Colorado Mesa University expanded both north and west, accredited programs, enforced the crosswalk laws and saw other changes in the 2017-2018 school year.
In the first change, CMU welcomed students back from summer break with a new program called IRIS. This program has helped students with their finances and also taken on the tasks of the financial aid office.
Another change that welcomed students back was the new partnership with US bank. The previous year CMU had a partnership with Wells Fargo, but after the contract ended, the university changed to US bank. Students had the option to link their MavCards with their bank accounts.
New food options were opened in the University Center and other buildings. With a snack shop in the Brownson arena, students have a variety to choose from.
After several students were hit on bikes while riding through the cross walks, signs were put up to tell riders to dismount their bikes and walk across. This is the law, but many students had no idea.
As students walk to school they now see signs on the crosswalks telling bikers to dismount and walk their bike across.
This was a new addition this year after multiple bikers were hit while riding across the street.
It was not widely known that the law was to dismount and walk the bike since there was no sign posted. Now, there are signs telling everyone.
The largest physical change at CMU was welcoming the new engineering building on the west side of campus. Confluence Hall opened in January and brought the engineering department onto campus instead of off campus in the Archuletta Building.
The health science building behind the Orchard apartments is also new. Not only did it move the campus a little farther north, but supplied the nursing department with their own building and the marching band with a large green field to practice on.
On campus, bathroom doors created some accessibility issues for students with disabilities. After looking into the matter a new system was implemented.
Additionally, a combined calendar was introduced for the entire student body with sports, events, reminders and regular things going on around campus. After years of having different calendars all over the internet, CMU committed to creating one overall calendar.
North Avenue hall was renamed Lucero Hall after a donor.
There was also new workout space added to the recreation center by the basketball courts.
New programs are in the work like a physician assistant graduate program, a physical therapy program and an occupational therapy program.
After a year of new systems, buildings and features, another change is set to take place. The emergency lock on the campus doors is planned to be changed over the summer after student Bryn Loftness brought concerns about the safety of students and faculty in an emergency event.
