About 1,000 people, both students and community members, have enrolled for the spring quarter in the Bridges to the Future academic program.

“This program has been an incredible success,” said Ana Sanjuan, executive assistant to the Dean, University College.

She also said approximately 1,000 people are attending the 32 courses in the winter quarter. She also said 570 seats are available for the spring quarter, and already 100 of them are taken.

These non-credit courses are free and open to students and the public. They are running in two-week sessions. The courses will run until May.

The courses are offered through the “Bridges to the Future” program and University College, University of Denver students are able to attend a wide spectrum of public mini-courses, seminars and open classes.

Sanjuan said information about the courses were sent to the Rocky Mountain News, the Denver Post and various local newspapers and magazines. Advertisements were also placed in the newspapers and magazines. In addition, notices were sent through Internet listservs and placed on flyers. Because of all the publicity, Sanjuan said the winter quarter courses were “sold out in three weeks.”

Courses are being taught by DU professors and instructed through lectures and discussion. The mission of the “Bridges” classes is not only gain a better understanding of our history and ties to current events, but to integrate concepts of values into everyday comprehension of lifestyles.

Sanjuan said since the courses are “open,” it is designed so students and the public can “pop in” on a session at any time.

Christian Hawley, spokesperson for the “Bridges” program, describes this open curriculum as “nothing that has been offered anywhere else.” Those involved view it as a groundbreaking start towards social tolerance.

For more information on the classes, log onto their Web site at www.bridgestothefuture.us or by calling 303.871.2357.