Announcing the 2009 Strategic Issues Panel

We will announce the topic, panel members, speakers and schedule for next year's Strategic Issues Panel on Friday, November 14, 2008 at 10 a.m. at the Colorado State Capitol. More information will be posted soon!

Past panels have examined economic and fiscal issues facing the state, strategies for creating a sustainable water future, and processes for revising Colorado’s Constitution. (Click here to read past panel reports on these topics.)

As with past panels, next year's topic promises to address an important public policy issue facing Colorado and the nation as a whole.

While presentations are made to the panel members who will engage in discussions about the issue, the public and media are encouraged to attend and observe panel meetings. You must rsvp to attend a panel meeting.

Purpose of DU's Strategic Issues Program

Each year since 2004, the University of Denver has established a panel of distinguished Colorado citizens to examine an important public policy issue facing our state. Past panels have examined economic and fiscal issues facing the state, strategies for creating a sustainable water future, and processes for revising Colorado’s Constitution.

Whatever the topic, the purpose of all strategic issues panels is to study a critical public issue and provide non-partisan recommendations that raise the level of public awareness and provide a basis for informed policy deliberations. The goal is to raise the visibility of important issues with the media, legislators and the public and to develop thoughtful recommendations that reflect the collective insight of panel members. This is achieved through an open process of informed discourse and consensus-based decision making.

As an educational and research institution, the role of the University of Denver is to examine issues, raise the level of public awareness, and encourage informed public discussion. What the University does not do is advocate particular policy positions, even those recommended by the Strategic Issues Panels. In brief, the role of the University is to inform, not advocate.