Jill Tiefenthaler, CC’s President, talks about off-campus party crackdowns, helping victims of natural disasters in Colorado, her to-do list, where she would go on first block break, and owning a pop-up camper.
Last week you said that neither your office nor the administration was behind any kind of off-campus party crackdown, but some students still aren’t convinced. There have been rumors that some police officers have even said that administrators were the ones who asked them to break up certain parties. How are you working to resolve these understandings?
I appreciate the opportunity to address these false rumors. There have been no directives given to the CSPD from me or any other college staff to break up parties. As I have said previously, we want our students to have fun, but we also want them to be safe and expect them to be responsible neighbors. Most of our students living off campus are great neighbors.
What is the administration doing to ease the animosity between CC renters and non-college residents?
I do not want us to overstate the animosity; certainly that exists in some instances, but not in all. Last week, more than 50 off-campus students, neighbors, and college staff held a neighborhood BBQ at the invitation of a non-CC neighbor. This event, planned since the beginning of the summer, was held with the goal of simply helping residents and students to know each other better. There was no animosity, just neighbors getting to know each other and enjoying a meal together. This is indicative of the types of relationships that can be built and sustained.
Do you think there is a way for the two sides to get along?
Absolutely! I have asked CCSGA President Isaac Green to lead a campus conversation on this issue with the goal of students initiating the solutions. I have no doubt that our students will come up with good and creative solutions.
What is the college doing to aid the victims of Colorado’s natural disasters that have destroyed much of the region in the last few months?
Many regions in Colorado have suffered greatly and my thoughts are with the families affected. Regarding the recent floods, it is important that we give emergency personnel and elected/appointed officials time to assess the needs. The Collaborative for Community Engagement (CCE) has established a webpage on their site that indicates how members of our community can help. Additionally, the CCE is discussing the possibility of organizing breakout trips for CC students to assist in recovery. (https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/cce/how-to-get-involved/colorado-fire-and-flood-information.dot)
Is the improved Slocum the new vision — or reality — for residential life at CC?
Yes! The goal of a residential liberal arts education is building a 24/7 learning environment. Therefore, our residence halls, where students spend a lot of time, are critical. We now approach improvements and renovations with five tenets in mind: community, sustainability, flexibility, technology, and innovation.
You are currently traveling around the country representing the college. What is the basis of your trip and what do you hope to accomplish?
The purpose of these trips (12 cities across the country this fall) is to share the results of our strategic planning process with our alumni, parents, and friends. Two years ago, I traveled to the same cities to ask for their input as I got to know CC. I wanted to close the loop with them and both share the plan that they helped to create and ask for their support in implementation.
What is at the top of Jill Tiefenthaler’s to-do list for CC?
My focus is always on working toward our mission of providing our students with the finest liberal arts education. This year, that means implementing and building support for the initiatives outlined in the plan.
What is at the top of Jill Tiefenthaler’s to-do list outside of the college?
Spending more quality time with my husband and kids. We bought a pop-up camper this summer and are scheduling as many weekend camping trips to different parts of Colorado as we can.
On Tuesday, the college hosted a conversation about the revitalization and future of downtown Colorado Springs. How do you think the college plays into that?
As one of the oldest residents of the downtown community, Colorado College plays a huge role in the city’s future. With CC anchoring the northern end of the downtown area, we have a vested interest in ensuring downtown is a safe and vibrant place for our students and visitors to campus. A successful downtown only strengthens Colorado College!
If you could go on block break with us next week, where would you go?
Utah. We drove through Utah this past summer on our way to California (we drove the PCH from San Diego to San Francisco), and I really want to go back and camp in Canyonlands.
Jesse Paul
Editor-in-Chief