When he arrived at ASU in July 2002, ASU President Michael Crow was fresh from Columbia University and had goals in mind to create a New American University. He took on the task of transforming ASU into a university that would be affordable, competitive and an example for higher education systems worldwide.
Transforming ASU from a university that graced top party school lists year after year was no easy task, yet Crow accomplished it. As ASU’s Playboy ranking has been replaced with U.S. News Top University rankings, Crow’s transformative process has become more nuanced, making sweeping changes that have put ASU on the map locally and nationally as a university to watch.
As the spring semester of the 2014-15 school year draws to a close, The State Press reflects on the changes that have been brought upon ASU by the administration. The good, the bad and the ugly.
College Avenue Commons
A behemoth of a building, College Avenue Commons sits on the north end of campus on the street that owns its namesake. The building, which showcases unique design, a fountain surrounded by a staircase, and a wine bar, is a gentrification dream. Serving as a pseudo-campus hub (for college freshmen on tours, that is) the Commons can be seen as a representation of the change that has been brought upon ASU. Rather than focusing on the crumbling buildings scattered across the Tempe campus, the administration shifted the focus, creating a shiny, new building loaded with the shops and features of corporate America’s dreams.
The Starbucks Partnership
Part of the mission of the New American University is a focus on providing education for all who seek it. Crow emphasized treating education as a human right rather than a privilege throughout his tenure at ASU. In summer 2014, ASU and Starbucks announced a collaboration where baristas, or partners, as Starbucks calls its employees, would be able to attend ASU online programs by committing to the company for the duration of their education. In spring 2015, Starbucks announced the program would be expanded to fully reimburse tuition and include partners working on the ASU campuses.
ASU sports are finally in it to win it
Under Ray Anderson, the ASU athletic department has gone through quite the overhaul. The ASU hockey team announced it would be elevated to NCAA Division I status in the fall. Two of Anderson's three coaches that he hired have had remarkable turnarounds in just their first year. Zeke Jones guided the wrestling program to its best Pac-12 finish since 2006, while Tracy Smith has the baseball program in position to host a regional. In the spring of 2015, Anderson made two more big hires by bringing in Bob Bowman (Michael Phelps' coach) and Bobby Hurley (national champion as a player). But it wasn't all good for the Sun Devils in 2014-15, as the softball and gymnastics programs have taken a step back, in addition to the men's basketball program becoming the first school to lose to a No. 12 seed in the Pac-12 tournament, and top football recruit Davon Durant facing a felony aggravated assault charge.
Sexual Violence Prevention Task Force
After it appeared on a list of universities under investigation for Title IX violations, ASU created a task force that would work toward resolving the issues that had caused the violation and working toward further prevention. This task force implemented practices such as the student required Consent and Respect course and the employee Title IX training course to combat the sexual assault culture prevalent at ASU. Despite the course's introduction being reactionary rather than proactive, it is important that ASU shows it is dedicated to eradicating the root of the violations and creating a campus that is inclusive and safe for all in attendance. Showing zero tolerance for sexual assault is a necessary step in doing so.
University reaction to controversies
Challenging students' minds by offering classes and opportunities they may not have had the opportunity to experience before became a hot button issue this year when a course offered by the English department gained interest from the national media. The course, "U.S. Race Theory & The Problem of Whiteness," sparked controversy based on its name and the topics it covered. Many believed the course was a showing of "reverse racism" leading white supremacy groups, Neo-Nazis and hate preachers to appear on campus and in surrounding communities to condemn the course, the professor and the ASU administration. This week, the University released a statement denouncing the behavior of these groups and maintaining its support for the course and its instructor, Lee Bebout. Standing behind a controversial issue and defending its course offerings shows that ASU is a university here to educate while pushing boundaries, making it an institution focused on students rather than only public issue. It's a shame that it took so long for the statement to be released, but it's good to see the university take a stance rather than crumbling at the feet of hate groups.
ASU has reached a point in its development as the New American University, where it needs to make ambitious changes to ensure the University will continue to flourish. Over the past year, the changes have been grandiose in scheme and reception, creating a fresh-faced university. These changes haven't surfaced without fault or criticism, but will hopefully lead to a nationally-admired university. It's been a wild year at ASU. Here's to many more.
Want to join the conversation? Send an email to opiniondesk.statepress@gmail.com. Keep letters under 300 words and be sure to include your university affiliation. Anonymity will not be granted.
Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on Twitter.
