The University of Colorado announced on March 26 that a proposal to allow collective bargaining for employees not already covered by existing agreements is being delayed. Regent Elliott Hood, who had planned to introduce the measure at the March meeting of the CU Board of Regents Governance Committee, informed committee members about the postponement.
The delay aims to provide more time for outreach and feedback from stakeholders within the university community. This is intended to ensure that all parties, especially those involved in shared governance, have an opportunity to review and comment on how collective bargaining could fit into current structures.
“I wanted to make sure that I gave everyone, especially those already representing their fellow staff or faculty through the existing shared governance model, a chance to study and provide me with feedback on not only the idea, but how it could be structured to complement our system of shared governance,” Hood said.
Hood also clarified that language previously circulating among CU community members was not necessarily his final proposal but rather one possible approach. He said any formal language would be introduced through the Governance Committee process for full public review and debate.
According to Hood, due to how authority is vested in the Board of Regents, any regent can bring a policy proposal through committee and ultimately before the full board. The process includes several steps: introduction in committee, notification of policy discussion to all regents, presentation and debate at committee level followed by consideration by the full board. Each step occurs at least a month apart.
Hood told his colleagues he would develop a timeline for introducing and debating any future proposal after completing outreach with various groups across campus.
