Welcome back, Mountain Lions! Donate winter clothes for the Winter Clothing Drive all week long, join us for our annual Light the Spine event and cheer on our Women’s and Men’s Basketball teams during their blackout game!
Looking for more? Check out the UCCS online calendar at Mountain Lion Connect or visit ClubMatch to find a group that’s right for you!
Campus Events | Athletics | Arts & Culture
Campus Events
MONDAY
Winter Clothing Drive
Monday, Dec. 1 through Friday, Dec. 12 | UCCS
Join the UCCS Office of Sustainability in supporting unhoused youth through our Winter Clothing Donation Drive! We’re collecting: all adult sizes S–XXL, new or gently used coats, gloves, socks and boxers (must be new for health and safety reasons), handwarmers and more. These essential items help keep local youth warm and safe during the cold season. All donations will go directly to The PLACE, a nonprofit serving young people in our community. Drop off in La Plata House, Monarch House, the Office of Sustainability and the University Center.
Canine Connections: University Hall
Monday, Dec. 1 from 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. | University Hall B-Wing
Stop by and spend some time with Bergen as part of Canine Connections — UCCS’s pet therapy program supporting student well-being. Take a moment to relax, enjoy some canine comfort and pick up wellness resources to help you manage stress and stay balanced.
Canine Connections: Columbine Hall
Monday, Dec. 1 from 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Columbine Hall 2nd floor lobby
Stop by and spend some time with Jasper or Lucas as part of Canine Connections — UCCS’s pet therapy program supporting student well-being. Take a moment to relax, enjoy some canine comfort and pick up wellness resources to help you manage stress and stay balanced.
Scholarships 101 Workshop
Monday, Dec. 1 from 5 – 6:30 p.m. | Copper Academic Commons
Each year UCCS students are awarded almost $14 million in scholarships from institutional, local, state and national sources. The scholarship application opens December 1st! Join First2Go and the Scholarships & Financial Aid office for an interactive presentation to best prepare your application and essay materials. This event is free!
TUESDAY
Canine Connections: Main Hall
Tuesday, Dec. 2 from 9 – 10:30 a.m. | Main Hall 2nd floor lobby
Stop by and spend some time with Chaser as part of Canine Connections — UCCS’s pet therapy program supporting student well-being. Take a moment to relax, enjoy some canine comfort and pick up wellness resources to help you manage stress and stay balanced.
Light the Spine Board Decorating!
Tuesday, Dec. 2 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Student Life Lounge
Looking for a space to decorate your board for Light the Spine? Join us in the Student Life Lounge! We will have extra supplies for you to use (paint, brushes, tape, glue and more).
LGBTQ+ Day of Gratitude
Tuesday, Dec. 2 from 1 – 4 p.m. | MOSAIC Lounge
Join us for an afternoon of community, warmth and gender-affirming winter style! We’re teaming up with Clyde’s Clothing Corner and YDSA to host a clothing exchange where you can bring items you no longer need and pick out something new-to-you. Come swap, shop (for free!) and celebrate gratitude with us.
QPR Training – Suicide Prevention
Tuesday, Dec. 2 from 3:30 – 5 p.m. | Virtual event
QPR = Question, Persuade and Refer: Suicide Prevention 90-minute Training. Open to students, faculty and staff. Please contact Allison Hine at [email protected] for additional questions. Link will be sent to those who RSVP through MLC.
A Night of Amateur Astronomy
Tuesday, Dec. 2 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Kraemer Family Library 2nd floor apse and El Pomar Plaza
Join amateur astronomer and UCCS librarian Joel Tonyan for a presentation on amateur astronomy and an opportunity to look through a telescope. The presentation will focus on how to become an amateur astronomer and include practical tips for observing the night sky. Afterwards, attendees will get a chance to see the planet Saturn and the moon through a telescope and binoculars. Snacks and hot beverages will be served!
WEDNESDAY
Canine Connections: Engineering Hall
Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 9:15 – 10:50 a.m. | Engineering Hall Lobby
Stop by and spend some time with Maddie as part of Canine Connections — UCCS’s pet therapy program supporting student well-being. Take a moment to relax, enjoy some canine comfort and pick up wellness resources to help you manage stress and stay balanced.
Canine Connections: Hybl
Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Hybl 2nd floor lobby
Stop by and spend some time with Quinn as part of Canine Connections — UCCS’s pet therapy program supporting student well-being. Take a moment to relax, enjoy some canine comfort and pick up wellness resources to help you manage stress and stay balanced.
Yale Creativity Scientist, Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, to Speak at UCCS
Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 12 – 1:15 p.m. | UC 302
If you want to understand what drives creative performance in arts, science and business, this session is led by one of the strongest researchers in the field. Ivcevic Pringle, Ph.D., will share her insights and findings on how emotions drive creative work. After the lecture, stay for a Q&A: Moderated by Theo Edmonds, UCCS Creative Executive in Residence.
Canine Connections: Language Excel Center
Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 1 – 2:30 p.m. | Dwire Hall 270
Stop by and spend some time with Erin as part of Canine Connections — UCCS’s pet therapy program supporting student well-being. Take a moment to relax, enjoy some canine comfort and pick up wellness resources to help you manage stress and stay balanced.
AI Will Change Your Career: Are You Ready?
Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 5 – 6 p.m. | UC 114
Discover how AI is reshaping the future of work and what it means for your career. Learn how to use AI as a study tool, a skill-builder and a competitive advantage before you graduate.
2025 Light the Spine Kick Off
Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 5 – 7 p.m. | OSB B-134
Join us for our Annual Light the Spine Event! Join us in celebrating the end of the semester with club pride. We’ll have hot drinks, s’mores, treats and a winter craft. Be sure to vote on your favorite board for the Students’ Choice Award!
THURSDAY
Canine Connections: Library
Thursday, Dec. 4 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Kraemer Family Library 2nd floor apse
Stop by and spend some time with Bella and/or Beau as part of Canine Connections — UCCS’s pet therapy program supporting student well-being. Take a moment to relax, enjoy some canine comfort and pick up wellness resources to help you manage stress and stay balanced.
Canine Connections: Veterans and Military Affairs
Thursday, Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Veterans and Military Affairs
Stop by and spend some time with Willow as part of Canine Connections — UCCS’s pet therapy program supporting student well-being. Take a moment to relax, enjoy some canine comfort and pick up wellness resources to help you manage stress and stay balanced.
UC Treat Trolley
Thursday, Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. | University Center
Join us in the University Center for our annual Treat Trolley! The trolley will circle the first and second floors of the UC with free hot chocolate, apple cider and snacks! Be in the UC and we will come to YOU!
World AIDS Day: Free HIV/STI Testing
Thursday, Dec. 4 from 12 – 5 p.m. | Wellness Center Lobby
In alignment with recognizing World AIDS Day on December 1, MOSAIC, the Wellness Center and BE YOU COLORADO with the Colorado Children’s Hospital, will be offering free HIV/STI testing. This will be a first-come first-served walk-in event. You can check in at the table outside of the Wellness Center.
Blackout Night – Basketball Tailgate
Thursday, Dec. 4 from 3:30 – 5 p.m. | UC Atrium, Café 65 and Upper Plaza
Join us to get ready for a full night of Mountain Lion Basketball! We’ll be tailgating before the 5 p.m. game. Wear all black for the blackout game!
FRIDAY
Data Mine of the Rockies
Friday, Dec. 5 from 1 – 3:30 p.m. | Dwire 121 or virtual
Students from a dozen Colorado universities, including many from UCCS, will showcase the incredible work they’ve been doing this semester in conjunction with their sponsor company/organization for DMR. Please join us! This event is both online and in person. Others in the community are also welcome to join – the event is free to attend.
UCCS Hacking Training
Friday, Dec. 5 from 2 – 3 p.m. | UCCS Cybersecurity Center
Join us for the first ever UCCS Hacking Training. Xi Tan, Ph.D will lead an informal session where she will train UCCS students on cybersecurity basics. Each Friday will cover a different topic and then we’ll get hands-on in the Cyber Lab. Topics will include basic networking concepts and network elements, understanding binary reverse engineering, basic hacking tools and concepts, understanding cryptographic elements and more.
How to Wax Skis and Snowboards
Friday, Dec. 5 from 6 – 7 p.m. | SOLE Center
Learn how to tune up your snowboards and skis! This event is free for all students and members.
Climbing Competition
Friday, Dec. 5 from 5 – 8 p.m. | SOLE Center
Join the SOLE Center for a friendly climbing competition! You will be competing against participants with similar skill levels. Beginner climbers are welcome! Difficulty is easy to hard depending on climbing ability.
SATURDAY
Mountain West Cyber Challenge
Saturday, Dec. 6 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | UC Game Room
If you’d like to exercise your cyber chops and gain hands-on experience that looks GREAT on a resume, join the 6th Annual UCCS Mountain West Cyber Challenge (MWCC)! Teams of up to 4 college/university students will compete virtually in one 7-hour round of Cybersecurity CTF to take home the title and great cash prizes of up to $200/person! This CTF will be hosted on Deloitte’s Cyber CTF platform Hackazon, which offers over 400 real-world scenarios to test students’ cybersecurity skills in diverse ways. Click here to register your team and to learn more.
Super Smash Bros
Saturday, Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | UC Game Room
Join Campus Rec for a full day of Super Smash Bros! Please register on FusionPlay by December 5 at 2 p.m.
Stress Ball & Slime Workshop
Saturday, Dec. 6 from 3 – 5 p.m. | Breckenridge 5101
Come and join Student Life for an evening of de-stress activities by creating either a Stress ball or Slime to help relieve your stress during these coming weeks.
Athletics
Women’s Basketball
Colorado Mesa at UCCS
Thursday, Dec. 4 at 5 p.m. | Gallogly Events Center
Black Out! The first 500 fans receive a FREE UCCS Basketball Black Out t-shirt!
Westminster at UCCS
Saturday, Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. | Gallogly Events Center
Men’s Basketball
Colorado Mesa at UCCS
Thursday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. | Gallogly Events Center
Black Out! The first 500 fans receive a FREE UCCS Basketball Black Out t-shirt!
Westminster at UCCS
Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. | Gallogly Events Center
Arts & Culture
Symphony 21: UCCS Symphony Orchestra
Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. | Ent Center for the Arts
Symphony21, the UCCS Orchestra founded in 2020, showcases amazing, dedicated musicians from across the UCCS campus and from many disciplines. This fall, Symphony21 presents a program on the theme of Space & Time Travel, featuring film, anime and video game soundtracks, with the concert culminating in the massive and highly influential work, The Planets, by Gustav Holst. Contact Jon Forshee, [email protected], for more information. Symphony21 is listed in the catalogue as MUS1100 and is open to the UCCS community.
UCCS Visiting Author Series: Fred Arroyo
Thursday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. | Heller Center
Essayist and novelist Fred Arroyo will visit UCCS on Thursday, December 4, as part of the ongoing UCCS Visiting Author Series. Arroyo will offer a public reading, engage in a Q&A session and sign books at the Heller Center. Light refreshments will be served.
UCCS Student Brass Ensemble
Thursday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. | Ent Center for the Arts
The UCCS Brass Ensemble is the University’s premiere brass group. Founded as a brass quintet, the current octet features multiple trumpets, flugelhorn, euphonium, trombone and tuba. This fall, the virtuosic ensemble offers a program of classic and Modern works for brass, with novel arrangements of recent Vocaloid masterpieces and epic video game soundtracks. Contact Jon Forshee, [email protected], for more information. Get free tickets here.
The Importance of Being Earnest
Runs from November 28 – December 21 with several showtimes available | Ent Center for the Arts
Wit, romance and mistaken identities take center stage in The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde’s sharpest and most sparkling comedy. Performances on Thursday and Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7 p.m. and on Sundays at 4 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit the Ent Center ticketing page.
For more events on campus, check out Mountain Lion Connect, our central campus events calendar.