The Faculty Senate this month voted to add the body as a signatory to a letter expressing concerns about proposed 90-credit bachelor’s degree programs in Colorado.
The letter, which is addressed to Angie Paccione, Ph.D., executive director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education, and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, responds to a proposal for reduced-credit bachelor’s degrees initiated by the Higher Learning Commission.
Outlining concerns over labeling a 90-credit program as a bachelor’s degree, the letter is authored by faculty leaders from several of Colorado’s higher-education institutions, including Britney Kyle of the University of Northern Colorado, Sasha Breger Bush of the University of Colorado Denver and Shelly L. Miller of CU Boulder. The letter has been co-signed by nearly a dozen institutions of higher education faculty senates across Colorado.
Key concerns raised in the letter about the 90-creditbachelor’s degree proposal:
- Diminished prospects for students: The letter cited research indicating that fewer credit hours may limit students’ career and financial opportunities compared with those who complete traditional 120-credit bachelor’s programs.
- Workforce preparedness: A reduced-credit bachelor’s degree could lead to a workforce less equipped with essential skills, affecting Colorado employers and overall state competitiveness.
- Increased inequality: The proposal might disproportionately impact low-income and first-generation students, who could be pressured to pursue a shorter degree..
The faculty representatives urged the state to consider creating a distinct credential for three-year programs that could fill a useful niche and lead to better educational outcomes and career preparation than an associate’s degree, while preserving the integrity of a traditional bachelor’s degree. On the heels of industry-validated precedent in hospitality, early childhood education and others, the letter called for a collaborative approach to a new, three-year credential that “provides options of students looking to advance their career prospects.”
After votes from several other Colorado institutions of higher education, the letter with all signatories will be sent to the addressees in time for their next meeting.
Other Senate business conducted at Nov. 13 meeting:
Announcements:
- Academic-policy pause: Review of University-level academic policies that are in the policy sections of the Undergraduate and Graduate catalogs will temporarily pause for review by the Academic Policy Committee during the 2025-26 academic year. Exceptions will be granted on a case-by-case basis.
- Upcoming discussion: Faculty members were invited to join a conversation on Humanity in the Age of AI.
Policy proposals and first reads were introduced:
- Universitywide Student Attendance Policy change
- Alternative Credit Prior Learning Assessment
- Academic Rights-LMS Policy
- Transcript Requirement for Application Change proposal
- Academic Performance at Graduation (revised)
- Removal of Final Exam Requirement proposal
- Graduate Project Archiving Policy Change
- Voluntary Withdrawal From and Readmission to Graduate Programs
- Technical Changes: Pooled Courses Deletion and Graduation Rates Deletion proposal and Student Complaints
To review the complete list of Senate action items, check the Senator Action Items.
