While students and faculty were away for summer break, the University of Denver (DU) didn’t stand still. Several administrative and policy changes at the university may affect both new and returning students. Here’s a look at what you may have missed.
DU discontinues several DEI programs, Student Bar Association votes no confidence
In an email sent to the DU community on Aug. 19, the university announced that it is discontinuing several Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) activities now considered unlawful discrimination by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), according to directives published July 30.
Affected programs include race-conscious scholarships and programs, targeted recruitment efforts, applicant essays and personal statements related to DEI, DEI training and identity-based facilities such as the BIPOC-only study lounge.
The announcement came as the university began to downsize operations at the Cultural Center, a move criticized by the DU Sturm College of Law’s Student Bar Association. On Aug. 27 the association’s student senate passed a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Haefner, former Provost Mary Clark, the general counsel and the vice chancellor of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Majority vote to express no confidence in faculty-wide referendum
Following Faculty Senate’s vote to express no confidence in Chancellor Jeremy Haefner on June 4, all DU faculty were sent a Qualitrics online poll to individually weigh in on the motion. The poll closed on June 26 with 70% of eligible faculty members voting. The majority – 56% (324 faculty members) voted in favor of the no confidence measure.
The results of the faculty wide-referendum were covered by several local news outlets, including the Denver Gazette and the Denver Post, as well as larger national news organizations, such as Forbes and CBS News.
On June 30, Chancellor Haefner responded in an email to faculty and staff calling for unity amidst the challenges faced by the university, echoing previous comments made at the May 30 Faculty Senate meeting.
“This vote is a call to engage and listen constructively. It is also a time to come together and care for one another healing from a truly challenging year. Partnering together, we must work to ensure an extraordinary future for DU… I remain committed to the work ahead and look forward to collaborating with our faculty, staff and – of course – students, to make this institution stronger,” Chancellor Haefner wrote.
DU lays off 25 staff members in efforts to address budget deficit
According to a June 18 email sent to faculty and staff, DU eliminated 25 staff positions, effective July 5 or earlier. Affected departments included Advancement, the Chancellor’s Office, the College of Professional Studies, the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the Division of Human Resources and Inclusive Community, the Division of Information Technology, the Morgridge College of Education, the Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science and the Department of Student Affairs and Inclusive Excellence.
The email stated that “layoffs are never our first choice for navigating budget challenges” and highlighted other strategies used by the university, including voluntary retirements, tenure relinquishments and operational streamlining. These changes, according to the email, will save DU about $3.5 million.
Affected staff members could be considered for other open positions, and eligible employees were offered severance.
The move followed previous layoffs announced at the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science (CAHSS) in winter 2024. The ensuing backlash across the university prompted community members to begin pushing for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Haefner.
Students, staff and faculty raised concerns around DU’s reported $11 million budget deficit last year, with DU’s American Association of University Professors (AAUP) chapter presenting initial findings by an external auditor hired to examine the university’s finances.
The university’s current financial position, and how the changes may affect the student experience, remains uncertain.
National search for chief of campus safety continues
On July 9, the university launched a national search for a new Chief of Campus Safety. The search committee is chaired by Associate Vice Chancellor Stephanie O’Malley of Government Relations and Community Affairs, and includes representatives from both undergraduate and graduate student governments.
Before the search was launched, multiple community feedback meetings were held for students to express their concerns and hopes for the new leadership. One theme identified by Campus Management Committee Chair Allie Metzler was a call from the student body for more transparency and accountability from the Department of Campus Safety as a whole.
Chief Risk and Compliance Officer Eric Hartman, stated in an Aug. 27 update that the search committee will continue to seek further community input.
“Finalists will visit campus in the fall to meet with students, faculty, staff, campus groups and campus safety personnel – giving our community the opportunity to engage directly in the process. After these visits, the committee will recommend finalists for consideration. The selected candidate is expected to begin in fall 2025,” wrote Hartman.
As fall quarter begins at DU, the Clarion will continue to monitor how these changes impact the campus community.
