Dear Friends,
Welcome back to Colorado State University and the fall semester of the 2008/2009 academic year. We are excited to see new students in our classrooms and laboratories, as well as have our returning students back on campus. We have been fortunate to start this year off with beautiful fall weather and an abundance of Colorado sunshine. Good weather also means our construction projects are going full bore, especially on the South Campus.
That construction, while vital, is causing some inconvenience and we apologize to all for any difficulties you are having getting around and finding parking. Right now, the main area of disturbance is the entrance to the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital and the adjacent parking lot. This area will be closed at times from Sept. 2 through Nov. 28 for redesign and resurfacing. The new lot will be a vast improvement over the old, especially as it will provide more spaces. But we recognize that, especially for clients of the VTH, this will be a nuisance for the next 11 weeks.
The appointment and emergency entrance to the hospital will be shifted during construction to Bay Farm Road, east of the VTH, which can be accessed off Drake Road between the power substation and railroad tracks. The entrance also can be accessed from Redwing Road. A map of the rerouted entrance is available at http://csuvets.colostate.edu/parking.htm. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we work to improve our facilities.
In addition to the parking lot and entrance, you’ll notice new fencing being installed on the hospital’s property line along Drake Road. This beautiful wrought iron fencing will replace the chain link fence that, while functional, certainly does not befit the image of a world-class research and teaching institution.
At the Diagnostic Medicine Center, on Friday, Sept. 12, we’ll have a beam signing ceremony as the last steel beam is placed in the building. If you haven’t visited the DMC during construction, drop by and take a look at the incredible progress being made. Contractors are estimating completion of the building by June 2009 and I know our faculty and staff members in the Diagnostic Laboratory are anxiously waiting the day they can move in and begin work in this state-of-the-art facility.
In other activities, on Sept. 6, from 4-8 p.m., we will celebrate Vet Fest Day, our annual tradition welcoming the incoming class of Professional Veterinary Medical students (Class of 2012). I’ll be dusting off my chef’s implements as members of the Dean’s Office administrative staff are responsible for grilling the hamburgers, veggie burgers, and hot dogs. Veterinary clubs will provide booths with information about their activities, and students and faculty will have the opportunity to mingle and get to know each other. Vet Fest takes place on the lawn behind the Anatomy/Zoology Building.
On Sept. 18-21, I’ll be attending the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association’s annual conference, held this year in Denver. I look forward to seeing our alumni at the Class of 1983’s 25-year reunion, as well as attending a student welcome and reception, and mentor breakfast. Many of our faculty members will be giving continuing education lectures, and a number of our veterinary students will gain exposure to the professional veterinary medical organization here in Colorado. Also, in September, I’ll be taking a development trip to Colorado’s Western Slope.
I wish you all an enjoyable September and look forward to a busy and productive fall semester.
Best Regards,
Lance Perryman, DVM, PhD
Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
