Denver is known for outdoorsy, adventurous people, but it’s often difficult to find time to take advantage of our beautiful surroundings while attending DU. According to a Huffington Post article (and common knowledge for most people), being outdoors reduces stress—so why don’t we do it more? Although DU sometimes encourages students to spend time outside, they could better take advantage of this natural stress relief by creating more outside events and opportunities for students, such as occasional classes outside.
In Professor David Ciepley’s freshman seminar last year (Food Fights, Food Solutions), students took a walking tour of campus and learned about all the edible trees and plants DU has to offer. Admittedly, it is difficult to find ways to integrate outside class into a course (and the irritating students that inevitably start chanting “CLASS OUTSIDE! CLASS OUTSIDE!” make it exponentially less desirable), but it is possible.
Teachers assume that students will immediately be distracted by birds, the grass or other students outside and never even consider the option. Sergio Macias, a Spanish professor at DU, found a way around this; he takes his students behind Sturm Hall to a secluded gathering area. Here there are very few people walking past and there are benches that provide an excellent learning facility, creating the best of both worlds.
Outdoor activities could also be incorporated into traditionally indoor events, such as the study abroad reveal or the welcome lunch for first years during Orientation Week.
However, DU hasn’t failed in encouraging students to venture outside. In fact, they’re very much heading in the right direction—they just need a little push. The red lawn chairs that the DU administration purchased and distributed across campus encourage students to step outside their dark dorm rooms and head outside. On sunny days, students can almost always be seen sitting in them, enjoying the day.
“The chairs have been really awesome. Students and professors alike use them all the time and it would be great if DU invested in things like that more,” said Alexander Pierce, a second year BIA and international business major.
DUPB events, like May Days and Winter Carnival, take place outside and are excellent de-stressors for students.
“Whenever possible, we try and have our programs outside. First, because DU students spend enough time in a classroom—they don’t need to spend their evenings and weekend there. But then also because the fresh air and openness to the outdoors helps people feel comfortable in their setting, and we think that’s pretty special… there’s something about the outdoors that just brings people together,” said co-president of DUPB and second year student Tonia Bartlett.
DUPB does an outstanding job of hosting events outside whenever possible. Other events run by student organizations, like the recent Consent Carnival (CAPE) and Holi (South Asian Student Alliance and DUPB) are just a few examples. May Days (May 16-20) is an upcoming outdoors event that includes a free dinner, food crawl, movie night on the green and a carnival.
It isn’t DU’s fault that students don’t always take initiative to get outside, but if the administration, professors and student groups want to see a happier, healthier community, hosting events and classes outside is a great option. Just a few ways to do this include investing in more chairs and picnic tables to be placed outside, encouraging professors to integrate natural elements of our campus into courses, and moving traditionally indoor events outdoors.
Students who want to see this change need to voice their opinions to our administration. Pioneers can submit their thoughts to Chancellor Rebecca Chopp on her page of the DU website or by sending her an email at chancellor@du.edu.
