Education (Higher Education)

The act expands the Colorado commission on higher education (commission) from 11 to 13 members by adding 2 nonvoting student members who are enrolled at a state-supported institution of higher education (student members). Specifically, the act adds:One student member from a graduate research university or a 4-year institution of higher education; andOne student member from a community college, local district college, or area technical college.     The governor shall make initial appointments of student members on or before July 1, 2027. Student members serve on the commission for a term of 2 years.     The act shrinks the advisory committee to the commission from 13 to 12 members by removing the advisory committee member designated to represent the students of the state.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Under current law, the members of the Auraria board of directors (board) who are the representatives of the student advisory committee and faculty advisory committee are nonvoting members.     The act makes the student board member and the faculty board member voting members of the board. Concerning the student board member, the act repeals the requirement that the student be a full-time student and reduces the Colorado residency requirement from 3 years prior to the member's election to one year prior to the member's election. The faculty advisory committee is expanded from 6 to 9 members. One of the additional members is elected from each constituent institution of the Auraria higher education center.     The act states that board members are fiduciaries of the Auraria higher education center and requires board members to recuse themselves from a vote or executive session of the board when they have a conflict of interest.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)