DU Sends Out Mascot Survey To DU Community

Dear Fellow Pioneers,                 

This spring, a Denver Pioneer Mascot Steering Committee was originally formed by students at the University, and was soon expanded to include Alumni, Faculty and Staff.  Our mission is to create a Denver Pioneer mascot character that enables and celebrates school spirit, is representative of our Pioneer community and consistent with our values.
Several things to keep in mind about this project

1. DU will continue to be the Denver Pioneers.
2. The crimson and gold colors will not change
3. The use of the Arch Denver and Interlocking DU logos will remain as you know them today. 

Over the past several months, we conducted over 45 focus groups, 15 open forums and just as many one on one interviews with alumni, undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, staff and other key stake holders.    We compiled many great ideas, including the 20 key attributes for a great Denver Pioneer mascot character.

From the findings of this extensive research, we have worked with professional concept developers and designers to develop mascot concepts. 

Today you will be asked to provide your evaluation of three Denver Pioneer mascot character concepts against the 20 attributes created by the community.  We are asking you to participate in this very important survey among our entire community of students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends to help create a new Denver Pioneer mascot character.

Your opinions will play a critical role in this process, and will help determine if any of the three concepts move forward.

So please take the survey now.  The questionnaire should take about 12-15 minutes of your time, and your answers will remain confidential.   To participate, click on or copy and paste the following website in its entirety, https://udenver.qualtrics.com/WRQualtricsSurveyEngine/?Q_SS=1Z8SZrw4volb2dL_5pOF6fVa6BqU80R&_=1

Please note that the survey will let you pause, but you can only take it once.  Please complete the survey by Wednesday, July 17.

Thank you in advance for your time.  Go Pios!

In Pioneer Spirit,
Sam Estenson
Will Guy
Co-Chairs, University of Denver Mascot Steering Committee

Boone Photo in Joe Scott's Office

(above) Notice Boone photo upper left

DU Sends Out Mascot Email to Alumni

Dear University of Denver Alumni:

You are a vital part of our DU family, and as part of our efforts to keep you informed we want to let you know of upcoming plans at the University to conduct a study that will result in the adoption of a new mascot. The study, initiated by the Undergraduate Student Government (USG), will seek to include the input of all segments of our campus community. As an alumnus, your feedback and involvement will be a critical part of the process.

To help you understand more about this study, it’s important to provide you with some background on mascots at the University of Denver. We currently do not have an official mascot and have not had one since 2008.

Over the last few weeks, there has been considerable controversy surrounding the "Denver Boone" figure that was our mascot some years ago. As you may know, "Boone" has not been the mascot of the University since 1998. An effort to resurrect Boone was mounted by student and alumni groups in 2008, and this led to the assembly of a University committee to gather opinions from different sectors and consider the matter at length. It quickly became clear that Boone was a polarizing figure that did not reflect the growing diversity of the DU community, but rather was an image that many women, persons of color, international students, staff and faculty members found difficult to relate to as defining the pioneering spirit. Consequently, it was decided that Boone would not be our official mascot.

The current Boone figure that is seen at athletic events is in keeping with what was outlined in a letter sent to the community in 2008, allowing students and alumni groups to use the image as a celebration of the past, to the extent they may choose. The figure is not used in any official manner by the University, nor is any financial support provided by DU for its use by others.

The study will not be evaluating support for Boone; rather, it will be looking toward a new mascot that the entire DU community can get behind and embrace. The University has offered its support to the student government task force through its office of Marketing and Communications.  During the next couple of months, a professional research study will gather input from students, alumni, staff, faculty and other members of the community about how we can express ourselves as Pioneers in a new mascot.  This is a similar process that led to the new University logo that was successfully launched last year.  The USG plans to engage in this effort through spring quarter, with a recommendation to be forwarded to the Chancellor’s office and the Board of Trustees.

Over the years, the University of Denver has evolved to become a diverse community that strives to be welcoming and inclusive for everyone. It is our intention to continue to involve all of the University’s many constituencies in this process and work collaboratively to find a celebration of school spirit that reflects our identity as the Pioneers, embraces our growing diversity and represents the exciting future of our institution.

We appreciate your continued support of the University of Denver.  Please send your comments to alumni@du.edu and include your name, class year and contact information. 

Sincerely,

Kristine Cecil
Associate Vice Chancellor for University Advancement &
Executive Director of Alumni Relations

Boone Is Not A Viable Option Bill Passed By USG

(above) The Student Senate's Dirty Deed Done Dirt Cheap

2012-2013
Resolution No: 4 

Authors: Craig Hirokawa (SOCS Senator), Alisa Brown (Sophomore Senator), Zach Gonzales (AHUM Senator)

Co-Sponsors: Harper Hill (Chair of Campus Climate), Jackie Faust (Senior Senator), Katherine Snow (Off Campus Senator), Emily Wetmore (SECS Senator), Vanessa Teck (Senior Senator) 

Whereas; Boone is not the official school mascot of the University of Denver, nor is he supported by the administration of the university; and, 

Whereas; the Undergraduate Student Government acknowledges alumni support of Boone as a part of their history with the University of Denver, but recognizes that the campus climate has shifted, 

Whereas; Boone continues to be a point of contention for undergraduate students, especially surrounding matters of school spirit and who is participating in school spirit activities; and, 

Whereas; the Undergraduate Student Government allocates the Student Activity fee, with student organizations being the dominant recipient of this allocation; and, 

Whereas; the Undergraduate Student Government has attempted to establish an element of consistency among the student organizations, namely through OrgSync., Finance Committee visits, and standardized finance guidelines; and, 

Whereas; the Undergraduate Student Government has strongly advocated for and participated in the School Mascot Task Force because the administration has made it clear that which has made it clear that Boone is not a viable option for a school mascot; therefore, 

Be it Resolved; that the Undergraduate Student Government re-affirms that the governing body does not support Boone; and, 

Be it further resolved; that the Spirit Committee will help reinforce this Resolution by taking a proactive approach when approving or sponsoring any Spirit Committee events; and, 

Be it further resolved; The following committees, operating as direct subsidiaries of the Undergraduate Student Government, including the Academic Affairs Committee, Diversity Committee, International Student Committee, Senate Affairs Committee, Spirit Committee, Student Organizations Committee, and Sustainability Committee,

will not use their funds to purchase any merchandise with the image of Boone on it, effective immediately; and,

Be it further resolved; that the Constitution and Bylaws will reflect the spirit of the resolution; and, 

Be it further resolved; when the School Mascot Task Force has finalized, produced and approved, with administrative support, a new school mascot, there will be a 30 day transition period; at the conclusion of this period, any funds provided by the Undergraduate Student Government cannot go towards the purchase of any merchandise with the image of Boone on it; and, 

Be it further resolved; during this 30 day transition period, the Undergraduate Student Government and the School Mascot Task Force will notify the student body of all policy changes, hold forums for students and student organizations to ask questions, purchase a new mascot costume, and any other necessary steps to ensure a smooth transition; and, 

Be it further resolved; after the 30 day transition period, any entity funded by the Undergraduate Student Government that is found to be using funds to purchase merchandise with the image of Boone may have their funds frozen, at the discretion of the Finance Committee and their perception of prior understanding of the rules and the severity of the situation; and, 

Be it further resolved; that if an organization is found to have used USG funding for Boone merchandise after the 30 day transition period, the SOC will review the licensing status of the organization, and will convene to discuss the funding decision of the organization. Depending on the severity of the offense, licensing status may be revoked by the sole discretion of the SOC. After a second offense, licensing status will be revoked without exception. 

Passed the 26th day of February 2013. 

I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution Number 4 was duly adopted by the USG Senate.
Senate Action:
USG Vice President USG President