What is the MSU Denver Canvas Blueprint?

When a new Canvas course (a.k.a. “shell”) is created at MSU Denver it isn’t left blank. Instead, the MSU Denver Canvas Blueprint(1) is applied, adding a skeletal framing to the course that is fleshed out with specifics for that course.

If you ask me, there are three main strengths to the idea of the MSU Denver Canvas Blueprint:

1. While I might prefer different design and organizational structures, I definitely don’t want my students to spend their energy trying to remember the idiosyncratic way my course is organized (compared to the rest of their courses). I want them working to understand and apply physics concepts, not “Where does Dr. Loats put the Homework guidelines?”
2. Having pre-built content that is organized and meets accessibility standards (for heading levels, table captions, etc.) makes it much easier on me!
3. The Blueprint, specifically the University Policies and Resources module, provides a straightforward way for course information (a.k.a. “the syllabus”) to be consistent across all courses at MSU Denver. If used correctly, this system means that no administrative leader ever needs to send a message saying, “Be sure to include [xx] in your syllabus this term.”

The MSU Denver Blueprint was developed by a committee of stakeholders during the transition from Blackboard to Canvas (spring-summer of 2020). Since then, there have been ad-hoc updates but no process for its review, assessing suggestions, etc. However, as of Fall 2025 there is a new Canvas Blueprint Oversight Committee!

The Canvas Blueprint Oversight Committee

This fall, Provost Makley convened the MSU Denver Canvas Blueprint Oversight Committee, which I lead. The committee will continue to meet several times each term to evaluate the current Blueprint and decide what changes to make for the next semester.

Committee Goals:

1. Accept proposals for changes to the Blueprint itself (structure/wording/links).
2. Recommend changes twice a year, near April and August (4 months before the semester where changes would appear).
3. Communicate with linked page owners about upkeep and oversight.
4. Recommend communication strategies so that departments and schools/colleges are making good use of the Blueprint.

Membership: Seven voting members representing the following: Associate Dean, Chair, CTLD, Faculty Senate, Office of Online Learning, Registrar, Student affairs, plus the Director of Instructional Design (ex officio, non-voting)

Updates To the Spring 2026 Canvas Blueprint

The first, most urgent work of the committee was to review and triage the 17 links listed in the University Policies and Resources module. These links appear in every single MSU Denver course and need to be relevant, up to date and user friendly. To be blunt, many existing links were not meeting those standards.

Because of the committee’s work this fall, you will see changes to the University Policies and Resources module. Here is a side-by-side screenshot that provides a general sense of the changes (the list of 17 links has been reduced to 13).

Specifically:

1. Three separate links relating to policies from departments, schools/colleges, and the university as a whole have been consolidated into a single link called Policies (University, Schools/Colleges and Departments).
   • This page is managed by office of Curriculum, Academic Effectiveness, and Policy Development, Contact Paul Hitchcock with questions or concerns.
2. Research Resources, Student Services and Tips For Virtual Learning have been consolidated under a single link called Student Resource Guide.
   • This page is managed by Student Affairs, contact the Dean of Students office with questions or concerns.
3. The link called “Technical Assistance” will be replaced with Tech Help for Students (ITS).
   • This page is managed by ITS, contact them with questions or concerns.

This information was also sent in an email to all faculty by Cath Kleier, AVP for Faculty Affairs on Dec. 17^th, 2025.

More Work to Come

The Canvas Blueprint Oversight Committee will continue its work this spring, with a focus on identifying Blueprint elements that cause confusion, redundancy, or unnecessary work for faculty or students.

Suggestions or concerns don’t need to be fully formed proposals. If you notice a problematic page, unclear wording, or a change you think would be universally helpful, drop me a note!

Ideas received by February can be considered, discussed and reviewed for approval for the Fall 2026 Blueprint.

1. Ready page MSU Denver Canvas Blueprint, CTLD Ready Website

The featured image is free to use, found on unsplash.com, from Amsterdam City Archives.

Generative AI disclosure: After writing this piece I used generative AI to write a first draft of the short “teaser blurb” that went out by email. I also asked for feedback on ways to make the very final few sentences more relevant and useful. Want to know more? Send me an email and we can chat!