Phil DiStefano

Last updated
Yvonne DiStefano
​
(m. 1969)​
Phil DiStefano
Phil DiStefano (November 2019).jpg
DiStefano in 2019
11th Chancellor of the University of Colorado Boulder
In office
May 5, 2009 –July 1, 2024
Children3
Education Ohio State University (BS, PhD)
West Virginia University (MA)

Philip P. DiStefano (born September 21, 1946) [1] is an academic administrator who serves as the 11th chancellor of the University of Colorado Boulder since May 2009. He has taught at the University of Colorado, Boulder since 1974, and holds the Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Leadership chair.

Contents

Early life and education

Philip DiStefano was born and raised in Steubenville, Ohio. He received a Bachelor of Science from the Ohio State University and a Masters of Arts in English from West Virginia University. He later received a Ph.D in humanities from the Ohio State University. [2]

Career

After attaining his master's degree, DiStefano began teaching high school English in Steubenville. In 1974, he joined the University of Colorado in Boulder as an assistant professor in curriculum and instruction, part of the university's School of Education. [3] DiStefano holds the Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Leadership chair, and he oversees leadership programs at the University of Colorado. [4]

DiStefano has also served as a member and director of several boards throughout his career, including the Association of American Universities, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, North America's Research Universities, Boulder Community Hospital, and the Pac-12 Conference. [5]

Before being appointed as chancellor of the University of Colorado Boulder, DiStefano served two terms as interim chancellor. [6] [7] In May 2009, he was named the 11th chancellor of the university. [8] On September 26, 2023, DiStefano announced he would be stepping down as chancellor. [9] [10] After the university selected Justin Schwartz as his successor, DiStefano officially retired from his position on July 1, 2024. [11]

Controversies

Suspension from the University of Colorado

In 2017, DiStefano was suspended without pay for ten days for failing to report domestic abuse allegations against an assistant football coach at the school. Rick George, the athletics director at the University of Colorado, Boulder, as well as Mike MacIntyre, the football coach, both reportedly shared the allegations with DiStefano, who failed to report them or give the allegations any further attention. George and MacIntyre were both ordered to pay $100,000 to domestic violence charities as a result of these allegations, a punishment that was met with some controversy as their base salaries were more than $2 million. DiStefano donated his ten-day suspension pay to domestic violence charities as well. [12]

Protests against budget cuts

In 2018, DiStefano announced that the budget for the Colorado University student government would be cut by more than 90%, and that $21 million of the $23 million budget would be moved to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. [13] Many student unions gathered in support of the student government, calling for the removal of DiStefano due to the decision. Further rallies were led by five groups of student union candidates in another, separate campaign. [14]

Response to threats to campus

On 22 March 2021, a mass shooting occurred at a King Soopers supermarket in Boulder. The University of Colorado did not send alerts to notify students and faculty of the shooting until almost three hours after the shooting began. [15] The next year, on 31 January 2022, an 800-page manifesto was published online. The author, who was living close to the University of Colorado campus, threatened members of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) philosophy department, as well as included general references to Boulder and the University of Colorado. UCLA held remote classes on 1 February. [16] The University of Colorado Boulder, however, held classes in person that day and did not send alerts to its students until 10 A.M., nearly two hours after the police became involved. The author of the manifesto was eventually arrested at his home. [17] Following the arrest, a petition was started calling for DiStefano's resignation, citing how out-of-state threats caused enough alarm for UCLA to close campus, but not enough alarm for the University of Colorado, which was under in-state threat. University of Colorado students also cited the university's apparent "lack of care" toward the student body. [18]

Personal life

DiStefano married Yvonne DiStefano in 1969. They have three daughters and two grandchildren. [3]

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References

  1. ↑ "2021 Colorado Football Media Guide" (PDF). University of Colorado Athletics.
  2. ↑ "Philip DiStefano | People | NSF-I3". www.nsf-i3.org. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  3. 1 2 "Phil DiStefano". Global Down Syndrome Foundation. 2011-08-10. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
  4. ↑ "Opinion: Philip P. DiStefano: Diversity, equity and inclusion make CU better". Boulder Daily Camera. 2019-11-17. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  5. ↑ "Biography". Office of the Chancellor. 2014-02-03. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  6. ↑ Langford, Katie (2020-07-08). "CU Boulder Chancellor Phil DiStefano hosts new video series in lieu of state tour". Boulder Daily Camera . Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  7. ↑ "Philip P. DiStefano". School of Education. 2016-11-11. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  8. ↑ "University of Colorado President Names Phil DiStefano CU-Boulder Chancellor". CU Boulder Today. May 5, 2009.
  9. ↑ "Philip DiStefano to retire as chancellor, lead in other campus roles". CU Boulder Today. University of Colorado Boulder. September 26, 2023.
  10. ↑ Brundin, Jenny (September 26, 2023). "Philip DiStefano, CU's longest-serving chancellor, is retiring after decades on campus". CPR News. Colorado Public Radio.
  11. ↑ "President Saliman Announces Dr. Justin Schwartz as CU Boulder Chancellor". Office of the President. University of Colorado. April 19, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Colorado-Boulder chancellor suspended for failing to report alleged domestic violence by assistant coach". www.insidehighered.com.
  13. ↑ Burness, Alex (5 April 2018). "Chancellor Phil DiStefano halts controversial decision after CU Boulder students call for his firing". Boulder Daily Camera.
  14. ↑ "CU Boulder demand firing chancellor Phil DeStafano". The Denver Post. 5 April 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  15. ↑ "10 dead, including 1 officer, in King Soopers shooting". KMGH. 22 March 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  16. ↑ Cain, Josh (1 February 2022). "Ex-UCLA lecturer accused of threatening campus personnel is caught, officials say". Boulder Daily Camera.
  17. ↑ Byars, Mitchell (1 February 2022). "Suspect in threats to UCLA arrested in Boulder in University Hill barricade situation". Boulder Daily Camera.
  18. ↑ Yee, Gregory; Hennessy-Fiske, Molly (2 February 2022). "Colorado neighbors of arrested ex-UCLA lecturer echo students' anger over lack of warnings". Los Angeles Times.
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Preceded by11th Chancellor of the University of Colorado Boulder
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