The University of Colorado at Boulder's Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Ron Stump announced Thursday he will leave his Vice Chancellor position July 1, 2008.
Stump announced his plans to members of the Student Affairs division this morning at a meeting of department heads.
As vice chancellor of one of the university's largest divisions - with more than 30 departments in student affairs - Stump has directed key operations that include the Office of Admissions, Housing and Dining Services, Wardenburg Health Center, the student Recreation Center, Financial Aid, International Education, the Alcohol and Other Drugs program, Counseling and Psychological Services and numerous others.
Following the departure of Alumni Association Director Kent Zimmerman, effective in February 2008, Stump will serve as interim director of the Alumni Association while a search for the new director is conducted. The Alumni Association became a department within Student Affairs in fall 2007.
The Student Affairs division also is responsible for coordinating the student union cost centers with the leadership of the University of Colorado Student Union, or UCSU. Evolution of the relationship between CU-Boulder and Greek organizations in recent years has been an integral part of Stump's effort to enlist student groups to encourage responsible behavior in social settings, particularly involving alcohol use. Stump and his staff have worked closely with City of Boulder staff to improve student behavior in these areas, and to challenge CU students to become more civic-minded.
Chancellor Peterson praised Stump's accomplishment in his 11-plus years with the CU-Boulder campus and more than 35 years in higher education administrative positions.
"Ron's leadership and service have transformed the Division of Student Affairs into a vital organization that is the centerpiece of our campus community," said CU-Boulder Chancellor G.P. "Bud" Peterson. "We will engage a national search for his successor, who will inherit a strong organization thanks to Ron's vision and commitment. I look forward to working with Ron in the coming new year in his Student Affairs and Alumni capacities, both of which will benefit our university community."
Provost Phil DiStefano said, "For the past 11 years, Ron Stump has been a valued colleague and a true leader on the CU-Boulder campus. He has been a close working partner in shaping the transformative experiences of our students and in enriching our community. He will be greatly missed, but his ethical, conscientious approach to managing Student Affairs will continue to have an impact at CU-Boulder for decades to come."
Of his time at CU-Boulder, first as a dean of students and then as associate vice chancellor for student affairs before becoming vice chancellor in 2000, Stump said, "It has been an honor and a privilege to serve University of Colorado students and their families for the past 11 and one-half years.
"I am proud of the work that our Student Affairs division does every day in making the experience of CU students a positive one, and I am gratified by our many accomplishments of the last decade - achievements that are embodied in the successful lives of our graduates. I look forward to continuing to serve CU-Boulder as interim director of the Alumni Association. It is a special opportunity for me to work with the Alumni Association and the campus to bring us together in the fellowship so well described in the Norlin Charge."
In addition to his responsibilities in Student Affairs, Stump has played a key role in supporting the Athletic Department's integration into the campus, with an emphasis on student athlete welfare. He has served as an adviser to the campus's Honor Code Council, initiated the planning for an Institute for Ethical and Civic Engagement and co-chairs the study group which is investigating the merits of a full residential campus at CU-Boulder.
Before becoming dean of students at CU-Boulder, Stump was an associate dean of students at the University of Virginia, director of student activities at Michigan State University and held a variety of student affairs positions at Northern Michigan University.
Stump received his undergraduate degree from Northern Michigan University, his master's degree from Northern Michigan and his doctorate from Michigan State University. He and his wife, Janet, have two daughters, two sons-in-law, and two grandsons.