ASU, like most government agencies, is inherently inefficient. Everything that needs to be done takes about five times as long as it seems it should take, and resources overlap in strange ways.
Michael Crow is no dummy. He has helped engineer over $100 million in donations in his short time at ASU, with more money on the way next week. He is a businessman committed to the advancement of higher education.
Crow could be in the private sector, making more money and having nicer offices with larger staffs, perks and budgets. Instead, he has chosen to commit his life to higher education, and more specifically, to ASU. I commend Crow for what he has done and look forward to the sweeping efficiency and advancement he will bring to the Sun Devils. Finally, someone is starting to see the necessity of running this major university as something of a viable business rather than a welfare system.
The front page of The State Press yesterday portrayed the evils of Crow's Design Team and the possibility that it may move the School of Justice Studies to East campus and "end growth" for that program. Since markets at the most basic level are driven by supply and demand, this may be true but should not be considered a negative. If the resources used by justice studies are currently diluted across two campuses and could be piggybacked with something else and concentrated in one location, academics would improve along with efficiency. Students would be able to study a broader range of subjects in related fields and be better prepared to become productive members of their profession.
Of course, this would not be in the self-interest of the department personnel, as some would inevitably be relocated or forced to accept other positions. It's harsh to say, but if they are truly committed to the education of their students, they will understand the best possible education will come in the form of maximized use of resources. I am not just talking about money here, either. Effective use of faculty and staff will provide the moving programs and students better resources for their development.
The goal of this team is not to see how bad it can screw up students' plans; it is to improve the overall quality of educations received at ASU. Some areas of study may be downsized as a result of students not wanting to accept the new location or format of the departments. But other programs will be vastly expanded and exponentially enhanced, even if they have to drag their beneficiaries kicking and screaming to their betterment. Putting students in contact with professionals in their field and providing convenient access to the things they study is imperative to a comprehensive education.
So my unpopular recommendation to ASU students and faculty: Be patient. Crow is taking the dinosaur that is ASU and trying to make it better for you, not for him. Along the way, some will be upset or inconvenienced, and others will be helped, even if they don't know it.
No matter how hard you want to fight it, ASU cannot continue to function at its current level. Financially, the University cannot throw away resources for the sake of not disrupting students' plans. Academically, ASU has no reason to be a low-ranking school. We have all of the potential of our peer institutions, if properly managed.
Remember, rarely are things as bad as they initially seem. We are just getting a taste of some considerations; nothing is even close to being finalized, so chill. In the nature of bureaucracies, this will take a long time at best to materialize.
If you truly have something to say, articulate it on the design team's Web site www.asu.edu/provost/designteam/. They are asking for your input. Quit whining to your friends, educate yourself on the subject and offer constructive input. Contrary to popular belief, design team members are not out to victimize you. They are actually working for you. In my book, a few thanks may be in order.
Matt Snowden is a finance senior. You may reach him at matthew.snowden@asu.edu.
