Faculty Processes, Policies, and Forms 

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University of Colorado APS - Performance Ratings for Faculty

CU Denver campus faculty including (Sr) Research Associates, (Sr) PRAs and (Sr) Instructors complete the Faculty Report of Professional Activities form. (Lecturers are reviewed for academic year reappointment instead of annual evaluations for merit.)

 

Faculty members have access to school/college/library processes and procedures. In addition, the Ombuds Office and the Faculty Senate Grievance Committee offer avenues for faculty members to seek advice and/or file grievances.

Office of Assessment

Colleges, Schools, Libraries and Departments are required by University Policy to have in place certain written documents. These written rules and procedures are collectively referred to as bylaws. 

Access the current college, school, library and department faculty bylaws. 

Curriculum development and oversight is the responsibility of the faculty members in each academic program.

At CU Denver there also is a Core Curriculum Oversight Committee, charged with approving courses for inclusion in the undergraduate core curriculum (required of all undergraduate students) and ensuring that the core courses deliver the approved curricula.

The standard CU Denver CV Format is requested or suggested for various purposes, including reappointment, tenure, and promotion and faculty excellence awards.

The title "Distinguished Professor" is the highest honor that the University of Colorado bestows on its own faculty members. Candidates must demonstrate accomplishments in accordance with university-wide criteria.  

See more information about the CU Denver Distinguished Professor Process.

Nominations for Distinguished Professor are due to Betsy Metzger in the Provost's Office by April 1 each year.

View the list of the CU Distinguished Professors.

The Faculty Activity Reporting (FAR) digital tool is easy to use, assures access to validated and accurate information, and provides the kind of data and reports that will empower faculty to tell their story, inform accreditation processes, and provide university leadership with insights into the breadth and depth of faculty activities, accomplishments and contributions. 

University of Colorado Denver Faculty Awards

Center for Faculty Development and Advancement (CFDA) 

Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL)

Participating in the FHAP can make housing more affordable for University of Colorado Denver tenured and tenure-track faculty members by providing a source of financial assistance for a down-payment needed to qualify for a loan and potentially avoiding the cost of private mortgage insurance.

Review the program description and application worksheet.

For information about Graduate Faculty appointments for programs on the CU Denver campus, contact Graduate Education.

 

See the Office of International Affairs website for information on international student and scholar services and global education/study abroad.

Campus policy requires each school, college, and library to develop a written document that describes the standards and processes for appointment, reappointment, and promotion of Instructional, Research, and Clinical Faculty. Here are Guidelines for IRC procedures. (effective 7/1/20)

For information see the campus administrative policy 1019D-Instructional Research and Clinical Faculty Appointments-Denver, effective August 1, 2024.

The Office of Academic Affairs oversees the development of new degree proposals and shepherds them through the review and approval processes at University of Colorado Denver. 

New Faculty Orientation is sponsored by the Center for Faculty Development and Advancement during the week before classes begin in August. All new faculty members (tenure-track and instructional/research/clinical track) are encouraged to attend.

The Ombuds Office acts as a no-barrier, first-stop for students, faculty and staff seeking guidance, information and insight from a trusted advisor who is:

• CONFIDENTIAL  We will protect your identity and the information you share and are not compelled to share details of any conversation with the University.  Our only exception is imminent harm to self or to others.
• INDEPENDENT  We are not affiliated with any other office or department at the University, but exist to present solutions and guidance that is independent of external and internal forces.
• IMPARTIAL  We do not take sides, but work to address issues in a way that allows everyone involved in a dispute to be treated fairly and in good faith.
  
• INFORMAL  Visiting us doesn't trigger a formal course of action often typical of HR or legal processes.  Engaging an Ombuds is always "off the record".
• VOLUNTARY  No one can be prohibited from visiting the Ombuds Office, nor can anyone be compelled to use our services. 

Most University of Colorado Denver schools and colleges are governed by the One-Sixth Rule regarding outside consultation, research, clinical, and other external professional activities by full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty members. 

The approval form for the Denver campus: Annual Declaration of Consulting Activities by a Faculty Member.

If a leave request includes a tenure clock stoppage, approval is needed by the Department Chair, Dean, Provost, and Chancellor.  Click here for templates for Parental Leave with Tenure Clock Stoppage and Tenure Clock Stoppage (without leave).

Post-tenure reviews at CU Denver are conducted in accordance with the University of Colorado APS (1022) and CU Denver policies (1050).  For faculty members who receive a “below expectations” rating in the annual merit evaluation or as a result of post-tenure review, the APS 1022 guides the development of Performance Improvement Agreements (PIAs). Following is a PIA Suggested Template.

Click here for the most recent PUC Criteria for all colleges and departments.

For faculty on the tenure track seeking credit for years of prior service, this  must be negotiated at the time of hiring and must be included in the letter of offer.  A separate prior service agreement form must be signed by the faculty member, and approved by the chair, dean, and provost.

Professional Plan form for CU Denver Campus faculty members.

The documents providing guidance for faculty candidates for reappointment, tenure and promotion as well as those in the schools/colleges/library who submit the dossiers to the Provost's Office can be found on the Faculty Milestones Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion page.

Eligible faculty complete a Sabbatical Application Form that is subject to approval by the dean/library director, provost, chancellor, and Board of Regents.

Upon completion of the sabbatical assignment, the faculty member is required to file a written substantive report with the dean/library director, who submits a report to the Provost's Office each fall. The Provost's Office submits a summary report to the Board of Regents. 

Faculty who wish to change their approved sabbatical plan should complete the Amendment to Application for Sabbatical Assignment form and submit it to their department chair or unit head for signature. Any change in the time frame of the sabbatical should be sent to the dean and provost for approval.

CU Denver has a formal organization for Instructional, Research and Clinical Faculty: the University of Colorado Denver Association of Lecturers and Instructors (UCDALI). 

All faculty members must have a current syllabus for each course and must provide a syllabus to students at the first class meeting of every course. 

While a faculty member has great flexibility in the design and content of a syllabus for a course, core information should be found in every syllabus for courses offered at CU Denver.

Here are the Syllabus Template and Campus Administrative Policy 1031: Syllabus.

 

The VCAC on Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion makes recommendations on cases for consideration by the provost. The Denver Campus VCAC is composed of its Chair, three members from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), each required to be from a different Primary Unit, and one member from each other school and college on the CU Denver Campus. 

Review the VCAC Denver Bylaws.

Members of the VCAC for 2026-27 are:

• Franci Crepeau-Hobson, Chair - School of Education & Human Development
• Jenna Burke - Business School
  
• Todd Ely - School of Public Affairs
• Stephen Gedney - College of Engineering, Design and Computing
• Michael Greene - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Integrative Biology)
• Florian Pfender - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Mathematical & Statistical Sciences)
• Hans Rosenwinkel - College of Arts & Media
• Esther Sullivan - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Sociology)
• Austin Troy - College of Architecture and Planning