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A Regional Comprehensive University
Both the statutory mission statement and the new mission statement adopted by the board express a commitment to succeed as a “regional comprehensive university.” In the wake of World War II and the GI Bill, the United States pursued a course of building regional universities across the country to make higher education available to all citizens who were motivated to improve their personal knowledge and understanding and gain the skills needed for professional careers. Regional universities such as CSU-Pueblo are the result of this great  populist democratic movement. CSU-Pueblo understands clearly that its present mission is not to be another major research center—although it values research highly. It understands its current mission is not to offer doctoral degrees—although faculty hope the best students may use their education at CSU-Pueblo to go on to doctoral study. As a regional comprehensive university, CSU-Pueblo is the higher education gateway for anyone in the region seeking self-improvement and the skills and knowledge needed to enter the professions or to pursue advanced study. The idea of public regional comprehensive universities that strive to bring the best possible education to a wide audience of mainstream society is a distinctly American and a distinctly democratic ideal. Not only is CSU-Pueblo proud to accept this mission and this challenge; it strives to “set the standard” for what a regional university should be.
As a regional university, CSU-Pueblo serves Pueblo and the surrounding areas of southern Colorado. Besides the main populations in Pueblo and Pueblo West, the region served includes Cañon City and Westcliffe to the west, Walsenberg and Trinidad to the south, and various small towns along the Arkansas River valley to the east. The majority of students have traditionally come from these areas. With the recent growth of Fort Carson and Colorado Springs and its suburbs to the north, a growing proportion of the students now commute from this area. As a result, CSU-Pueblo recognizes that the region it serves is growing. In response, the university now offers courses and certain degree programs in Colorado Springs.44
Likewise, “comprehensive” indicates that the university provides a broad array of educational programs appropriate to the needs and interests of its students. The university recognizes the importance and value of both general liberal arts education and pre-professional training. As stated in the catalog, the university provides “a focus on preparing graduates for professional careers . . . grounded in the traditional liberal arts and sciences . . . . These outcomes stem from the University’s simultaneous emphasis on liberal arts and sciences and professional coursework” (12).45
44See the Introduction, above.
45See http://www.colostate-pueblo.edu/catalog/2006-2007/TheUniversity.htm
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