University of Denver - Kynewisbok Yearbook (Denver, CO)

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STUDENT ATTITUDES The students entering the University of Denver are more academically oriented than in the past. That does not mean they are bookworms; it does not mean that they will want to spend all of their time in the library. It does mean that in terms of the extracurricular offerings we need to be looking at programs and activities which are more involved with academic programs. We need to develop clubs which are part of academic departments and part of colleges; we need to develop a series of speakers and cultural programs which have a more intellectual base. Every generation of students is different. They have different goals, different values, a different orientation. As administrators, I think we must be prepared to deal with the changing generations. When I came to the University of Denver I was met at the doorstep of my office by very hostile students — students who were angry. The nation was embroiled in a war that they did not appreciate; they were on campuses for reasons beyond receiving an education. They were frustrated; they were angry; they were concerned, certainly. Then we went through the period where there was general apathy. You had the feeling that students were just into themselves, and by and large they were. This was the heavy period for drug usage. Now students are very much interested in their academic work. At the same time they realize that they want to be happy while they are in college. They want to have some good experiences, and they are more prone to become involved in a homecoming celebration, or a dance, or any other such activity. Those are the kinds of trends that I have seen at this university. 26

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