I can see Crow's need to communicate this message to community, but he comes off as overwhelmingly condescending. Of course as a student I do not understand the full scope of the financial problems which Crow has on his shoulders. However given Crows ability to walk into the fold and throw programs (such as SGML) into the dust--I find it hard to give any credit to his notion that aspects of the university are self-contained. If he wanted to show us that academics were the main process then he'd change this system (if he could) and use the $60-170 million dollars being discussed for the stadium to invest in the academics.

But Crow seems ready and willing to try to open up 'new' markets while the economy falters : attempting to turn ASU West into a competitor against the community colleges, building stadium upgrades to try and draw bowl games, when an entire complex (UofP statium) has just been built for this process, and lastly, of course, allowing his own salary to be increased (Which is currently at $728,000.)

in an effort to validate Alex K.'s salary figure, I came across some good reading that has all the details in case anyone is curious.

abor.asu.edu/1_the_regents/meetings/board_book/Jun-2007/Item-28-2007-06-Reappt-ASU-president-contract.pdf

fox11az.com/news/topstories/stories/kmsb-20070622-apjc-asuraise.3a32a53.html

Plus, The monitor to his right you can't see...

Wow... this sounds like another one of those big three car CEOs flying into Washington on a private jet cases to beg for tax payers money. I would really love to see where all these expenses are for our tuition considering I've been jammed into giant halls with hundreds of students, paying for my books, housing, food, tools, and resources. You can't say that the people who are making those claims are wrong when your only evidence for that is, "That just simply isn't the case." All I got from this is that our money is going to pay for our advisors that we see for 10 minutes twice a year. Way to go Mr Crow!

Who's with me!! WE NEED A NEW PRESIDENT!!!

This University used to operate just fine with a much smaller budget. Crow has created housing that was not needed and entertained groups (extracurricular groups) that do not equate to me getting a degree. He has raised fees on everything on campus. Now he needs more money? Really?

He needs to be replaced. ASU Student, I am with you.

Mr. Cartner,

I've thoughtfully read through your posts and I believe I have a solution that might amend your situation:

Go to Class.

Mr. Cartner,

While I can definitely see your points, it might help if you learn how to correctly spell W.P. Carey.

I'm just sayin'.

Other than referring to the tuition increase as an "adjustment" I think Dr. Crow's presentation is suitably straightforward. The number of computer monitors in his office doesn't seem particularly relevant to me -- even the lowest-grade graphic artist in a business gets that and, frankly, I'd like to think that the university's chief executive isn't forging plans for everyone's future sitting in a trailer by the Salt River competing with incoming Sky Harbor traffic.

A good friend of mine is very concerned that she won't be able to afford an increase. Understandably she is upset and wonders if she'll be able to continue. Money is very tight at their household these days and her job pay isn't going up in the near future. But at the same time, she recognizes that this is a taxpayer-funded public institution (supplemented, it seems, by my parking fees) and whatever it costs to run a top-notch university has to come mainly from tuition or taxes.

Will revenue from the tuition increase be spent wisely? Will whatever budget cuts that may ensue be distributed in the best possible way?

Those are the questions that the university leadership needs to engage the community with. I believe we would do well to enter that dialogue with an assumption that we're all participating in good faith and that, while we may have differing specific interests -- be they supporting a particular academic program or reinstating free bus ride program (hint) -- the common goal is to maintain the credentials and credibility of ASU as an institution worthy of our pride.

Good points again, Tony.

Just out of curiosity, has anyone here received any other answers or come up with any other solutions? I'd like to know what I can do to help remedy this situation... if there is anything possible.

I decided I will save my comments, and I think I'll just sit and watch instead.

I am surprised he did not call someone "stupid" for not seeing his grand plan for a "New American University." (He does this when he is questioned) This clown is a slick snake oil salesmen who was ran from Columbia University for a number of issues and bombastic policies.

Has anyone questioned this co artistic as to why ASU ranks at one of the lowest academic universities in the United States? Has anyone questioned the fact that more building are continually being built, which remain vacant? (Think downtown project).

The moment that the Arizona taxpayer opens their eyes to the behavior of this crook, Mr. Crow will be out of a job, along with his wife who is on the ASU payroll for about 200k. No one is sure what she does; maybe serves her husband coffee at the students' expense.

Arizona State University has the potential to be one of the best universities in the nation, but as long as Mr. Crow remains president, all we can expect is a slick conman at the financial controls wasting your money and mine for his narcissistic pet projects. Where are the Goldwater Republicans when you need one?

Perhaps, it is Arizona that ranks as one of the lowest educational states in the US... maybe, he is just working with what he has to work with?

Buying buildings now is the same as expanding for the future today - or it could be just throwing money out the door?

His narcissistic pet projects make me want to come back to ASU to finish off that degree. - I just had to do a full withdrawal (for reasons I still don't think were my fault) and I wasted close to 3 grand of my own money (on top of everything else) and I still want to come back. - Dono' but I think it's saying something.

Btw, I am registered republican, but I'll tell you what the university IS a nicer place then when I was first here four years ago.

I think you would find if you weren't majoring in Marketing and were majoring in say... Bioengineering you would find the caliber of student to be different. I know I use to be a bioengineering major. Perhaps he is trying to make it a university where those that "really" want to study can, and those that just want to get a degree can do that too.

*shrugs* I don't know for sure. But, I think I'll just sit and watch. He is doing a better job then I could.