President Michael Crow addressed concerns from students, including tuition prices, in an open forum held at the Tempe campus Thursday afternoon.

Students from all four campuses took advantage of the forum, hosted by the Undergraduate Student Government in the Memorial Union, to ask Crow about issues ranging from University expansion to inviting Stephen Colbert to speak at commencement.

Students at the West, Downtown and Polytechnic campuses participated in the forum through a videoconference system.

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One of the major issues discussed at the forum was the University’s plan to fund programs after federal stimulus money runs out in two years.

“The University is … weathering the financial storm as well as can be expected,” Crow said. “One of the things we have to realize … is that we can’t lose our focus on our mission.”

Once the stimulus money runs out, it is unlikely the state will provide further aid, Crow said, and the University will need to account for the $95 million shortfall by itself.

“People say, ‘Why don’t we not water the grass … or turn off the lights?’” Crow said. “You can turn off all the lights and never turn them back on and never generate but 3 percent of that $95 million shortfall.”

Crow addressed concerns from students at the West, Polytechnic and Downtown campuses about ASU’s plan for further expansion beyond the Tempe campus.

“We would like to see high growth on the Polytechnic campus, high growth on the West, high growth on the Downtown campus and modest or limited growth on the Tempe campus,” Crow said, adding that he wants to see these campuses draw more out-of-state and international students because of the unique programs they offer.

Crow addressed questions about recent allegations of animal cruelty from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

“I strongly support ethical treatment of animals,” he said. “We are at a moment where we need to update our thinking … and constantly be looking at what we are doing and how we are treating animals.”

English junior Lauren Edmondson attended the forum as a member of Women’s Coalition at ASU and addressed issues of hate speech and signs, which Crow urged students to report to administration.

Other issues included firearms on campus and transit issues, especially concerning disabled parking.

While she liked the idea of the forum, Edmondson said she was disappointed in some of Crow’s responses.

“I think it’s a good idea, but many of the answers were vague and don’t address the question,” she said.

Psychology freshman Jessica Jeffs said the meeting was a good way for students to communicate with administration directly.

“It’s important that [Crow] knows students’ concerns and for him to be level with the students,” Jeffs said.

USG president Brendan O’Kelly said communication in the forum was beneficial to students and administration.

Denise Quiroz, director of communication in the president’s office, said it was important to have an open dialogue between the students and the administration, and encouraged students to attend meetings and communicate with ASU through e-mail, Facebook, Twitter or phone calls.

“It’s helpful for President Crow to hear the student concerns from more than just the elected student government.” O’Kelly said. “[At a forum] students get their concerns addressed directly by the president of their University.”

Reach the reporter at michelle.parks@asu.edu.