Two major divisions at the Colorado Springs campus of the University of Colorado are being consolidated in a reorganizational effort to streamline operations, save money, improve student experience and lead the way to a new focus on innovation and creativity, Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet said Wednesday.

“We know the landscape of higher education is changing, and we can change with it, choose not to change or get ahead of it,” she said. “As part of our focus on student success, we know we need to create an environment where students can survive and programs that help transform their lives.”

Sobanet, who became the permanent chancellor in December, announced the changes to the campus Wednesday afternoon.

The Division of Student Affairs and the Division of Enrollment Management are merging into the new Division of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, effective June 1.

The entity will oversee the entire student journey from admissions through graduation, providing “a continuum of services for students,” Sobanet said.

“We want to create an experience for students where they feel engaged in this community, where they feel a sense of belonging, where we’re supporting them in their well-being, where we’re caring for them and they’re staying with us through graduation and cross-back stages,” she said.

Enrollment management covers new student recruitment, outreach and precollegiate programs in local schools, transferring students and returning students, as well as financial aid services and the admissions process.

Student affairs encompasses health and wellness programs including the recreation center, student support and engagement, veterans and military affairs, various student groups and auxiliary businesses, such as dining, housing, hospitality and the campus store.

The merger also will help address a $4 million budget shortfall the campus is projecting for the fiscal year that begins July 1 by saving a net of about $400,000, according to Sobanet.

Currently, 351 employees, not counting student employees, work in the two divisions. But other cost-savings measures will lower the staff count.

The vice chancellor of enrollment management is resigning at the end of this semester, Sobanet said, and the position will be dropped. A filled associate vice chancellor position also is being eliminated.

Other ways in which the campus plans to close the gap between expected revenue and expenses for the 2024-25 fiscal year include not filling open positions, offering early retirement incentives and decreasing operating expenses.

Also in the works is honing the campus’ strategic plan, realigning resources to priorities, and reinvesting in research and growth, Sobanet said.

Faced with declining enrollment and low student retention rates, the chancellor said she has been canvassing the campus to figure out ways to improve services and build a culture of belonging, inclusion and engagement among the student body. A visioning exercise this year also helped shape the new direction, Sobanet said.

“This is an opportunity for us to create that student experience we want students to have by bringing these groups together so they can connect in a more meaningful way,” she said. “It’ll make it easier for students to interact with us and make it a more beautiful culture that’s filled with caring and support.”

The 2024-25 state budget Gov. Jared Polis signed on Monday provides for an increase of about 9% in UCCS’ coming operating budget.

In addition to general fund operating dollars, state lawmakers approved nearly $2 million in funding for controlled maintenance and $2.8 million, for three more years, for UCCS’ legislatively mandated cybersecurity activities.

Through funding from 2018 legislation state lawmakers passed, UCCS has established academic programs, attracted students at K-12 and university levels, developed cybersecurity events and programs nationwide, and mapped cybersecurity industry needs to close workforce gaps, Sobanet said.

UCCS also has led a coalition of six higher education institutions, along with the National Cybersecurity Center in Colorado Springs, to turn the annual $5.1 million in state funding into more than $72 million in additional funds to fulfill the requirements of the state statute and also build a cybersecurity network that has been replicated across the nation, she added.

“We are thrilled with the support we are getting from state government this year, with ongoing operational funding and our cybersecurity funding,” Sobanet said.

The $40.6 billion state budget also earmarked $140 million to cap in-state tuition increases to 3% and out-of-state to 4%.

The approved state budget did not alter any of the expense reductions and consolidation announced Wednesday, as UCCS officials had been forecasting the shortfall and planning for it, Sobanet added.

The CU system’s Board of Regents still needs to approve each campus’ budget, which will happen during the June meeting.