Regents Governance Committee requests further clarity on possible changes to a current disability policy

The Board of Regents Governance Committee is considering how best to formalize CU’s long-standing commitment to people with disabilities, one of the 16 classes protected from discrimination by regent law.

At the committee’s Oct. 24 meeting, held at 1800 Grant St. and via webinar, regents chose not to act on a proposed rescission of Regent Policy 10M. The recommendation had been advanced following a nine-month review by a subcommittee and agreement from a larger systemwide accessibility committee. The effort had determined that the policy, first enacted in 1993, had grown redundant following past and recent actions taken to ensure compliance with 1990’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at the campus and system levels. Disability discrimination is also prohibited, consistent with the university’s 15 other protected classes, pursuant to Regent Law Article 8.A (“Nondiscrimination”).

Among recent steps taken across the university to address the needs of people with disabilities are:

• Last year’s new Regent Policy 10A, “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion,” which specifically added “accessibility” to the university’s vision of diverse and inclusive working and learning environments
   
• Two new administrative policy statements adopted earlier this year: APS 5065, Nondiscrimination Policy, which specifically added “failure to accommodate” on the basis of disability; and APS 6011, Digital Accessibility Policy
   
• New employee training on digital accessibility
   
• New systemwide procurement group focusing on prioritizing accommodation requests
   
• New emphasis and communication of university diversity reports (student data) and campus affirmative action plans (employee data, with goals) and DEI leads on campuses integrating disability identity and opportunities for participation
   
• New emphasis on including metrics and goals in the next system strategic plan, along with underrepresented minorities and veterans per Affirmative Action plans
   
• Campus and Workplace Culture Survey

Rather than advance the proposed rescission to the full Board of Regents for consideration, regent committee members called for more discussion and gathering of input from stakeholders. Administrators will assemble a working group and call for feedback from the campuses and governance groups. The resulting input will be shared with the committee at its next meeting, scheduled for Jan. 23, 2025.

In other business at last week’s Governance Committee meeting, regents advanced proposed changes to some Regent Laws and Policies for consideration by the full board at its Nov. 7-8 meeting at UCCS.

Among the items discussed were Regent Policy 3.C and 3.D, which pertain to searches for administrators and guidelines for the appointment of chief officers of the university. Current Regent Policy 3.C addresses searches for Officers of the University, and Officers of the Administration. System administration proposed that the current policy be divided in two for better organization and readability:

• Searches for Officers of the University and Chancellors (including the President, University Counsel and Secretary of the Board, Associate Vice President of Internal Audit, and Treasurer), Regent Policy 3.C
• Searches for Officers of the Administration (including those with the title of interim or acting vice president; associate vice president; vice chancellor; associate vice chancellor; associate counsel; and deans of the schools, colleges, and libraries), Regent Policy 3.D

Article 3.C.1(D) pertains to the temporary appointment of a president. No content changes were advised, but staff recommended it be moved and renumbered to Article 3.D.

Regent Policy 11.D had prohibited deferred compensation. Because the prohibition has become outdated, staff recommended it be rescinded.

Article 2.A.5 of Regent Law and Regent Policy 2.C.1 are changing to extend the terms of Board of Regents chair and vice chair, as well as committee appointments, from one year to two years. Regent Lesley Smith advocated for the change as a way of improving board governance and stability of university administration.

Regent Policy 2.J.1(C), which requires regents to “actively attend and participate in board and committee meetings, evaluate the materials presented, and ask questions necessary to inform the regent’s performance of official duties,” is adding the expectation that regents attend regular board meetings in person. The board chair, however, could allow remote participation under extenuating circumstances. Regent Frank McNulty advocated for the change.

The items are scheduled to be included on the consent agenda at next month’s full board meeting. Detailed materials linked to last week’s meeting agenda are available here.

Governance Committee members last week also discussed plans for post-election orientation for new members of the board and the full board’s winter retreat, scheduled for January.