Regents approve new degree, construction projects, more
COLORADO SPRINGS – The CU Board of Regents approved a new degree at CU Denver, four construction projects at CU Boulder, and more during the board’s regular meeting Tuesday and Wednesday at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.
On Wednesday, the board voted to approve a new master’s degree in sustainable business at the CU Denver Business School. The 33-credit-hour degree will consist of stackable certificates, making it flexible and customizable. Students will be able to complete the degree entirely online, but some face-to-face instruction options will be available.
“There’s so much about this new degree that is exciting,” said Regent Lesley Smith, chair of the University Affairs Committee. “There is a growing demand for graduates to have a sustainability background. This is stackable, it can be completed online, and ours will be the only free-standing program like this at a public institution.”
Smith also praised the degree’s affordability, with a projected tuition of $23,000, a fraction of offerings at other institutions.
Plans call for an interdisciplinary approach, within the Business School as well as across other CU Denver schools and departments, including environmental science, geography, urban planning and public policy. The degree addresses demand in the workforce – jobs for environmental professionals are projected to grow 8% by 2030 – while also contributing to one of the Business School’s stated societal impact areas, sustainable planet.
The Board of Regents on Tuesday voted to approve several items as recommended by regents committees.
Four construction-related projects at CU Boulder moving forward are: structural restoration of Old Main, equipment replacement at the West District Energy Plant, construction of the new Residence One student housing building, and a video board upgrade at Folsom Field. Read more here.
Receiving approval were changes to Policy 2.N and Article 2.E, which will allow the secretary of the Board of Regents, with the concurrence and direction of the staff Laws and Policies Coordinating Committee (LPCC), to make nonsubstantive cleanups to the Regent Laws and Policies in a timely manner. Changes to Policy 13.G are aimed at maintaining efficiency within the process for doing business with contractors. Changes to Regent Policy 2.L clarify procedures for public comment requests for in-person and remote meetings, reflecting how hybrid and remote meetings take place regularly. Read more here.