Mental Health and AI Take Center Stage at Colorado State University System Meeting

CSU System Board Advances Mental Health, AI Strategy, and RISE Initiative

The Colorado State University System unveiled sweeping initiatives Thursday to address student mental health and integrate artificial intelligence across its campuses, marking a significant shift in how the institution approaches student wellness and technological innovation.

At its December board meeting at the CSU Spur campus, system leaders presented a five-year mental health strategy that extends beyond traditional counseling services. The plan, dubbed Pack Cares, will span multiple locations including CSU Pueblo, Pikes Peak State College, and Spanish Peaks campus

Mental Health Takes Center Stage

Vice President of Student Affairs Marie Humphrey presented an ambitious strategy spanning multiple campuses. The initiative aims to enhance student wellness services through their entire academic journey.

For the state's second-largest university system, these changes represent a significant commitment to reshaping the student experience and ensuring they have support after graduation.

“We're not just seeking funding but implementing a sustainable plan,” Humphrey to the board. She also outlined the needs of students, which range from health promotion specialists to additional licensed counselors. The project, supported by The Jed Foundation and funded through a Coalition of Colorado Campus Alcohol and Drug Educators grant, requires substantial investment, with platform costs estimated between $220,000 and $725,000.

Embracing AI Innovation

The board received insights on artificial intelligence integration from a joint task force led by CSU Pueblo Dean of Library Services Rhonda Gonzales Manzanares. Brendan Hanlon, CSU Fort Collins Vice President for University Operations and Chief Financial Officer, discussed the rapid pace of AI evolution and adaption on campus across the CU system.

“Traditional three to five-year planning cycles don't make sense with AI,” Hanlon noted. “It's moving too fast; it's too complex. By the time we developed plans, conditions would have changed.”

Karen Estlund, Dean of Libraries for Colorado State University, shared statistics about AI's current impact and adaptation on campus. “Eighty percent of students use AI daily within their courses,” she reported, adding that students are already leveraging AI for notetaking, summaries, and learning accommodations. She cited an example of students using ChatGPT to understand complex textbook figures, demonstrting AI's role in self-directed learning.

Campus Safety Progress

Todd Whittemore, newly appointed Director of Campus Safety at CSU Pueblo, presented the annual Clery report, while highlighting a collaborative approach to campus security. “When safety is directed by one person, it's bound to fail,” Whittemore said. “We're establishing a collaborative team effort across staff, faculty, and students.”

Deputy General Counsel Johnna Doyle reported on safety statistics, noting, “We had two reportable incidents of dating violence, domestic violence and/or stalking in 2023,” while explaining an uptick in alcohol violations tied to annual events.

RISE Program Approved

In a brief but significant development, the board approved CSU Pueblo's Regional In-State Equivalent or RISE program, which will offer residency tuition rates to first-year students from ten neighboring states starting Fall 2025. The initiative, presented by Kristyn White Davis, aims to boost enrollment and campus diversity.

The CSU System's Board of Governors’ meeting looked at other factors on the CU campuses. The next meeting is scheduled for February 2025.