ASU President Michael Crow is expanding communication with students by beginning a blog and opening his office to students for one-on-one talks.
The blog, or online journal, would appear on Crow's Web site, www.asu.edu/president, Dec. 1 to give students an opportunity to write questions and raise concerns about things like Playboy naming ASU a top party school, Crow said.
"You can say, 'What's the deal?'" he said, "so we can nip these rumors in the bud."
Crow said he would also use the blog to discuss ASU's growth.
Virgil Renzulli, vice president of public affairs, said the idea behind the blog is to enhance communication with students.
"This will help explain what it is the university is doing and why," Renzulli said. "We do a lot to explain that, but it's almost never enough. We don't always reach everybody."
Mathematics senior George Belokas said he would most likely not write questions for Crow online because he would not know what to ask.
"If I had a concern, I might do it," he said. "I think it's better to hear it from the top."
Next semester, Crow is also planning to hold walk-in office hours so students can meet with him, Renzulli said.
Crow communicates often with many student leaders, but office hours would go beyond that, he said.
"Crow could have interaction with any student," he added.
Richard Sales, Undergraduate Student Government senator for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said while he probably has more connection to Crow than most students, he plans to utilize the blog and office hours.
"The real test is to see if he'll actually act on the issues," Sales said. "It's not just about listening. It's about advocating on students' behalves."
Engineering sophomore Guy Fawkes said he would not ask Crow questions on his blog or during office hours.
"I doubt he'd be very truthful with his answers," Fawkes said. "And the blog would just turn into a gripe fest."
Reach the reporter at tara.brite@asu.edu.
