Impact 2025, the strategic plan detailing the vision of DU’s future, was approved by the board of trustees in early January. From a reimagined neighborhood to a new mascot, many topics are being addressed both on and off campus through the plan. Chancellor Chopp hopes that all students will take the time to read the 40-page document. However, in the case that some students may not find the time, she offered a run-down of what to expect over the coming days, months and years.

“A strategic plan is to consciously focus on the future of the university, what students need and what kind of knowledge needs to be created,” she said. “This plan is very much about focusing on the students holistically.”

Chopp said she realizes these changes are big, but that through methods like workshops, collaborating with alumni, and using extra time more wisely in general, it’s all accomplishable.

One of the main topics of the plan is financial aid, and Chopp says DU is finding ways to keep students in classes without being discouraged by the financial aspect of college.

“Over 80 percent of our students are on financial aid. About 49 percent is need-based and the rest is for athletics, arts, etc.” she said. “We know that our students on aid still need more aid, and the number one reason students often don’t complete college is financial aid. We also know from the demographics in America that more students will need aid in the future. We’d like to have students come here and enjoy their educational experience without having to hold down two or three jobs. We don’t want them to be anxious.”

Graduate students need attention in the financial aid department, too, according to Chopp.

“Over half of our students are graduate students who are taking on more and more debt. Plans will be to raise a lot more financial aid for both undergraduate and graduate students.”

Chopp also discussed “knowledge bridges,” an aspect of the plan slated to “leverage and coordinate the intellectual capacity of faculty members and students across the entire campus,” according to the plan. In other words, students will be encouraged to take classes in schools outside of their own to gain a more well-rounded education.

The plan is extremely off-campus-focused as well. Chopp explained that there will be a greater emphasis on internships and being more connected with Denver.

“We know employers want students that have internships,” said Chopp. “About 68 percent of our students have internships and, on average, in their first year alone out of college, they earn $10,000 more with an internship under their belt. Internships also activate students’ learning skills.”

Another off-campus aspect of the plan that Chopp discussed was the reimagining of the DU neighborhood. This reimagination is called “DU District,” which includes goals of more retail shops around DU, improved places to eat and drink and more affordable housing options for both students and faculty.

Chopp said that getting more faculty in the neighborhood in particular could be a huge beneficial change for the university.

“When more faculty live around the community, they’ll be there watching the basketball games, they’ll be watching the theater presentations, they’ll be in local restaurants, they’ll have students over for dinner. I’m really excited about making this more rich kind of vivid identity for the community. Everybody at DU seems to want that.”

“DU District” wouldn’t involve replacing any Pioneers’ favorite local spots, the neighborhood would be expanded upon instead.

“I would never touch something like Mustard’s Last Stand because our alumni think it’s probably about the best thing they’ve ever had,” said Chopp.

Last but not least, increasing school spirit was a big topic Chopp highlighted about the plan. She says this is a large focus for the future of DU, and that the focus will hopefully lead to a new mascot if the students show they’re ready.

“I think that mascots usually represent the community. So, down the road, if the students were to want a mascot and want to imagine one, that would come after a much greater sense of school spirit.”

To read the full strategic plan, visit imagine.du.edu/du-impact-2025. Students and faculty are also invited to attend Founders Day on March 2-3 to hear further details.