Administration

Chancellor's Faculty Salary Task Force submits report

Megan M Rogers — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 20:14:27 +0000

Chancellor's Faculty Salary Task Force submits report Megan M Rogers Mon, 12/08/2025 - 13:14

Senior Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives Ann Schmiesing and Professor Emerita Shelly Miller, Boulder Faculty Assembly immediate past chair, have submitted the report of the 25-member Chancellor’s Faculty Salary Task Force to Chancellor Justin Schwartz.

“We want to thank the members of the committee, who undertook a highly substantive and analytical look at salary competitiveness for tenure-track and teaching/clinical faculty at CU Boulder,” said Schmiesing.

Schwartz convened the task force in April 2025 in partnership with the BFA, whose fall 2024 survey showed compensation as the top priority for faculty. The task force was charged with making recommendations for compensation options and strategies, with an emphasis on improving the market competitiveness of faculty salaries.

The task force aligned its recommendations with CU Boulder’s compensation philosophy and the provisions of the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The report provides guidance for making near-term salary investments, identifies options for enhancing faculty-specific compensation expertise and outlines steps to ensure data-informed decision-making with respect to faculty salaries. It also recommends ways to maintain tenure- and promotion-raise competitiveness, increase retention-raise transparency and address factors such as teaching loads that are interrelated with salary issues.

“Our tenure-track, teaching and clinical faculty can have confidence that this effort was transparent, data-informed and multi-faceted,” said Miller. “We invite all faculty to review the report and to continue to give the BFA, provost and chancellor feedback on faculty salary issues.”

“I want to thank Senior Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives Ann Schmiesing, BFA Immediate Past Chair and Professor Emerita Shelly Miller, and the committee for their focus and cohesion in one of the most comprehensive efforts we’ve ever undertaken on faculty salaries,” said Schwartz. “I look forward to working with the BFA, Provost Stevens, and the schools and colleges to evaluate the committee’s recommendations and prioritize them for implementation.”

“These steps will mean that we will be setting a clearer and permanent new direction and methodology on salary setting and awarding—one that will serve our faculty for years to come,” said Schwartz.

Charged with making recommendations for compensation options and strategies, with an emphasis on improving the market competitiveness of faculty salaries, the faculty salary task force has completed its work.

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Faculty assembly updated on common curriculum, Buckley Center, more

Megan M Rogers — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 16:45:05 +0000

Faculty assembly updated on common curriculum, Buckley Center, more Megan M Rogers Mon, 12/08/2025 - 09:45

Ongoing efforts surrounding the university’s curriculum, including implementation of the common curriculum and the university's new initiative integrating sustainability into the curriculum, were front and center during the Boulder Faculty Assembly (BFA)’s final meeting of the semester on Dec. 4.

Common curriculum and residential learning communities

When it comes to implementing the common curriculum and the inception of residential learning communities (RLCs), everything is currently in progress and on track, according to the update provided by Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice Provost for Academic Planning and Assessment Katherine Eggert and Interim Dean and Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education Erika Randall.

Back in 2023, then-Provost Russell Moore tasked Eggert, along with then-Dean of Undergraduate Education Daryl Maeda and the BFA, to implement the newly approved common curriculum proposal based around the idea of “sustainable futures,” which comprise the self, society and world.

The theme of “sustainable futures” all came about, according to Eggert, “with the idea that students coming from our university should be prepared to help all of these things keep going into the future.”

Along with the work of implementing the common curriculum came the 2025 charge from Provost Ann Stevens to create a new living, learning model that will evolve the current Residential Academic Programs (RAPs) and Living Learning Communities (LLCs) into RLCs available to all new undergraduate students at no additional cost. Stevens also charged the new RLCs with supporting the implementation of the common curriculum.

A BFA working group on the common curriculum, chaired by BFA chair-elect David Paradise (history), began work this semester by looking at the general education requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, which support many of the core undergraduate requirements of the other colleges and schools.

In the spring, the group will examine the unique core requirements of other colleges and schools. This cross-campus analysis will help the group determine where the specific “learning outcomes” of the common curriculum, or what undergraduates will gain from their CU Boulder education, will be located—whether they’ll be in the requirements from colleges and schools or the student’s major, or in an academic course associated with a RLC.

The aim is to have this new curriculum model and RLC cohort in place for the entering students of fall 2027.

Faculty interested in getting involved in the process should talk to their assistant or associate dean for undergraduate education about RLCs, Eggert said, as well as plan to get involved in forthcoming discussions about RLCs and the common curriculum within their colleges, schools, departments and programs. Eggert and Randall promised further updates to BFA in the spring semester.

Update from the Buckley Center

Earlier this year, Chancellor Justin Schwartz announced the formation of the Buckley Center for Sustainability Education, with the former chair of the Environmental Studies department, Max Boykoff, as the center’s first faculty director.

Created with a venture-style investment model through a $10 million gift from CU Boulder alumnus Spike Buckley, the center is meant to transform the way sustainability is taught at CU Boulder—empowering students and faculty to create a more environmentally sustainable future in the face of a changing climate.

Since being formed, the Buckley Center has hit the ground running, Boykoff told the BFA, working on many of their first-year goals, which include:

Hiring faculty associate directors and staff
Selecting faculty ambassadors, selected by deans to begin in January
The formation of the Buckley faculty fellows and SPIKE student scholars programs
Exploring CU Boulder curriculum assessment, support and expansion opportunities
The discussion of collaborations and partnerships with units, centers, institutes and/or programs

“This is a real opportunity for all of us (faculty), and I want to emphasize that we see this as ‘us,’ and we welcome all of your input and engagement,” Boykoff said.

During the meeting, Phaedra Pezzullo (communication) was introduced as one of those faculty directors. She announced that the center is currently soliciting applications for this spring’s faculty fellows. This position, which in future years will span a full academic year but this spring only a semester, brings together faculty experts to discuss sustainability education on campus. This spring’s theme is “climate and environmental justice.”

Anyone interested in applying to this competitive fellowship, which also gives a $5,000 stipend to those selected for spring 2026, may refer to the Buckley Center website for more information. Applications are due this Friday, Dec. 12.

“We’re all having these isolated conversations around sustainability, and this gives us an opportunity to support people to bring those networks together in a regular conversation, in a monthly way,” said Pezzullo.

In other BFA action

BFA heard an update from Academic Technologies Committee Chair Janet Casagrand (integrative physiology) about the Grades for Student Success initiative. One of this group’s strongest recommendations is for faculty to make sure they are posting grades on Canvas throughout the semester so that students know when to seek help and can make informed decisions ahead of course drop deadlines.

The BFA voted to approve two resolutions and one motion introduced during last month’s meeting:

A resolution to “reject loyalty oaths,” which urges CU leadership to reject any proposals compromising the mission, values and independence of the university
A resolution “against surveillance in the name of security,” which urges the chancellor to give full consideration to the recommendations of the BFA Working Group on IT Security Standards, whose report was presented during the November BFA meeting
An amendment to the bylaws and standing rules so that meetings may be held more than once a month, depending on the academic year schedule

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

Ongoing efforts surrounding the university's curriculum were front and center during the Boulder Faculty Assembly's final meeting of the semester on Dec. 4.

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CU Boulder announces new vision to advance global engagement, impact

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 20:30:49 +0000

CU Boulder announces new vision to advance global engagement, impact Megan M Rogers Fri, 11/21/2025 - 13:30

Chancellor Justin Schwartz today announced a new vision to elevate CU Boulder’s global presence by bringing together the university’s international offices under one umbrella, appointing a vice chancellor for global affairs and launching an international enrollment plan.

“The global initiative I introduced in my State of the Campus address in April generated a range of recommendations for how CU Boulder can lead in sending our students into the world; support and value our international students, faculty and staff; and better coordinate the outstanding global work already happening across campus,” Schwartz said. “One of the key recommendations is to appoint a senior leader to elevate and align our global vision and activities.”

The vice chancellor for global affairs will lead the Office of Global Affairs, which will unify International Student and Scholar Services, Education Abroad, the International English Center and the Global Engagement Office under one umbrella. In this role, the vice chancellor for global affairs will collaborate with campus units and university constituents to develop and implement a comprehensive global vision, foster a culture of global engagement across the university, represent CU Boulder to international partners and elevate the university’s standing as a globally connected institution. The position will report to the senior vice chancellor for strategic initiatives.

The recommendation to hire a vice chancellor for global affairs emerged from an external evaluation of CU Boulder’s current global activities and structures that drew on dozens of interviews in summer 2025 with CU Boulder deans, administrative office directors, shared governance leaders and other university constituents.

The need for a senior-level global affairs leader was also expressed by many department chairs and institute and center directors in meetings conducted during the course of the evaluation. Establishing a unified Office of Global Affairs under a vice chancellor will position CU Boulder to strategically align its global engagement with research and creative work; sustainability; and student, faculty and staff success priorities.

Schwartz noted the search for a vice chancellor for global affairs reflects recommendations from past CU Boulder internationalization reports and aligns with peer institutions, most of which have senior leaders overseeing global affairs. Seth Marder, director of the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI) and professor of chemical and biological engineering, will chair the search advisory committee.

“I’m honored to serve as chair of this committee,” said Marder. “The vice chancellor for global affairs will be a visionary leader who unifies, coordinates and elevates the outstanding international work already happening across our campus. This position, along with the Office of Global Affairs, will play a critical role in showcasing the world-class research and creative work of our faculty to the international community.”

CU Boulder ranks 5th nationally for semester-long study abroad

CU Boulder ranks fifth among leading doctorate-granting institutions in the United States providing semester-long study abroad opportunities to students, according to the 2025 Open Doors Report issued Nov. 17 by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

1,372 CU Boulder students participated in semester-long study abroad programs in 2023–24.
In addition, CU Boulder ranks 13th in the nation for institutions awarding credit for study abroad, with 2,566 CU Boulder students receiving academic credit through study abroad programs in 2023–24 (the most recent year for which study abroad data are available).
CU Boulder continues to lead in Colorado on study abroad and international student enrollment, with 3,648 new and continuing international students enrolled in 2024–25, including optional practical training (OPT) participants; OPT provides eligible F-1 visa holders with temporary employment related to their field of study.
Across the state of Colorado, 10,547 international students sought academic opportunities at higher education institutions in 2024–25, providing an estimated economic impact of nearly $410 million to the Centennial State.

Schwartz also announced today the launch of an international student enrollment strategic plan, to be led by Amy Hutton, vice chancellor for enrollment management. The plan will provide a blueprint for Enrollment Management, the new global affairs office and academic units across the university to ensure CU Boulder is an attractive and supportive destination for international undergraduate and graduate students.

“International students enrich every facet of our campus life, as their perspectives broaden our global outlook, strengthen critical thinking and deepen our appreciation for intercultural engagement,” Hutton said. “This strategic plan will help to ensure CU Boulder not only attracts exceptional talent from around the world but also provides the comprehensive resources and support they need to excel academically, culturally and professionally, while contributing in a meaningful way to our community.”

In the 2025 Open Doors Report released on Nov. 17 and coinciding with this year’s International Education Week, Nov. 17–21, CU Boulder ranked fifth among peer institutions in the number of students sent abroad on semester-length programs during the 2023–24 academic year and 13th nationally among institutions awarding credit for study abroad.

The report also showed that CU Boulder ranked first in Colorado for the number of international students it hosts with total enrollment at 3,648 in 2024–25, including new and continuing students and individuals participating in optional practical training. The Open Doors Report, released annually by the Institute of International Education, includes statistics on U.S. students studying abroad for academic credit and international student enrollment at universities and colleges across the United States.

“Our standing in international rankings underscores the university’s commitment to global engagement, both in sending students across the globe and in attracting them to join us here on campus,” Schwartz said. “This achievement reflects the extraordinary work of the many units dedicated to international education, whose efforts enrich our academic community and expand our global reach.

Creating an Office of Global Affairs will unite these initiatives under a single, strategic entity, so we can strengthen collaboration and advance a shared vision to prepare our students to thrive and create impact in an interconnected world.”

Chancellor Justin Schwartz announced a new vision to unify international programs and advance its global engagement and impact.

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Provost Ann Stevens meets with faculty assembly for 1st time

Megan M Rogers — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 14:45:52 +0000

Provost Ann Stevens meets with faculty assembly for 1st time Megan M Rogers Mon, 11/10/2025 - 07:45

Cybersecurity threats and academic freedom were top of mind during Provost Ann Stevens’ first address to the Boulder Faculty Assembly (BFA) on Nov. 6.

“I want to thank all of you for what you do all the time as faculty members but also for your participation in this group,” Stevens began, adding, “Shared governance and participation (at CU Boulder) is very healthy and that’s really good to see, and I think the relationships are strong, and I’m looking forward to continuing that.”

Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Ann Stevens

Stevens also reaffirmed the institution’s commitment, as well as her own, to academic freedom, despite various, continued threats.

“You are here because we believe in your expertise in your area of scholarship, creativity, research, as well as teaching, and we want you to be able to continue to pursue that,” said Stevens. “We do not want any perceived threat or chilling effect to make you change that, shy away from that expertise, and we want to provide resources if you are feeling threatened in some way.”

One such resource that was highlighted was the Scholarship and Safety webpage, which outlines, step-by-step, how to deal with any targeted harassment faculty, staff or students might receive while doing their academic work.

In addition to briefly touching on conversations around faculty compensation, which were discussed more in depth during the October BFA meeting, Stevens highlighted ongoing concerns about academic freedom when it comes to cybersecurity.

While not diminishing these concerns, she added, “If we neglect our cybersecurity needs, that can, with one breach, shut down your ability to do that work; so that is the very challenging balance we have to keep.”

“We all support academic freedom—my office, the campus and also OIT. We are all in support of that, and we remain fully committed.”

Update from the IT Security Working Group

The IT Security Working Group was formed at the end of the spring 2025 semester in response to concerns among faculty about new cybersecurity policies the university was rolling out—in particular, concerns about privacy and academic freedom.

The group worked all summer to draft a preliminary report, which was introduced to Stevens on Aug. 1. A final version was then pulled together and given to BFA leadership.

Co-chairs Jed Brown (computer science) and Markus Pflaum (mathematics) and committee member Valerie Otero (education) presented the findings of their report (available on the BFA website), including their concerns, as well as offering a few possible solutions that they’d like the university to consider. These potential solutions include establishing a data use and disclosure policy and a rebuild of the technical capacity for in-house solutions.

“I hope everyone takes a look at the report,” said Otero.

Vice Chancellor for IT Marin Stanek also attended the meeting. She highlighted what the university is doing to protect scholarship, including how the Office of Information Technology (OIT) is working with researchers to implement security updates within the particular parameters of researcher needs, while also specifying OIT knows that “one size for security standards does not fit all.”

Stanek acknowledged concerns that faculty were not part of the process for developing these new security measures and has been trying to include faculty input going forward.

“We are listening. I am listening. I think about this every day, and it matters, and I hear what you’re saying,” Stanek stressed. “I believe all of you are experts, but we do have (IT security) gaps, and that’s where we need to close our gaps. I welcome the conversation to figure that out.”

In other BFA action

BFA Chair Alastair Norcross gave an update from the most recent CU Faculty Council meeting, which included substantial discussion regarding the mutual defense pact resolution approved by BFA in October.
The BFA introduced three notices of motions to discuss and vote on in December. These included an amendment to the BFA bylaws to change the frequency of the meetings in response to the new academic calendar; a resolution to reject loyalty oaths, which was drafted in response to the conversation about the mutual defense pact at CU Faculty Council; and a resolution against surveillance in the name of security, which was introduced in response to the final IT Security Working Group report.

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

The Boulder Faculty Assembly recently welcomed Provost Ann Stevens and discussed topics including cybersecurity threats and academic freedom.

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Regents approve Colorado Avenue student housing project, name 'Code Talker Hall'

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 23:47:10 +0000

Regents approve Colorado Avenue student housing project, name 'Code Talker Hall' Megan M Rogers Thu, 11/06/2025 - 16:47

The University of Colorado Board of Regents at its Nov. 6 meeting approved plans that pave a path forward for new student housing along Colorado Avenue in Boulder—a critical strategic investment in student success, affordability and sustainability.

A rendering shows a student housing design along Colorado Avenue in Boulder.

The approval allows CU Boulder to enter into a public-private partnership with developer Morgan Stone Everett to construct suite- and apartment-style student housing near the intersection of Colorado Avenue and Regent Drive. The project is expected to house about 1,650 students.

Construction could begin as early as summer 2026, with a targeted opening in fall 2028.

“We know that student housing—and student housing that is close, on campus and affordable—is one of the most critical tactics that we can do to improve our student outcomes, student success and, ultimately, graduation,” said Todd Haggerty, CU Boulder’s senior vice chancellor for finance and business, who presented the project.

In addition to offering market-competitive rental rates, the project supports broader campus goals related to sustainability and community impact.

The units will match campus aesthetics and be powered solely by electricity, making it one of the largest student housing developments in the country to run on electric power. Its proximity to campus will reduce reliance on cars, cutting down on traffic congestion and emissions, and the design is intended to improve cyclist and pedestrian safety.

CU Boulder representatives have met with community members four times this fall to discuss the project and address neighbors’ concerns related to size, utilities and shade created by the project. They will continue to provide regular updates to the community as the project progresses.

Code Talker Hall

The board unanimously approved the naming of a new 332-bed residence hall on the Boulder campus as Code Talker Hall, honoring the legacy of Native American Code Talkers who played a pivotal role in the Allied victories during World Wars I and II.

Scheduled to open in fall 2026 in the north Boulder Creek neighborhood of Main Campus, the hall was previously referred to as “Residence One.” The new name reflects a deep respect for the historical significance of the land. This naming not only commemorates the heroic contributions of Code Talkers and veterans but also supports CU Boulder’s land acknowledgment by recognizing the 48 tribal nations with historical and present ties to Colorado.

“Far too often, we think that doing land acknowledgements or something similar is the most we can do, and the truth is, it’s the least we can do,” said Regent Nolbert Chavez. “So doing this and taking steps towards recognizing the sacrifices folks have made and the contributions they have made is a step forward.”

Code Talker Hall will stand as a permanent tribute to Indigenous excellence, resilience and cultural pride, embodying the university’s commitment to honoring the past while educating future generations.

Arapahoe Avenue purchase

Regents also approved the acquisition of a property located at 2350 Arapahoe Avenue in Boulder, marking a strategic milestone in CU Boulder’s long-term campus development plan.

The 0.67-acre parcel, which includes a commercial building currently leased to El Rincón Cocina y Tequila restaurant, is surrounded on three sides by university-owned land. The acquisition completes CU Boulder’s northeast gateway to Main Campus, aligning with the 2021 Campus Master Plan and enabling future academic, residential or mixed-use redevelopment in a transit-oriented corridor.

No immediate changes are planned for the property, and CU Boulder plans to continue leasing the building to El Rincón for the foreseeable future.

The $3.925 million purchase, funded entirely through CU Boulder Real Estate Services and General Campus Reserves, will not involve any debt issuance, ensuring that the investment does not impact tuition or operational budgets. The property will continue to generate rental income in the near term, offsetting holding costs while the university shapes a long-term vision for the site.

Other business

At the meeting, regents also:

Received an update on campus planning for the Sundance Film Festival and CU Boulder’s 150th anniversary celebrations next year from Ann Schmiesing, senior vice chancellor for strategic initiatives, who filled in for Chancellor Justin Schwartz at the meeting.
Approved recipients for honorary degrees, Distinguished Service Awards and University Medals. The recipients will be publicly recognized this spring.
Approved seven new distinguished professors, including six from the Boulder campus: Kristen Carpenter, Russell Cropanzano, Marcia Douglas, Noah Finkelstein, Karl Linden and Jade Morton. The seventh, Marc Moss, is at the CU School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz campus.
Approved one sabbatical and one tenure appointment for CU Boulder faculty.
Approved the naming of Ceal Barry Plaza outside the CU Events Center in honor of the Hall of Fame women’s basketball coach.
Approved a new bachelor’s of science degree in Integrated Business and Engineering in the Leeds School of Business.
Passed a memorial resolution honoring Regent Emeritus Norwood Robb.

At its meeting on Nov. 6, the CU Board of Regents approved CU Boulder's purchase of a property on Arapahoe Avenue, seven new distinguished professors, a new degree program and more.

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Sustainability Council advances proposal process, prepares for town hall and more

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 18:44:42 +0000

Sustainability Council advances proposal process, prepares for town hall and more Megan M Rogers Tue, 11/04/2025 - 11:44

The Campus Sustainability Council convened on Oct. 10 to discuss the following topics:

Council proposal process improvements

The council reviewed work by a subgroup to strengthen the proposal-to-implementation process, focusing on clarity, predictable timelines and transparency.

A new web-based proposal form will be launched, featuring two tiers:

General sustainability ideas: Early-stage concepts for development and collaboration
Specific sustainability proposals: Fully developed ideas with costs, partners and implementation details

Proposals will be accepted each September and January, with reviews later in the semester. Submissions outside these windows will roll into the next review cycle.

The council will host informal office hours and update sessions between town halls to share progress and support proposers.

Proposal governance and sponsorship

Proposals will follow a formal pathway:

Sustainability Council → Senior Sustainability Leadership Team → Chancellor’s Cabinet

Each proposal will require a council sponsor, assigned after submission to align expertise and workload. Sponsor responsibilities include refining technical details, engaging stakeholders and guiding proposals through the Senior Sustainability Leadership Team process.

The council will formalize sponsorship in its bylaws for consistency and clarity.

Proposal template revisions

The revised proposal form will:

Broaden word limits and add a problem definition section
Include prompts for supporting evidence, co-benefits, references and cost estimates
Make several questions optional for flexibility
Add pre-submission checks and options to identify sponsors and support

A standardized response template will be developed to acknowledge submissions and communicate outcomes.

Sustainability Town Hall

The council is preparing for the Sustainability Town Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 5, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in UMC 235, featuring a vegan lunch with reusable serviceware. The event will expand from a public update to a broader town hall, sharing council initiatives and fostering campuswide dialogue.

Planning included confirming keynote speaker Andrew Mayock, inviting SSLT members and an interactive Q&A session.

Join the Sustainable Buffs community

Share your sustainability ideas

Spring food proposal update

Associate Professor Peter Newton, Department of Environmental Studies, updated the council on the Food Systems Proposal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by evaluating alternatives to lamb and beef in campus dining. Additional data from Paul Houle will be incorporated, and the proposal will be reformatted using the new template for council review.

Student representation

The council discussed challenges in maintaining consistent student participation from the Environmental Board and CU Student Government. Director Chris Herr will follow up with current representatives and consider broadening eligibility or inviting additional students if needed.

Next steps, upcoming meetings

Finalize and launch the web-based proposal form at the Nov. 5 town hall
Develop a standardized response process for proposals
Establish clear review windows and decision timelines
Schedule informal engagement sessions similar to “office hours” as a way to expand campus community engagement and coordinate communications
Upcoming meetings: Nov. 5 (town hall), Nov. 14 (tentative), Dec. 12

Find out what happened at the Sustainability Council's Oct. 10 meeting, covering campus efforts and engagement on a number of fronts.

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CU Boulder Online welcomes new leadership as visioning process begins

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 14:03:42 +0000

CU Boulder Online welcomes new leadership as visioning process begins Megan M Rogers Thu, 10/23/2025 - 08:03

Fernando Rosario-Ortiz, interim vice chancellor for academic resource management, addresses the background of online education and the goals for the visioning process for CU Boulder Online.

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CU Boulder launches design review of its budget allocation model

Elizabeth Lock — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 18:04:13 +0000

CU Boulder launches design review of its budget allocation model Elizabeth Lock Wed, 10/08/2025 - 12:04

CU Boulder has launched a year-long Budget Model Design Review, a cornerstone of the university’s Financial Stewardship Initiative.

The review will ensure the campus budget allocation model adopted in 2022 continues to reflect CU Boulder’s values of transparency, accountability and collaboration, while advancing the campus strategic priority of aligning resources to its mission.

Join the conversation

Complete the survey to share your perspectives on how the current model is working.
Register and join the town hall with Todd Haggerty and Mandy Cole.
- Nov. 19, 10–11 a.m.

The review officially kicked off Sept. 22 with representatives from colleges, schools, shared governance groups and administrative units that are serving on the project’s strategic alignment and design review committees.

Over the 2025–26 academic year, committee members will review specific components of the campus budget model, analyze impacts for effective alignment to the mission and develop recommendations for improvements.

CU Boulder faculty, staff and students can learn more about the review, the Financial Stewardship Initiative and the campus budget by registering for the virtual Campus Budget Town Hall, scheduled from 10 to 11 a.m. on Nov. 19. A CU Boulder email address is required for registration.

3 things to know about the review

A purposeful check-in: When CU Boulder designed its budget model, campus leaders committed to revisiting it every 3 to 5 years. This review delivers on that promise by assessing whether the model is working as intended.
Campus perspectives will inform the process: Faculty, staff and students are invited to share their experiences with the budget model through a campuswide survey (open through Nov. 7). Input will help the Strategic Alignment and Design Review committees understand how the model functions in practice.
Recommendations expected in May 2026: The committees’ work will conclude with recommendations in May 2026. Approved changes will begin rolling out in the 2028 fiscal year budget cycle, allowing time for thoughtful planning and implementation.

Why this matters

The budget supports every part of CU Boulder—teaching, research, student support and campus operations. A clear and predictable allocation model helps align resources with university goals, supports the holistic success of students, faculty and staff, and strengthens long-term stability.

“This review is an important opportunity to pause and ask how well our current model is working for CU Boulder now and for the years ahead,” said Todd Haggerty, Senior Vice Chancellor for Finance and Business. “The Budget Model Design Review is one way CU Boulder is advancing its commitment to the mission-driven stewardship of our resources and holistic success for all faculty, students and staff.”

CU Boulder has launched a year-long review of its budget allocation model design. The review will ensure the model continues to reflect the university's values, while advancing the priority of aligning resources to the campus's mission.

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Committee selected for dean search—get this and other updates on the process

Elizabeth Lock — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 16:22:54 +0000

Committee selected for dean search—get this and other updates on the process Elizabeth Lock Tue, 10/07/2025 - 10:22

Fernando Rosario-Ortiz, interim vice chancellor and executive vice provost for academic resource management, announced the selection of the search advisory committee for the next dean of the University Libraries.

University Libraries Search Advisory Committee

Sarah Jackson (committee chair), dean, Division of Social Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences
Arthur Aguilera, assistant professor, University Libraries
Melissa Cantrell, assistant professor, University Libraries
Shamika Dalton, associate professor, University Libraries
Claire Hoag, associate teaching professor, University Libraries
Rocco Labriola, head of business, earth sciences & map, Gemmill and Music Branch Services Section
Turner Land, undergraduate student, student employee
Merinda McLure, professor, University Libraries
Donna Mejia, associate professor, University Libraries
Vanessa Seals, assistant dean of Community and Organizational Development
Nancy Stevens, professor, director of the Museum of Natural History
Jamie Wittenberg, assistant dean of Research & Innovation Strategies, University Libraries

The committee—chaired by Sarah Jackson, dean of the Division of Social Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences—will begin its work in October, supported by the executive search firm WittKieffer.

Search process milestones

October: Engagement sessions will be conducted by WittKieffer with University Libraries constituents and the university’s deans.
Late October: The search committee will convene to prepare the position leadership profile and job description using input from the engagement sessions.
November: The position will be posted with a call for nominations.
Early spring: Finalists will be invited to campus.
Spring semester: Rosario-Ortiz plans to appoint a permanent dean.

Interim leadership

Following the departure of Robert McDonald to the University of Texas at Austin, Tamara Sumner was appointed interim dean in late June by former Provost Russell Moore. Sumner will continue in this role until a permanent dean is named.

Dean search website

Visit University Libraries dean search website for up-to-date information.

The committee for the University Libraries dean search has been selected. Find out more and plan to get involved in the process.

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Faculty assembly updated on compensation, administrator evaluation

Elizabeth Lock — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 19:07:32 +0000

Faculty assembly updated on compensation, administrator evaluation Elizabeth Lock Mon, 10/06/2025 - 13:07

The Boulder Faculty Assembly (BFA) heard an update from the chancellor’s task force on faculty compensation, finalized yearly priorities, were updated on a performance evaluation of a member of academic affairs leadership, and more during its monthly meeting on Oct. 2.

Update from Chancellor’s Faculty Salary Task Force

CU Boulder has long ranked low compared to Association of American Universities (AAU) public peers when it comes to faculty compensation. This discrepancy led the issue to be identified as one of the top priorities for the BFA after a 2024 membership survey.

"In my conversations with the chancellor, I suggested that we talk about this and figure out what to do, and he came up with the idea of, ‘Well, what do the faculty want us to do? What are the ideas from our faculty?’ and that is why this compensation task force (the Chancellor’s Faculty Salary Task Force) got started," said Shelly Miller, professor emerita of mechanical engineering, the former BFA chair, and the task force’s co-chair.

The task force, co-led by Miller and Senior Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives Ann Schmiesing, was charged with making recommendations regarding compensation enhancement options and strategies, with an initial focus on tenure-track/tenured faculty and teaching professors. They delivered a presentation to the BFA on the group’s work to date.

The task force began meeting in May 2025, and spent the summer gathering information about salaries as well as reviewing the university’s general compensation philosophy. Three specific subgroups were also formed to examine compensation levers, retention and promotion raise practices, and teaching loads.

The compensation levers subgroup looked at what sorts of levers the university already has and what enhancements are needed. One draft recommendation from this subgroup is to develop a faculty-specific compensation strategy, which will be a "comprehensive, transparent and equitable approach to faculty pay."

The retention and promotion raises subgroup found that there were differences across the colleges and schools with how faculty retention and promotion raises are handled. Their draft recommendations include the establishment of clearer guidelines; a systematic, five-year review to make sure the processes are effective, transparent and fair; and a more complete collection of data to inform policy.

The teaching load subgroup came about because, "We also needed to better understand the main function that we’re all here to do, which is to teach students, and how this is associated with compensation," said Miller. They were tasked with collecting information on standard teaching loads, course load adjustment policies and practices, and faculty workload distribution, emphasizing that they are not charged with recommending that teaching loads be raised or lowered.

The report is not yet finalized, pending some final data gathering and review of draft recommendations, and will be delivered to the chancellor in November.

Administrator performance review

Academic Affairs leaders undergo a review by the BFA on the basis of their five-year performance cycles. This year focused on the position of vice chancellor and senior vice provost for academic planning and assessment. Katherine Eggert has been in this role since 2018, spearheading projects like the Buffs Undergraduate Success (BUS) initiative and the university’s COVID-19 response, among others.

The evaluators used both a quantitative and qualitative approach to discuss Eggert’s performance, distributing a survey and interviewing those who work closest with her.

The report found that Eggert does a commendable job with the role with many satisfied by her work, but suggested that the position is overtaxed with responsibilities, being too broad for one person to manage. They recommended a restructuring of the role’s responsibilities.

Those who conducted the review noted that her work has been essential to campus, according to Tim Kuhn, a communications professor and part of the committee that conducted Eggert’s evaluation. He also said that the review noted her careful listening to constituents and her bringing a vision to the role.

In other BFA action

The Climate Science and Education Committee reiterated their request from the September meeting that individual units invite the Climate Action Plan committee to discuss what units can do to support the plan.
The BFA solidified their priorities for the upcoming academic year, which include faculty compensation, sustainability and academic freedom.
The BFA voted to forward a resolution to the BFA membership to urge the CU Boulder chancellor and the CU president and regents to help establish a Mutual Academic Defense Compact among all Colorado institutions of higher education to support any member institution under direct political or legal attack. The CU system, in a statement provided to the BFA, noted six current major areas of coordinated effort in responding to federal policy, including legal efforts organized by the Colorado Attorney General to "defend against federal lawsuits and funding cuts.” The statement noted that CU leadership “has spearheaded campus declarations included in multiple lawsuits filed by the AG, and many other state attorneys general and other higher education associations, to halt federal actions detrimental to our work."
The BFA voted to sign on to a letter drafted by CU Student Government, and co-endorsed by Staff Council, that calls for the placement of a planned statue of former CU Boulder football coach Bill McCartney in an area away from central campus—which Chancellor Schwartz has already directed, according to BFA Chair Alastair Norcross of philosophy —and for creating a scholarship for students, staff and faculty, awarding $1,990 to individuals who have made great strides to promote community belonging. The dollar amount is a nod to McCartney’s achievement of leading the CU Boulder football team to its only football national championship in 1990.
Finally, the BFA voted to create a working group that will work with Eggert and units across campus to make recommendations for the implementation of the common curriculum.

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

Discussed at the Boulder Faculty Assembly's Oct. 2 meeting were the chancellor's task force on faculty compensation, yearly priorities and an administrator's performance evaluation.

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