Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) is a public institution situated in Denver, Colorado. It is located on the Auraria Campus in downtown Denver, where it shares space with the University of Colorado Denver and the Community College of Denver, near Speer Boulevard and Colfax Avenue. In the fall of 2023, MSU Denver’s undergraduate enrollment was 16,345 students.
History
Auraria Cmapus at MSU Denver
The Jordan Student Success Building at MSU Denver opened in Spring 2012. Founded in 1965, MSU Denver was established as an opportunity school to be accessible to all students. This commitment is reflected in its relatively low tuition rates compared to other four-year colleges and universities in Colorado. The student body is notably diverse, with nearly 54% being students of color.
MSU Denver was a pioneer in advocating for DREAMers, allowing them access to higher education at in-state tuition rates through the ASSET bill, signed by then-Governor John Hickenlooper in the Jordan Student Success Building. This initiative garnered national attention.
Campus
Sgt. Tova Faust, a CH-47 Chinook helicopter mechanic, logs onto a computer during her secondary assignment as the sergeant in charge of the computer and phone trailer at Camp Adder, Iraq. The Denver native is attached to the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 2/104th General Support Aviation Battalion during their nine-month deployment to Iraq. During the deployment she is taking online courses with the Metropolitan State College of Denver majoring in communications theory. Following the deployment, she plans on moving to San Diego, entering ROTC and becoming an Army helicopter pilot. Faust previously deployed to Iraq with the Colorado National Guard’s 2/135th GSAB in 2006 and 2007. Following that deployment she moved to Florida where she joined her current unit, the 1108th Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot, based out of Gulfport, Miss. When she is not being a Soldier or student, Faust is a beauty consultant and enjoys participating in and coaching rhythmic gymnastics. Sgt. Matthew Jones – https://www.dvidshub.net/image/189156
MSU Denver shares the Auraria Campus with the University of Colorado Denver and the Community College of Denver. The main entrance to the campus is at Speer & Lawrence between the North and Science buildings. Located in the central business district, the campus is close to Ball Arena, Elitch Gardens, the Colorado Convention Center, the Denver Performing Arts Complex, Larimer Square, and the 16th Street Mall. The historic Callie Maher brewery, now the Tivoli Student Union, houses the Tivoli Brewing Company Taphouse and serves all three institutions on the campus.
Organization and Administration
Metro State SGA Judicial Branch
President: Janine Anne Davidson has served as president of MSU Denver since July 24, 2017.
Provost: Laura Niesen de Abruña became the provost on January 25, 2024.
Board of Trustees: MSU Denver’s board of trustees was established as an independent governing body on June 7, 2002, following the signing of House Bill 1165 by Governor Bill Owens.
Student Government: The student government operates under the name “The Student Advocacy Council” (TSAC).
Schools and Centers
MSU Denver comprises four colleges and two schools:
- College of Aerospace, Computing, Engineering and Design
- College of Business
- College of Health and Human Sciences
- College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
- School of Education
- School of Hospitality
Additionally, MSU Denver hosts various projects, research centers, and institutes.
Accreditation
MSU Denver is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Specific programs also hold accreditations from disciplinary organizations:
- The Department of Art is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
- The College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
- The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems programs are accredited by ABET.
University Names
Commonly known as Metro State, the institution officially became a university on April 18, 2012.
Historical Names:
- 1965–1990: Metropolitan State College
- 1990–2012: Metropolitan State College of Denver
- 2012–present: Metropolitan State University of Denver
Name Change Controversy: In 2011, the Board of Trustees approved a proposal to change the institution’s name to “Denver State University.” However, this was met with opposition from the University of Denver administration and faculty, leading to the cancellation of the name change. This decision sparked controversy among some community members who felt that a private university should not influence the decisions of a public institution.
Student Life
MSU Denver features a vibrant Greek life with various fraternity and sorority chapters.