Course Modality Changes Will Yield Benefits for Some Students

There’s good news on the horizon for fully remote CU Denver students, and for certain military veteran students, international students, and students with disabilities. 

CU Denver is updating the definitions of its course modalities; in other words, whether a course meets fully in-person, fully online, or in some other mode or timing configuration. This will help CU Denver:  

• Better align how CU Denver course modes are described—in Course Catalogs and other official documents—with how they are being offered, as we improve flexibility and accessibility for many classes
• Increase affordability and fairness for students taking only fully remote courses; such students have been paying fees that they will no longer need to pay  
• Better support international and military veteran students who often need a course to be at least 50% in-person to meet their requirements 
• Improve accessibility for students with disabilities who need to make informed choices about when to be on campus

CU Denver is not assessing on-campus fees for fully remote students beginning in Fall 2025. Other changes to course definition updates will apply in time for the Spring 2026 semester. 

"These changes to course modalities are a game-changer for students," said Genia Herndon, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. "They not only make education more accessible and affordable: they also ensure that we can meet students’ unique needs and requirements. It's a step towards a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for everyone."

The underlying definition changes are technical, but their positive impact for numerous student cohorts is clear-cut. 

For example:  

Students who are fully remote have had to pay a Wellness Center fee (of about $13 per credit), a Student Services fee (of $185 per term), and an Auraria Campus fee (of about $133 per term). Moving forward, these students will not have to pay these fees. (Note: Students who have some on-campus or hybrid courses, in addition to their fully remote courses, will still be charged these fees.) 

Hybrid courses are now being classified according to two categories: "1-50% in person," or "51-99% in-person." This is because many international students are able to study at CU Denver on an F-1 visa, and many U.S. military veterans qualify for tuition reimbursement through the Department of Veterans Affairs. These statuses require that qualifying courses meet in person at least 50% of the time.  

Be aware that the official course modality is chosen by the faculty member leading the course, and that the modality published in the Course Catalog is the one the faculty member will adhere to during courses. 

Contact Katie Linder with any questions about this change.