BOULDER>> The University of Colorado has formed a transition team to respond to any policy changes amid a second Donald Trump presidency.

The federal transition response team was formed by Provost Russell Moore, the lead academic officer of the university who reports to the chancellor.

“The University of Colorado Boulder has developed a post-election steering committee to facilitate policy priorities and decision-making needs that arise from the presidential transition,” Boulder spokesperson Nicole Mueksch wrote in an email. “The committee will work closely with the federal and state government relations team at CU system, CU experts in Boulder and in consultation with higher-education associations — such as AAU, ACE and APLU — to understand, prepare for and support the implementation of potential policy changes that may affect university operations.”

Mueksch said the university can’t speculate on what changes may occur under the new administration. She did not say who would be on the committee.

“A variety of experts will be called upon by the Office of the Provost depending upon what, if any, potential policy changes need to be implemented,” Mueksch wrote.

Moore announced the formation of the transition team during a Boulder Faculty Assembly meeting. According to a CU news story, the announcement comes after concerns surrounding the changing presidential administration.

“The federal transition response team is a group of university leaders that will triage to experts around campus any concerns about anticipated changes in federal policy with the new administration,” the story read. Patterned on a similar team last used during the height of the pandemic, “the team will help the university swiftly address anticipated or planned governmental actions that could negatively affect the university and its mission.”

Moore said the Boulder administration will continue to monitor any changes at state and federal levels. As an example, he mentioned legislation passed in Utah and Florida that dissolved entire departments and programs. Some states — such as Florida, Utah, Indiana and Wyoming — have implemented a ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs. The University of Utah has shut down three cultural and resource centers in response to such bans.

“You have our commitment that we’ll do our level best to make sure not only that people maintain their jobs, but that we can continue to conduct very meaningful and impactful scholarship,” Moore said during the meeting.