MSU Denver advances transparency with significant policy updates

Policies may live on a website, but at Metropolitan State University of Denver, they show up in everyday moments. 

They guide how a staff member responds to a sensitive records request. They shape a student organization’s culture. They influence how a department designs a flyer or updates a webpage. In 2025, the University completed one of the most significant years of policy development in its recent history, publishing 34 University-level policies, compared with an annual average of four since 2019.  

“The increase reflects a coordinated, campuswide effort to clarify processes, strengthen compliance and reinforce institutional values,” said Adrienne L. Randol, Policy and Records manager 

“This accomplishment is a testament to the work of University Policy and Advisory Council (UPAC) and the community at large, who provided feedback and are involved in the policymaking process,” Randol said.  

Three new policies illustrate the broader impact. 

The Access to Information and Immigration Related Requests Policy, required under Colorado Senate Bill 287, formalizes procedures already in practice. It establishes a defined process for responding to immigration-related and sensitive information requests, and ensures that employees escalate inquiries appropriately. For students, faculty and staff from immigrant or mixed-status families, the clarity reduces uncertainty and reinforces privacy protections. 

The Anti-Hazing Policy, developed in response to U.S. Senate Bill 2901, sets clear expectations for student organizations and their advisors. Faculty and staff advisors now have a defined duty to report hazing concerns, and summaries of organizations’ conduct histories are publicly available to promote transparency and accountability. 

The Umbrella Brand Policy establishes standards for Paid Advertising, Visual Identity, and Websites and Web Applications policies. It ensures accessibility compliance under Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), protects intellectual property and aligns communications with MSU Denver’s Strategic Goals 2030. 

In addition to those new policies, the University published or revised the following in 2025: 

• Academic Planning Policy (revised)  

• Academic Policy Enactment Policy (revised)  

• Access to Information and Immigration Related Requests (new)  

• Accessing Electronic Communications and Data of Others Policy (revised)  

• Accommodations for Employees/Applicants with Disabilities (revised)  

• Admission Requirements at the University (revised)  

• Amorous Relationships (revised)  

• Anti-Hazing Policy (new)  

• Brand Policies Umbrella (new)  

• Cell Phones and Tablets Policy (revised)  

• Communication with the Board of Trustees (revised)  

• Data Classification (revised)  

• Defined Contribution Pension Plan (revised)  

• Email, Computing, and Records Management (revised)  

• Emeritus Status of Administrators and Staff (revised)  

• Employment Contracts for Faculty (revised)  

• Enrollment Reporting (revised)  

• EpiPen Policy (new)  

• Facilities Use (revised)  

• Freedom of Expression (revised)  

• Health Insurance for Students (revised)  

• Immunization Requirements (revised)  

• Intercollegiate Athletics (revised)  

• Micro-Credential and Digital Badging (revised)  

• Naming Rights (revised)  

• Paid Advertising Policy (new)  

• Public Records Access (CORA) Policy (revised)  

• Recognition and Funding of Student Groups (revised)  

• Tax-Exempt Debt (revised)  

• Tax-Deferred Annuity Plan (revised)  

• Transfer of Earned Credits (revised)  

• University Investment Portfolio Policy (new)  

• Veterans Affairs Tuition and Fee Payments (revised)  

• Visual Identity Policy (new)  

• Websites and Web Applications Policy (new)  

Policy development will continue in 2026, with revisions and new guidance planned for Conflicts of Interest and Commitment, Supplemental Pay, Workplace Bullying, Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities, Social Media and Records Management.  

“Policy work may not always be visible,” Randol said, “but it shapes how we operate and how we care for one another every day.” 
 
Get involved in policymaking by attending UPAC meetings on the second Tuesday of every month via Teams from 1 to 2 p.m., visit the MSU Policy Library, or look out for Early Bird articles to announce when a proposed policy is open for community comment. For policy-related inquiries or to learn how to become more involved, email Adrienne L. Randol.