Issues

 

1. Affordability and the Value of a CU Degree

One must look at the total cost of attending college: tuition, housing, food, books, and transportation. CU currently estimates the 2026-2027 annual cost at roughly $40,000 for an in-state student living on campus. The Board approved a 3% tuition increase for incoming Boulder undergraduates while also increasing financial aid.

I don’t believe the question is simply, “Can we raise tuition?” The better question is, “What does a CU education cost, and are students getting a good return on that investment?”

Things to consider:

·       Treat affordability as a systemwide strategic priority.

·       Expand need-based financial aid.

·       Reduce unnecessary administrative and operational costs before asking students and families to pay more.

·       Measure ROI for every program, including graduation rates, employment, earnings, graduate school placement, and student debt.

Before we ask students to pay more, CU must demonstrate it is using the resources it already has as effectively as possible.

2. Protect CU’s Research Enterprise

Things to consider:

·       Protect the strongest research programs.

·       Expand research funding beyond federal agencies by developing partnerships with industry, philanthropy, foundations, and state-supported innovation programs.

·       Continue to protect CU’s relationships with supportive federal agencies and Colorado’s congressional delegation.

·       Invest in research where CU has a competitive advantage.

3. Political Polarization, Free Speech, and Academic Freedom

Things to consider:

·       Protect lawful speech.

·       Keep viewpoint neutrality in university decision making.

·       Make sure students aren’t penalized academically because of their political beliefs.

·       Teach students how to disagree constructively.

·       Apply rules consistently regardless of which political side is involved.

It is not the university’s role to decide which ideas are acceptable. CU already has explicit policies protecting freedom of expression and academic freedom. It must apply those rules fairly to everyone.

4. Student Success

Things to consider:

·       Are students graduating?

·       Are students finding jobs?

·       Are students prepared for those jobs?

Create systemwide student success measurements, including access, retention, graduation, employment, and economic mobility, and report them publicly each year.

5. Accountability

Make sure university leadership is being held accountable.