Spring 2026

Status Change: Placed in Nondegree Program (Targeted Message)

Linda Sprouse — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Status Change: Placed in Nondegree Program (Targeted Message) Linda Sprouse Fri, 01/09/2026 - 00:00 Office of the Registrar

Who Received This Email?

We sent this email at 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, to students who were administratively placed in a nondegree program for Spring 2026.

Dear [first],

Our records indicate that although you graduated from �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder in December, you're registered for one or more Spring 2025 classes in the same degree program.

Students who've graduated from a degree program aren't allowed to take additional courses in that program; therefore, we've placed you in a nondegree program for the summer and/or fall semester(s). You're still enrolled in your classes.

Note: If you received an undergraduate degree but are still completing requirements for an additional major, please contact your advisor.

Your Next Steps

Enrollment changes like this one may result in an adjustment to your bill and financial aid package. Check your tuition and fee balance in Buff Portal and visit the Continuing Education website or meet with an advisor to learn more about nondegree tuition and fees.

As a nondegree student, you'll register for Main Campus classes through ACCESS in the future. If you wish to pursue another degree, you may:

Apply to pursue another undergraduate degree.
Apply to pursue a graduate degree (contact the department offering the degree).

If you have questions about why this change occurred, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

Office of the Registrar | �鶹��Ѱ��
303-492-6970 | registrar@colorado.edu

Our records indicate that although you graduated from �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder in December, you're registered for one or more Spring 2026 classes in the same degree program.

Off

Traditional

White

Reminder: Set Your Security Passphrase (Targeted Message)

Linda Sprouse — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Reminder: Set Your Security Passphrase (Targeted Message) Linda Sprouse Thu, 01/08/2026 - 00:00 Office of the Registrar

Who Received This Email?

We sent this email at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, to students who didn't have a security passphrase on record, were enrolled in Spring 2026 classes, and weren't already reminded on Aug. 15, 2025.

Dear [first],

Please take a moment to set an easy-to-remember security passphrase.

Stating your passphrase is the quickest way to verify your identity and get the answers you need when contacting a campus office by phone or in person without a photo ID.

Set Your Security Passphrase (�鶹��Ѱ��Portal)

Remember: Do not share your security passphrase with anyone.

To allow a parent, guardian, sponsor or other third party to discuss or view parts of your education record, set up FERPA consent to release and/or �鶹��Ѱ��guest access for them.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Office of the Registrar | �鶹��Ѱ��
303-492-6970 | registrar@colorado.edu

Please take a moment to establish a security passphrase that �鶹��Ѱ��staff can use to verify your identity when you contact us by phone or in person without a photo ID.

Off

Traditional

White

Reminder: You Chose Full Privacy (Targeted Message)

Linda Sprouse — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Reminder: You Chose Full Privacy (Targeted Message) Linda Sprouse Wed, 01/07/2026 - 00:00 Office of the Registrar

Who Received This Email?

We sent this email at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, to students who were on full privacy and who had registered or were eligible to register for Spring 2026 classes.

Dear [first],

You elected full privacy by submitting a FERPA nondisclosure form. To protect your information, �鶹��Ѱ��is required by federal law to follow strict procedures when talking about your education record.

Remember You're on Full Privacy

If you want to discuss your education record in person, you must first present a valid photo ID to confirm your identity. If you call, you must say, "I'm on full privacy, and my security passphrase is..."

Tell Your Authorized Third Parties

If you want to authorize a third party (e.g., a parent or guardian) to contact �鶹��Ѱ��on your behalf, use FERPA consent to release to establish an authorization phrase for them. When they contact CU, they must say, "I'm an authorized third party, and my authorization phrase is..."

Consider Potential Impacts

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder won't publish information about your honors or awards, and your name won't appear in commencement materials.

If a potential employer or university attempts to verify your degree, �鶹��Ѱ��staff must respond, "Due to data privacy policies, we are unable to respond to your request."

Change Your Privacy Status If Needed

To remove full privacy from your record, follow the instructions on our full privacy webpage.

Office of the Registrar | �鶹��Ѱ��
303-492-6970 | registrar@colorado.edu

Off

Traditional

White

Reminder: You're on a Spring 2026 Special Session Class Waitlist (Targeted Message)

Linda Sprouse — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Reminder: You're on a Spring 2026 Special Session Class Waitlist (Targeted Message) Linda Sprouse Wed, 01/07/2026 - 00:00 Office of the Registrar

Who Received This Email?

We sent this email at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, to Main Campus students who were on a waitlist for one or more Spring 2026 Main Campus special session classes.

Dear [first],

You're currently on a waitlist for one or more special session classes. While you're on the waitlist:

Because you aren't enrolled in the class, you won't be charged tuition for it and it won't count toward your enrollment status (e.g., full time, half time).
You will, however, appear on the class roster and have access to the online class materials until waitlists are canceled.

Check Your Waitlist Position

On the First Day of Class

Attend the first class meeting and tell the instructor you're on the waitlist. They may be able to advise you on your chances of being enrolled from the waitlist and whether you should continue to attend the class meetings.

What Happens Next

If a seat becomes available in your waitlisted class:

Between now and when automatic waitlist enrollment ends, the next eligible waitlisted student will be enrolled automatically. If you're enrolled automatically, you'll receive an email confirmation within 24 hours.
After automatic waitlist enrollment ends, contact the department offering the class to see if their policies allow them to enroll you manually. If not, you may want to remain on the waitlist so you're eligible for course reservation, which can guarantee you a seat the next time the course is offered.

After waitlists are canceled, if you still aren't enrolled, you'll lose access to the class's online materials and be removed from the class roster. If you remained on the waitlist, we'll email you a reminder during the next course reservation period. Additional eligibility requirements may apply and some classes are only offered during certain semesters.

View Special Session Calendars

Office of the Registrar | �鶹��Ѱ��
303-492-6970 | registrar@colorado.edu

Attend the first class meeting and tell the instructor you're on the waitlist.

Off

Traditional

White

Reminder: You're on a Spring 2026 Class Waitlist (Targeted Message)

Linda Sprouse — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Reminder: You're on a Spring 2026 Class Waitlist (Targeted Message) Linda Sprouse Wed, 01/07/2026 - 00:00 Office of the Registrar

Who Received This Email?

We sent this email at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, to students who were on a waitlist for one or more Spring 2026 Main Campus full-semester classes.

Dear [first],

You're currently on a waitlist for one or more full-semester Main Campus classes. While you're on the waitlist:

Because you aren't enrolled in the class, you won't be charged tuition for it and it won't count toward your enrollment status (e.g., full time, half time).
You will, however, appear on the class roster and have access to the online class materials until waitlists are canceled on Jan. 26.

Check Your Waitlist Position

On the First Day of Class

What Happens Next

If a seat becomes available in your waitlisted class:

Between now and Jan. 16, the next eligible waitlisted student will be enrolled automatically. If you're enrolled automatically, you'll receive an email confirmation within 24 hours.
Between Jan. 17 and Jan. 25, contact the department offering the class to see if their policies allow them to enroll you manually. If not, you may want to remain on the waitlist so you're eligible for course reservation, which can guarantee you a seat the next time the course is offered.

On Monday, Jan. 26, waitlists are canceled. If you still aren't enrolled, you'll lose access to the class's online materials and be removed from the class roster.

If you're eligible for course reservation, we'll email you a confirmation of your eligibility at the start of the next course reservation period.

Office of the Registrar | �鶹��Ѱ��
303-492-6970 | registrar@colorado.edu

You're currently on a waitlist for one or more full-semester Main Campus classes.

Off

Traditional

White

FERPA Protections Take Effect for New Students on Thursday, Jan. 8

Linda Sprouse — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000

FERPA Protections Take Effect for New Students on Thursday, Jan. 8 Linda Sprouse Wed, 01/07/2026 - 00:00 Office of the Registrar

Who Received This Email?

We sent this email at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, to �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder faculty, staff and temporary employees.

Dear faculty and staff,

Student data privacy is everyone's responsibility. The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the �鶹��Ѱ�� have set forth guidelines related to the disclosure of and access to student education records maintained by the university.

FERPA protections go into effect for incoming Spring 2026 students on Thursday, Jan. 8, and remain in effect for continuing and returning students.

Education Records

Any record that directly relates to a student and is maintained by �鶹��Ѱ��(regardless of medium) is classified as an education record. Education records include:

Directory information, which may generally be disclosed to a third party without the written consent of the student, as long as the student hasn't established full privacy. This includes items such as student name, major(s) and minor(s), and participation in officially recognized activities or sports (see Directory Information for a complete list).
Nondirectory information is personally identifiable information and may not be disclosed to anyone, including parents, without documented student consent. School officials, including faculty and staff, may only access nondirectory information if they have a legitimate educational interest. This includes sensitive data, such as SSNs, grades and financial information, and class recordings (see below).

Remote & Online Classes

Recordings of lectures or class meetings are considered education records if students' names or likenesses are displayed or disclosed. You may share these recordings with the class, but not with others without documented consent from each student identified in the recording.

When offering classes through Zoom, plan a secure meeting by requiring authentication and setting a meeting password. Before sharing your screen in class, close all documents or systems displaying personally identifiable information. Accidental sharing of such information is a violation of FERPA.

Students on full privacy (see below) are not treated differently than other students within the physical or virtual classroom. Their name, image and email address may appear on screen and in your learning management system, and you may call on them by name.

Letters of Recommendation

Any disclosure of nondirectory student information (e.g., class performance, grades, abilities, background) to a third party in letters of recommendation or reference calls requires prior documented consent from the student. For full details and a student release form, see Release of Student Recommendations.

Accommodations Related to Disabilities

Students’ disabilities are protected under FERPA. When contacting students in your class to discuss accommodations related to disabilities, you must email students individually or bcc each student email address to avoid a FERPA violation. If you have any questions, please contact Disability Services.

Artificial Intelligence

AI development, its uses and tools are rapidly evolving. AI users at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder should stay current with campus policies and guidance regarding student data privacy, compliance, security and other AI considerations and implications. See Artificial Intelligence at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder.

Student Privacy Options & University Business Practices

FERPA Training & Resources

Each year, the Office of the Registrar offers a FERPA review and training session that allows faculty and staff to ask questions about specific situations. Visit our training and support page to view upcoming sessions or request departmental training.

Please don't hesitate to contact the Office of the Registrar when questions arise. Additional FERPA information is available in Skillsoft and on the Office of the Registrar and U.S. Department of Education websites.

Sincerely,

Kristi Wold-McCormick, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice Provost and University Registrar

Office of the Registrar | �鶹��Ѱ��
303-492-6970 | registrar@colorado.edu

The protection of student privacy is everyone's responsibility. The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the �鶹��Ѱ�� have set forth guidelines related to the disclosure of and access to student education records maintained by the university.

Off

Traditional

White

Spring 2026 New Students: Things to Do Before Classes Start

Linda Sprouse — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Spring 2026 New Students: Things to Do Before Classes Start Linda Sprouse Wed, 01/07/2026 - 00:00 Office of the Registrar

Who Received This Email?

We sent this email at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, to domestic (not international) degree-seeking undergraduate students who were starting their �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder career in Spring 2026.

Dear [first],

Welcome to �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder! To help your first semester go smoothly, please make sure you've completed the following tasks.

___ Clear Your Holds & Complete Your To-Dos

Check your holds and to-dos in Buff Portal for specific action items.

___ Submit Your Final Official Transcript(s)

Final official transcripts should be sent to the Office of Admissions directly from the issuing institution by mail or to transcripts@colorado.edu as soon as they are available. Without your official transcripts, �鶹��Ѱ��won’t be able to let you register or apply financial aid to future semesters.

___ Apply for and Authorize the College Opportunity Fund (In-State Undergrads Only)

The College Opportunity Fund (COF) is Colorado's way of financially supporting its in-state undergraduates. There's no limit to the number of eligible undergrads who receive it, and you never have to pay it back. If you haven't already, complete two steps to opt in: 1) submit the one-time COF application and 2) authorize the use of COF funds. Visit the COF card in Buff Portal to check your status.

___ Register with Selective Service (Males Ages 18–25 Only)

If you were assigned male at birth and are between the ages of 18 and 25, federal law requires that you complete a one-time Selective Service registration. See Register with Selective Service for more information.

___ Grant Others Access to Education Records

Once classes begin, the university can no longer communicate with parents, guardians or authorized third parties about your education record, including financial aid information because it’s protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Granting access is optional but encouraged if someone is helping you with financial aid. See FERPA Consent to Release for more information.

___ Complete any Required Loan Documents

If you accepted a federal student loan, be sure to complete the required entrance counseling and Master Promissory Note (MPN).

Have Questions?

Contact us remotely using the links below or visit us in person once you're on campus—our offices are located on the first floor of the Regent Administrative Center.

Office of Admissions
303-492-6301
admissions@colorado.edu

Office of the Registrar

303-492-6970
registrar@colorado.edu

Office of Financial Aid

303-492-5091
Contact form

Bursar's Office
303-492-5381
bursar@colorado.edu

Welcome to �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder! To help your first semester go smoothly, please make sure you've completed the following tasks.

Off

Traditional

White

Retaking a Class Ineligible for Grade Replacement

Linda Sprouse — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 18:31:02 +0000

Retaking a Class Ineligible for Grade Replacement Linda Sprouse Tue, 01/06/2026 - 11:31 Office of the Registrar

Dear [first],

According to our records, your enrollment in [Subject] [catalog number] ([section]) in [term] was previously evaluated as eligible for grade replacement.

[Students who are ineligible due to earning a lower grade.]

We’ve evaluated that this class is now ineligible for grade replacement because you earned a lower grade in the latest attempt. (In this situation, grade replacement wouldn’t help improve your cumulative GPA.)

[Students who are ineligible for any reason other than earning a lower grade.]

We’ve evaluated that this class is now ineligible for grade replacement. Some reasons a class may become ineligible for grade replacement include changing to pass/fail, receiving a permanent incomplete grade for retaking a class within one year or the occurrence of an honor code violation. Learn more about grade replacement eligibility requirements.

When you retake a class without grade replacement, the grades from both attempts will be included in your cumulative and major GPAs, credit totals and academic standing.

Visit our website to learn more about grade replacement. If you have questions, please contact us.

Office of the Registrar | �鶹��Ѱ��
303-492-6970 | registrar@colorado.edu

According to our records, your enrollment in [Subject] [catalog number] ([section]) in [term] was previously evaluated as eligible for grade replacement.

Off

Traditional

White

Spring 2026 Main Campus Academic Dates & Deadlines

Linda Sprouse — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Spring 2026 Main Campus Academic Dates & Deadlines Linda Sprouse Tue, 01/06/2026 - 00:00 Office of the Registrar

Who Received This Email?

We sent this email at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, to Main Campus, degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students (not law) who had registered or were eligible to register for Spring 2026 classes.

As you prepare for the Spring 2026 semester, please keep in mind the following key dates. Deadlines occur at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time unless otherwise noted.

These dates apply to Main Campus classes that follow the full-semester start and end dates (Jan. 8–May 2, 2026). For other calendars, see our academic calendar webpage.*

Monday, Jan. 5

Financial aid begins applying to the bill for students starting classes on Jan.8.
Open Enrollment registration begins for all active �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder students.

Thursday, Jan. 8

First day of classes.
Last day to submit a private scholarship check to avoid late fees.

Thursday, Jan. 15

First tuition and fee bills will be available online in Buff Portal.

Friday, Jan. 16

Last day to add a class, swap a class or join a waitlist for a closed class.
Last day to be automatically enrolled from a waitlist.

Monday, Jan. 19

Martin Luther King Jr. holiday (no classes; university closed).

Friday, Jan. 23

Last day to drop a class without a W notation.
Last day to withdraw from the semester without tuition charges and W notations.
Last day to change variable credit hours or no-credit status.

Monday, Jan. 26

Waitlists are canceled. Students still on the waitlist lose access to that class's online materials, but may be eligible to reserve a seat in the course the next time it's offered.

Sunday, Feb. 1

Last day to enroll in or waive student health insurance coverage.

Wednesday, Feb. 4

Last day to enroll in a 3-payment plan. (The last day to enroll in a 4-payment plan was Sunday, Jan. 4)

Thursday, Feb. 5

Last day to pay your tuition & fee bill in full unless you’ve signed up for a payment plan. See payment options.

Thursday, Feb. 26

Midsemester reading day (no classes).

Wednesday, March 4

Last day to enroll in a 2-payment plan.

Monday, March 16–Friday, March 20

Spring break (no classes; university closed March 20).

Tuesday, March 24

Last day for a class withdrawal.
Last day to change pass/fail grade mode for a student-option class.

Friday, April 24

Last day of classes.
Classes follow a Monday schedule (not a Friday schedule).
Last day to withdraw from the semester.

Saturday, April 25–Sunday April 26

End of semester reading days (no classes or exams).

Monday, April 27–Friday, May 1

Final exams.

* If you’re enrolled in any class that doesn’t meet for the full semester, it’s a special session class. Special session classes follow different deadlines than full-semester classes (view the special session calendar). To check the session and view key dates for one of your classes, go to the Your Classes card in Buff Portal. Select a class to view session information and the “Drop/Swap/Edit This Class” button for related deadlines.

Office of the Registrar | �鶹��Ѱ��
303-492-6970 | registrar@colorado.edu

As you prepare for the Spring 2026 semester, please keep the following key dates in mind.

Off

Traditional

White

Faculty & Staff Registration

Anonymous — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Faculty & Staff Registration Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 01/05/2026 - 00:00 Office of the Registrar

Who Received This Email?

We sent this email at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, to �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder faculty, staff and temporary employees.

If you still need to apply to �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder as a degree-seeking or nondegree student, see the Bursar's Office's getting-started resources for admission application links.

Dear faculty and staff,

Nondegree faculty and staff can register for �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder Main Campus classes during open enrollment, which began at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 5.

Degree-seeking employees and student dependents using the tuition assistance benefit can register and waitlist during the standard registration periods.

Please be aware there may be other registration period requirements that you will need to honor.

Your Next Steps

Complete the following tasks by the dates indicated:

Submit your tuition assistance benefit application in the employee portal by 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 15 (step-by-step instructions). Review the policy statement and potential tax impacts carefully.
You must apply for and be accepted in a degree-seeking or non-degree seeking program. For non-degree students, use the Faculty/Staff/Dependent Nondegree application.
Register for your class(es) during your registration period.
If you’re an in-state undergraduate, complete the one-time COF application by 5 p.m. on April 25, and authorize the use of COF funds by 11:59 p.m. on May 1.

If registering for courses at another �鶹��Ѱ��campus (Denver, Anschutz or Colorado Springs), please adhere to the academic calendar and registration dates for that campus.

For more information, visit Employee Services’ �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder Tuition Assistance page.

Office of the Registrar | �鶹��Ѱ��
303-492-6970 | registrar@colorado.edu

If you're using the tuition assistance benefit, learn more about registering for spring classes.

Off

Traditional

White