Academics

Changes to Incomplete grades take effect this fall—what students need to know

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 19:35:19 +0000

Changes to Incomplete grades take effect this fall—what students need to know Megan M Rogers Thu, 10/08/2026 - 13:35

Beginning this fall semester, updated procedures for assigning and resolving Incomplete (I) grades will take effect. These changes, made in consultation with the Boulder Faculty Assembly, are intended to improve consistency and the student experience, clarify existing policy, and align with the campus Grade Replacement Policy.

Key reminders

Incomplete grade requests must be initiated by the student and are appropriate only when circumstances beyond the student's control prevent completion of course requirements.
A substantial portion of the coursework must be completed by the student to be eligible for an Incomplete grade.
An Incomplete Grade Agreement must be completed to document remaining work and deadlines for completion (may also use a college/school Incomplete form).
If requirements are not completed within one year of the end of the semester in which the Incomplete was assigned, the grade converts to an F.
Incomplete grades are not eligible for grade replacement until they have been resolved.

What's changing for fall 2026 and later

“Substantial portion” is clarified as the student having at least two-thirds of coursework completed (with a passing grade) to be considered for an Incomplete grade.
Reenrollment is not a means to resolve an Incomplete grade. The student must complete the outstanding coursework and receive a final grade from the instructor within the prescribed resolution period. I grades are no longer made permanent if a student chooses to reenroll.
The notation "Originally graded as Incomplete" will no longer appear on official transcripts.

These changes apply only to Incomplete grades assigned in fall 2026 and later. Incompletes assigned before fall 2026 will continue to follow previous procedures.

Please review the FAQs for answers to common questions. For additional assistance, contact registrar@colorado.edu. Additional information on Incomplete grading and grade replacement are available in the University Catalog.

Changes to Incomplete grades begin this fall, including updated eligibility requirements and how grades are resolved. Learn more.

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CMDI's 5-year strategic plan looks to the future with fearless imagination

Megan M Rogers — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 15:33:01 +0000

CMDI's 5-year strategic plan looks to the future with fearless imagination Megan M Rogers Mon, 10/05/2026 - 09:33

A curricula focus on AI ethics and literacy. More resources for students’ career development. Coordination of college-wide sustainability programs aligning with campus initiatives.

These are just a few of the ambitious priorities packed into the College of Communication, Media, Design and Information’s new strategic plan— “Onward! Into the Future With Fearless Imagination.” The plan shapes CMDI’s direction over the next five years and centers on three core pillars: student success, scholarly excellence and an inclusive culture.

By integrating emerging priorities such as AI ethics, screen media, professionalization and sustainability into the curriculum, CMDI will ensure students graduate as disciplined, career-ready leaders. At the same time, the college is growing support for faculty through research grants, expanded mentorship and national visibility. Grounded in a commitment to well-being, the plan also emphasizes more resources for faculty and staff recognition and professional development.

“I am proud of the more than 230 people from CMDI who came together over the past year to craft how we want CU’s newest college to keep innovating,” said CMDI Founding Dean Lori Bergen, who led the college’s launch in 2015. “Our four values are collaboration, compassion, creativity and curiosity. And we saw all those guiding principles come together as faculty, staff, students, alumni and others passionately shared their perspectives on who we want to become.”

Some other examples of what CMDI strives to achieve before 2031 include:

Read the CMDI strategic plan

Expanding access to residential learning communities (RLC) and first-year seminars to all CMDI incoming first-year students to support engagement, belonging and first-year retention
Pursuing recruiting strategies, such as targeted social media advertising, that focus on trending geographic markets, specific academic majors and Colorado residents
Developing a screen and creative industries certificate and aligning programming with the Sundance Film Festival and related industry opportunities
Securing donor funding for new endowed faculty positions to support teaching, research and creative excellence
Implementing a college-wide employee recognition program that celebrates faculty and staff contributions

CMDI’s strategic plan debuts as the broader campus continues to highlight its institutional priorities and vision to “transform lives in service to a just and sustainable world.” During the CMDI brainstorming process, Bergen said, many of the same campus themes rose to the top.

“When you look at those priorities, such as making ��ñ�� a destination workplace, promoting collaborative and inclusive research, expanding sustainability-focused academic programs and preparing students for successful careers—we are aligned,” she said. “And we want to work with partners across the campus on the best and boldest ideas so we can all benefit.”

The College of Communication, Media, Design and Information's new plan prioritizes student success, scholarly and creative excellence, and an inclusive community where difference and unconventional ideas can thrive.

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How to choose or change your major at ��ñ��

Chloe Fischer — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 18:00:40 +0000

How to choose or change your major at ��ñ�� Chloe Fischer Fri, 09/25/2026 - 12:00

Learn how to compare majors, consider career possibilities and use ��ñ�� resources to help you decide what your next step could be.

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��ñ�� in top 10 nationally for multiple undergrad programs, says US News & World Report

Greg B Swenson — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 14:41:12 +0000

��ñ�� in top 10 nationally for multiple undergrad programs, says US News & World Report Greg B Swenson Tue, 09/22/2026 - 08:41

Several ��ñ�� undergraduate programs have earned top 10 spots among public universities, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2027 "Best Colleges" rankings.

Among public institutions, ��ñ��’s rankings in the top 10 were aerospace engineering at No. 6 (or No. 10 overall—including private universities); environment/environmental health engineering at No. 7 (No. 11 overall); real estate at No. 9 (No. 14 overall); civil engineering at No. 10 (No. 14 overall).

Rounding out the top 20 were chemical engineering at No. 11 (No. 19 overall); computer science at No. 16 (No. 34 overall); and psychology at No. 17 (No. 37 overall).

Economics also excelled, coming in at No. 21 (No. 54 overall).

��ñ��'s College of Engineering and Applied Science is ranked No. 14 nationally (No. 26 overall) and the business program at the Leeds School of Business landed the No. 21 spot (No. 33 overall).

Overall, ��ñ�� ranks No. 50 in the nation among public institutions (or No. 109 overall).

U.S. News & World Report rankings are based on measures of academic peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving.

The full rankings are posted on the U.S. News website. U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings for graduate programs are issued in the spring.

Leeds remains in the top 6% of public and private business schools in 2027 U.S. News & World Report Rankings

Several ��ñ�� undergraduate programs have earned top 10 spots among public universities, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2027 "Best Colleges" rankings.

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��ñ�� receives $2M NSF award to expand pathways for low-income STEM students

Emma Holst — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 19:57:39 +0000

��ñ�� receives $2M NSF award to expand pathways for low-income STEM students Emma Holst Fri, 09/18/2026 - 13:57

Emma Holst

This scholarship program will combine financial support, academic advising, mentoring and career development to help Colorado students persist and thrive in STEM fields.

��ñ�� has earned a $2 million award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to open new pathways for low-income Colorado students pursuing degrees in some of the nation’s fastest-growing science and technology fields.

Through the NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics program, known as S-STEM, ��ñ�� will support 24 students across two cohorts in eligible STEM majors connected to artificial intelligence and machine learning, robotics, quantum computing and sensing, and biotechnology. Students who remain eligible and continue making academic progress may receive support through the rest of their undergraduate programs, for up to five years.

Reducing barriers to graduation

Rebecca Machen

For Rebecca Machen, assistant teaching professor in mathematics and a partner on the project, the award recognizes both the promise of ��ñ�� students and the practical obstacles that can shape their college experience.

“Many STEM students participating in academic programs through the Student Academic Success Center have the academic preparation, motivation and ability to be successful in STEM majors,” Machen said. “However, financial barriers can limit their access to the full range of opportunities available to them as students.”

When students have to close financial gaps on their own, academics can become only one of many competing demands—that can mean working more hours while enrolled, taking fewer credits or taking longer to graduate. In preparation for the S-STEM proposal, the project team reviewed institutional data and found STEM students who qualify for financial aid persist at lower rates and often take longer to graduate than their academic peers.

The data pointed to a clear opportunity: Financial support is essential, but it is most powerful when paired with the advising, connection and academic scaffolding that help students navigate demanding STEM pathways. Roughly 16% of ��ñ�� undergraduates meet NSF guidelines for financial support through S-STEM, pointing to a meaningful population of students who could benefit from the initiative.

“Our goal with the S-STEM program is to provide additional resources that allow these students to more fully participate in their majors and the university community,” Machen said.

Building on a foundation of student success

The initiative extends work already underway through the Student Academic Success Center, or SASC, where students can access proactive advising, academic resources, community-building programs, and trained faculty and staff who understand the needs of students from low-income backgrounds.

It also grows out of earlier campus experiences with NSF S-STEM funding through the Red Shirt Program. Insights from that work helped identify critical moments in a student’s trajectory, including the move into upper-division STEM coursework, when targeted support can make a meaningful difference in whether students stay on track.

Pairing financial support with community

For selected scholars, the award is intended to ease immediate financial pressure while connecting them with a broader network of support. Along with scholarship funding, students will have access to advising, mentoring, tutoring, smaller foundational STEM courses and summer coursework support when appropriate.

The cohort model is another central part of the program. By moving through experiences with peers, scholars will have more opportunities to form relationships, share challenges and build a stronger sense of community within their areas of study and across campus.

“We believe that reducing some of the financial barriers students experience, while also building academic and community support around them, can help create more equitable pathways toward STEM degrees,” Machen said.

Support will change as students advance. Early programming will emphasize academic belonging, foundational coursework and campus connection. Later, scholars will focus on more intentional professional development, with faculty mentors helping students identify experiences that match their interests, whether that means joining a lab, pursuing an internship, presenting at a conference or considering graduate school.

The program will also draw on existing campus strengths, including the Research and Innovation Office (RIO), the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program and career-development resources within colleges. Collaborations with the College of Engineering and Applied Science and the Leeds School of Business will help students translate classroom learning into career readiness, professional networks and a clearer understanding of where their degree can lead.

“We hope students leave ��ñ�� not only with a STEM degree but also with the experiences, relationships and professional networks that can help them move into the next stage of their careers,” Machen said.

A model for university-wide impact

Beyond the direct student support, the award gives ��ñ�� a chance to study a coordinated model that brings financial assistance, academic resources, community and career preparation together in one program.

As the project unfolds, the university will assess how those elements influence persistence, degree completion and students’ movement into STEM careers or graduate study. Findings will be shared with academic departments, colleges and student-support programs across campus.

In that sense, the scholarship is designed to do more than lower the cost of attendance. It reflects a broader university commitment to helping Colorado students finish their degrees and prepare for careers in fields that will shape Colorado and the nation.

For scholars, that connected experience means more time to focus on coursework, stronger ties to the university and their peers, earlier access to research and professional opportunities, and the support to carry their ambitions forward.

This scholarship program will combine financial support, academic advising, mentoring and career development to help Colorado students persist and thrive in STEM fields.

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Protect your discoveries before you publish them

Chloe Fischer — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 19:10:45 +0000

Protect your discoveries before you publish them Chloe Fischer Thu, 09/17/2026 - 13:10

As a researcher, creator or inventor at ��ñ��, your work has the potential to change the world. Protecting these innovations ensures they reach their full potential benefit to society while securing recognition and opportunities for you.

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Celebrating 40 years of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program

Chloe Fischer — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 21:35:21 +0000

Celebrating 40 years of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program Chloe Fischer Mon, 09/14/2026 - 15:35

��ñ�� has an expansive history of engaging undergraduates in the dynamic research and creative life of the campus dating to the creation of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program in 1986. Celebrate 40 years of UROP as the university marks its 150th anniversary.

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��ñ�� postdoc awarded $600K grant to study social bonds, brain aging

Chloe Fischer — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 19:18:09 +0000

��ñ�� postdoc awarded $600K grant to study social bonds, brain aging Chloe Fischer Wed, 09/09/2026 - 13:18

Michael Kelberman has received a Simons Foundation Fellows-to-Faculty Award, which supports early-career scientists as they transition from postdoctoral research to independent faculty positions.

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What are office hours? Here's why you should go

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 17:05:46 +0000

What are office hours? Here's why you should go Megan M Rogers Fri, 08/28/2026 - 11:05

Meeting with your professor early in the semester can help you feel more confident, understand class expectations and make it easier to ask questions later. Here's how to make the most of office hours.

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Entrepreneurship Center for Music expands leadership series, artist programming

Megan M Rogers — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 17:24:26 +0000

Entrepreneurship Center for Music expands leadership series, artist programming Megan M Rogers Mon, 08/24/2026 - 11:24

The College of Music Entrepreneurship Center for Music will expand its student programming this year with several key grants from across campus.

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Academics

Changes to Incomplete grades take effect this fall—what students need to know

Key reminders

What's changing for fall 2026 and later

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CMDI's 5-year strategic plan looks to the future with fearless imagination

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How to choose or change your major at ��ñ��

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��ñ�� in top 10 nationally for multiple undergrad programs, says US News & World Report

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��ñ�� receives $2M NSF award to expand pathways for low-income STEM students

Reducing barriers to graduation

Building on a foundation of student success

Pairing financial support with community

A model for university-wide impact

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Protect your discoveries before you publish them

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Celebrating 40 years of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program

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��ñ�� postdoc awarded $600K grant to study social bonds, brain aging

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Entrepreneurship Center for Music expands leadership series, artist programming

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Academics

Changes to Incomplete grades take effect this fall—what students need to know

Key reminders

What's changing for fall 2026 and later

Related Articles

CMDI's 5-year strategic plan looks to the future with fearless imagination

Related Articles

How to choose or change your major at ��ñ����

Related Articles

��ñ���� in top 10 nationally for multiple undergrad programs, says US News & World Report

Related Articles

��ñ���� receives $2M NSF award to expand pathways for low-income STEM students

Reducing barriers to graduation

Building on a foundation of student success

Pairing financial support with community

A model for university-wide impact

Related Articles

Protect your discoveries before you publish them

Related Articles

Celebrating 40 years of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program

Related Articles

��ñ���� postdoc awarded $600K grant to study social bonds, brain aging

Related Articles

What are office hours? Here's why you should go

Off

Entrepreneurship Center for Music expands leadership series, artist programming

Related Articles

How to choose or change your major at ��ñ��

��ñ�� in top 10 nationally for multiple undergrad programs, says US News & World Report

��ñ�� receives $2M NSF award to expand pathways for low-income STEM students

��ñ�� postdoc awarded $600K grant to study social bonds, brain aging