Kim Trenbath's ideal mascot would perhaps be a commodore-mountaineer-buffalo hybrid — a diplomatic cross of the collegiate teams she has stood behind.

Trenbath, a University of Colorado doctoral candidate in atmospheric sciences and a student-government leader, is working this fall with the campus's athletic department to boost graduate students' school spirit.

"We know that they went to another school before and are probably used to cheering for that team," said Trenbath, who did her undergraduate work at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee and earned her master's degree at West Virginia University. "But we want our graduate students to come here and cheer for the Buffs."

There are more than 5,000 master's and doctoral students on the Boulder campus, and athletic department officials say they need to do a better job converting their hearts to black and gold.

That means discounting tickets for students' spouses and children so it's affordable for families to watch sporting events and the marching band, said Athletic Director Mike Bohn. The department also wants to give graduate students their own sections in the stands at football and basketball games and host appreciation events to recognize them, he said.

"I believe we've missed them in the past," Bohn said. "We believe they are an integral part of our campus, and we want them to feel good about being Buffs."

Trenbath said graduate-student leaders are also working to put together happy hours before upcoming basketball games and might hold tailgating parties next football season.

David King, president of CU's United Government of Graduate Students, said the partnership with athletics fits into the group's mission to better student life.

Graduate students may be helping with tutoring and study-hall programs for student athletes. There are also plans to hold a large graduate-research symposium in the spring at the football practice bubble on Franklin Field.

"A strategic alliance with the athletics department will help enhance one aspect of the sense of community that we are attempting to foster at the post-baccalaureate level, which is somewhat unprecedented on average at a national level," King said.

Last football season, doctoral student Tanya Phillips had season tickets to the Buffs' home games. But there are nights when Phillips — who also works in a lab at the National Center for Atmospheric Research — debates whether she even has time to sleep.

"You're so busy with your research and your classes," she said. "I enjoy watching the games; it's just hard to find the time."