ASUnited (Arizona State University WeBlog)

The New American University

Most of us are well aware of Arizona State University’s continued push towards becoming a “New American University.” The school has increased it’s student body and has consistently enrolled more than 60,000 students over the past several semesters. ASU is striving to be at the forefront of the “sustainability” movement in “going green” with many of it’s new projects.To be honest, it seems like every time I hear anything from Michael Crow he throws in some little ditty about what’s going on in the school’s efforts to improve in this capacity. We’ve also seen a number of new degrees being offered in recent years; a clear effort to be at the cutting edge of today’s ever evolving field of education.

Salary Cutbacks for Teachers and Faculty

All of this despite cutbacks galore. Professors and other faculty members have taken dramatic cuts to their salaries. Some have even lost their jobs completely. With the push to implement and improve newer, more hip degrees, many other valuable degrees are being closed and are no longer available to students.

I am not one to criticize or point fingers at the way ASU, or any large organization for that matter, runs their business and makes decisions. However, I do wonder sometimes about these things. I wonder why so much time and money are being allocated for new buildings when teachers are taking pay cuts.

13,000 Freshmen to Live in ASU Dorms This Fall

ASU is pushing for all freshmen to be forced into living on campus in the dormitories for their first year at school. New freshman dorms are popping up all over the place. These buildings are massive and are taking over literally all of downtown Tempe.

This semester, a record 13,000 freshmen will be moving into dorm rooms at ASU. Of course, this means the school is bringing in more money from housing. But, is it enough to make up for what’s been spent to build/sustain them. Also, when all is set and done, will the extra revenue be put back into the people who actually make the university tick… the teachers?! Or will it be distributed to the next new “green” project?

These are a few of the questions in my mind right now regarding the “New American University” that ASU is striving to not only become but to define. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.

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