ASU President Michael Crow called for better student participation in University matters during an open forum at the West campus Tuesday, addressing students at the other three campuses by video.
Approximately 30 people attended the forum at the West campus. Student leaders asked Crow questions about Proposition 100, development and cuts at each campus and what they can expect from the University over the next several years.
“I’m still hopeful students will become more of a driving force within the University for quality,” Crow said.
Most of the students currently attending ASU have different expectations of education, technology and the world than previous generations, he said.
Through hearing students’ expectations, the University can adapt to the way they want to learn, Crow said, allowing students to get more out of their time at ASU.
Crow discussed at length the impact of Proposition 100, which calls for a 1-cent tax increase for three years across the state.
If the measure fails, the University would lose about $50 million in funding, he said. If the proposition passes, two-thirds of the tax revenue will go to primary and secondary education, while the remaining portion will run public safety, health and human services.
But if the measure doesn’t pass, the University plans to make cuts to its support staff and will likely consolidate several programs. No final budget plans have been made, Crow said.
“We don’t believe that our ... students would be well served by dumbing down or lowering the quality of our degrees,” he said.
Although tuition increases for the 2010-2011 school year have already been approved, and if Proposition 100 fails, additional increases would most likely follow the year after. The increase in tuition costs would help the University continue providing a valuable education for its students, Crow said.
“Our tuition will continue to go up with a strong commitment to financial aid as a means of maintaining the quality of the institution,” he said.
Aaron Gidwani, a global business senior, said Crow’s plans to make cuts are “scare tactics” aimed to force students to pay higher tuition prices.
“He’s been doing that ever since this recession started,” he said.
College degrees would still be relevant, but cutting services doesn’t show loyalty to students, Gidwani said.
“A college degree has weight in it,” he said. “I don’t think when you increase tuition ... and cut student services you’re demonstrating that commitment to loyalty or financial responsibility to the students’ wellbeing.”
When asked about supposedly insufficient dining options at the Polytechnic campus, Crow said students should negotiate with University officials and ASU’s food service provider Aramark to satisfy their needs.
During these meetings, however, Crow warned that students would need to be mindful of what it takes financially to run a cafeteria.
“You’ve got to be willing to sit and look at the numbers,” he said.
Crow discussed the possibility of establishing “walk-in, walk-out” venues — similar to Tempe’s new restaurants e2 and Dave’s Doghouse — at the Polytechnic and West campuses, as well as various food carts.
But if students want to see these changes, he said, they will need to come together and discuss the issue with University and Aramark officials, he said.
Associated Students of ASU West Senate Chair Everett Lively said students aren’t required to be in leadership positions to take part in the University’s operation and can participate by voting and informing their student government.
Life sciences junior Gary Derbyshire, however, said he doesn’t know who he would talk to about any issues he has experienced, a problem many students might have.
“I wouldn’t even know where to start,” he said.
Reach the reporter at jsynder3@asu.edu
