The University of Colorado’s Office of Policy and Efficiency (OPE) has implemented updates to several administrative policy statements, effective January 1, 2026. The changes affect policies in both Academic Affairs and Employee Services.
In the Academic Affairs area, updates were made to align with recent revisions in Regent Policy 4.B: Academic Planning and Accountability. For APS 1019 (Degree Program Review), periodic independent audits of campus degree review processes have been added, and requirements for the systemwide annual degree program review report have been clarified. Goals and plans for degree programs now require approval from the dean, provost, and chancellor.
APS 1038 (New Degree Program Approval) was revised to include independent audits related to its requirements. The structure of the annual new degree report was also updated, along with minor clarifications throughout the policy.
For APS 1043, which addresses Independent Teaching, Independent Scholarly/Creative Work, and Academic Freedom, minor updates were made to connect the policy more clearly to academic freedom and clarify references to independent scholarly or creative work.
In Employee Services policies, APS 5001 (Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action) was changed to ensure compliance with federal law.
APS 5009 (Performance Evaluations for University Staff) removed required rating scales and definitions. It now provides basic instructions and assigns responsibility for maintaining evaluation policies to campus HR offices.
APS 5013 (Acting and Interim Appointments for University Staff Positions) updated its temporary period from six months to nine months in line with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.
No changes were proposed for APS 5023 (Letters of Offer for University Staff), but it was reviewed as scheduled.
APS 5026 (Alternate Work Arrangements for Classified Staff and University Staff) added definitions related to hybrid and remote work arrangements under “alternate modality.”
APS 5050 (Background Checks) now includes definitions for two additional background checks: one addressing misconduct and another involving fingerprint checks.
Modifications in APS 5054 (Hiring Retirees to Work in Staff or Faculty Positions) included updating terminology from “ORP” to “401(a),” expanding language on PERA retirees acting as Independent Contractors, removing outdated process language regarding PERA’s rules, and clarifying restrictions tied to tax-deferred early retirement incentives.
For APS 5056 (University Employment Postings), interim employment periods were extended from six months to nine months due to state law. Compensation range information is now required in postings. The nondiscrimination statement was also updated for consistency with regent laws.
A comprehensive review of APS 5062 (Leave) resulted in updates across multiple sections including vacation leave, sick leave, administrative leave, bereavement leave, court and jury leave, furloughs, leave sharing, military leave, and parental leave. More details are available at https://www.cu.edu/ope/aps/latest-changes.
Finally, a new policy—APS 5066—was introduced. It outlines distinctions between employment roles and nonemployment roles within the university community. This aims to clarify differences among these roles while providing resources relevant to each category.
Further information about these changes can be found at https://www.cu.edu/ope/aps/latest-changes or by visiting http://www.cu.edu/ope/.
