The presidents of Arizona's three major public universities often exercise input in the legislative process to advocate for their institutions' needs. That influence isn't without its critics.
The relationship between state universities and their legislature starts with the Arizona Board of Regents.
"Public universities in Arizona, we all run in concert with the Board of Regents," said Matthew Simon, the associate vice president of federal and state relations at ASU. "The Board of Regents dictates what our legislative agenda is, as well as whether or not we take positions on certain bills."
ABOR determines the political agenda of the state university president. However, this can go both ways. The presidents of these public institutions can work hand-in-hand with ABOR in laying out these positions. For example, ASU President Michael Crow serves on the executive council of ABOR, Simon said.
"The presidents are being asked by the Board of Regents on all sorts of issues," Simon said. "Those conversations between the regents and the presidents happen all the time and inform the policy positions of the board."
READ MORE: ABOR meets at the Memorial Union, students voice concerns over University issues
Stella Rouse, a professor in the School of Politics and Global Studies, said Crow can use his relationships with lawmakers "diligently and wisely when he needs to see something specific from the legislature."
While Crow does have this influence within the state legislature, Simon also noted the prominence of the Office of Government and Community Engagement at ASU in more standard interactions.
"University presidents are the leaders of their respective institutions and inform the policy discussions and decisions," Simon said. "From a day-to-day perspective, in terms of tactics, strategies, deploying the message down at the Capitol, that's really my team's job."
Rouse said the University and Crow are in a unique position in terms of how they interact with the legislature, due to the small amount of funding it receives from the state government.
"ASU is a bit unique in that it doesn't receive a ton of appropriations from the legislature," Rouse said. "ASU has been on the front end of forging these other relationships to try to supplement the loss of appropriations that they receive from the state government."
This difference in funding opportunities through the legislature has prompted Crow to "run ASU much more like a business" in terms of him fostering partnerships with external businesses, Rouse said.
Rouse said these partnerships were displayed in developments like the new School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering, which is set to be constructed at the Downtown Phoenix campus.
READ MORE: ASU announces site of new medical school in downtown Phoenix
Despite the relative lack of funding, President Crow and other public university presidents still have provided input on budgetary decisions by the state government.
"The board expects our presidents to maintain strong relationships with community, government, tribal and industry partners for the benefit of the state and our students," said Megan Gilbertson, the associate vice president for public affairs at ABOR, in a written statement.
Influence from leaders like Crow could be formed by conversations with ABOR, but it has also developed through long-standing relationships with legislators.
"We'll set up meetings with different legislators to make sure there's opportunities for them to meet with President Crow," Simon said. "A lot of times, legislators asked to meet with President Crow. He was down there (at the Arizona Capitol) for the State of the State."
Crow's office declined an interview. The offices of the presidents of Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona did not respond to requests for comment.
For one legislator, some presidents' influence has gone too far. Republican Rep. Alexander Kolodin of District 3, said the presidents use the resources of the universities to advance their own agendas.
"Once you're at the university president level, you get a lot of leeway with your job to focus on policy, to mess with state affairs," Kolodin said.
Kolodin said legislative Democrats tend to be receptive to what the presidents say, while Republicans are generally skeptical.
While Kolodin said the presidents should advise the legislature, he believes they should only provide perspective when needed.
"They shouldn't get some special consideration, except insofar as they can intelligently inform the conversation," Kolodin said.
Simon said that universities, led by their presidents, serve as helpful sources of information for policymakers.
"We're there to provide information if and when it's needed," Simon said. "Our goals don't change."
Edited by George Headley, Sophia Ramirez, Alexis Heichman and Natalia Jarrett.
Reach the reporter at coyer1@asu.edu and sluba@asu.edu and follow @carstenoyer and @samluba6 on X.
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Sam is a freshman studying political science with a minor in justice studies. This is his second semester with The State Press. He has also worked as editor-in-chief of his high school newspaper.
Carsten is a freshman studying journalism and mass communication. This is his first semester with The State Press. He also worked as his high school's newspaper editor-in-chief.
