Overview
In response to changes in Zoom's higher education licensing model, OIT is updating how Zoom licenses are provided at CU Boulder beginning in January 2027.
These changes are intended to better align paid Zoom licenses with actual usage while continuing to provide the functionality needed to support teaching, learning, collaboration and university operations.
In parallel, OIT is assessing CU Boulder's longer-term video and web conferencing needs, including how Zoom and Microsoft Teams support different campus workflows. This assessment will continue through 2027 and will help inform future service and licensing decisions.
What's Changing in January 2027
Student licenses will default to Basic, with Pro available by request
Students will continue to have access to their CU Boulder Zoom accounts, but student accounts will default to Zoom Basic beginning in January 2027.
Currently enrolled students who need features available with a Pro license for academic or university work will be able to request a Pro license through an online request form.
Zoom Basic accounts do not include:
- Hosting meetings longer than 40 minutes
- Creating new cloud recordings; local recording remains available
- Being designated as an Alternative Host
Students with Basic accounts can still:
- Join and participate in Zoom meetings
- Host meetings of up to 40 minutes
- Be made a co-host after joining a meeting
- Access existing Zoom cloud recordings
- Use other functionality available with Zoom Basic
Students will also continue to have access to Microsoft Teams, which may provide an alternative for some longer meetings and collaboration workflows. OIT's Zoom and Microsoft Teams service teams are collaborating to develop a high-level feature comparison and identify support resources for students.
Webinar and Large Meeting licenses will no longer be centrally funded
OIT currently maintains a centrally funded pool of temporary Zoom Webinar and Large Meeting licenses that departments can use at no cost.
Beginning in January 2027, departments that need Webinar or Large Meeting functionality will need to purchase dedicated add-on licenses.
Departments can request add-on licenses using the Zoom - License Purchase Request form. OIT is still confirming 2027 pricing, expected fulfillment time and licensing-term requirements. This page will be updated as those details are finalized.
Departments that anticipate needing Webinar or Large Meeting licenses in early 2027 are encouraged to plan ahead.
Unused Pro licenses will be retained for one year instead of three
Faculty, staff and other eligible users who have not signed in to Zoom for one year will have their accounts reverted to Zoom Basic.
Eligible users will automatically regain a Pro license when they sign in again.
This change is intended to reduce the number of paid licenses assigned to inactive accounts while maintaining access for eligible users when they return to Zoom.
What You Need to Do
Faculty & Staff – No action needed in most cases.
Faculty and staff will continue to be eligible for Zoom Pro licenses. If an eligible account is reverted to Basic because it has not been used for one year, signing back in to Zoom will restore the appropriate license.
Students – No action needed unless additional functionality is required.
Students do not need to take action unless they need functionality that is not available with Zoom Basic.
Students who need additional functionality are encouraged to consider Microsoft Teams as an alternative, particularly for longer meetings and collaboration. Students who specifically need Zoom Pro functionality for academic or university work will still be able to request a Pro license through OIT.
Departments Using Webinar or Large Meeting Licenses – Plan ahead; consider purchasing an add-on license.
Departments that currently rely on OIT's temporary Webinar or Large Meeting license pool should begin planning for the new purchasing model.
Add-on licenses can be requested using the Zoom - License Purchase Request form.
Longer-Term Video & Web Conferencing Needs Assessment
In addition to the January 2027 licensing changes, OIT is conducting a broader assessment of CU Boulder’s video and web conferencing needs.
This work includes:
- Reviewing how Zoom is currently used across campus
- Gathering feedback from faculty and other campus users
- Evaluating important teaching, learning, collaboration and administrative workflows
- Comparing Zoom and Microsoft Teams functionality
- Reviewing experiences and approaches at peer institutions
- Identifying potential gaps, risks and support needs
The assessment will continue through 2027.
Findings and recommendations will be shared with campus stakeholders and will help inform future service and licensing decisions, including the 2028 Zoom renewal and longer-term web conferencing strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQs
Is CU Boulder getting rid of Zoom?
No. Zoom will continue to be supported at CU Boulder. These changes affect how some licenses are assigned; they do not represent a discontinuation of the Zoom service. OIT is also evaluating the longer-term roles of Zoom and Microsoft Teams as part of a broader assessment of campus video and web conferencing needs.
When will these changes take effect?
The new licensing model will take effect in January 2027. Additional information about the transition timeline will be added to this page as implementation details are finalized.
Student FAQs
Will having a Basic account affect my ability to join classes or meetings scheduled by faculty or staff?
No. Students with Zoom Basic accounts can continue to join and participate in meetings scheduled by faculty, staff and other Zoom users as usual. The primary differences apply when the student is hosting a meeting.
Can a student with a Basic account still be a co-host?
Yes. A student with a Basic account can be made a co-host during a meeting. However, a Basic user cannot be designated as an Alternative Host before a meeting.
What happens to my existing cloud recordings when my account changes to Basic?
Existing cloud recordings will remain accessible and can continue to be viewed, edited and shared. A Basic account cannot create new cloud recordings.
Does a student have to pay for a Pro license?
No. Eligible students can request a Pro license through OIT for academic or university work at no individual cost.
Who is eligible to request a student Pro license?
The request process is available to currently enrolled CU Boulder students. Student enrollment will be verified as part of the request process.
How long does it take to receive a Pro license?
Usually requests are processed within a day.
How long will my requested Pro license remain active?
Student-requested Pro licenses will remain active through the current academic term. Students who continue to need Pro functionality may request a license again for a future term.
Can I use Microsoft Teams instead of requesting Zoom Pro?
Details here
Where can I get help using Microsoft Teams or determining whether Teams will meet my needs?
The Zoom and Microsoft Teams service teams within OIT are identifying the most useful support resources and establishing a clear support path for students with questions about Teams functionality or feature parity.
Faculty & Staff FAQs
Is access to Zoom Pro changing for faculty and staff?
No. Faculty and staff will remain eligible for Zoom Pro licenses as they have been in previous years.
Can faculty and staff lose their Pro license because of inactivity?
Yes. Beginning in 2027, an eligible user who has not signed in to Zoom for one year may have their account reverted to Basic. If the user is still eligible for a Pro license, signing back in to Zoom will automatically restore the appropriate license.
Does being reverted to Basic delete my Zoom account or account history?
No. The inactivity process changes the license assigned to the account; it does not mean the user permanently loses eligibility for Zoom.
Support
Visit our Zoom service pages for more information about Zoom licensing and functionality. If you need assistance, contact the IT Service Center at oithelp@colorado.edu or 303-735-4357.
Last updated 10/27/2026
