The University of Colorado has signed an agreement with OpenAI to provide secure and institutionally managed access to ChatGPT EDU for students, faculty, and staff across its four campuses and the CU system office. Each campus and the system office will have its own dedicated ChatGPT environment. This approach is designed to promote equal access while maintaining high standards for privacy, security, and data management. The agreement can be renewed annually.
University leaders said that this initiative supports CU’s goal of giving all students equitable opportunities to use new technology as they prepare for the workforce. “Equitable access to this emerging technology is essential for our students and employees,” said CU President Todd Saliman. “By investing at the system level, CU is helping remove barriers and ensuring that all members of our community can engage with these tools, regardless of discipline or background.”
ChatGPT EDU environments will be accessible to both full-time and part-time enrolled students, along with faculty and staff who use university-issued email credentials. According to the agreement, OpenAI will not use any content from CU’s ChatGPT EDU environments or user interactions to train its large language models.
CU Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz highlighted existing widespread usage: “Our data shows that generative AI tools, particularly ChatGPT, are already widely used by CU faculty, staff and students,” he said. Schwartz noted that using institutional data on public platforms can pose security risks but added that “through this agreement, ChatGPT EDU will offer a secure, institutionally supported alternative that better protects our data and meets users where they already are.”
Before gaining access to ChatGPT EDU, users must complete brief training covering appropriate use guidelines, privacy issues, and best practices. Additional resources will help users integrate the tool into academic work, research projects, or administrative tasks.
UCCS Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet described current AI experimentation at her campus: “Across UCCS, people are already experimenting with AI, as well as becoming proficient and expert users. Generative AI, natural language processing, machine learning and other AI tools are becoming part of how we teach, learn and work,” she said. “By offering a secure, institutionally supported option we’re reducing risk to university data… This agreement empowers our community to use AI thoughtfully and responsibly.”
The decision followed input from the President’s AI Working Group—a committee of faculty and staff experts—who assessed commercial AI options using principles focused on privacy, security, sustainability, equity,and institutional benefit.
The initial annual licensing costs—about $2 million for 100,000 users—will be paid by the CU system office in the first year; after that individual campuses will fund their own environments.
“At CU Anschutz,we’re already seeing how thoughtfully deployed AI tools can enhance patient care , expedite scientific research ,and enrich the educational experience ,” said Chancellor Don Elliman .“This program is the next step in our ongoing investment in AI,and we look forward to all it will make possible for our students ,faculty,and staff every day.”
University officials also acknowledged environmental concerns related to artificial intelligence adoption . They stated that efforts would continue aligning with sustainability goals,such as reducing energy consumptionand greenhouse gas emissions across campuses .
Existing university policies—including academic freedom,codes of conduct,and data governance requirements—will remain unchanged.Faculty retain control over if or how these tools are used in classrooms .
“We have a responsibility to teach our students properand ethical usesof technologyin orderto position themfor successin the job market,”said CU Denver Chancellor Kenneth T .Christensen.“We also have an obligationto deploytools thathelp increase efficienciesfor employeesintheir daily rolesso theyhave more timeto enhanceandelevateeducational experienceofourstudents.”
Systemwide rolloutis scheduledfor March31.Campusesandsystemofficewillprovidefurther guidanceastoolaccessbecomesavailable .
For more information or questions about implementation details visit this page.
