Choose Your GSBC Experience

GSBC is committed to helping community banks navigate a new era, adapting as necessary to ensure access to a valuable, state-of-the-art educational experience amid today’s challenges. We acknowledge the immeasurable value of in-person education while recognizing its risks in the COVID-19 environment. That is why GSBC is allowing students and supporters the option to choose from an in-person or virtual experience in 2021.

Health & Safety is Our Priority

The health and safety of GSBC students and faculty is our top priority. GSBC is working closely with the University of Colorado Boulder (CU) and the City of Boulder, and following official guidance offered by the State of Colorado and Centers for Disease Control to deliver an in-person session where classes, networking and campus living can be executed safely via rigorous health and safety measures.

As guests of the university, GSBC will adhere to CU Boulder protocol for all COVID-19 related items, including but not limited to: social distancing, mask protocol, required COVID-19 testing/monitoring, housing/dining, etc. This protocol is subject to change at anytime based on Boulder County public health orders and CU Boulder response.

Please use the information below to guide your decision between an in-person or virtual experience in 2021.

Upon enrollment, students will be asked to complete a survey where they will indicate their attendance preference.

Curriculum Updates

Banking in a COVID & Post-Election Environment

Courses taught at the 70th Annual School Session will be revised to address the impacts that COVID-19 and changes in the economic and political environment have made on banking. Specifically, the following issues will be addressed:

  • Transformative workplace/impact on HR practices in a virtual environment
  • Diversity and inclusion & new regulatory emphasis
  • Strategic opportunities arising from PPP lending
  • Balance sheet management issues/opportunities arising from the low-rate environment
  • Managing loan modifications and forbearances
  • Environmental risk management/climate change
  • Emergency preparedness/disaster recovery

Housing & Dining

GSBC Housing & Dining Options

  • A limited number of rooms at Embassy Suites by Hilton Boulder and the Hilton Garden Inn Boulder are available
    • Hotel rooms will be released to students in order of seniority (third years, second years, first years) and based on availability on a first-come-first-served basis (requests made by responding to the 2021 Session Options survey sent in February student update email)
    • Requires a $1,200 premium (over base tuition)
    • Includes on-site daily breakfast and afternoon reception; lunch and dinner to be served on campus
    • Parking fees of $10/day apply (not included in tuition)
  • On-campus residence halls and apartments, featuring enhanced cleaning and safety measures, with single occupancy sleeping rooms and shared or private baths (included in tuition)
    • All meals served on campus
  • Students may elect to choose/make own off-campus accommodations; a $300 tuition credit applies
  • Campus dining to offer grab and go options only; students to disperse and eat meals outdoors or in their housing locations

First Year Students

Attending the Session in Boulder

In-person education at GSBC, though delivered live, will look different than years past. Due to social-distancing requirements, fewer students per classroom will be allowed, requiring GSBC to expand its classroom footprint beyond its traditional setting in Wolf Law. Various campus buildings and premium hotel conference space will be utilized as necessary to hold classes in a safe and productive manner; schedule modifications and transportation will be in place to support these changes. Personal protective equipment and the use of face coverings may be required for all formal GSBC activities as mandated by CU and the City of Boulder.

Housing accommodations (above) will be expanded to include an off-campus hotel option, offered to students in order of seniority, for a modest tuition premium. On-campus housing with enhanced cleaning and safety measures will be in place as traditionally available.

Optional, socially distanced in-person networking events will be facilitated by GSBC via the use of outdoor spaces and events such as a Colorado Rockies game and golf tournament.

Other/specific considerations include:

Pre-Session Commitment

  • Virtual session preparation sessions, including a virtual orientation session (2-4 hours)
  • New in 2021! First year students will participate in a pilot peer group program that will meet virtually prior to the start of the session, and throughout the year after the session, to facilitate relationship building and peer learning (more information TBA)

Health & Safety Protocol

  • Rigorous social distancing measures in place in classrooms and public spaces
  • Personal protective equipment and the use of face coverings may be required for all formal GSBC activities as mandated by CU and the City of Boulder
  • Enhanced cleaning measures in place for all campus/hotel facilities

Classroom Experience

  • Reduced class sizes that adhere with university/local social-distancing guidelines
  • Classrooms to span multiple campus buildings and premium hotel conference space (transportation will be provided)
  • Overflow classrooms/live-streaming technology may be utilized in large classes; faculty assistants will facilitate discussion and help answer questions

Attending the Session Virtually

Live classes will be streamed to virtual attendees via Zoom, with technology aids for virtual attendees present in each classroom responsible for connecting virtual students with their instructors and peers and managing chat/Q&A interaction. Virtual students will be expected to attend the sessions live (in Mountain Time), as if they were on campus. Faculty will host virtual office hours to facilitate student questions throughout the session.

Other/specific considerations include:

Pre-Session Commitment

  • Virtual session preparation sessions, including a virtual orientation session (2-4 hours)
  • New in 2021! First year students will participate in a pilot peer group program that will meet virtually prior to the start of the session, and throughout the year after the session, to facilitate relationship building and peer learning (more information TBA)

Required Technology & Participation Expectations

  • Device equipped with Zoom, webcam and microphone; ensure that device security allows for accessing GSBC technologies
  • Working knowledge/high level of comfort with the GSBC Learning Environment (training to be provided)
  • Live attendance and classroom participation expected

Additional Support

  • Access to faculty via virtual office hours
  • Virtual student advocate in each lecture (to help relay questions, connect virtual attendees with instructors/peers, troubleshoot problems, etc.)
pexels-anna-shvets-4226140

Second Year Students

Attending the Session in Boulder

In-person education at GSBC, though delivered live, will look different than years past. Due to social-distancing requirements, fewer students per classroom will be allowed, requiring GSBC to expand its classroom footprint beyond its traditional setting in Wolf Law. Various campus buildings and premium hotel conference space will be utilized as necessary to hold classes in a safe and productive manner; schedule modifications and transportation will be in place to support these changes. Personal protective equipment and the use of face coverings may be required for all formal GSBC activities as mandated by CU and the City of Boulder.

Housing accommodations (above) will be expanded to include an off-campus hotel option, offered to students in order of seniority, for a modest tuition premium. On-campus housing with enhanced cleaning and safety measures will be in place as traditionally available.

Optional, socially distanced in-person networking events will be facilitated by GSBC via the use of outdoor spaces and events such as a Colorado Rockies game and golf tournament.

Other/specific considerations include:

Pre-Session Commitment

  • Virtual session preparation sessions, including a virtual orientation session (2-4 hours)

Health & Safety Protocol

  • Rigorous social distancing measures in place in classrooms and public spaces
  • Personal protective equipment and the use of face coverings may be required for all formal GSBC activities as mandated by CU and the City of Boulder
  • Enhanced cleaning measures in place for all campus/hotel facilities

Classroom Experience

  • Reduced class sizes that adhere with university/local social-distancing guidelines
  • Classrooms to span multiple campus buildings and premium hotel conference space (transportation will be provided)
  • Overflow classrooms/live-streaming technology may be utilized in large classes; faculty assistants will facilitate discussion and help answer questions

Attending the Session Virtually

Live classes will be streamed to virtual attendees via Zoom, with technology aids for virtual attendees present in each classroom responsible for connecting virtual students with their instructors and peers and managing chat/Q&A interaction. Virtual students will be expected to attend the sessions live (in Mountain Time), as if they were on campus. Faculty will host virtual office hours to facilitate student questions throughout the session.

Other/specific considerations include:

Pre-Session Commitment

  • Virtual session preparation sessions, including a virtual orientation session (2-4 hours)

Required Technology & Participation Expectations

  • Device equipped with Zoom, webcam and microphone; ensure that device security allows for accessing GSBC technologies
  • Working knowledge/high level of comfort with the GSBC Learning Environment (training to be provided)
  • Live attendance and classroom participation expected

Additional Support

  • Access to faculty via virtual office hours
  • Virtual student advocate in each lecture (to help relay questions, connect virtual attendees with instructors/peers, troubleshoot problems, etc.)
(Photo by Patrick Campbell/University of Colorado)

Third Year Students

Attending the Session in Boulder

In-person education at GSBC, though delivered live, will look different than years past. Due to social-distancing requirements, fewer students per classroom will be allowed, requiring GSBC to expand its classroom footprint beyond its traditional setting in Wolf Law. Various campus buildings and premium hotel conference space will be utilized as necessary to hold classes in a safe and productive manner; schedule modifications and transportation will be in place to support these changes. Personal protective equipment and the use of face coverings may be required for all formal GSBC activities as mandated by CU and the City of Boulder.

Housing accommodations (above) will be expanded to include an off-campus hotel option, offered to students in order of seniority, for a modest tuition premium. On-campus housing with enhanced cleaning and safety measures will be in place as traditionally available.

Optional, socially distanced in-person networking events will be facilitated by GSBC via the use of outdoor spaces and events such as a Colorado Rockies game and golf tournament.

Other/specific considerations include:

Pre-Session Commitment

  • Virtual session preparation sessions, including a virtual orientation session (2-4 hours)

Health & Safety Protocol

  • Rigorous social distancing measures in place in classrooms and public spaces
  • Personal protective equipment and the use of face coverings may be required for all formal GSBC activities as mandated by CU and the City of Boulder
  • Enhanced cleaning measures in place for all campus/hotel facilities

Classroom Experience

  • Reduced class sizes that adhere with university/local social-distancing guidelines
  • Classrooms to span multiple campus buildings and premium hotel conference space (transportation will be provided)
  • Overflow classrooms/live-streaming technology may be utilized in large classes; faculty assistants will facilitate discussion and help answer questions

Bank Management Simulation (BMS) Experience

  • Pre-work assignment and Zoom sessions (5-10 hours)
  • Communities/teams to be organized by attendance (in-person communities together, virtual communities together)

Graduation

  • A graduation ceremony will be hosted in-person for third year students only at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Boulder on Thursday, July 29; no guests will be allowed to attend in person
  • Live stream to facilitate attendance by virtual graduates and guests (made available closer to the session)
  • Class photos to include individual headshots and BMS team photos on graduation day (no large group photo will be taken)

Attending the Session Virtually

Live classes will be streamed to virtual attendees via Zoom, with technology aids for virtual attendees present in each classroom responsible for connecting virtual students with their instructors and peers and managing chat/Q&A interaction. Virtual students will be expected to attend the sessions live (in Mountain Time), as if they were on campus. Faculty will host virtual office hours to facilitate student questions throughout the session.

Other/specific considerations include:

Pre-Session Commitment

  • Virtual session preparation sessions, including a virtual orientation session (2-4 hours)
  • Bank Management Simulation (BMS) pre-work assignment and Zoom sessions (5-10 hours)

Required Technology & Participation Expectations

  • Device equipped with Zoom, webcam and microphone; ensure that device security allows for accessing GSBC technologies
  • Working knowledge/high level of comfort with the GSBC Learning Environment (training to be provided)
  • Live attendance and classroom participation expected

Additional Support

  • Access to faculty via virtual office hours
  • Virtual student advocate in each lecture (to help relay questions, connect virtual attendees with instructors/peers, troubleshoot problems, etc.)

Bank Management Simulation Experience

  • Communities/teams to be organized by attendance (in-person communities together, virtual communities together)

Graduation

  • A graduation ceremony will be hosted in-person for third year students only at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Boulder on Thursday, July 29; no guests will be allowed to attend in person
  • Live stream to facilitate attendance by virtual graduates and guests (made available closer to the session)
  • Class photos to include individual headshots and BMS team photos on graduation day (no large group photo will be taken)
  • Virtual attendees to provide GSBC with a high-resolution headshot prior to graduation
(Photo by Patrick Campbell/University of Colorado)

Information for Supervisors & CEOs

If Your Employee Attends In-Person

Health & Safety Protocol

  • Rigorous social distancing measures in place in classrooms and public spaces
  • Personal protective equipment and the use of face coverings may be required for all formal GSBC activities as mandated by CU and the City of Boulder
  • Enhanced cleaning measures in place for all campus/hotel facilities

Curriculum Considerations

Courses taught at the 70th Annual School Session will be revised to address the impacts that COVID-19 and changes in the economic and political environment have made on banking. Specifically, the following issues will be addressed:

  • Transformative workplace/impact on HR practices in a virtual environment
  • Diversity and inclusion & new regulatory emphasis
  • Strategic opportunities arising from PPP lending
  • Balance sheet management issues/opportunities arising from the low-rate environment
  • Managing loan modifications and forbearances
  • Environmental risk management
  • Emergency preparedness/disaster recovery

Classroom Learning: What Will Be Different?

  • Reduced class sizes that adhere with local social-distancing guidelines
  • Classrooms to span multiple campus buildings and premium hotel conference space (transportation will be provided)
  • Overflow classrooms/live-streaming technology may be utilized in large classes; faculty assistants will facilitate discussion/answer questions

Housing & Dining (Budget Considerations)

  • A limited number of rooms at Embassy Suites by Hilton Boulder and the Hilton Garden Inn Boulder are available
    • Hotel rooms will be released to students in order of seniority (third years, second years, first years) and based on availability on a first-come-first-served basis (requests made by responding to the 2021 Session Options survey sent in February student update email)
    • Requires a $1,200 premium (over base tuition)
    • Includes on-site daily breakfast and afternoon reception; lunch and dinner to be served on campus
    • Parking fees of $10/day apply (not included in tuition)
  • On-campus residence halls and apartments with single occupancy sleeping rooms and shared or private baths (included in tuition)
    • All meals served on campus
  • Students may elect to choose own off-campus accommodations; a $300 tuition credit applies
  • Campus dining centers to offer grab and go options only; students to eat meals outdoors or in their housing locations

Networking

  • Socially distanced, in-person networking events will be facilitated by GSBC via the use of outdoor spaces and events such as a Colorado Rockies game and golf tournament
  • New in 2021! First year students will participate in a pilot peer group program that will meet virtually prior to the start of the session, and throughout the year after the session, to facilitate relationship building and peer learning

Graduation

  • A graduation ceremony will be hosted in-person for third year students only at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Boulder on Thursday, July 29; no guests will be allowed to attend in person
  • Live stream to facilitate attendance by virtual graduates and guests (made available closer to the session)

If Your Employee Attendees Virtually

Curriculum Considerations

Courses taught at the 70th Annual School Session will be revised to address the impacts that COVID-19 and changes in the economic and political environment have made on banking. Specifically, the following issues will be addressed:

  • Transformative workplace/impact on HR practices in a virtual environment
  • Diversity and inclusion & new regulatory emphasis
  • Strategic opportunities arising from PPP lending
  • Balance sheet management issues/opportunities arising from the low-rate environment
  • Managing loan modifications and forbearances
  • Environmental risk management
  • Emergency preparedness/disaster recovery

What GSBC Expects from Your Employee

  • Live attendance and classroom participation is expected

What GSBC Requests from You

  • Treat your employee’s two weeks as if the student is on campus
  • Facilitate access to appropriate technology/private office space to maximize employee’s learning experience

Graduation

  • A graduation ceremony will be hosted in-person for third year students only at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Boulder on Thursday, July 29; no guests will be allowed to attend in person
  • Live stream to facilitate attendance by virtual graduates and guests (made available closer to the session)
(Photo by Patrick Campbell/University of Colorado)

Dates & Cancellation Policy

GSBC recognizes the fluid nature of the pandemic its associated decisions. We aim to be as flexible as possible throughout the spring, but request that all enrolled students respond according to the following timeline:

Initial Response: In-Person or Virtual

  • Upon enrollment, students will be asked to complete a survey where they will indicate their attendance preference. You may change your plan without penalty prior to June 1.

Final Decision/Cancellation Policy

  • After June 1, penalties may apply and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Contact GSBC

We understand that 2021 is a unique year, and you may have questions regarding the plans above. Please do not hesitate contacting our office to discuss these options in detail:

We look forward to hosting you in 2021, no matter which experience you choose! Thank you for your continued support of GSBC.

(Photo by Patrick Campbell/University of Colorado)