on campus in 1991, announced today that he will retire Oct. 31.
Tabolt joined the campus as director of Facilities Management and was named vice chancellor for administration in 1997. His division employs about 650 people and manages 9.2 million square feet of building space on more than 1,000 acres.
He oversees the campus police, parking and transportation services, environmental health and safety, emergency management, human resources, the discrimination and harassment office, capital planning, design and construction, the physical plant and the book store.
"Paul has been a vital resource to the University of Colorado at Boulder and to me personally," said CU-Boulder Chancellor G.P. "Bud" Peterson. "His leadership and vision for the campus and the vast responsibilities he has undertaken in service to it have transformed the University of Colorado at Boulder forever. I am grateful for his wise counsel, good humor and dedication, and he will be greatly missed."
"I am proud of my contribution to the most beautiful campus in the nation and know that the additional 15 percent of campus square footage that has been added during my time with CU-Boulder has been done with great care," Tabolt said. "The appearance of the campus has steadily evolved and I've helped make that happen."
He helped with several campus environmental improvements, including two recently completed buildings, the ATLAS and Wolf Law buildings, that received coveted LEED certification for green building design. He expects two more buildings, Koelbel Hall and Visual Arts, to receive LEED certification as well.
In 2001, the Division of Administration launched campus energy and water conservation efforts that have saved $2.4 million in energy costs and 110 million gallons of water during the past three years. During that period, the campus also invested $1.4 million in energy and water conservation projects.
"I believe that I have contributed to a more cordial relationship with the city of Boulder staff and, in particular, Boulder City Manager Frank Bruno," Tabolt said. "Previously strained relationships between the city and university have evolved into steady relationships that can serve both entities well into the future."
The CU Recycling program diverts 1,600 tons of waste annually and hazardous wastes generated by the campus have decreased by 15 percent since 2001. The campus's integrated pest management program reduced the amount of herbicides and pesticides used on campus.
During his tenure, Tabolt worked to create a discrimination and harassment policy for the entire campus and 5,200 employees were trained in the program's first year. English as a second language programs also were offered to Division of Administration employees.
"I take pride in the many wonderful employees in the Division of Administration," Tabolt said. "My success as a vice chancellor has been made possible through the strong, dedicated and competent contributions of the staff."
Although he will retire on Oct. 31, Tabolt plans to return to campus on Dec. 1 to continuing working while the campus searches for a new vice chancellor for administration. A national search will be conducted for his replacement.
Tabolt received his undergraduate degree from Penn State in 1973 and is a 1996 graduate of CU's Executive MBA Program. Before coming to CU-Boulder, he spent 18 years at the University of California at Berkeley and at Pennsylvania State University.
After retiring, Tabolt plans to spend time with his wife, Kris. "I'm an old ski racer who is still in heaven when experiencing the thrill of speed on a mountain," he said. "Maybe someday I'll ride my bike across the U.S. I've often enjoyed working with my hands and think that there may be a spot for me building homes for Habitat for Humanity.
"Since I'm still fairly young at 55, I wouldn't be surprised if I someday work again."