Administration

Provost, faculty discuss new federal administration, more

Megan Maneval — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 16:15:44 +0000

Provost, faculty discuss new federal administration, more Megan Maneval Mon, 12/09/2024 - 09:15

In response to university concerns surrounding the changing federal administration, Provost Russell Moore announced the formation of a federal transition response team during his update to the final Boulder Faculty Assembly (BFA) meeting of the year.

The federal transition response team is a group of university leaders that will triage to experts around campus any concerns about anticipated changes in federal policy with the new administration. Patterned on a similar team last used during the COVID-19 pandemic, the team will help the university swiftly address anticipated or planned governmental actions that could negatively affect the university and its mission.

The university administration will continue to monitor the evolving situation on both the state and the federal levels, Moore said, including, for example, recent legislation passed in Utah and Florida that dissolved entire departments and programs.

“You have our commitment that we’ll do our level best to make sure not only that people maintain their jobs, but that we can continue to conduct very meaningful and impactful scholarship,” Moore said.

During the meeting, Moore reinforced his commitment to compensation increases for not just faculty but also staff and graduate students, so that ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder is on par with peer institutions. He said major strides have been made the last few years in a way that many peers haven’t been able to make, but he’s hoping for more.

Raising salaries “remains a high priority. It’s been my highest priority,” Moore said.

Finally, Moore addressed recent personnel changes, including the appointment of Erika Randall, professor of theater and dance, as the interim dean and vice provost of undergraduate education; the return of Vice Chancellor for Academic Resource Management Ann Schmiesing from the University of ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Denver, where she is serving as the interim chancellor; and the recent announcement of a sole finalist for the School of Education dean position. He also addressed the recently announced changes in Strategic Resources and Support, including the move of Enrollment Management, led by Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Enrollment Officer Amy Hutton, to Academic Affairs.

“I’d like to encourage all of us to stick together, to continue to work together in collaboration, and really focus on our mission, which is student success and knowledge discovery and dissemination,” Moore said. “We conduct our business (on campus) mostly with compassion and concern, and I think that’s particularly important as we’re going through not only leadership changes but possible changes at the federal and regulatory levels.”

In other BFA action

Creating an academic policy on micro-credentials

Micro-credentials are often used to recognize innovative teaching, learning, research or creative work that doesn’t fit neatly within a degree or certificate program. Despite being a fixture on campus since 2020 with 50 micro-credentials approved to date, there hasn’t been a policy for them established yet, but that’s about to change.

Academic Affairs is now soliciting feedback on the final draft of a new micro-credentials policy. The policy will provide curricular guidance and direction for how micro-credentials differ from other credentials such as certificates and will formalize the process for approval and periodic review of micro-credentials.

The BFA Academic Affairs committee has been working with Academic Affairs on the policy drafts since last spring. The committee submitted a BFA resolution that recommends endorsing the policy, and the resolution and draft policy will now be open for BFA review and comment until February, when representatives will vote on the resolution.

“We know there’s so much learning happening around the university that’s not traditionally captured on a transcript,” said Kristi Wold-McCormick, associate vice provost and university registrar. “There’s a lot of opportunity to not replace what we’re doing but to enhance and complement what we’re doing for our students and the university.”

From the BFA Grievance Advisory Committee

The BFA Grievance Advisory Committee is soliciting feedback about what is—and isn’t—working in the Professional Rights and Responsibilities of Faculty Members (PRR), ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder’s policy and procedural document that outlines the privileges and responsibilities, as well as the standards of professional conduct, for both faculty and academic leaders. Feedback may be sent to bfa@colorado.edu.

In closing

BFA heard updates about revisions to officer titles and roles, including the proposed structural changes brought forth during last month’s meeting.
BFA Chair Shelly Miller provided brief updates on the Faculty AI Working group, the reimagining of the BFA Budget and Planning Committee, climate change efforts on campus, and the 2025 BFA Excellence Awards, which are now open for nominations.

The next meeting will be Feb. 6, 2025.

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

At the December Boulder Faculty Assembly, topics of discussion included recent personnel and administrative changes, faculty and staff compensation and more.

Traditional

White

Sustainability Leadership Team hears about zero-waste proposal and more

Elizabeth Lock — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 17:34:46 +0000

Sustainability Leadership Team hears about zero-waste proposal and more Elizabeth Lock Thu, 12/05/2024 - 10:34

The Campus Sustainability Leadership Team convened Wednesday, Nov. 20, to discuss the following topics:

Leadership updates

Join the Sustainable Buffs community

Share your sustainability ideas

Discussion: Chief Operating Officer Patrick O’Rourke shared that the search committee is working through the hiring process for the new vice chancellor for sustainability. The hiring committee will begin meeting candidates in December with the intention of hiring in early 2025.

O’Rourke will be leaving ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder at the end of the year. Chancellor Schwartz will announce who will step into O’Rourke’s role leading the Sustainability Leadership Team in 2025.

Sustainability funding

Discussion: Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Policy Kirsten Schuchman and Senior Advisor for Sustainability and Climate Heidi Vangenderen gave an overview of the status of sustainability funding:

A subgroup of the Sustainability Leadership Team has been reviewing funding ideas at the state, federal and donor levels while also exploring how other higher education institutions are paying for sustainability-related projects.
A Masters of the Environment student and student-employee in the Office of Government and Community Engagement has identified state and federal funding opportunities that have come out of Senate Bill 230 with the recommendation that ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder advocates for research funding and acts quickly on any programs or grants that may be at risk of discontinuation.
ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder is preparing for its first fundraising campaign which will feature sustainability as a major campus initiative.

Zero-waste proposal

Discussion: Josh Radoff, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Specialization Lead within the Masters of the Environment program, brought forth a zero-waste proposal from the campus Sustainability Council.

The council proposes eliminating all single-use plastic from locations where ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder serves food and beverages, expanding plastic film recycling and reinstating front-of-house composting through building-managed composting.

The proposal, based on a 2013 waste audit, would include a site-by-site evaluation including cost and timeline of upgrading and renovating each facility to accommodate the goal of eliminating single-use plastics.

The council would investigate the potential to eliminate or reduce single-use plastic cups and lids from cafes and encourage “bring-your-own-cup” outreach across campus. Radoff notes that we should be in the process of continual investigation to identify other ways to become a zero-waste campus.

Next steps: The Sustainability Council will vote to approve the proposal on Dec. 5, after which there will be a discussion with the Sustainability Executive Leadership Team to organize support and operationalize the strategies.

This is part of a series that covers the ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder Sustainability Leadership Team (formerly known as the Sustainability Executive Council) meeting 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 November meeting, the Campus Sustainability Leadership Team received updates on sustainability funding, a zero-waste proposal and the search for a new vice chancellor for sustainability.

Traditional

White

Standardizing how students are paid

Megan Maneval — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 20:42:11 +0000

Standardizing how students are paid Megan Maneval Wed, 12/04/2024 - 13:42

ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder has two improved policies to help on and off-campus employers ensure they’re paying students correctly.

How to Pay Students Policy

The How to Pay Students Policy ensures students at ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder are paid using the proper payment method and reported accurately.

Other Financial Assistance Policy

The Other Financial Assistance (OFA) Policy ensures that all forms of financial aid, including federal state and institutional aid, are considered when determining a student’s eligibility for federal financial assistance at ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder.

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.

Refer to this Office of Financial Aid webpage for additional support, resources and guidance.

Be sure you’re paying students correctly this spring. Review the How to Pay Students and Other Financial Assistance policies.

Traditional

White

Chancellor announces restructuring of Strategic Resources and Support units

Megan Maneval — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 19:15:17 +0000

Chancellor announces restructuring of Strategic Resources and Support units Megan Maneval Wed, 12/04/2024 - 12:15

Chancellor Justin Schwartz today announced a shift in the structure of ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder’s Strategic Resources and Support (SRS) division. This reorganization comes following Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer Patrick O’Rourke’s announcement that he will leave his role at ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder at the end of December and reflects a next step in the chancellor’s vision for the university’s executive leadership team.

“Evolving the reporting structure of these business units will allow the university to more effectively and efficiently execute its mission, vision and goals,” Schwartz said. “I am excited for this new organizational structure and I’ll be evaluating its effectiveness through the end of the academic year to determine what further changes may be needed.”

Additional changes in the leadership’s organizational structure may occur as the new vice chancellor for strategic initiatives, vice chancellor for sustainability and new provost arrive on campus in the first half of 2025.

Schwartz announced the following changes:

Strategic Relations and Communications (SRC), led by Jon Leslie, and Finance and Business Strategy (FBS), led by Todd Haggerty, will report to Schwartz
The Infrastructure and Resilience (I&R) unit, led by Chris Ewing, will report to Haggerty as part of the FBS team.
Enrollment Management (EM), led by Amy Hutton, will begin reporting to the Office of the Provost.
Human Resources, the Office of Information Technology, the Division of Public Safety, Health and Wellness Services and the Office of Compliance, Ethics and Policy will report to Jennifer McDuffie, who will serve as interim senior vice chancellor for operations. McDuffie will report to Schwartz and become a member of the chancellor’s cabinet and executive committee.
The SRC, FBS, I&R and EM executives will continue to participate in SRS leadership meetings to ensure the coordination of efforts continues after the transition. Associate Vice Chancellor for Institutional Equity and Compliance and Title IX Coordinator Llen Pomeroy, who reports to Valerie Simons at the ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ system office, will also continue to participate as a member of the SRS leadership team.

In connection with these shifts, Haggerty has been promoted to senior vice chancellor of finance and business strategy in recognition of his additional responsibilities. Hutton and Marlon Lynch, associate vice chancellor for public safety, will both be promoted to vice chancellor.

Additionally, Massimo Ruzzene has been promoted to senior vice chancellor for research and innovation and dean of the institutes in recognition of the depth and scope of the RIO portfolio.

Justin Schwartz has announced changes in the reporting structure for ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder’s Strategic Resources and Support division that will take effect at the start of the new year. Get details.

Traditional

White

Provost search committee announced, campus invited to listening sessions

Megan Maneval — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 16:05:25 +0000

Provost search committee announced, campus invited to listening sessions Megan Maneval Mon, 11/25/2024 - 09:05

ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz has selected the Provost Search Advisory Committee and has engaged executive search firm WittKieffer to assist in the search process. WittKieffer will conduct listening sessions for students, faculty and staff in December via Zoom to learn more about the university and the qualities and characteristics the campus community would like to see in the next provost.

Listening sessions

Student listening session
Dec. 3, 5:30–6:15 p.m., via Zoom

Faculty listening session
Dec. 6, 8:30–9:15 a.m., via Zoom

Staff listening session
Dec. 16, noon–12:45 p.m., via Zoom

“I’m grateful to the search advisory committee members for their willingness to serve,” Schwartz said. “Their input, along with the feedback provided by faculty, staff and students in these listening sessions, will help inform the position profile for our next provost.”

The provost works in collaboration with the faculty, university officers, unit heads, faculty governance representatives, administrators and staff to articulate and achieve the university’s strategic mission and goals, with the focus on providing students the highest quality inclusive educational experience and fostering the university’s research and creative work mission to produce knowledge and innovation.

Nominations will be solicited in January and finalists will visit campus in the spring semester. The chancellor plans to have a new provost in position by July 1, 2025.

Visit the Provost Search Advisory Committee page for more information. Send questions and feedback to chancellor@colorado.edu.

Provost Search Advisory Committee co-chairs

Michele Moses, vice provost and associate vice chancellor for faculty affairs
Sonia DeLuca Fernández, senior vice chancellor for diversity, equity and inclusion

Provost Search Advisory Committee members

Crystal Cyr, director of assessment, research, and data analytics, Division of Student Affairs; Staff Council tri-chair
Zaya Daniel, Master of Arts student, School of Education’s MA in Higher Education Program
Sona Dimidjian, director, Renée Crown Wellness Institute; professor, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience
Marissa Ehringer, professor and chair, Department of Integrative Physiology; faculty fellow, Institute for Behavioral Genetics
Amy Hutton, associate vice chancellor, Enrollment Management
Stefanie Johnson, director, Center for Leadership; associate professor, Leeds School of Business
Merinda McLure, professor, University Libraries; faculty director of academic leadership development, Office of Faculty Affairs.
Samira Mehta, associate professor, Department of Women and Gender Studies; director, Program in Jewish Studies
Keith Molenaar, dean, College of Engineering and Applied Science; professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Roy Parker, director, BioFrontiers Institute; Cech-Leinwand Endowed Chair of Biochemistry; Distinguished Professor, Department of Biochemistry
Llen Pomeroy, associate vice chancellor, Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance; Title IX Coordinator
Reiland Rabaka, founder and director, Center for African and African American Studies; professor, Department of Ethnic Studies
Karen Ramirez, interim director, Miramontes Arts and Sciences Program; assistant director for humanities and arts education, Miramontes Arts and Sciences Program
Tyler Rowan, student affairs student body president and tri-executive, ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder Student Government (ŷ��ڱ��ƵSG); undergraduate student, international affairs major with minor in Japanese
Sarah Safadi, lead dining manager, Campus Dining Services; Staff Council parliamentarian; frontline staff special committee co-chair, area 7 representative
Stacey Schulte, director and teaching professor, Program in Environmental Design
Benny Shendo Jr., associate vice chancellor, Native American Affairs; alumnus, ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder Leeds School of Business

Chancellor Justin Schwartz has selected the Provost Search Advisory Committee and invites the campus community to listening sessions in December.

Traditional

White

Chancellor announces administrative leave for employees

Megan Maneval — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 20:00:04 +0000

Chancellor announces administrative leave for employees Megan Maneval Thu, 11/14/2024 - 13:00

Chancellor Justin Schwartz announced the three administrative leave dates at the end of December that will bridge a one-week winter break for many ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder employees.

Traditional

White

Regents review system’s financial position, announce distinguished professors, approve new degree

Megan Maneval — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 20:08:10 +0000

Regents review system’s financial position, announce distinguished professors, approve new degree Megan Maneval Fri, 11/08/2024 - 13:08

The University of ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Board of Regents reviewed the system’s financial position, approved a new professional master’s degree in marketing analytics, and named this year’s distinguished faculty in their regular meeting Thursday.

Newest professional master’s degree

Regents approved a professional master’s degree in marketing analytics offered by the Leeds School of Business.

The new degree is an outgrowth of the popular and successful Leeds professional master’s in business analytics, which has been graduating students since 2015 and has quadrupled its graduates since that time.

Data analytics is now an essential skill for successful job seekers and job holders in marketing, and this degree will be of use to both recent Leeds bachelor’s degree graduates who want to give themselves a leg up in entering the job market and current job holders who wish to tune their skills. Offered on an intensive, 10-month calendar, courses will stress team projects in order to create real-world scenarios in-person and online.

Chancellor campus updates

The board heard from ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz on the campus receiving commendation from the Anti Defamation League this fall for efforts to address campus antisemitism.

The organization remarked favorably on the decision to expand protected class definitions to explicitly include antisemitism, Islamophobia and caste, as well as the regents’ resolution condemning anti-Israel protests at the homes of two regents and other steps ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder has taken.

Schwartz said antisemitism and anti-Muslim actions remain pervasive in campuses and communities across the nation. Last week, ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder experienced antisemitic graffiti on several campus buildings. The case remains under investigation.

Schwartz also updated the regents on the Oct. 24 dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway in Boulder. The event was sponsored by the Boulder County NAACP. Schwartz and Professor Reiland Rabaka spoke at the event, which was emceed by Regent Wanda James. This section of highway extends 5 miles along U.S. 36 through the heart of Boulder and adjacent to the ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder campus. (Rabaka just released the book “The Funk Movement: Music, Culture and Politics.” It was so popular with preorders the publisher decided to release the book early, Schwartz later reported.)

Financial big picture

University of ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ System Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Chad Marturano reported on the university’s financial position, also called the unrestricted net position, in accordance with policies implemented in 2014 as part of systemwide Administrative Policy Statements (APS).

The report highlighted changes in fund balances at each campus, including ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder. Marturano reported that, overall, ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder’s fund balances are healthy.

The planned use of a portion of these one-time, reserved funds includes:

Continued investments in diversity efforts at both the campus and unit levels
Addressing information technology security and infrastructure
Renovations approved for Hellems, Old Main, Ekeley and Farrand Hall
Increased focus on addressing deferred maintenance and ongoing needs in academic technology, classrooms and infrastructure
Full restoration of Emergency Tuition Stabilization, a system requirement implemented in APS 4058

Freedom of expression

Regent Mark VanDriel pulled from the agenda recommended changes to Regent Policy 1.D: Freedom of Expression. This item proposed amending the policy to apply to digital spaces controlled by the campuses.

Distinguished professors

Regents named nine distinguished professors, ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ’s highest honor for faculty across the system’s four campuses. At ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder, they include:

Robert “Bob” Erickson, professor, Department of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering, CTO, BREK Electronics, is a pioneering figure in power electronics, whose innovative research has transformed the field and set new standards for efficiency and performance in electric vehicles.
Hanspeter “H.P.” Schaub, professor and department chair, Schaden Leadership Chair, the Glenn Murphy Endowed Chair, Ann and H.J. Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences, is a visionary leader in the field of astrodynamics and spacecraft control, whose innovative research has advanced both the theoretical and practical understanding of spacecraft operations.
Lee Niswander, professor and chair, Molecular and Developmental Biology, is a renowned leader in developmental biology, whose groundbreaking work has transformed our understanding of limb and neural development. Her pioneering research on the molecular mechanisms that drive limb formation reshaped the field and is now a foundational element in modern developmental biology.
Pieter Johnson, Professor of Distinction, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, is a world leader in disease ecology, whose pioneering research has fundamentally transformed how we understand the impact of diseases on ecosystems.

New college department

The board voted to approve departmental status to the Program in Environmental Design (ENVD) so that it becomes the Department of Environmental Design. They also were informed of name changes effective July 1, 2025, for the College of Media, Communication and Information (CMCI) and the Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Media Design.

Other business

The board also approved policy changes governing temporary appointment to the president along with searches for administrators and guidelines for the appointment of chief officers of the university. Learn more.

The next regular board meeting will be held Feb. 6, 2025, at ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder.

At their recent board meeting, the ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ regents reviewed ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ’s financial position, approved a new professional master’s degree in marketing analytics, and named this year’s distinguished faculty members.

Off

Traditional

White

Faculty assembly hears updates from University Libraries, OIEC

Megan Maneval — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 19:51:29 +0000

Faculty assembly hears updates from University Libraries, OIEC Megan Maneval Fri, 11/08/2024 - 12:51

The Boulder Faculty Assembly heard from the University Libraries, the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance Office and others during their monthly meeting on Thursday, Nov. 7.

State of Open Access Report

The University Libraries has released a State of Open Access report annually since 2018. This year’s report, their sixth, saw many new initiatives with regard to open access on campus, but also references negotiations with the academic publisher Elsevier from this past year, which have now been settled.

Some of the main findings from the report and this past year include:

There’s a trend towards open access on campus, with an estimated 75% of ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder’s 2023 articles being openly available.
There’s a new open access website that faculty can check out and a new bank account code that will help libraries better benchmark data for future negotiations with academic publishers.
The estimated total cost of the article processing charges, which are the fees authors are required to pay for some types of open access journals, were about $6.6 million total.
ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder lost access to some articles during the Elsevier negotiations, but added Article Galaxy Scholar to make up for some of that.

For those considering open access, the Libraries also launched the OA funding recommender this past year, which can help authors find contracts or discounts to help offset the cost.

“We need your help to continue making ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ research more widely available,” said Robert McDonald, dean of the University Libraries and the senior vice provost of online and extended education.

More information on the State of Open Access Report is available on the University Libraries website.

From OIEC

Earlier this year, OIEC was featured in two different local media stories about their office’s investigatory process discussing their decision not to pursue an investigation. In response, Llen Pomeroy, an associate vice chancellor and ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder’s Title IX coordinator, provided insight into what is happening to cases where investigations are not occurring and why the OIEC may not investigate every report into its office.

OIEC looks into every case that comes their way through what’s called a preliminary inquiry. Cases that don’t get pursued are largely either because they do not meet the objective standard under the law or the university’s nondiscrimination policy, or because the person affected doesn’t want to pursue action through a formal investigative process.

“I just want to make clear that complainant agency is really fundamental to what we do, and I think it would be highly inappropriate if a report came to our office and, without reaching out to the complainant, having a better understanding of the facts and circumstances as well as what the complainant wanted to see happen, we were off to the races investigating someone formally,” Pomeroy said, adding:

“If someone is wanting a more informal or an educational remedy, that is happening for those cases.”

During their presentation, OIEC also provided a reminder about the Sexual Assault and Related Harms survey and encouraged everyone to remind their students to fill it out. It should take only 10 to 15 minutes and will close on Dec. 1.

Academic Technology Survey

Earlier this year, the Office of Information Technology conducted a survey among students and instructors of record (including faculty and graduate part-time instructors) to see how well—or not—academic technology (Slate, iClickers, Zoom, etc.) is being used on campus. What they found is, while there’s room for improvement, things seem to be functioning well.

The main area students and faculty alike focused on in the survey was Canvas. For faculty, feedback revolved around designing their courses, and for students, it was an inconsistent experience class-to-class. To address this, OIT is working with the Center for Teaching & Learning and other units and faculty around campus to create a template that faculty can use when creating their class.

“We’re hoping that this addresses some of the challenges faculty face so they can focus more on the content of their courses,” said the CTL’s director Kirk Ambrose.

More about the template will be announced in the February meeting.

In other BFA business

In December, the BFA will be voting to change the current BFA structure, where the chair will serve in a one year position, with the year before serving as chair-elect and the year after being an immediate past chair. This, current BFA chair Shelly Miller says, will bring more continuity to the role and mirrors ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Faculty Council and many AAU peer faculty senate structures.
BFA will also be voting in December about standing committee changes, including updates to four committees to make them more relevant and reflective of current university climate.
There was also a request for a two-week notice to the BFA to allow Miller to endorse a letter from colleges and universities across the state regarding concerns about the ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Commission on Higher Education’s proposal to allow ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ institutions of higher education to offer a 90-credit bachelor’s degree (in contrast to the 120 credits required now). The letter recommends that if the state is going to allow such degrees, they should be called something other than a bachelor’s degree.
Finally, BFA is soliciting nominees for the Faculty Athletics Representative. More information about the position is available on the Academic Affairs website.

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

Discussed topics at the Boulder Faculty Assembly’s recent monthly meeting included the State of Open Access Report, the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance’s recent media coverage, and more.

Off

Traditional

White

Provost announces 3 finalists for education dean

Megan Maneval — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 20:37:13 +0000

Provost announces 3 finalists for education dean Megan Maneval Tue, 11/05/2024 - 13:37

ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder Provost Russell Moore today announced three finalists for the position of dean of the School of Education.

The three finalists are as follows; click here for links to their bios and CVs.

Jennifer Esposito Norris, PhD, chair of the Department of Educational Policy Studies, distinguished university professor, Georgia State University
Cary Roseth, PhD, professor, Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education, Michigan State University
Amanda Haertling Thein, PhD, associate provost for graduate and professional education, dean of the Graduate College, professor of education, University of Iowa

“Hosting these outstanding finalists represents another step forward in realizing an expanded vision for the School of Education,” Moore said. “Any one of these finalists has the experience and the drive to advance the school’s research excellence and elevate its role in preparing educators for the challenges facing ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ’s and our nation’s K-12 education system.”

Moore thanked Fernando Rosario-Ortiz for his continued commitment serving as interim dean of the school. He also thanked Katherine Eggert, vice chancellor for academic planning and assessment, and the search advisory committee for their work in selecting these outstanding finalists.

The finalists will be visiting campus for interviews between Nov. 13 and Nov. 21. Moore plans to name a permanent dean in spring 2025.

Three finalists have emerged from the search for a new dean of ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder’s School of Education. The candidates will visit the campus, with one expected to be named to the position by spring 2025.

Off

Traditional

White

Sustainability Executive Council changes name, reviews policies and dashboard

Megan Maneval — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 16:20:44 +0000

Sustainability Executive Council changes name, reviews policies and dashboard Megan Maneval Tue, 11/05/2024 - 09:20

The Campus Sustainability Executive Council convened Wednesday, Oct. 23, to discuss the following topics:

Name change

Discussion: The council agreed to change the group’s name to the Sustainability Leadership Team to reduce confusion with the Sustainability Council.

Campus energy management policy

Discussion: Vice Chancellor for Infrastructure and Resilience Chris Ewing provided an overview of the campus energy management policy, which currently focuses on scope 1 and 2 emissions that are generated by campus or through utility purchasing. The policy references existing campus standards and goals from documents including the Campus Master Plan, Energy Master Plan and Transportation Master Plan. This policy will put more responsibility on leaders across campus to examine their operations and identify ways to reduce energy use. There was also discussion and a recommendation to broaden the scope with the intent of it being a more overarching sustainability policy beyond scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions.

Next steps: Team members may provide comments, after which the chancellor will review and approve the policy.

Join the Sustainable Buffs community

Share your sustainability ideas

CAP dashboard

Discussion: The team received an overview of the CAP dashboard. Following an analysis of the data being used, the updated dashboard now references data from 2022 and will soon be updated with 2023 data. The CAP uses 2019 as its baseline year.

Next steps: The CAP dashboard will be released in November and will be updated annually at the beginning of each spring semester.

Miscellaneous

Discussion: Several other agenda items were discussed.

Chief Operating Officer Patrick O’Rourke updated the team on the vice chancellor for sustainability search, including the release of the position specification and a survey soliciting input from the campus community about the role.
O’Rourke also noted that Heidi VanGenderen has taken on a new role as senior advisor for sustainability and climate, reporting to Deputy Executive Vice Chancellor of Operations Jennifer McDuffie. VanGenderen is tasked with compiling the current state of sustainability on campus in preparation for the new vice chancellor.
The team received an update on the new chemistry and applied math (CHAP) building’s design and contracting process. The building is expected to achieve LEED Gold certification thanks to sustainability elements that include a more sophisticated mechanical system that maximizes conditioned air, occupancy sensors, and the incorporation of mass timber/CLT in office spaces to reduce embodied carbon.
The team also received an update on the North Boulder Creek utility project, which will bring chilled water and electricity to the under-construction Residence 1 building, tying into the campus plan of connecting to the district energy loop and the eventual transition to a low-temperature hot water system.

A presentation slide on the North Boulder Creek Utility Expansion Project, including a map of the design, that reads: “Description: Expand utility infrastructure in the North Boulder Creek neighborhood to provide utility services to Residence One and other new, future facilities identified in the 2021 Campus Master Plan (low-temperature heating hot water, chilled water and medium voltage electrical power distribution); and provide infrastructure necessary to leverage long-term campus decarbonization and resiliency plans”

This is part of a series that will cover ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ Boulder 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 October meeting, what is now called the Campus Sustainability Leadership Team discussed a campus energy management policy and reviewed the Climate Action Plan dashboard.

Off

Traditional

White

Administration

Provost, faculty discuss new federal administration, more

Creating an academic policy on micro-credentials

From the BFA Grievance Advisory Committee

In closing

Related Articles

Sustainability Leadership Team hears about zero-waste proposal and more

Leadership updates

Sustainability funding

Zero-waste proposal

Related Articles

Standardizing how students are paid

How to Pay Students Policy

Other Financial Assistance Policy

Related Articles

Chancellor announces restructuring of Strategic Resources and Support units

Related Articles

Provost search committee announced, campus invited to listening sessions

Provost Search Advisory Committee co-chairs

Provost Search Advisory Committee members

Related Articles

Chancellor announces administrative leave for employees

Related Articles

Regents review system’s financial position, announce distinguished professors, approve new degree

Newest professional master’s degree

Chancellor campus updates

Financial big picture

Freedom of expression

Distinguished professors

New college department

Other business

Off

Faculty assembly hears updates from University Libraries, OIEC

State of Open Access Report

From OIEC

Academic Technology Survey

In other BFA business

Off

Provost announces 3 finalists for education dean

Off

Sustainability Executive Council changes name, reviews policies and dashboard

Name change

Campus energy management policy

CAP dashboard

Miscellaneous

Off