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| (above) Chancellor Coombe Daddy approved a task force to bring a new mascot to DU |
From: DU Clarion
by Sarah Ford
Last night the University of Denver Undergraduate Student Government (USG) passed a resolution [15 votes to 6 votes] banning the use of student activity funding by campus clubs to purchase materials with the image of the Denver Boone mascot.
by Sarah Ford
Last night the University of Denver Undergraduate Student Government (USG) passed a resolution [15 votes to 6 votes] banning the use of student activity funding by campus clubs to purchase materials with the image of the Denver Boone mascot.
A student and faculty “task force” formed by student Will Guy and led by Student Body President Sam Estenson has begun to examining the possibility of instituting a new, official university mascot by next year. Estenson said there is no possibility that Boone will be brought back and re-approved as the official mascot of DU.
According to Estenson, the task force will come up with a new school mascot, including Greek Life, Athletics, the Center for Multicultural Excellence (CME), the Office of Student Life, the marketing department and the Provost.
According to Guy, the task force has also started hearing ideas for a new mascot as well, though they are not making any official suggestions at this point. He said they have had suggestions for images such as an astronaut, gold miner, an ox and an elk.
20 comments:
Please pick the astronaut, please pick the astronaut, Please pick the astronaut, please pick the astronaut, Please pick the astronaut, please pick the astronaut, Please pick the astronaut, please pick the astronaut....
Cause that's the dumbest idea I ever heard.
So is this a Female Astronaut or one equipped with a penis? Don't give me this non gender specific crap either. The ox sounds kinda neat, but UNO and Mankato might get uptight. Exactly what does a Gold Miner look like? Why not a Marijuana Grower or a Fracking Oil worker? Miner is Probably Too similar to Boon, and School of Mines might get involved. The Elk is not too bad... But how about a Mule Deer instead. No.... That would be right back to Ruckus. Astronaut is the way to go. Besides, since Denver is emerging as an Aerospace technology epicenter, this might catapult DU as an aerospace school. "Heeeeerre come your AAaaassss tronauts!"
Boone is (was) THE PIONEER. Period. End of story. I'd rather see DU change its nickname (like Miami U did) than embarrass itself by coming up with some ridiculous new mascot. Denver Mountaineers. Denver Explorers. Denver Voyagers. Whatever.
An ox?? An astronaut?? Seriously??
Its easy to say one doesn't like Boone. Apparently its easy for the student senate to pass a measure saying they don't like Boone.
Its going to be next to impossible for the "Task Force" to reach a consensus for a new mascot that's going to be accepted by PioNation outside the Ivory Towers located on the corner of University & Evans.
Ruckus the Red-Tailed Hawk failed. Is an ox, elk, astronaut or a miner an upgrade over a hawk? Nah...
Ruckus is sounding pretty cool.
Who's going to pay for the new mascot?
The DU ski team doesn't have gas money to get up the mountains right now.
The DU women's golf golf coach [one of the best coaches in the country] just quit in a budgeting dispute.
Coombe can raise tuition again like he's done every single year he's been chancellor.
Please, could SOMEONE finally explain why all this needs to be done. It is all just so ridiculous. Seriously, please explain it to me. I keeping hearing that Boone is "offensive" and "not representative", but I've yet to hear an explanation as to why this is the case. If you feel Boone is offensive "because in the 1800s there were some pioneers who did some bad things" (which they did)....you can't say we need to get rid of Boone without also saying that we need to get rid of "Pioneers" as well...because they are BOTH symbolic of the same thing (and both symbolic, by the way, of some very honorable traits as well...and aren't we all adult and smart enough that when we have a pioneer as a mascot that we understand that we are trying to stress the good traits not saying "hooray for those pioneers who were able to kick Indian butt!"). I mean, seriously...Boone is a character, he didn't personally do anything wrong (he's not even a person)...he's a symbol of a "pioneer", so if you seriously can't get past that part of history in which some people called pioneers did some bad things...you can't be against the mascot without also being against the name "the Pioneers"...PERIOD. Also, if you are going to make the "diversity" case, please explain to me how this is then not a problem at Nebraska, Michigan State, USC, etc. etc. who also have white males as their mascot (could it be, perhaps, that their students and admin just simply do a better job of building diverse campuses and cultures of diversity so that they don't need to make the mascot a scapegoat of their shortcomings?). I get that a majority of the DU population is not a white dude...but exactly 0% of the population is a hawk, and that was ok? Seriously, people, you have gone too far and are wrecking an iconic, beloved mascot...and exactly why again? Again, someone, please...PLEASE explain to me why our school is becoming a laughingstock over this debate and why I don't want my kids to go there any more (let alone volunteer my time or donate money). Absolutely ridiculous...if this is really an issue, why can't someone adequately explain (or even better defend) the "get rid of Boone" position?
Jason,
Its pretty simple. Chancellor Coombe opened the window to call Boone a "racist figure" and they went after him with knives drawn.
They know that "Pioneers" is safe because the Board of Trustees would never allow a name change.
So it was just a case of an easy target attracting the bullet.
If you're offended by Boone, you're actively choosing to make that connection.
I know college is a time for that sort of thing, but at the end of the day, all of this seems like wasted energy for both sides of the issue, given Boone's unofficial status.
There once was a mascot called Boone
Was asked to exit the room
A miner, an ox?
And ‘astronaut’ sucks!
Let’s make Coombe our official buffoon
What I truly don't understand is how 15 of the 21 students on USG voted against this. Did anyone get footage or hear the arguments against Boone, because I really find it hard to believe that they were convincing enough to get 15/21 to vote against it. What is the REAL reason these students voted against? Was it pressure from Coombe, or what?
I could not be more disappointed in my alma mater today. This is just madness...it wasn't enough that the administration nixed Denver Boone as the official mascot, but now the student government is doing whatever they can to outlaw his likeness. Don't we have better things to do than hate on a cartoon? I just had to vent (rant, perhaps?) on the Clarion page...will not repeat it all here, but if interested in my comments here is a link:
http://duclarion.com/front-page-boone-story/
Jason,
What comes through is all the passion that alums & many students have for Boone. Facebook, the Clarion & LetsGoDU have united Boone supporters across the globe.
DU was never able to create that passion for Ruckus. We'll certainly never have passion for an ox, elk, miner or astronaut.
DU is "moving on" from Boone. I've spoken to alot of alums this week and the consensus is DU has opened up a huge can of worms they may not be able to put back in the container.
This is a P.R. nightmare. And they did it to themselves.
I have two young kids and looked forward to showing them the campus some day (I don't live in Denver anymore) and hoped that they would want to attend DU.
I honestly just don't feel that way any more...
It's amazing how this kind of thing can kill the pride and enthusiasm you once had in your school. Just so disappointing...
Like Jason, I too am extremely disappointed at my alma matter right now. I can't even put into words how upset I am. Why is the student government putting so much effort into such a trivial matter? Why don't they focus on something positive? Why don't they focus on how to build student spirit - they are KILLING student spirit and pride. Why is this issue even up to the student government? A mascot is essentially a marketing tool for athletics programs. So why isn't this being adressed by the athletics marketing department? DU hasn't had an OFFICIAL mascot in years, so we went and made our own because there was a demand for it. If DU really gave a crap about having an official mascot, they would have implemented one by now. I'm afraid that we will be living in this Boone limbo forever and it will never be solved because a few clowns who won a populaity contset to get elected to be the student voice don't understand the issue and want to make a name for themselves by trying to impement the most PC mascot in sports. Hell, why don't they just hire Dinger on a game- by game basis.
If DU is TRULY trying to embrace diversity, why are they being racist against a mascot that many love? Seems kind of hipocritical. Maybe a case could be made that this is a hate crime.... Now that would be great....
I LOVE the image of Coombe Daddy! Hilarious.
DU continues to find ways to alienate alums....maybe those simpletons at CC are right, after all: Can't spell DUMB without DU.
DG-
I think there a number of alums who would be willing to support new USG candidates in support of Denver Boone during the next student election cycle. Many of us are not from the Denver area now so we would need some on-the-ground support to identify pro-Boone (Pioneer Pete is just fine, too) candidates. I think we could raise plenty of money for signs, banners, flyers, and anything else they need. If you or anyone else has on-campus connections, we can build a slate of pro-Boone candidates. It looks like there is a dearth of real issues on campus so if they have the time top go after Denver Boone it is time for the 'Unofficial' alumni association to replace the current student government with students who understand there are real issues out there that need to be managed.
Can you give us the timing of the next student election? Also, is there a DU student and Denver based alum who can work together on the ground in the lead up to the next election? I know that there are a number of us who would contribute $$$ to the effort and support pro-Denver Boone candidates and campaign materials. While the existing crew may be able to push these changes thru quickly, the USG principles who initiated this change need to be replaced during the next election cycle. If $50,000 can be raised to support Denver Boone, imagine what we could do to support pro-Boone students in an election.
BTW, I put this story on my FB and most people thought the move to eliminate Denver Boone was a joke and reflected poorly on the University we love.
Its not appropriate for alums to be involved with student elections.
And the mascot issue belongs to the students as well.
That being said, there are massive repercussions in changing a mascot as DU is about to find out.
The student elections are held in the Spring. LetsGoDU usually posts results.
This has far less to do with the student body enrolled in 2013 than the DECADES of Boone tradition. The students should have little say.
This has far less to do with the student body enrolled in 2013 than the DECADES of Boone tradition. The students should have little say.
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