Administration

Regents condemn 51��ý terror attack, approve CU 51��ý budget

Megan Maneval — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 20:33:52 +0000

Regents condemn 51��ý terror attack, approve CU 51��ý budget Megan Maneval Thu, 06/05/2025 - 14:33

At its June 4 meeting, the University of Colorado Board of Regents condemned the June 1 terrorist attack in 51��ý and then wrapped up the business of the 2024–25 academic year by approving the CU system’s $6.7 billion budget—including CU 51��ý’s $2.6 billion budget.

In public remarks to open the meeting, Chair Callie Rennison, CU President Todd Saliman, joined by several CU chancellors, including Chancellor Justin Schwartz, all voiced support for the 51��ý community and joined in condemning the June 1 terrorist attack in downtown 51��ý.

Rennison opened the meeting with a strong statement of support for the victims of the attacks:

“The CU community strongly condemns this hateful act,” Rennison said. “We stand with and offer our support to those directly and indirectly affected by this vicious attack.”

Rennison also thanked “the brave bystanders who leapt into action” along with first responders.

“The entire CU community has the victims [of the attack] in our thoughts and we wish them a speedy recovery,” Saliman said. “We hold them and their families and loved ones close as they struggle with a very difficult time.”

Chancellors Jennifer Sobanet of UCCS and Kenneth Christensen of CU Denver echoed Saliman, and Schwartz thanked the group. Schwartz also acknowledged the first responders for “quickly apprehending the suspect” and declared in his closing remarks on the issue that “hate, violence and antisemitism have no place in society, in 51��ý or on campus.”

“I want to reaffirm our commitment to protecting our community against acts of hate and violence,” Schwartz said.

Regent Ilana Spiegel introduced a resolution—later unanimously adopted by the board—condemning the attacks, antisemitism and all forms of discrimination and supporting the CU 51��ý community, its Jewish community and all students, while also expressing appreciation of first responders and good Samaritans.

“As an institution of higher learning, where we prize each individual’s freedom to pursue their chosen path, we must speak clearly and with one voice that antisemitic violence should not and will not be tolerated in our communities, in our state and in our nation,” Spiegel said, introducing the resolution.

Board approves CU 51��ý budget of $2.61 billion

Later in board business and following a presentation by Chad Marturano, CU vice president and chief financial officer, the regents voted 8-1 to approve the university’s $6.7 billion 2025–26 budget, $2.61 billion of which goes to CU 51��ý—a growth of 2.2% over last year’s $2.55 billion campus budget.

Maturano’s presentation showed:

CU 51��ý’s fiscal year 2025–26 budget increased due to a 2.7% overall enrollment growth on the campus, attributed to steady undergraduate enrollment and improved retention of undergraduate students.
Resident graduate enrollment is projected to increase by 3.9%; overall graduate enrollment is down 4.5% due to declines in nonresident students.
There is a decline in projected international student enrollment, with a 24.3% decline in international undergraduate students and 14.7% decline in international graduate students.
Increases in state support, with $31.7 million allocated for statewide operating increase (2.5%)—an amount that includes $8.7 million for operating increases for the entire system (a 2.4% increase for CU 51��ý, 2.9% increase for CU Denver, 2.5% increase for CU Colorado Springs and 2.5% increase for the CU Anschutz Medical Campus).
The state also authorized a $7.3 million statewide financial aid increase—an increase of 2.5 %—and a 3.5% cap on resident undergraduate tuition rate increases.
There is an increase of $11.6 million from the state for six controlled maintenance projects across the CU system, including $7.3 million for four projects at CU 51��ý.
Wednesday’s vote is inclusive of the tuition, compensation and fees that were approved by the board in April.

In other action

The board approved, as part of the consent agenda, updated program plans for the renovation and renewal of the Macky Auditorium and Guggenheim Geography buildings. The approvals are conditional on the receipt of state legislative appropriations next spring for the 2026–27 fiscal year that would cover about 40% of each project. Program plans for projects seeking state funding are updated and approved by the regents every three years, with the program plans for Macky and Guggenheim last being approved by the regents in 2022.
The board approved, as part of the consent agenda, 12 Bachelor of Science degrees at CU 51��ý that either replace or stand beside current Bachelor of Arts degrees and that require “highly rigorous scientific and mathematical/computational preparation,” according to a presentation by Dean of the Graduate School Scott Adler and Vice Chancellor for Academic Planning and Assessment Katherine Eggert.
The board approved by a vote of 7–1, with one regent not present at time of vote, two professional master’s degrees: A Master of Science in Sustainable Business and a Master of Science in Sustainable Engineering. Both degrees will be implemented in the fall of 2026. The degrees will “blend curriculum drawing from educational offerings in three different colleges,” according to Adler.
The board approved a Resolution of Appreciation for CU philosophy professor and incoming 51��ý Faculty Assembly Chair Alastair Norcross, who served as Faculty Council chair for the 2023–24 and 2024–25 academic years. Faculty Council is the systemwide faculty governance representative body.
The board approved a Resolution of Appreciation for CU Student Government Tri-Executive Alex Radz, who served as chair for the Intercampus Student Forum for the 2024–25 academic year. The Intercampus Student Forum is the systemwide student governance representative body.

At its June 4 meeting, the University of Colorado Board of Regents condemned the June 1 terrorist attack in 51��ý and then wrapped up the business of the 2024–25 academic year.

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Sustainability Council discusses pouring rights, draft food policy and more

Megan Maneval — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 19:47:16 +0000

Sustainability Council discusses pouring rights, draft food policy and more Megan Maneval Tue, 06/03/2025 - 13:47

The Campus Sustainability Council convened on May 16 to discuss the following topics:

Pouring rights

The campus has entered into contract negotiations with Pepsi for a new pouring rights agreement set to begin on July 1. Under this agreement, only beverages in cans and glass containers would be available across campus, eliminating single-use plastic (SUP) beverage containers. This comprehensive 10-year contract will cover athletics, vending (retail) and all dining services across campus.

As a result of the shift away from plastic, some beverage offerings would be reduced due to their packaging limitations. Pepsi’s broader commitment to global sustainability was a key factor in the decision to move forward with this agreement.

Next steps: Pending contract negotiations, the new agreement would begin July 1.

Draft food policy

Faculty member Peter Newton introduced a draft food policy emphasizing the significant intersection between food choices and sustainability, particularly in relation to the Climate Action Plan. The policy proposes phasing out beef and lamb over the next five years, arguing that meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are unlikely without removing ruminant meats from campus menus.

Newton said the approach is not just about adding plant-based options but about eliminating high-emission items. The proposal does not prescribe specific replacements for beef and lamb. Education around moderation is also a key goal of the policy. Some council members pointed out that with a non-optional meal plan, completely eliminating beef and lamb may not be feasible.

Next steps: The council will compile data from Campus Dining and other sources to model current GHG emissions and project the impact of the proposed changes. Substantially more dialogue is required before any decisions can be made regarding the proposal.

Join the Sustainable Buffs community

Share your sustainability ideas

Vacant council seats

There are currently four open seats on the council—one for a student, two for staff and one for faculty. This is a great opportunity to get involved and help shape campus initiatives. If you're interested or know someone who might be, please fill out or share the application form.

The Campus Sustainability Council recently discussed a pouring rights contract, a draft food policy and efforts to fill four vacant council seats. Learn more about the group's May meeting.

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Are you paying student employees correctly?

Megan Maneval — Fri, 09 May 2025 13:39:03 +0000

Are you paying student employees correctly? Megan Maneval Fri, 05/09/2025 - 07:39

CU 51��ý has two policies to help departments ensure they’re paying students correctly:

How to Pay Students Policy: Ensures students at CU 51��ý are paid using the proper payment method and reported accurately
Other Financial Assistance (OFA) Policy: Ensures all forms of financial aid, including federal state and institutional aid, are considered when determining a student’s eligibility for federal financial assistance at CU 51��ý

Many common types of payment to students are forms of OFA and must be reported to the Office of Financial Aid. Reporting student payments correctly keeps them in compliance with rules and regulations.

Enrollment requirements and summer payments

Students must be enrolled or considered active students at CU 51��ý in the term for which the payment is intended to receive any federal financial aid or funding considered OFA.

Should a department wish to provide funding considered OFA to an active student during a period of non-enrollment, such as a summer term, such funding must be counted toward the student’s Cost of Attendance (COA) for the following period of enrollment, such as the fall term. It is not permissible to retroactively apply funding intended for a period of non-enrollment (summer) to a student’s previously enrolled term (spring) to circumvent this policy.

Refer to the Paying Students & Other Financial Assistance Policy for additional support, resources and guidance.

Be sure you're paying students correctly this summer. Review the Paying Students & Other Financial Assistance Policy.

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Sustainability Leadership Team welcomes Andrew Mayock, discusses sustainability governance

Megan Maneval — Tue, 06 May 2025 13:53:37 +0000

Sustainability Leadership Team welcomes Andrew Mayock, discusses sustainability governance Megan Maneval Tue, 05/06/2025 - 07:53

The campus Sustainability Leadership Team (SLT) convened Wednesday, April 23, to discuss the following topics:

Introduction to Andrew Mayock

Andrew Mayock is CU 51��ý’s inaugural vice chancellor for sustainability. He shared his initial insights, thoughts and past experience:

Governance importance: Mayock emphasized the significance of governance for high-functioning programs, especially in complex environments like CU 51��ý.
Experience from the Biden administration: He shared insights from his experience with governance during the Biden administration, highlighting the importance of good governance and the use of working groups and steering committees.
Learning and feedback: Mayock acknowledged the need to learn about the SLT's history and functioning. He is open to feedback and acknowledges the need to move quickly to ensure continued progress toward campus goals.

Current state of the SLT

Members shared their thoughts about the group’s structure, as well as its progress, challenges and opportunities for improvement after its first 18 months. The group revisited its original charter, which included the following goals:

Deliver the campus milestones needed to achieve carbon neutrality
Achieve STARS platinum status within two reporting cycles
Hold biannual campus forums on campus sustainability actions
Coordinate with community partners to share resources
Support fundraising efforts
Identify and prioritize sustainability actions that support student success; diversity, equity and inclusion; health and wellness; and employment engagement goals

Members of the group shared additional thoughts about the SLT’s relationship to the Sustainability Council, the positive impact of increased communications around sustainability, the importance of having students on the SLT for accountability and the need for shared decision-making to avoid siloed operations.

This is part of a series that will cover CU 51��ý Sustainability Leadership Team (formerly known as the Sustainability Executive Council) meeting agendas, discussions and decisions. The Sustainability Leadership Team brings together decision-makers and leaders from across campus to drive action and accountability to achieve carbon neutrality, goals outlined in the Chancellor’s Call to Climate Action and the implementation of the campus Climate Action Plan.

At its Earth Week meeting on April 23, the campus Sustainability Leadership Team welcomed Vice Chancellor for Sustainability Andrew Mayock and discussed the current structure and future goals of the group.

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Provost Russ Moore addresses faculty assembly for final time

Megan Maneval — Mon, 05 May 2025 14:24:23 +0000

Provost Russ Moore addresses faculty assembly for final time Megan Maneval Mon, 05/05/2025 - 08:24

The productive relationship between the Provost’s Office and shared governance was at the heart of Provost Russ Moore’s final address to the 51��ý Faculty Assembly (BFA) during its last meeting of the academic year.

While the partners in that relationship may not always see eye-to-eye, Moore added, “I think it’s really important that we can continue to talk.”

Provost Russ Moore addresses the assembly on May 1

Specifically, Moore reminisced about the role the BFA has played over the years in protecting CU 51��ý’s curricula and academic freedom on campus.

“I think we have a very comprehensive and robust academic freedom statement that is now firmly codified in regent law and policy, and it was the 51��ý Faculty Assembly that had a significant fingerprint on that,” Moore commented.

In addition, Moore mentioned the work BFA did on Academic Futures and getting every school or college involved in the shared governance process, and the roles that working together and arguing played in delivering the campus to its present moment.

“We don’t have to agree, but we just need to be able to have a conversation, and I think this moves us forward. I think about the many, many accomplishments that I haven’t articulated here that have come about from this relationship, so, when my successor shows up, please give that person the grace that you’ve given me and let’s try to keep this relationship alive,” Moore said, adding, “It’s been an honor.”

In other BFA action

Support for other CU statements

The BFA voted unanimously to suspend the 30-day requirement in the bylaws to vote on a resolution endorsing three CU statements (PDF) related to federal impacts on higher education. These include:

The CU Denver Faculty Assembly’s resolution reaffirming the rights of free expression, academic freedom, open inquiry and discourse, and the right to work and learn in an environment free from hate and discrimination
The UCCS Faculty Assembly’s resolution reaffirming the right to free expression, academic freedom in teaching and research, free inquiry and discourse, and freedom from discrimination
The CU Faculty Council’s rejection and condemnation of all expressions of hate directed at CU system community members

Additionally, faculty representatives volunteered to work over the summer to form a faculty coalition of higher education institutions to allow for a more unified response from faculty senates across the country.

Buff Undergraduate Success update

This past year saw a great number of accomplishments related to student success, many of which were thanks to the Buff Undergraduate Success (BUS) effort.

This group, started in October 2021 and updated in January 2024, develops and implements policies, procedures and actions to improve and support the experiences of CU 51��ý’s undergraduate students. These efforts are measured for their effectiveness in promoting academic success and retention year over year, allowing the team to make improvements or enhancements.

“We’ve had really good improvement lately in student retention. We’re talking here, today, about mostly first-year student retentions, so students that come as brand new students in the fall, but I’ll preface this by saying that we’re seeing improvements for all cohorts, so students that are in their second year, third year, we’re also seeing improvement,” said Katherine Eggert, vice chancellor and senior vice provost for academic planning and assessment.

Erika Randall, interim dean and vice provost of undergraduate education, explained that the group is far from done, though, with many new initiatives on the horizon. These include:

Coordinated efforts between BUS, the Office of Undergraduate Education, student life, enrollment management, and health and wellness
A standardized reporting approach to student retention outreach
In-person orientation for new students starting in summer 2025
LEAD alliance partnerships and shared resources
Improving residential learning communities (such as current residential academic programs and living learning communities) to encompass all first-year students
Student support coordination through peer mentors/coaches, tutoring, etc.

Lynne Howard, Vicki Grove and Shelly Miller

“This is the big message of the day: Thank you,” Eggert said. “BFA has been a big supporter of BUS, and you as individual faculty and all of your colleagues have been wonderful in supporting course alerts, early grading and all of the work through the Center for Teaching and Learning surrounding teaching and learning better on this campus.”

“The academic future of our students is in the faculty’s hands,” Eggert added. “It's been wonderful to have this support across campus and be thinking together about our undergraduates.”

Other business

Alastair Norcross has been elected as the new chair of the BFA, effective July 1, 2025. This follows outgoing BFA Chair Shelly Miller’s retirement. David Paradis was elected as the new chair-elect; Bobby Benim was elected as the new parliamentarian and bylaws and elections chair; and Andy Cowell was named the new shared faculty governance advisor for the BFA.
Long-time BFA Program Manager Lynne Howard and BFA Secretary Vicki Grove are also retiring and were recognized.
The Climate Science and Education Committee recognized Heidi VanGenderen, who is also retiring. She’s currently the chief sustainability officer and has served as a campus and administration liaison to the committee for the past eight years.
Updated charges were approved for the Budget and Planning Committee and the Teaching Faculty Affairs Committee. The Faculty Affairs Committee introduced a new charge for consideration that will be voted on during the September meeting.
During her final meeting as chair, Miller also outlined what she sees as accomplishments this past year. These include the BFA priorities and actions survey and joining the chancellor's task force on faculty salaries, among others.

Learn more about the BFA and previous actions on the BFA website.

The relationship between shared governance and university administration was top of mind during Russell Moore's final address to the 51��ý Faculty Assembly.

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The Division of Student Life: A new name for holistic student support

Megan Maneval — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 14:50:00 +0000

The Division of Student Life: A new name for holistic student support Megan Maneval Mon, 04/28/2025 - 08:50

Starting June 1, CU 51��ý’s Division of Student Affairs will be renamed Division of Student Life to better reflect its comprehensive support for students. Several departments within the division will also undergo name changes to more accurately represent their support services and align with best practices.

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Sustainability Council provides project updates, hears public comments

Megan Maneval — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 12:20:32 +0000

Sustainability Council provides project updates, hears public comments Megan Maneval Fri, 04/25/2025 - 06:20

The Campus Sustainability Council hosted a listening session on April 11, where the group provided an update to the campus community and heard feedback from audience members.

Sustainability project updates

The council provided updates on the following:

Vice chancellor for sustainability

Andrew Mayock joined the listening session via Zoom to introduce himself, where he acknowledged this is a challenging time in the world of sustainability and how it is critical for us to act to catalyze change.

Project updates flash round

A number of stakeholders provided brief updates on sustainability projects:

Pouring rights: CU 51��ý is negotiating with vendors and is working to completely eliminate single-use plastics.
Operations:
- $220,000 grant received to pilot a window retrofit system
- Two grants received to study geothermal feasibility
- Efficiency projects are ongoing, further buildings in planning
- $3.4 million in state/federal grants to expand electric bus fleet
- Breaking ground on the East Campus solar array
- Breaking ground on a virtual net metering solar array
- Piloting temperature set controls in select buildings
- Next iteration of design for decarbonization plan underway
- Identifying behavior changes campus can implement to start meeting CAP goals with regard to Scope 3 emissions
Common curriculum: Faculty passed a new shared set of undergraduate learning outcomes focusing on the theme of sustainable futures; implementation is in progress.
Campus Sustainability Summit: Student showcase included 40 projects with cash prizes; student-led Climate Action Plan class presentation; Chancellor Justin Schwartz hosted a panel on leadership.
Right Here, Right Now: CU 51��ý is co-hosting along with the University of Oxford on June 5 during a 24-hour global livestream.
Green chemistry commitment: The Environmental Board is collecting signatures of support to get CU 51��ý to sign onto an international green chemistry commitment.
Zero waste and plastics: The Sustainability Council passed a zero waste policy that supports big initiatives that focus on single-use plastics and food waste.
Transportation:
- The Transportation Working Group is developing a Transportation Demand Management plan, which originated from a Sustainability Council proposal, to reduce single occupancy vehicle use.
- Two articulated electric buses will be added to the Buff Bus fleet. This is part of the $3.4 million grants listed above during the flash round.
- Electric vehicle charging is being expanded across campus: Six ports are being added in May 2025 at two locations on Main Campus (two in Lot 310 and four in Lot 204). Two ports are being added at Smiley Court this summer.
- A project has been started to add DC fast charging in Lot 308 (across Regent Drive from the C4C). Timing likely in 2026 dependent on hardware delivery schedules.
- A “commuting concierge” is in the works that will help campus constituents best get around campus.

Recognition of retiring council members

Heidi VanGenderen and Virginia Schultz, graduating student Alex Chamberlin and Environmental Center Associate Director Marianne Martin were recognized with gifts and a tree planting.

Public comment

The council received comments around the following topics:

Ensuring furniture waste following move-out is handled sustainably
A change in curriculum to focus more on sustainability, particularly in the college of engineering
Including information about the common curriculum during new faculty orientation
A need for collaboration between programs that might need the same resources when developing a common curriculum
Ensuring university-affiliated events are zero waste

See what was discussed at the recent Sustainability Council listening session, from project updates to sustainable move-out coordination and more.

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Sustainability Leadership Team discusses new campus sustainability leaders, project progress

Megan Maneval — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 20:01:49 +0000

Sustainability Leadership Team discusses new campus sustainability leaders, project progress Megan Maneval Tue, 04/15/2025 - 14:01

The Campus Sustainability Leadership Team convened Wednesday, April 2, to discuss the following topics:

Introducing Jane Zelikova

Jane Zelikova is the new executive director of the Strategic Research Initiative (SRI), embedded within the Research Innovation Office (RIO). Over the next few months, she will learn about the Sustainability Leadership Team's activities.

Prior to starting at CU, she was the director of the Soil Carbon Center at Colorado State University.

Attend the Campus Sustainability Summit April 22–23

Onboarding Andrew Maycock

The new vice chancellor for sustainability started on March 17 and is balancing near-term external and philanthropy-related opportunities with internal trust-building efforts on campus. Key early milestones include:

A speaking role at Colorado Climate Week, which focused on collaboration between Colorado’s academic and government leaders
Immersing himself in Climate Action Plan materials
Familiarizing himself with the campus’s sustainability landscape
Connecting with near-term initiatives

He is confirmed to speak with the chancellor and Jane Zelikova in a panel at the Campus Sustainability Summit.

Sustainability landscape map

Vice Chancellor of Strategic Communications Jon Leslie presented a draft of the landscape map, which outlines the internal and external resources, programs, research, operations, achievements and relationships CU 51��ý has related to sustainability across campus and beyond. The team discussed that many sustainability-related organizations have not yet provided input, so gathering additional feedback will be a helpful next step despite the document being well-populated.

Next steps: The SLT will show the landscape map to the Environmental Board and will share it at the Campus Sustainability Summit for further feedback. There will be an annual revision period. The map will serve as an engagement tool for advancement discussions, recruitment and engaging students and others in the campus’s sustainability-related activities.

Operational updates

Vice Chancellor for Infrastructure and Chris Ewing provided an update on operational sustainability projects:

Geothermal studies: These have begun and should be complete by the end of 2025 or early spring 2026.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Policy: This is working its way through the approval process and will include guidelines and standards and an impact review.
Decarbonization RFQ: This was released in March, with a pre-proposal meeting attended by multiple consultant teams with approximately 70 individuals in attendance. Proposals are due mid-May and CU will select a firm by mid-summer.

Upcoming sustainability events

The Sustainability Leadership Team discussed the following upcoming events:

April 22–23: Campus Sustainability Summit
May 9: Student move-out
June 5: Right Here Right Now Global Climate Summit plenary session as part of the University of Oxford-hosted event

At its April meeting, the Campus Sustainability Leadership Team welcomed Jane Zelikova and discussed Andrew Mayock’s onboarding, the sustainability landscape map, operational updates and upcoming events.

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Regents consider 2025–26 budget and more

Megan Maneval — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 15:43:43 +0000

Regents consider 2025–26 budget and more Megan Maneval Fri, 04/11/2025 - 09:43

At its meeting April 10–11, the University of Colorado Board of Regents approved tuition, fee and compensation proposals as part of the 2025–26 budget, which will face a final vote in June.

The board also approved an updated contract of employment for CU President Todd Saliman, updated regent policies and recognized new distinguished professors.

Tuition, fees and compensation

The board approved tuition, fee and compensation proposals for the fiscal year 2025–26 budget. The board will vote to finalize the budget at its meeting in June. Key aspects of the budget proposal include the following.

Tuition and institutional aid

A 3.5% tuition increase for incoming resident undergraduate students. A 2.3% tuition increase for incoming undergraduate nonresident students and graduate students.
CU 51��ý’s tuition guarantee holds tuition rates steady for continuing undergraduate resident and continuing undergraduate nonresident students for four years.
An 11.2% increase to institutional financial aid, including support for CU Promise.

Student fees

Elimination of the Arts & Sciences Technology (ASSET) Fee.
An increase of the student athletic fee from $28.50 to $90 per semester; the first change to this fee since 1994.
A proposed 4% increase in residence hall fees, 4% increase in Bear Creek apartment fees and 3% increase in graduate and family housing fees.

Compensation expectations

A 4% increase pool for university staff, faculty and graduate students on appointment (includes a 2.5% merit pool for faculty and university staff and 1.5% pool for compression, retention and adjustment pay).
A 2.5% across-the-board pay increase for classified staff as determined by the state of Colorado.

Due to improved retention, transfers and graduate student enrollment, the campus is projecting a 1.3% enrollment increase, or about 486 additional students. The 2025–26 fiscal year begins on July 1.

Other business

The board also:

Heard public comments from speakers about several topics:
- Support for Regent Wanda James and discontent about imagery featured in the Colorado School of Public Health’s Tea on THC campaign
- Petitions for university staff and faculty wage increases
- Pro-Palestine support and divestment from Israeli ties
Heard remarks from Chancellor Justin Schwartz, which included the Conference on World Affairs, spring football game, Campus Sustainability Summit and more
Approved an updated contract of employment for President Todd Saliman
Discussed federal transition impacts
Approved awards of tenure and sabbaticals to CU 51��ý faculty members
Updated several regent policies

The next regular meeting will be held June 4–5 at The Antlers Hotel in Colorado Springs.

The CU Board of Regents held a meeting April 10–11 in which it approved 2025–26 budget proposals.

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Faculty assembly updated on new micro-credential, lecturer title and more

Megan Maneval — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 16:09:44 +0000

Faculty assembly updated on new micro-credential, lecturer title and more Megan Maneval Mon, 04/07/2025 - 10:09

A new micro-credential on climate, sustainability and justice education and an updated lecturer title were topics of discussion during the April 51��ý Faculty Assembly (BFA) meeting.

Climate, sustainability and justice education micro-credential

Last year, the BFA, in partnership with the Center for Teaching & Learning, organized a one-year working group focused on creating an undergraduate pathway in climate, sustainability and justice education.

Drawing on CU 51��ý’s commitment to addressing climate, sustainability and justice in research, teaching and practice, this collaborative effort had the goal of developing opportunities for students to become informed decision-makers in this area, both locally and globally.

After many discussions, including with community-based partners and student and faculty working groups, it was decided the best approach to implement this on a large scale would be the creation of a micro-credential.

Micro-credentials are focused, flexible programs designed to recognize specific skills and competencies through short, targeted learning experiences. Unlike traditional degrees or certificates, micro-credentials emphasize practical, skill-based learning and provide digital badges that showcase accomplishments.

While this micro-credential proposal is still a work in progress, the hope is that it will pull together the work already happening across campus to create a new educational pathway for students.

“There’s a big playground that we can work in here in terms of developing these things, and there’s a lot out there, too, that we recognize people are already doing in different departments,” said Victoria Hand, associate professor of education and the working group’s leader. “We want our work to be celebrating all that work and trying to provide a platform for the students where they can see where they can go to get these kinds of experiences.”

New lecturer title

In 2024, the CU system implemented a revision of its administrative policy on faculty titles. Since then, CU 51��ý has been working to figure out a way to bring the university into compliance with CU system policy, particularly in relation to the role of lecturers, temporary faculty members hired to teach part-time on a course-by-course basis.

CU 51��ý is now nearing completion of a plan to revise its own policy on non-tenure-track faculty titles and roles and to create a new faculty role for some of these temporary faculty members.

This new role would limit lecturers to under 50% of time. If they work more than that—defined campuswide as teaching 6 student credit hours or more—then they become instructional associates.

Instructional associates are eligible for CU system benefits when their position is 50% time or higher, but their time as an instructional associate is limited to three years, regardless of how many semesters they teach within that time period or how many credit hours they teach within a given semester.

After that, if the unit wishes for them to stay on, they can be moved into continuing teaching roles as teaching professor track faculty or faculty in residence, or can revert to a lecturer position of teaching less than six credit hours per semester.

“We want to create a clear option for schools and colleges to bring people who turn out to be fantastic teachers on as longer-term faculty,” said Katherine Eggert, vice chancellor and senior vice provost for academic planning and assessment.

Eggert emphasized the instructional associate role will not be a guarantee of a longer-term career path at the university, and that schools and colleges will need to take a comprehensive look at their curricular needs before they create faculty positions.

The implementation of this change is the subject of an ongoing discussion and is still a work in progress. More information about this new classification will be available once finalized.

In other BFA action

BFA Chair Shelly Miller updated the assembly on the chancellor’s task force on faculty salary, which was announced last meeting; requested a BFA rep to serve on the Office of Information Technology’s Wi-Fi network upgrade project; and encouraged faculty to attend the Academic Freedom event on April 15, hosted by Provost Russell Moore and Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice Provost Michele Moses.
There was a call for nominations for next month’s BFA officer elections for chair, chair elect, parliamentarian and bylaws and elections chair, and the shared faculty governance advisor seats.
The teaching faculty affairs committee moved to update their charge to bring it into alignment with BFA goals and with other committee charges. This will be voted on next month.
Representatives voted to approve a number of resolutions introduced at the March meeting, with the exception of a revised budget committee. Due to last minute feedback and proposed changes, members voted to postpone the vote on this item until the May assembly meeting in order to fully consider all input.

Learn more about the BFA and previous actions on the BFA website.

A new micro-credential on climate, sustainability and justice education and an updated lecturer title were topics of discussion during the April 51��ý Faculty Assembly meeting.

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Administration

Regents condemn 51��ý terror attack, approve CU 51��ý budget

Board approves CU 51��ý budget of $2.61 billion

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