(above) DU hockey legend Paul Stastny [left] stands with Boone after another DU victory over Colorado College in 2005From: DU Clarion Student Newspaper
by Daliah Singer
Chancellor Robert D. Coombe sent out the final decision on the fate of the Denver Boone mascot yesterday in an e-mail to students and alumni.
"The old Boone figure is one that does not reflect the broad diversity of the DU community, " he wrote in the e-mail. "Consequently, I have decided that Boone will not become the official mascot of the University.
"The image will not be used in any official manner by the university, nor will we provide financial support for its use by others," Coombe's e-mail said.
The chancellor's decision was supported by Peg Bradley-Doppes, vice chancellor of the division of Athletics and Recreation and co-chair of the History and Traditions Taskforce, and by Monica Kumar and Antoine Perretta, president and vice-president of AUSA Senate.
"It really honors everybody. We are Pioneers first and foremost,"Bradley-Doppes said in an interview. "I don't see this as a divisive issue, but rather a memo that clarifies the university's commitment to inclusive excellence."
"[It] shows a great appreciation for the rich history of this university and for students and alumni," she said.
She said the university has an "institutional responsibility" to be inclusive.
Kumar agreed. In a written statement, she said, "In my opinion, the Chancellor's decision and memo does an excellent job at not only respecting all perspectives within our university community, but also truly acknowledges key values we hold at the University of Denver including a sense of community, inclusive excellence, and above all pioneer pride."
The chancellor's e-mail was a response to the student-led grassroots movement to replace Ruckus, the current red-tailed hawk mascot, with Boone. It also ends almost a year of discussions in the administration, the taskforce and the Senate.
Boone was drawn by Walt Disney in 1968 and was the official DU mascot until he was retired in 1998.
"While I certainly appreciate the genuine enthusiasm behind the 'bring back Boone' movement, the University simply cannot adopt an official mascot that has a divisive rather than unifying influence on our community," wrote Coombe.
While many students and alumni were passionate about reinstating Boone, going so far as to create stickers and pins for the campus community, many expressed disappointment with what Boone represented, including Western imperialism.
Although Boone has been declared unofficial, Coombe encouraged students to honor him as part of DU's history and traditions.
"…we are certainly an institution that honors its past. Hence it seems reasonable that students and alumni be allowed to use the image as a celebration of that past, to the extent that they may choose," Coombe wrote.
Kumar said students should take advantage of this opportunity to unite and continue working to build a community.
"This is not a time for students to resist or feel disenfranchised. Rather, this is now our time for us as students to come together… It is time for us to work to define what 'pioneer' means to us and continue to building (sic) a community," she wrote.
Perretta said students on both sides of the issue should be satisfied with the outcome.
"Students will be happy and should be happy with this response," he said. "This is really a good closure for Boone."
The taskforce will continue to meet in order to determine where the university goes from here and better define what it means to be a Pioneer, Bradley-Doppes said.
Students and alumni are encouraged to voice their thoughts as part of the ongoing discussion.
Perretta encourages continuing an engaged conversation.
"[Boone] had an amazing ability to bring people together regardless what side they were on," he said.
He urged the campus community to "answer the call of defining our identity."
"[Students are] some of the brightest minds that we have," Bradley-Doppes said. "We want to them to embrace this clarity [provided] by the Chancellor."
The fate of the current mascot Ruckus is yet to be determined, but Bradley-Doppes continually emphasized that DU is defined as the Pioneers.
Just like Boone unified I think Denver unifies," she said. "It's a proud mark; it's a collegiate mark."
Coombe said in his e-mail that the "arched Denver" logo is our "major symbol" due its recognition on campus and in the media.
"One thing is certain - we will always be the Pioneers," wrote Coombe.
He encourages the campus community to continue to discuss "what it means to be a Pioneer, for today and the future."
"The old Boone figure is one that does not reflect the broad diversity of the DU community, " he wrote in the e-mail. "Consequently, I have decided that Boone will not become the official mascot of the University.
"The image will not be used in any official manner by the university, nor will we provide financial support for its use by others," Coombe's e-mail said.
The chancellor's decision was supported by Peg Bradley-Doppes, vice chancellor of the division of Athletics and Recreation and co-chair of the History and Traditions Taskforce, and by Monica Kumar and Antoine Perretta, president and vice-president of AUSA Senate.
"It really honors everybody. We are Pioneers first and foremost,"Bradley-Doppes said in an interview. "I don't see this as a divisive issue, but rather a memo that clarifies the university's commitment to inclusive excellence."
"[It] shows a great appreciation for the rich history of this university and for students and alumni," she said.
She said the university has an "institutional responsibility" to be inclusive.
Kumar agreed. In a written statement, she said, "In my opinion, the Chancellor's decision and memo does an excellent job at not only respecting all perspectives within our university community, but also truly acknowledges key values we hold at the University of Denver including a sense of community, inclusive excellence, and above all pioneer pride."
The chancellor's e-mail was a response to the student-led grassroots movement to replace Ruckus, the current red-tailed hawk mascot, with Boone. It also ends almost a year of discussions in the administration, the taskforce and the Senate.
Boone was drawn by Walt Disney in 1968 and was the official DU mascot until he was retired in 1998.
"While I certainly appreciate the genuine enthusiasm behind the 'bring back Boone' movement, the University simply cannot adopt an official mascot that has a divisive rather than unifying influence on our community," wrote Coombe.
While many students and alumni were passionate about reinstating Boone, going so far as to create stickers and pins for the campus community, many expressed disappointment with what Boone represented, including Western imperialism.
Although Boone has been declared unofficial, Coombe encouraged students to honor him as part of DU's history and traditions.
"…we are certainly an institution that honors its past. Hence it seems reasonable that students and alumni be allowed to use the image as a celebration of that past, to the extent that they may choose," Coombe wrote.
Kumar said students should take advantage of this opportunity to unite and continue working to build a community.
"This is not a time for students to resist or feel disenfranchised. Rather, this is now our time for us as students to come together… It is time for us to work to define what 'pioneer' means to us and continue to building (sic) a community," she wrote.
Perretta said students on both sides of the issue should be satisfied with the outcome.
"Students will be happy and should be happy with this response," he said. "This is really a good closure for Boone."
The taskforce will continue to meet in order to determine where the university goes from here and better define what it means to be a Pioneer, Bradley-Doppes said.
Students and alumni are encouraged to voice their thoughts as part of the ongoing discussion.
Perretta encourages continuing an engaged conversation.
"[Boone] had an amazing ability to bring people together regardless what side they were on," he said.
He urged the campus community to "answer the call of defining our identity."
"[Students are] some of the brightest minds that we have," Bradley-Doppes said. "We want to them to embrace this clarity [provided] by the Chancellor."
The fate of the current mascot Ruckus is yet to be determined, but Bradley-Doppes continually emphasized that DU is defined as the Pioneers.
Just like Boone unified I think Denver unifies," she said. "It's a proud mark; it's a collegiate mark."
Coombe said in his e-mail that the "arched Denver" logo is our "major symbol" due its recognition on campus and in the media.
"One thing is certain - we will always be the Pioneers," wrote Coombe.
He encourages the campus community to continue to discuss "what it means to be a Pioneer, for today and the future."
14 comments:
What is heck "inclusive excellence?" This is classic PC double talk that only exists within the gilded confines of universities. I can't wait for the new mascot. I am putting money on that is either a rainbow or a unicorn. Unless they can find a way to graphically represent a hug.
Boone = "Western Imperialism"
What the hell is that supposed to mean? Could the auther of the piece actually quote someone regarding the negativity of "Western Imperialism" or is this something that is actually a figment of their imagination.
What is lost on any idiot that decries something they refer to as "Western Imperialism" is that Western Civilization is superior to all others. Human rights, political freedom, freedom of religion, technological superiority, medical superiority, literary and artisitc superiority are all intrinsic in defining Western civilization.
That some skulls full of mush view what they condescendingly deride as "Western Imperialism" as a negative in the world really reveals their twisted view of excellence. The fact that they feel threatened by the image of Boone and the history he conveys reveal how truly small Boone's opponents are.
Those that carry the banner of celebrating diversity seem to always expect their minority views to be embraced and to prevail while at the same time trying to denigrate and exterminate what they find disagreeable. How about trying to fit in instead of tearing something down because your tender sensibilities were offended.
To DU students and alumni, carry on with the subversive use of Boone. An even better way to piss off a liberal would have Boone holding a rifle.
Good Luck.
billyj and rr:
While your comments here are incisive and interesting, the readers of this blog likely already agree with you.
Your insight and talent should be put to use by making sure the leadership at DU hears from you both - otherwise, they only hear from the campus voices of the oppressed.
Swamiester,
Great point.
I'll also compile the best comments from the past week and post them as an article.
For the record, the Chancellor doesn't respond to emails & DU Today Blog doesn't post replies to articles.
In other words DU is gripping their sticks tighter than CC with a one goal lead in the playoffs.
One place you CAN leave viewable comments is after the Clarion articles on the clarion web site....www.duclarion.com
I agree with the some of the other posters that said this is a P.C. decision and the students and Alumni should fight it tooth and nail.
As a fan of one of DU’s heated rivals I think Boone is an awesome mascot/symbol. I also really like the Boone mascot with the Musket. I agree nothing offends liberals more than guns and people comfortable with them.
Liberalism and P.C. run amuck is ruining this great country and if we don’t take a stand we will become a once great now weakened nation.
Has anyone ACTUALLY made a complaint about Boone offending them? Did anyone ACTUALLY ask the Indians about it? How can it be so offensive to women if there are dozens of Co-Eds in support of his revival? Time for everyone to get their pitchforks and go rabble!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But at least we are allowed to use the image as we see fit as Alums. I would imagine we will be able to find better quality stuff with better prices once some entrepreneurial student/alumni starts producing mass amounts of Boone Gear.
Take the coon-skinned hat off Boone, put on an arched Denver logo shirt and rename him Condoleezza.
for your Boone needs ....
http://www.cafepress.com/boonetown
=D
No surprise on Coombe's decision, but geez, it just reaffirms the fact that our collective society has lost its scrotum and the contents therein. Disappointing....
Most of the Boone complaints have come from the DU Faculty of Color Association, and a few students that have expressed concerns to AUSA senators.
Over 4,000 people responded to the athletic department's web survey, and the results were 87% favorable and 13% unfavorable for Boone. Obviously, Universities are not democracies...
Puck Swami said "Obviously, Universities are not democracies..." Well who knew?
This statement puts the lie to the the stated position of the University as striving for "Inclusive excellence." Which is to say the reality is it's our way or the highway. No Boone for you.
Why would the DU Faculty of Color Association hold sway over something like this? Does DU not also have a Faculty of European Ancestry Association or a Faculty of White Skin Association to stand up for their rights or to express their grievences?
Sorry, but the current Tower of Babel approach being advanced by liberals is a direct contradiction to our countries founding.
E Pluribus Unum means something that the diversity crowd will never accept or apparently understand.
Fortunately it would appear the genie is out of the bottle regarding Boone. Long live Boone.
Arm Boone like Yosemite Sam and you'll have a best seller on your hands. A couple of revolvers and criss crossed ammo belts would be a fantastic touch.
Congratulations.
We have to remember we must be all things to all people...Fighting Sioux, watch your back, you are next on the "inclusive excellence" movement's hit list
The sad thing is that this whole movement to bring back Boone was spearheaded by the students. Yeah some alumni would like to see Boone returned but the major voice was the students. The university doesn't exist without them. For the university to dismiss and ignore them like this is sending a bad message. The reputation of the university is at stake and future donations could be in peril from the current student body. IMHO a bad decision by the university.
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