Photo by:
An important aspect of any university is a sense of community. An appealing community on campus not only makes a great selling point to prospective students, but also encourages participation and tolerance, as well as a sense of pride for students and staff.
Freshman Christa Dryjanski believes that there is a strong sense of community on campus. She said that one of her reasons for choosing to attend the University of Denver was the communal atmosphere on campus. “There are plenty of opportunities for students to feel they are part of community,” Dryjanski.
As at all universities, there are those who are critical of the community atmosphere at DU. DU’s urban setting can often give the impression of a loose-knit community. The separation of the residence halls and the absence of a student union also provide an obstacle to the community at DU.
“I think there is a community, but I’m not really much part of it,” graduate student Paul Pendell said, who is a commuter. The Commuter Lounge, specifically set up to be a commuter student community center, isn’t used much either.
“I haven’t really been down there. I usually go to the Pub,” Pendel said.
However, there are many opportunities around campus for community building. Driscoll offers venues for meeting with friends (Sidelines Pub and Pioneer Place) and finding out what is happening at the university (in the Student Involvement Center). Also, student organizations play a big part in promoting a community by offering a way for students to meet each other while doing extra-curricular things. By holding events and meetings, student organizations make a big part of the DU community.
“There is a community, but it’s not as involved as I would like to see it,” senior Jen Huddleston said. Huddleston believes that the main reason why community isn’t as strong at DU is because there isn’t a lot of participation by the general population in on-campus activities. “I think that is because of lack of advertising. I don’t think students know what’s going on half the time,” Heddleston
Rich Kuerston, a senior in the business college, thinks that there is a lot of community at DU to be proud of. He said that of the schools he has visited, it is clear that the undergraduate population at DU is not just a random collection of “dozens of students sitting around doing nothing.” He also believes involvement is a big aspect of community. “If you make an effort to be involved, you are part of the community,” Kuerston said.
