DU IMPACT Implementation Update

To: All faculty, staff and students

Dear Friends,

As the academic year draws to a close for the majority of campus, we want to thank you for your many contributions to the University community. DU is successful because of you—the students who are preparing for the next stage of their lives and careers; the faculty who engage those students and pursue research, scholarship and creative work that advances society; and the staff whose passion for our students and our mission allows DU to flourish.

Last month, we shared a list of the small teams who were tasked with thinking through the implementation process for each of the initiatives of the plan. This week, that group will gather to bring those ideas together and discuss what will be necessary to realize DU IMPACT 2025, taking into account the opportunities as well as the potential obstacles ahead.

In the fall and beyond, we are committed to providing regular updates and maintaining a transparent process as implementation moves forward and as the community is engaged in the process.

Meanwhile, we share some of our progress to date:

• Under the direction of its new executive director, Erik Mitisek, Project X-ITE is achieving early success in convening innovative thinkers in both higher education and the entrepreneurial community. Project X-ITE is the first interdisciplinary initiative to come out of the plan, and it focuses on innovation, entrepreneurship and technology, building partnerships with businesses and organizations throughout the region.
• The Urban Land Institute (ULI) will be meeting with campus and community leaders early next month for robust conversations about the DU District, including promoting local business and affordable housing solutions. These conversations will inform initial recommendations from ULI about DU’s role in bringing neighbors and partners together to improve the community immediately around the University.
• Now under the auspices of Advancement—and with close integration with Campus Life and Inclusive Excellence—Career Services is focused on leveraging a DU Global Network that connects students and alumni and will provide support through all stages of one’s career achievement.
• We are on track for one of the most successful years in recent DU history in terms of fundraising—including the first endowed chair in five years and a doubling of the value of the University’s art collection—demonstrating strong engagement of our alumni and friends in our vision for the University and reflecting a stronger culture of engagement and philanthropy. Last week’s “One Day For DU” brought in over 1,500 gifts for causes all across campus—exceeding our goal by over 50 percent, thanks in large part to students, staff and faculty who donated.

While the Board-approved, full version of DU IMPACT 2025 will continue to guide implementation of our plan, we have distilled its main ideas to create a new website that is designed to help us communicate the vision for broader audiences. We also have dedicated a special issue of DU Magazine to the plan. We will share a link to the new website when it is live, and we hope you will share it with others who are interested in the future of DU. The magazine will be on campus and in homes in June.

Thank you again for your critical input in establishing the vision of DU IMPACT 2025. We will continue to rely on members of this community to make that plan a reality in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Chopp, Chancellor

Gregg Kvistad, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor