Chancellor Justin Schwartz delivered his state of the campus address on Wednesday to close out his first academic year at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Roughly 500 people filled CU Boulder’s Glenn Miller Ballroom in the University Memorial Center to the brim, with dozens of people standing shoulder to shoulder in the back of the room. An additional 700 staff, students and faculty tuned in via livestream.

The underlying theme of Schwartz’s speech was an emphasis on the university’s strength.

“Why do I believe we are so strong and well-positioned when it feels like higher education is under attack and our society is facing so many serious challenges?” Schwartz said. “We are strong because CU Boulder is no ordinary university.”

Schwartz described how first-year undergraduate applications are up 5.9% compared to this time last year, and the total number of applications is now double that of 2018.

Last year, CU Boulder brought in a record $742 million in research funding while launching an unprecedented 35 startup businesses. In the last seven years, Schwartz said, CU Boulder scholars published more than 800 books, 1,400 book chapters and about 47,000 journal articles.

CU Boulder scholars also created more than 2,400 theatrical, musical, dance, or art performances, 900 exhibitions in galleries or museums and more than 300 plays, poems or works of fiction. University innovators have also received more than 630 patents.Joel Chabrier, a program coordinator for the arts and sciences residential academic programs, said Schwartz’s focus on the arts during his speech meant a lot to him as someone who works in that department.

“The arts, especially, I know does get neglected a lot at universities that have a science focus, so the fact that he is very involved in all areas of campus is exciting to me,” Chabrier said.

Schwartz referenced various challenges that face CU Boulder, including new policy mandates, changing geopolitics and the refashioning of college athletics. He recognized that the university needs to continue improving affordability and access for students with a variety of backgrounds, in addition to higher salaries for faculty, staff and graduate students.

“We live in challenging times, but we are no stranger to challenges,” Schwartz said. “In our 149 years as a leading university, we have faced the impacts of wars, economic crises, seismic political shifts, social upheaval, natural disasters, global pandemics and many fundamental cultural changes. Every time, we have met the challenge of change.”

Nancy J. Stevens, the director of CU’s Museum of Natural History, who attended the address, said Schwartz’s speech had an impressive turnout and inspiring message.

“Chancellor Schwartz has invested his energy in engaging across the university, asking deep and important questions of faculty, staff and students to chart a positive future for the university,” Stevens said.

Schwartz outlined four priorities: students, sustainability, opportunity and excellence.

He said improving student retention and graduation rates across all demographic groups is key, especially the four-year graduation rate, which sits at 59.2%. The six-year graduation rate is higher, he said, but some students still leave CU Boulder with no degree.

To help support student success, Schwartz launched a student health and wellness initiative within the Crown Institute to support students academically, socially and emotionally.

Elizabeth Romero Fuerte, assistant vice provost and assistant vice chancellor for digital experience and technology for learner success, said she was glad student success was a priority Schwartz highlighted.

“I think he’s showing that he cares about technology so I would say he’s doing a good job so far, and people are excited about his way of looking at metrics,” Romero Fuerte said. “I’m excited about it, looking at outcomes and metrics and measuring our success and being focused on sustaining the campus for the future.”

While highlighting his commitment to sustainability, Schwartz mentioned newly hired Andrew Mayock, the first vice chancellor for sustainability, and Jane Zelikova, the first executive director of CU Boulder’s Sustainability Research Initiative.

He added that CU Boulder offers more than 400 courses related to sustainability, has been the starting point for at least 44 sustainability spinoff companies since 2000, is rated highly for plant-based dining and constructs buildings with sustainability in mind.

The third priority was opportunity through expanded access and inclusion.

He’s asked a team to lead an effort, assisted by external expertise, to focus on how to most effectively elevate our university’s global impact. He added that the student health insurance plan will include an option for family coverage.

“As Colorado’s flagship campus and a nationally recognized institution with a global population, we must reflect and support the people we serve,” Schwartz said. “This means all of Colorado, all Coloradans and all of our communities.”

When talking about excellence, Schwartz outlined the accomplishments of specific faculty and staff, along with student athletes.

“We demonstrate excellence when our faculty, researchers, students, staff and programs earn national and international recognition,” Schwartz said.