The First Day Of Classes At DU

Today is the first day of classes at the University of Denver, and they will be held in person, despite the threat of coronavirus. Tuition and fees are pretty steep at DU - $50,500 per year, the same as Harvard University - and so many students and their parents feel that paying that much money for remote learning is a bit of a ripoff, hence the justification for in-person classes. Last quarter, due to the rise of Covid-19 cases among students, classes had to move online for the final two weeks. Hopefully, DU students will be a bit more attentive to coronavirus guidelines this quarter. On a more positive note, the new DU Community Commons, seen in the photograph on the left, and built on the site of what was once Driscoll North, is now open, not to mention Driscoll South, connected by a bridge to the new building. Driscoll South is the location of the University of Denver Bookstore, where I worked for almost 30 years as the Finance Manager, until the university outsourced the store to Follett Higher Education Group (aka the Evil Empire).

It was just last week that I noticed that the Community Commons Building was open, and I decided to walk around and see what it was like. Cold and sterile is the thought that immediately comes to mind, but to be fair, the place just opened, and thanks to coronavirus precautions seems to be mostly devoid of furniture. After walking around the first two levels (the third level was closed), I headed to the 4th floor, which features a rooftop deck, to see if there was also a rooftop bar. In point of fact, there was, but not the wood paneled, cozy nook with a fireplace that any sane architect would design. It was simply a window off the hallway seen in the photograph on the right, and not open for business. And as you can see, the main room on that level is no great shakes, either. It looked to me like they were getting ready for an opening day reception. And after working at DU for almost 30 years, I did not even get an invitation. Sad, since I was hoping to meet the new chancellor and discuss my suggestions to improve the school.

The second level of the building is where all the various food outlets are located. When I first started working at DU, all the students dined in the cafeteria in Driscoll North, which had just been constructed (and now, of course, is history). Years later, it was decided to have students dine in their respective dorms, with the cafeteria in Driscoll North serving day students. Now, the university has decided to close the cafeterias in the dorms and have students dine together once again in the new commons. I am considering starting a pool to guess the date the administration decides to move dining back to the dorms again. In any case, on my way out of the building, I was pleased to see that there is an outside balcony on the second floor with Adirondack style rocking chairs, which I am sure will be a big hit with the student body. Just how long before those rocking chairs wind up in the fraternity houses around campus, I can not say.