Updates from Academic Affairs that you might have missed
There’s a great opening line from George Gershwin’s classic song that goes “Summertime . . . and the livin’ is easy.” If only this were true for ĢӰ Boulder! Our academic mission, like many of you, has been active all summer and not taking it easy. Here are a few personnel, policy and program updates that transpired over the late spring and over the summer.
New leadership faces
On June 11, we announcedBohyun Kim from the University of Michigan as dean of libraries. Later in June, the campus announced that I had namedKatherine Eggert to serve as interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. In July,two new members joined my leadership team in academic affairs: Nils Halverson, vice provost for technology and resource management, and Kirk Ambrose, interim vice provost for academic planning and assessment. Nils is succeedingFernando Rosario-Ortiz, who has my thanks and gratitude for his excellent service as both interim dean of the School of Education (2024–25) and interim vice provost for academic resource management (2025–26).
Over the spring and summer term we also welcomed to ĢӰ Boulder inaugural Vice Chancellor for Global AffairsJill Blondin ԻRoqua Montez IV as vice chancellor for communications, marketing and social media. And just last week we announced the naming of ProfessorErin Furtak as interim director of the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL).
Expanded AISSC and AI efforts
The campus announced in mid-July that we have expanded our Artificial Intelligence Strategic Steering Committee (AISSC) with anupdated charge (PDF) to lead a more connected, systematic approach to AI. A committed group of faculty staff worked hard and quickly over the summer to produce a valuable 30-minute training module for students, faculty and staff who wish to use (or continue using) the newly available Chat GPT.edu license. Also, The CTL has provided valuable assistance to faculty working to adjust to the realities of AI in their teaching mission. Later this semester, CTL will welcome two new postdoctoral fellows who will be available to work with faculty on meeting AI-related needs in their teaching or assessment.
Updated Interim Faculty Salary Equity Policy and Interim Faculty Salary Equity Grievance Policy
Just this week, we are announcing new interim policies that shape faculty salary equity and faculty salary equity grievances. You can see and review the new interim policies on theCompliance, Ethics and Policy website or visit with your associate deans and college/school leadership for more details. We look for these interim policies to become permanent policies after further review and feedback this semester.
The following other new policies went into effect
You can learn more about each policy below by visiting theCompliance, Ethics and Policy website and in an upcoming update on the campus’s Policy Review Project.
- Academic Unit and Degree Program Discontinuance Policy (Updated)
- Credit for Prior Learning Policy (New)
- Micro-Credentials and Digital Badges Administration Policy
- Student Academic Accommodations for Religious Observances Policy (Updated)
- Titles, Roles, Appointment, Evaluation, Reappointment and Promotion of Non-Tenure-Track Faculty in Teaching, Librarian, Clinical and Supplemental Positions Policy (Updated)
Implementing the Chancellor’s Faculty Salary Equity Task Force recommendations
Posted on theacademic affairs website is our response to theChancellor’s Faculty Salary Task Force recommendations. The response outlines an approach for implementation of the task force’s recommendations that we look to take further actions on this academic year.
Office of Academic Learning and Innovation moves to Continuing Education
Following campuswide visioning sessions and conversations in the 2025–26 academic year and a spring survey to gather broad input, the Executive Online Visioning Committee recommended improving support structures for the next iteration of ĢӰ Boulder Online. The first move in this series occurred in early July, when the Office of Academic and Learning Innovationmoved into the Division of Continuing Education.
And, of course, our work continues with the launch of a new semester. As always, thank you for your work in advancing our academic mission and for your work over the summer. If you have any questions, concerns or comments on any issue within academic affairs, please emailVCAA@colorado.edu.