If there is any noticeable discrepancy among DU facilities, it’s that the Daniels Business School’s are much nicer than that of DU’s other schools.
Clearly, Daniels has a comparatively significant endowment fund. Is this a reason to believe that Daniels offers a better education than other DU schools?
That is far from true. Although Daniels receives significant donations, other schools offer unique programs and opportunities to create a comprehensive, creative education.
The Daniels Business School 2013-2014 Annual Report shows that in the Fiscal Year 2014, Daniels received $4.7 million in donations. Through the ASCEND campaign alone, Daniels raised $94.2 million. These funds support everything from academic programs, scholarships and building projects like the Margery Reed renovation.
It’s difficult to say that it’s “unfair” that Daniels receives so much funding. Much of it is raised from outside sources and alumni willing to donate to the program. After all, money is the nature of business, so it makes sense that alumni would be interested in supporting the university through financial donations.
Daniels also consistently ranks well, especially in specialty programs like the Fritz Knoebel Hospitality School and the real estate program. However, funding isn’t a requisite for academic success.
DU, for instance, had an endowment of $403,467,000 in 2013, which is the 179th out of a total of 849 Canadian and American universities’ endowments. Comparatively, it isn’t a very large endowment, but DU consistently ranks well in academics.
Other schools within DU also receive significant endowment funding. For example, the Josef Korbel School of International Studies received a significant $17 million grant from the Sie family. However it does not receive as significant funding and donations consistently. Nonetheless, its graduate school ranks 11th in the world, according to the 2014 Ivory Tower Survey, while the undergraduate and PhD programs also benefit from a variety of events, alumni connections and academic programs.
As a result, although Daniels benefits from advanced facilities and special opportunities, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is a better program than the rest of DU.
By the same coin, students shouldn’t be concerned about any uneven distribution of funding. Business schools will likely receive more funding and endowment because of their nature. International studies schools will also likely have more visiting diplomats and science programs will have more access to research opportunities. None of these are disproportionate to the rest of the university. Rather, they are a reflection of the nature of their program.
Despite the relative equality of educational opportunities at DU, administration should be careful to ensure they continue. They are riding the line and nearing special treatment to Daniels. As a result, administration should make an active effort at ensuring that all students have equal access to on-campus resources, especially financial aid and career counseling.
Additionally, DU should continue to reach out to non-business alumni to offer unique opportunities to speak with alumni, network and engage in research in every academic program.
Without special attention to non-business opportunities, Daniels funding may inhibit academic diversity, which is a particularly strong trait of DU.
