Metropolitan State University of Denver is on strong financial footing, despite challenges facing higher education institutions, acting President Jim Carpenter said as he kicked off the first President’s Cabinet meeting of the semester on Thursday.
Carpenter, the University’s vice president for Administration and Finance and chief financial officer, has been filling in this summer for President Janine Davidson, Ph.D., who is on sabbatical through the end of the month.
University investing in people and priorities
Entering fall semester 2026, larger-than-expected revenue and lower mandatory costs have kept MSU Denver financially healthy, Carpenter said. That position helped support this year’s 2% compensation increase for eligible faculty and nonclassified employees along with step and range increases for classified employees.
Carpenter also said much of the University’s work this year will build toward fiscal year 2027-28, when three major construction projects will be complete:
- Summit House is scheduled to welcome MSU Denver’s first on-campus residents in August 2027. Pricing is expected in October, and applications could open as early as December.
- The Gina and Frank Day Health Institute Tower project remains on time and on budget.
- Auraria Event Center renovations are scheduled to begin in December and finish in July 2027.
Carpenter also highlighted that the University will begin the adoption of Workday Student as its student information system in early 2027, and campus workflow testing begins this fall.
Addressing a federal lawsuit challenging state laws that grant in-state tuition and financial aid to undocumented students, Carpenter reminded employees that nothing has changed regarding the Advancing Students for a Stronger Tomorrow Act, or ASSET, Colorado’s law that makes undocumented students who live in the state eligible for both. Current tuition and financial aid practices remain in place, and he urged employees not to discuss students’ immigration status.
Academic Affairs poised to support student success
Provost Matt Makley, Ph.D., highlighted the work behind a smooth launch of the new academic year. More than 2,100 course sections are running this semester, and his office had received no complaints about course operations or noise from the many campus construction projects.
Makley also commended leaders of the University’s new budget model. He said for the first time during his tenure at MSU Denver, deans received their budgets in July, providing academic leaders with a clearer look at their resources earlier in the year.
Cabinet members welcomed Ted Shin, MFA, as dean of the College of Aerospace, Computing, Engineering, and Design, and Rosemarie Allen, Ed.D., as dean of the School of Education. The search for the next dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences is underway, with candidate interviews expected to happen in November.
Makley also asked employees to support preparations for the University’s upcoming accreditation site visit by reviewing materials when requested and assisting Vice Provost Shaun Schaffer’s team.
Other updates
Enrollment: Overall enrollment is tracking about 0.2% above budget projections, with undergraduate FTE up about 1.5%, excluding concurrent enrollment. New-student enrollment was also up, while retention and graduate enrollment were tracking slightly lower. Leaders expect a clearer picture after the Sept. 2 census.
Faculty Senate: New Faculty Senate President Brenden Kendall, Ph.D., said priorities include teaching and learning in the age of AI, reviewing curriculum approval processes, and continuing faculty engagement in University strategy, budgets, compensation and faculty welfare.
University policies: Adrienne Randol, policy and records manager, shared that 54 policies have moved through the advancement process over the past 18 months, a dramatic increase from the previous average of about four per year from 2017. Employees can review and comment on policies concerning records management, information security and survey management before they advance to the Cabinet.
Ombuds: University Ombuds Team members said they remain available for confidential, informal support navigating workplace conflicts and difficult conversations.
Student-centered teamwork earns special recognition
The meeting began with Student-Centered Excellence Awards, presented this month in lieu of Roadrunner Shoutouts. The awards recognized employees who responded after the unexpected cancellation of the Colorado Pre-Law Pathway Partnership grant threatened six credits of no-cost coursework for 14 students.
In response, teams across MSU Denver created and approved a new course, enrolled and advised students, secured financial support and navigated the administrative processes necessary to keep the students on track.
Jim Carpenter, interim president and CFO, presents a Student-Centered Excellence Award to Jeremy Castle, professor of Political Science.
Jim Carpenter, interim president and CFO, presents a Student-Centered Excellence Award to Shaun LaBarre, director of the Institute for Public Service.
Jim Carpenter, interim president and CFO, presents a Student-Centered Excellence Award to John Masserini, Ph.D., dean of the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.
Jim Carpenter, interim president and CFO, presents a Student-Centered Excellence Award to the Bursar's Office and Bursar Mike McCabe.
Jim Carpenter, interim president and CFO, presents a Student-Centered Excellence Award to Erica Buckland Anderson, director, along with Maggie Aurich and Tonia Schneider of the Curriculum and Academic Policy Team.
Jim Carpenter, interim president and CFO, presents a Student-Centered Excellence Award to Kelly Findley, associate director of scholarships, and the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Jim Carpenter, interim president and CFO, presents a Student-Centered Excellence Award to Jesse Ehringer, associate registrar, and the Registrar's Office.
Recipients and recognitions included:
- Jeremy Castle, Ph.D., professor of Political Science, for supporting pre-law students and helping develop the academic solution. Political Science staff were also recognized for supporting the rapid response.
- Shaun LaBarre, director of the Institute for Public Service, for the institute’s role in supporting affected pre-law students. Institute for Public Service staff were also commended.
- John Masserini, dean of the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, for supporting the cross-campus response.
- Bursar’s Office and Bursar Mike McCabe for helping to coordinate the financial arrangements that allowed students to continue coursework.
- Erica Buckland Anderson, director, along with Maggie Aurich and Tonia Schneider of the Curriculum and Academic Policy Team, for helping move the new course through curriculum processes.
- Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships and Kelly Findley, associate director of scholarships, for helping coordinate financial support for affected students.
- Registrar’s Office and Jesse Ehringer, associate registrar, for supporting enrollment and registration processes.
Roadrunner Shoutouts return next month.
