Feedback invited for proposed revisions to Regent laws, policies

A recently launched website provides University of Colorado faculty and staff the opportunity to engage in the current systemwide review of CU Regent laws and policies.

The board last year passed a resolution calling for the formal review of the 98 Regent laws and policies. Through evaluation, policies are being simplified where possible and reorganized for clarity and consistency. Subsequent to this effort, necessary changes to Administrative Policy Statements (APSs) and campus policies will take place. Outdated or irrelevant policies will be deleted and some language will be updated.

Patrick O’Rourke, vice president, university counsel and secretary of the board, is leading the review – expected to take about two years – in coordination with Leonard Dinegar, senior vice president and chief of staff. Representatives from system and campus administrations and shared governance groups also are involved.

A steering committee has been at work in early stages of the review, which is divided into four categories: University Counsel and Board Secretary; Academic Affairs; Budget and Finance; and other.

Members of the CU community and public may track the process and provide input at a new website, http://www.cu.edu/regents/rlpreview. It displays a list of laws and policies under review along with any draft revisions that have been suggested and other notes about each document.

Michael Lightner, vice president for academic affairs, is leading the review of academic policies; currently on display are Article 4 and related policies, which pertain to organization of academic units.

“We’re seeking questions and concerns, not edits – these are not Word documents where you’re going to cross something out,” Lightner told the Faculty Council earlier this fall. “What we’re requesting is that faculty governance – through the Faculty Council and faculty assemblies – will provide a consolidated, prioritized list of comments and concerns from the faculty.” Feedback also is being sought from individual faculty, staff, students and the public.