Important facts

Question 1

How many undergrads are there?

Answer 1

About 31,000 Total Undergraduates

Question 2

How many graduate students are there

Answer 2

Just over 6,500 Total Graduates

Question 3

How many total students are there?

Answer 3

Just over 38,000 Total students

Question 4

What is CU Boulder ranked?

Answer 4

57-ranked university in the world (top 3%)

Question 5

How many Ralphies have there been?

Answer 5

Currently on our 6th Ralphie (Nicknamed: Ember)

Question 6

What is the class size

Answer 6

80% of CU classes have 50 students or less
50% of CU classes have 20 students or less
Few of our larger lectures have 100 or more students

Question 7

Do professors teach every class?

Answer 7

100% of our classes are taught or overseen by a professor

Question 8

What is the largest lecture hall?

Answer 8

Our largest lecture hall holds 491 people

Question 9

What is the student-faculty ratio?

Answer 9

19:1 Student to Faculty Rati

Question 10

How much of the school is involved in Greek life?

Answer 10

Roughly 12-15% in Greek Life

Question 11

What is CU Boulders altitude?

Answer 11

Altitude of 5,430 feet above sea-level

Question 12

When was CU Boulder founded?

Answer 12

Founded in 1876, the same year Colorado became a state

Question 13

How many people live in Boulder?

Answer 13

About 106,000 people

Question 14

Can we bring guns on campus?

Answer 14

It is unlawful to carry weapons on campus; however, those with valid concealed carry weapons permits may have concealed weapons on campus.

On-campus housing regulations do not permit the storing of weapons in residence halls.

Question 15

Can you smoke marijuana on campus?

Answer 15

CU is a federally funded institution so since we receive federal money, the campus treats marijuana like the federal government would. No matter how old you are, it is always illegal to be in possession of or to smoke on campus.

Question 16

What’s the cost of CU health insurance?

Answer 16

There are a couple of different insurance options: Students must have insurance through the school or on their or their parents’ health insurance. CU offers a supplemental plan for those who do not want full insurance coverage from the university which costs $270 per semester. CU insurance costs $2,420 per semester. However, you must have health insurance to attend CU Boulder.

Question 17

What is campus security like?

Answer 17

CU has a police station on campus and both CUPD and university security officials are stationed and monitor across campus. The campus has CU Night Ride (a rideshare program similar to Uber or Lyft except it is free for students and will take you anywhere in Boulder city limits from 7 pm to midnight on weeknights and 7 pm to 1 am on weekends). Students can also call security to be escorted.

Question 18

How did you pay for college? What if you didn’t get any scholarships from CU?

Answer 18

Paying for school can be done in many ways. CU does offer a payment plan so you can pay throughout the semester. The CU scholarship application allows you to apply for multiple scholarships/grants at once. Checking your department’s page can also be useful as some specific scholarships are listed there.

Recommend talking to the financial aid office for more information and answers to student-specific questions

Question 19

Are service animals allowed on campus?

Answer 19

Service dogs & miniature horses are allowed on campus given the animal performs a task, is housebroken, and is kept under control by voice, signal, or similar.
Assistance animals, however, for therapy or emotional support purposes may be allowed after individualized review. (these animals include other species beyond dogs and miniature horses)

Question 20

Is the food good?

Answer 20

“I think it’s pretty good.” There is also a variety across our 17 different dining venues, so there will be options for everyone.

Question 21

How many dining halls are there?

Answer 21

There are a variety of dining centers around the central campus as well as the East campus, and Williams Village. We have 17 different dining venues

Question 22

What is the situation with partying on campus?

Answer 22

Like any other large state school in the country, parties happen off campus. But the idea that everyone parties all the time is very false in my opinion. There is a ton of stuff to do on campus that does not revolve around parties - student organizations, speakers, outdoor activities, etc.

Question 23

What are quiet hours in the resident halls?

Answer 23

Courtesy hours are 24 hours a day.
Quiet hours: Sun. - Thurs. 10 pm-8 am; Fri. - Sat. Midnight-8 am
Finals Week: 24-hour quiet hours

Question 24

Are the resident halls co-ed?

Answer 24

Yes, but layout can change year to year based how many people of different genders the university has accepted. Co-ed separation can be by floor, by wing, split on one side of a hallway vs the other side (there are gendered bathrooms for each side in this case) but each resident hall fluctuates a little bit based off of the distribution for that particular year.

Question 25

Are there price differences depending on the room/hall you get?

Answer 25

Different prices are depending on the type of room you get. A single room with just you will cost more than a triple with three people. The only difference in price for resident halls is if you enroll in a RAP - like any other class on campus, there is a small fee for taking that class.

Question 26

What happens if I don’t like my roommate?

Answer 26

Talking to your RA (resident advisor) is always a good first step if you really can’t get along with your roommate. They will help you come up with a solution that you are comfortable with and point you in the direction of any resources you may need/want.

Question 27

What are some options for students with families or other non-traditional backgrounds?

Answer 27

CU does offer a few housing options for non-traditional students & students with families: Athens Court, “Expansion Units” which are off campus apartments, Marine Court Apartments, Newton Court Apartments, and Smiley Court Apartments, Bear Creek Building B, Weber Hall You are also welcome to find your own housing off campus as well; our Ralphie’s List website is a great resource for finding off campus housing and includes filters such as “family friendly” or “international student friendly.”

Question 28

What’s the earliest and latest class you have?

Answer 28

Standard class times start at 8am and end at 5pm. However, some labs go as late as 8 pm but there are multiple sections so your schedule can be flexible. Online and night classes are also offered through our Continuing Education program.

Question 29

What sort of tutoring is offered here?

Answer 29

We do offer a variety of tutoring options. There is tutoring specifically for first-years called ASAP tutoring (free for anyone living on campus), tutoring specific to your major, and we also have help rooms with TAs and undergraduate assistants that can help you and other students out whenever you come in

Question 30

Specific questions about grad and PhD programs?

Answer 30

usually just point them toward the grad school admissions office Send them to Regent!

Question 31

Do students get free access to football games?

Answer 31

Unfortunately not. There is a student sports pass that gets you into all football games, Basketball games, and other CU athletic events. Sports pass changes in price annually but are typically ~$200 and is valid for all football and men’s basketball games; historically it was also valid for Rocky Mountain Showdown - a football game in Denver at Mile High Stadium against in-state rival Colorado State University (buses provided for students to and from the game)

Question 32

How much is a game ticket without a football pass? For students and non-students.

Answer 32

With the hype around “Coach Prime,” tickets to our football games have become more expensive in recent years. In my experience, tickets start in the $150-200 range and go up from there. This is a lot, but it shows just how good a deal the student sports pass is!

Question 33

How do PETA and the Humane Society feel about Ralphie?

Answer 33

PETA has spoken out about having a live mascot before but we do take excellent care of Ralphie. Ralphie always comes to us from a sanctuary and lives on a huge ranch all to herself. Ralphie can run only when she wants to and retires when she feels ready. We never force her to do anything she doesn’t want to do. She is under the constant care of veterinarian staff and our Ralphie Runners spend many hours weekly caring for her.

Question 34

What is ROTC like?

Answer 34

ROTC has you train during your school education to serve for a set amount of time after graduation. There is an off-campus training before the fall semester and then Tuesdays and Thursdays are drill and practice days. On Thursdays, all cadets wear uniforms. Other than that, every ROTC student is another CU student - there’s no requirement to live somewhere specific or anything like that so you can still have the same experiences as other students.

Question 35

Has Ralphie ever been kidnapped?

Answer 35

There has been one instance of Ralphie-napping by the Air Force Academy in 1970. On a trip to OSU, some OSU students broke into where she was staying, and spray painted her in 1986.

Question 36

Which are D1 sports?

Answer 36

Men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, football, men’s and women’s golf, women’s lacrosse, skiing, women’s soccer, women’s tennis, track and field, and women’s volleyball

Question 37

Is the Rec Center busy during the year?

Answer 37

It gets busy during specific times, so you just have to plan around that if you don’t want to work out with crowds. Typically, the early morning can be busy and then right around 5 pm when everyone is done with classes and such. January is busy just because everyone comes back with a new year’s resolution to work out more - you’ll see that die down quickly.

Question 38

Is there a PE requirement?

Answer 38

Nope! CU does not have a gym requirement.

Question 39

Where’s the closest ski resort?

Answer 39

Eldora is the closest, about 45 minutes away.

Question 40

What are the library hours?

Answer 40

Norlin Library: Mon -Thu 7:30am-11pm, Friday: 7:30am-6pm, Saturday: 10am-6pm, Sunday: 10am-11pm. Norlin is closed on football game days and is open 24 hours a day during finals week The other libraries on campus have similar hours as well

Question 41

Who said the quotes on the library building?

Answer 41

The phrasing is original, suggested by former CU president Dr. George Norlin, but it very closely resembles a thought expressed by Roman statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero

Question 42

Do students get free printing on campus?

Answer 42

Unfortunately no. You can load money onto your student ID to use on-campus printing. There are some clubs and offices that will let you use their printers for free if you’re a part of their organization.

Question 43

Is this a smoke-free campus?

Answer 43

Yes. Campus security does walk around campus and will enforce the rule if they see anyone smoking.

Question 44

What is the architectural style here on campus?

Answer 44

The buildings on campus use a Tuscan vernacular revival architecture.

Question 45

What type of grass is this?

Answer 45

Kentucky Blue grass is planted on campus.

Question 46

How much does off-campus housing cost in Boulder? How much do you pay?

Answer 46

You do not have to provide any personal information to guests, such as how much you pay in rent, if you are not comfortable doing so. Cost for housing does vary around the city. Certain neighborhoods cost more than others and it does depend on the number of roommates you have.

Question 47

Is there a big Greek life culture here?

Answer 47

We do have a Greek system but you can be as much or as little involved as you want. About 12-15% of our students are involved in Greek life. Even those not in a specific house are welcome to participate in Greek events.

Question 48

Are there religious groups/churches on campus?

Answer 48

We do have a variety of religious groups on campus that you can be a part of. We do not have churches on campus, but across Colorado Ave. from the Engineering Center, we have several religious buildings and groups for students.

Question 49

How did Alferd Packer Grill become a thing?

Answer 49

Students were given the option to name the grill and thought it would be funny to name it after Colorado’s only convicted cannibal. CU started making signs and then realized who Packer was. They decided to lean into the name and make it a running joke on campus.

Question 50

What were Alferd Packer Days?

Answer 50

Alfred Packer Days were an event that would take place on campus, typically consisting of all you can eat food contests and free food around campus.

Question 51

What are some resources on campus for DACA students?

Answer 51

There is academic advising for undergraduates with advisers who understand DACA and ASSET (Advancing Students for Stronger Economy Tomorrow) needs. CAPS at Wardenburg can provide one-on-one, confidential counseling. The Office of Victim Assistance can also provide that. Finally, the campus is working on introducing a network of students, faculty, and staff that can provide peer support and mentorship.

Question 52

What are some resources on campus for ESL students?

Answer 52

CU offers ESL classes for credit. The IEC (International English Center) offers intensive programs to teach English and academic and professional programs to build and refine English skills. The writing center offers free appointments for any writing. There is also peer writing tutor programs in the resident hall on campus. The speech, language and hearing center offers speech assessment tests, conversation groups, ESL tutors, and an international coffee hour on Fridays to share and stimulate conversation.

Question 53

Can’t I just buy my books online?

Answer 53

Yes. Honestly, many sites do usually offer better deals so you’re welcome to get your books from wherever. You can still also sell back your books to the bookstore either way, granted the same book will be used next semester. CU Book Access is a new program that provides digital access to all required textbooks for $269 plus tax per semester. Students may opt out of this fee, but this new program will put a ceiling on how much a student will pay for books.

Question 54

What about gambling on campus?

Answer 54

Gambling is prohibited on campus and in the residence halls. If students choose to gamble off-campus and are of legal age to do so, the school does provide several resources to help them reduce habits and play responsibly.

Question 55

Can you purchase/drink alcohol on campus?

Answer 55

Folsom Field and the CU Events Center do allow alcohol sales during game day events. The Connection at the UMC also sells alcohol. Certain events like the Grad Bash for seniors offer the option as well. Of course, you must always be 21 with an ID.

Question 56

Do students get any sort of discounts on or off campus at restaurants?

Answer 56

Yes, a lot of restaurants offer student discounts and deals. Coupon books are passed out at the beginning of each semester. Many students opt to purchase the Flatiron Meal Plan, which is basically a debit card for most restaurants and grocery stores in town. This is reloadable and offers semesterly coupons as well as occasional one-time deals.

Question 57

What are Campus Card Services?

Answer 57

They provide help for any help with Buff OneCards, which are the cards used to get into residence halls, locked buildings, houses meal swipes, its your student ID

Question 58

What are Career Services?

Answer 58

They empower students and alumni to find meaningful work and be employed; major and career exploration; mock interviews; resume and cover letter help; and career fairs ■ Example: STEM Industry Career and Internship Fair virtual through Handshake

Question 59

What is the Center for Inclusion and Social Change?

Answer 59

The vision of the center is to provide high-impact, transformational community-building and educational programs to those who are historically underrepresented. They hope to nurture leaders grounded in the core concepts of intersectional identity development, diversity, equity, and social justice. ■ Includes the Education & Social Change Office, First-Gen Programs & Enrichment Office, Pride Office, Intercultural Engagement Office and the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) -- (N320) ■ Event examples: CUnity Fest, Asian and Pacific Islander History Month, Transforming Gender Conference

Question 60

What is Disability Services?

Answer 60

ensures students with disabilities receive reasonable accommodations and services like testing, note-taking, flex-plans, communication, and interpretation can also help with accommodations for temporary medical conditions ■ Accommodations in Housing and Academics

Question 61

What is the Accommodated Student Testing Center?

Answer 61

Located in CASE, Accommodates students with disabilities needing specific test accommodation services. ○ Registered students with disability services who receive test accommodation may be eligible to take tests/exams/quizzes at the testing center. Testing, note-taking, Flex-plans, communication and interpretation

Question 62

What is International Education?

Answer 62

to help the campus with its global education endeavors including inbound international students and outbound education abroad students

Question 63

What is the Office of Victim Assistance?

Answer 63

aids victims of bias, harassment, discrimination, intimate partner abuse, hazing, death, stalking, and more.

Question 64

HOW TO TALK ABOUT OVA ON TOUR

Answer 64

Bad things happen everywhere, at every college, and CU is unfortunately not immune. We have this office to help students navigate difficult situations and weigh options for their next steps. We don’t want to push this issue under the rug- we provide all our students with free, confidential counseling, support, and advocacy because we believe it’s important. We hope nobody ever has to use this office, but if they do, we are here to support them in any way.