Weekly Letter from the Provost—Dec. 5
Weekly Letter from the Provost
This weekly newsletter will serve as one of many tools my office will use to keep you informed and engaged as we make progress toward our three goals for Academic Affairs. Thank you for your interest and support.
If you have suggestions for what we should include in future communications, please submit your ideas or stories here. Suggestions received before noon on Monday will be reviewed and considered for publication in that week’s newsletter. Others will be held for consideration until the following week.
Today’s update falls into four categories:
If you have suggestions for what we should include in future communications, please submit your ideas or stories here. Suggestions received before noon on Monday will be reviewed and considered for publication in that week’s newsletter. Others will be held for consideration until the following week.
Today’s update falls into four categories:
- Campus news and happenings
- Goal 1: Shape enrollment and improve retention and graduation rates for all students
- Goal 2: Improve career outcomes and better prepare our students to succeed and lead in an AI-transformed workforce
- Goal 3: Strengthen academic excellence
Campus News and Happenings
Leadership Transition in the Office of Internationalization
On Wednesday, I shared the news that Uttiyo Raychaudhuri, vice provost for internationalization, is departing DU to pursue other opportunities. His last day will be on Jan. 5, 2026. We are grateful for his leadership and the impact he made on DU’s ability to facilitate global engagement and international experiences.
Responses to this Week’s Weather Event
Thank you for your flexibility and commitment to community safety in response to this week’s snowy weather conditions. As we are only at the beginning of the winter season, the potential for weather-related schedule changes will likely persist in the coming months. Please consult DU’s weather website for the most up-to-date information on closures, delays, or schedule modifications.
Taste of Thanksgiving with the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)
On Friday, Nov. 14, the ISSS hosted 40 people for the annual “Taste of Thanksgiving” event. For many attendees, this was their first Thanksgiving meal, which gave them the opportunity to try holiday classics such as cornbread dressing, homestyle stuffing, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie. Surprising the ISSS staff (and me, if I’m being honest), the roasted turkey was the favorite dish among many of the international students and scholars in attendance. Thank you to Theresa Johnson and the ISSS staff for providing this experience to our international students and scholars.
Goal 1: Shape Enrollment and Improve Retention and Graduation Rates
Student Disability Services (SDS) Thanks You for a Successful Finals Week!
Student Disability Services and the Provost's office thank you all for contributing to a successful finals week. Did you know that SDS proctored 592 final exams for this term? That is a 24% increase from fall 2024! SDS proctored 242 exams just on Monday of finals week alone in fall 2025.
The SDS Testing Center continues to be a valuable resource for students with disabilities—their staff appreciates your proactive communication and the uploading of exams before finals week. SDS was able to implement exam accommodations seamlessly this year thanks to your collaboration.
The SDS Testing Center continues to be a valuable resource for students with disabilities—their staff appreciates your proactive communication and the uploading of exams before finals week. SDS was able to implement exam accommodations seamlessly this year thanks to your collaboration.
Experiential Learning at the Kennedy Mountain Campus: Panel Discussion
The Kennedy Mountain Campus (KMC) has provided DU students with vibrant outdoor learning experiences since 2022. If you are a faculty member interested in incorporating this unique resource into your teaching, join our panel discussion on Jan. 13 from 9-10:00AM to discover how others have successfully done so. Faculty panelists will share their experiences, address both pedagogical and logistical considerations, and explore the impact of outdoor experiential learning opportunities on student engagement and success. Please register through Crimson Connect.
NCAA Lauds the Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of DU Student Athletes
Based on the data released on Wednesday by the NCAA , student athletes in the University of Denver’s sport programs achieved a 96% graduation success rate (GSR) in the 2018 cohort. This GSR puts DU at 42nd in the country, ranking top among Division 1 schools in the state of Colorado, first in the Summit League, and second among institutions that will be in the West Coast Conference next season. DU also had a school-record 13 programs post a perfect (100%) GSR with the 2018 cohort. Congratulations to our student athletes and many thanks to the faculty, staff, coaches, and students who promote and support them!
Goal 2: Improve Career Outcomes and Better Prepare Our Students to Succeed and Lead in an AI-transformed Workforce
Announcing New and Recent Updates to DU’s AI Website
In previous newsletters, I shared two new features on the AI website: one is a refreshed home page to highlight classroom, teaching, and research experiences, as well as resources in the AI realm. There is also a newly updated page featuring DU’s course offerings in AI and AI-related areas. Please submit any courses that may be missing from this list to Terese Rainwater.
I am pleased to share that DU is developing new guidelines which will apply to all employees who use AI to support and inform their work. I look forward to sharing access information once this is finalized. Please note: this content has been developed as broad guidelines and is not meant to address classroom interactions such as AI’s role in terms of assignments, grading, or classroom utilization.
More specific guidelines for faculty use in the classroom are in development, and we will share that information in subsequent newsletters.
I am pleased to share that DU is developing new guidelines which will apply to all employees who use AI to support and inform their work. I look forward to sharing access information once this is finalized. Please note: this content has been developed as broad guidelines and is not meant to address classroom interactions such as AI’s role in terms of assignments, grading, or classroom utilization.
More specific guidelines for faculty use in the classroom are in development, and we will share that information in subsequent newsletters.
Goal 3: Strengthen Academic Excellence
A Change in Strategy without a Change in Vision: Aligning Colorado's Research Community to Advance Data Equity
At the University of Denver, we believe research should make a real difference in people’s lives. The Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab convened 14 research centers to share innovative, actionable approaches for putting data equity at the heart of high-quality research. You can read more about this initiative in this LinkedIn post.
Reminder: Request for Proposals—2026 Professional Research Opportunities for Faculty
The 2026 Professional Research Opportunities for Faculty (PROF) request for proposals (RFP) is now available! Proposals are due Feb. 2, 2026, by 5 p.m. The PROF Fund supports faculty research and creative work that advances the “One DU” vision. Awards are available up to $27k for single investigators and $45k for multidisciplinary teams.
What is new this year?
What is new this year?
- New area group: professional inquiry projects were added—please see the RFP for details.
- New requirement: all PIs and co-PIs must complete the Research Policy Relay 2025 training by the submission deadline. Proof of completion will be tracked via MediaSpace.
- Proposals must be submitted via Qualtrics; email submissions will not be accepted.
Applicants can find the RFP, application, and budget template on the PROF Digication site(DU login is required).
lf you have questions, please contact Audry LaCrone.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth G. Loboa
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
lf you have questions, please contact Audry LaCrone.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth G. Loboa
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor