In the middle of Chancellor Chopp’s inauguration on Sept. 18, a large group of students dressed head-to-toe in black decided to hold an event of their own on Driscoll Bridge. That group is Divest DU, which, according to its official Facebook page is, “fighting for climate justice by urging the University of Denver to end its unethical investment in the fossil fuel industry.”

The members of Divest DU placed themselves on the route of Chopp’s procession through campus, which included participants such as former chancellors Robert D. Coombe and Daniel L. Ritchie. Divest DU did not block the procession, but they did stretch a long sign across the bridge that read, “CHANCELLOR CHOPP DIVEST FROM FOSSIL FUELS.”

Those walking in the procession had no choice but to continue moving straight under the sign. Some received it with smiles, giving students high fives and cheers for their effort. Others were displeased, looking straight ahead and keeping their focus on the procession.

Nick Stubler, an international studies major minoring in sustainability and business administration from Grand Junction is the organizing coordinator for Divest DU. He said that Chopp has recently been unresponsive to Divest DU’s proposal to form an “investigative committee to comprehensively look at the merits of fossil fuel divestment,” and that this gathering on Driscoll Bridge was a step in the right direction.

“I think it was a huge success,” he said. “More than anything, the biggest takeaway was seeing the overwhelming support from the staff and faculty who participated in the procession. I was totally taken back. Ranging from cheering to thank yous to surreptitious winks, it went really, really well.”