NEWS

For Immediate Release

October 1, 2007

Contact:
Jack DeBell, CU Recycling 303-492-8307
Dave Newport, The Environmental Center 303-492-8309
Teresa Hernandez, Student Outreach Retention Center for Equity 303-492-1682

CU to Donate Recycled Computers to Denver Youth

Computers for Youth Program

The Computers for Youth program, an innovative approach to protecting the environment while helping disadvantaged Colorado youth, is kicking off October 6 at the University of Colorado at Boulder

The program will provide middle and high school students from low-income communities in Denver with upgraded computers. Donated by student government and University of Colorado-Boulder campus employees, the computers will be equipped with Internet access and basic computing programs.

"This program clearly shows how recycling and other environmental efforts can be directly beneficial to people in need," said G.P. Bud Peterson, Chancellor of the University. "We are honored to partner with Denver Public Schools' dedicated teachers and students to bring CU-Boulder closer to the community-and combine our strengths into benefits for all of Colorado."

Twenty-five youth from Bruce Randolph Middle School in North Denver, assisted by CU computer science students, will each build and upgrade a pre-used computer. The computers will assist their education at home.

Meanwhile, the Computers for Youth program will promote computer recycling, preventing the 25 reused machines from accumulating in waste dumps and leaking contaminants into waterways.

"Computer reuse is the first step towards electronic waste prevention because of its efficient use of raw materials and reduction of contaminants into the waste stream," said Jack DeBell, director of the University of Colorado Recycling Services.

Besides calling attention to the growing amount of waste from discarded computers, the program will address the digital divide faced by low-income communities that may not be able to afford access to high-speed Internet.

"This program is important because, far too often, underrepresented youth, including youth of color, low-income, and first generation youth, are not given opportunities and resources to consider higher education as a viable option for them in their future," said Teresa Hernandez, director of the University's Student Outreach Retention Center for Equity. "The digital divide is about the haves/have-nots and the ability to access intellectual property which is the means for getting out of poverty and pursuing quality of life."

The Denver students will also benefit from ongoing mentoring relationships with University students. At least twice a month, students from the University will meet with their Denver mentees to help them enhance their computer skills and academic performance and to advise them on college life.

"By providing these students with mentors, our goal is that they will be able to help plant the seed of considering options of higher education, and, to hopefully consider CU as one of these options," Hernandez said.

The Environmental Center has previously demonstrated success in computer recycling initiatives. Last year, the University received Dell's Higher Education Recycling Leadership Award. This award helped fund the University's first computer round-up, where over 50 working systems were collected from the community during a three day event and recycled. The Center will apply its expertise in computer reuse toward the Computers for Youth program.

The Computers for Youth program is supported by a grant from University President Hank Brown's Office of Minority Affairs, the CU Environmental Center, The Student Outreach and Retention Center for Equity, Comcast Cable, Microsoft, Roche Colorado Corporation, and the Denver Public Schools.

"Comcast has a very strong commitment to the community as a whole, but in particular to the children and schools within the community. We are pleased to be able to help CU and the Staff of Bruce Randolph Middle School recognize these young achievers", said Rich Jennings, Comcast's Area Vice President and General Manager.

The program will be held Saturday, October 6th 9-3:30 at the new ATLAS building on the CU-Boulder campus. Peterson and his wife, Val Peterson, will welcome the Denver students to the University.

About the Sponsors

The Environmental Center

Established in 1970, the University of Colorado-Boulder Environmental Center assists with the educational mission of the University by providing information on environmental issues to students, faculty, staff and the broader community. The Center gives students applied experience in interdisciplinary environmental problem solving. In addition, the Center assesses the environmental performance of the University and works with other parts of campus to improve CU's environmental performance. The Center provides direct services to the University community, including the CU Recycling program, the student bus pass program, and energy conservation and renewable energy programs. Visit http://ecenter.colorado.edu/.

Student Outreach Retention Center for Equity (SORCE)

The Student Outreach Retention Center for Equity (SORCE) was developed in 1999 to address the lack of disadvantaged and minority students enrolled at the University of Colorado. The program's primary work consists of outreaching to prospective underrepresented students in middle and high school, providing them with information and visits to the University. These visits include shadow days, panels, and information sessions. Furthermore, SORCE works to retain current underrepresented students affiliated with the program via an advocacy and resource center. This center provides programming and community building events. Visit http://www.colorado.edu/SORCE/.

Roche Colorado Corporation

Roche Colorado, a subsidiary of the Roche Group, is a pharmaceutical research, development and manufacturing facility located in Boulder, Colorado. Roche Colorado scientist Roche Colorado has a workforce of 370 employees, including chemists, engineers, and pharmaceutical production personnel. The site specializes in the production of therapeutic peptides, small molecules and highly active compounds. This includes Fuzeon, the first in a class of anti-HIV medicines known as fusion inhibitors. Fuzeon fights HIV by blocking it before it can enter and infect healthy cells. The drug, launched in 2003, was awarded the 2004 International Prix Galien as the world's most innovative new medicine.

Comcast Cable

Comcast is the largest cable provider in the nation and the preeminent provider of video, voice, and days services in Colorado. Comcast proudly supports the communities in which it serves.

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