The state Legislature has probably been the source of many headaches for people over the past year — including ASU President Michael Crow.

Despite these likely headaches, Crow has continued to push for his vision of a New American University.

The next step in this plan is the new initiative “Challenges Before Us.”

The aim of the program is to address society’s most crucial problems.

This enterprise is scheduled to begin next month, according to The Arizona Republic.

The foundation of this program lies on seven basic questions, or challenges. Several of which deal with building strong communities and educating students in a rapidly changing world.

There is no doubt these questions address issues that are much larger than you or me. It makes one wonder if we are up to the task. Is ASU ready for such a huge responsibility?

Based on the current condition of ASU, it seems the answer is “no.”

Vibrant communities and education are all issues ASU struggles with.

Discrimination against tenured faculty members does not address problems but creates them.

The Tempe housing community has not gone unaffected by the recession — as a result, vibrant communities are foreign ideas to many Valley residents. A Sept. 21 State Press article also indicated that many Tempe apartments have increasing vacancies. Only a few of the apartment complexes around ASU are at full capacity.

Empty apartments do not present a lively community. Rather, they present a society that cannot progress, a society simply stuck in neutral.

Our state education system has been lacerated. The budget battle has been highly publicized, especially the figures concerning education. The Arizona Republic reported ASU lost $88 million over the past year.

Inadequate funding leads to an inadequate education. As a result, this will hurt ASU students because we may not measure up to the global competition.

Who are we to set a precedent for global change if we cannot be role models?

Before ASU looks beyond its borders, it must get its ducks in a row at home.

However, the progressive nature of this institution should not go unnoticed. Crow and the ASU faculty show admirable determination — they will not let this University suffer even though the economy does.

Though private donors will fund the new “Challenges Before Us” initiative, I fear the ASU bank account will be stretched thinner than it already is. Private donors could back out or costs could exceed expectations. Then do we turn to federal stimulus money? That will eventually run out too.

I admire the innovative attitude Crow has brought to this institution; it makes me proud to be a Sun Devil. But even though this program can do great things, I am nervous it was developed with a lack of foresight.

The initiative is a fantastic idea; I just hope our altruism isn’t our undoing.

Reach Andrew at andrew.hedlund@asu.edu.