Every semester, The State Press editorial board meets with ASU President Michael Crow to ask questions about issues at the University and how it’s changing. We'll have more stories based on Crow's responses during the coming weeks, but for now, here are the top five takeaways from that meeting.
The new Downtown Tempe logo was revealed at the new Culinary Dropout restaurant in Tempe on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014. (Photo by Alexis Macklin)1. Crow supports urbanizing Tempe
The recent unveiling of the Tempe Rising campaign (and its counterpart, Tempe Uprising) have been in the news, and we wanted to ask Crow what he thought the University’s role is in gentrification. While he did not say he knew what gentrification meant, he mentioned that ASU wants a supportive community for its students, complete with fun, meaningful and safe environments. He also mentioned several amenities that the University supported, such as restaurants near campus (Postino WineCafe and Pitchforks and Corks, we see you). Crow said urbanization and densification of Tempe makes it a better place overall.
Crow also said some places that house mainly students can follow the University’s Student Code of Conduct, leading to safer outcomes. Some of those that chose to build and develop without the University’s input, however, ended up coming back and asking for ASU’s input after issues involving students. American Campus Communities, a company that runs several campus housing complexes including Vista del Sol, is a good partnership both on- and off-campus, he said. This company provides some “structure” in the way it manages the properties, which, after a student focus group, the University decided was an important aspect of off-campus success.
Sophomore defender Drew Newmeyer leads the fight for the puck in home game at Oceanside Arena in Tempe, AZ on Oct. 30, 2014.?? (Photo by Stephanie Specht)2. The University is developing its plans to elevate its club hockey team and a women's sport to NCAA status.
In last week’s press conference announcing the decision to elevate club hockey to Division I status, Athletic Director Ray Anderson said his department was looking at women’s lacrosse and rowing as potential teams that would receive corresponding moves to Division I. At the time, Anderson said women’s lacrosse was the primary focus of the determination, and Crow confirmed this.
He said lacrosse is another sport that allows students to express themselves athletically. Another appealing aspect of the team for Crow was its ability to garner additional exposure from East Coast audiences.
Crow had no further news on either development, but did note that the athletic department is looking into facilities including U.S. Airways Center, Wells Fargo Arena and rinks in Scottsdale. While nothing has been confirmed or ruled out, Crow said he believes the necessary construction to Wells Fargo Arena to enable it to hold an ice rink would be cost-prohibitive.
ASU president Michael Crow addresses The State Press editorial board during a meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014. (Photo by Andrew Ybanez)3. We can expect an overhaul of organizational structure with regard to how the University uses and handles technology.
ASU leads other universities in the way it embraces technology, Crow said. The University offers more than 40 online-only degree programs, and on-campus students are able to take online courses or hybrid courses. Electronic systems such as Blackboard, myASU and eAdvisor are staples of ASU education.
Crow said the University needs to continue to embrace technological change and that the announcement of what exactly will be changing will come soon. While he wouldn't comment specifically on what this means for the University's contract with Blackboard, Crow did say to expect a major announcement soon.
Marketing senior Joel Caballero tailgates in Tempe with friends before the 2011 football season opener against UC Davis. (Photo by Lillian Reid)4. We want a self-sustaining athletics department, but not if there's alcohol involved.
ASU is continuing its path toward creating a self-sufficient athletics department that doesn't need University support to break even — for reference, the athletics department has been operating on a $10 million deficit. With a $150-per-year student athletic fee and the continued development of the athletic facilities district, land that the University is leasing to companies such as State Farm with proceeds benefiting the athletics department, ASU is planning to alleviate contributions to athletics.
One thing it won't consider? Selling alcohol at sporting events. Universities in the Pac-12 only allow beer or wine in posh boxes, not general admission. The University of West Virginia, which does sell beer to the masses, netted $525,000 from those sales in 2011. That's the same as the fee money from 3,500 students. But Crow says ASU absolutely will not consider selling alcohol to drive up revenue, and that he doesn't believe excessive alcohol consumption should happen anywhere near the stadium.
The soon-to-be-Division-I men's hockey team does sell beer at certain games at the off-campus Oceanside Ice Arena, and there's no sign yet of how that will change when it becomes an official NCAA sport. Until then, if you're an ASU fan, remember: No kegs or overpriced stadium beer for you!
Located directly behind the on-campus housing complex Adelphi Commons, Sunset Boulevard is a familiar street for residents who live in the student housing complex, but after recent assaults some residents said they are steering clear of the area. (Photo by Andrew Ybanez)5. ASU and universities across the nation have come to a “maturation point” in discussions regarding sexual assault.
The national conversation is progressing, and unsafe college environments are no longer going to be tolerated. Crow voiced the need for improvement in all aspects of stopping sexual assault on college campuses, especially in making it more comfortable for prosecutors to take action. Crow spoke highly of ASU’s Sexual Violence Prevention Task Force and invites students to view the task force’s recently approved recommendations. Crow also emphasized his belief in the increasingly influential “yes means yes” definition of consent.
Bonus: Crow was eager to offer his thoughts on both ASU and UA in advance of Friday’s Territorial Cup matchup, praising both teams while initially balking at a request for a score prediction. Both teams are in the top 15 of the College Football Playoff Rankings, with UA passing ASU in both the CFP rankings (No. 11) and the AP Poll (No. 12).
“It'll be close and we will win,” Crow said. His prediction?
No. 13 ASU 44, No. 11 UA 32
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