The state university systems in Arizona and California are headed in two different directions as the result of recent economic hard times, which have profoundly affected public university funding.
According to UCLA's school newspaper, The Daily Bruin, California recently informed the UC and CSU systems that cuts will be $410 and $345.2 million, respectively. The president of the UC system and the chancellor of CSU responded by suggesting enrollment caps on the growing student populations of both school systems in order to deal with the scaled back funding. If approved, such an enrollment cap could mean turning back thousands of potential students who can either apply elsewhere or not go to college right away.
Jennifer Partnoff, a history major at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif. plans to apply to UCLA. She isn't worried about being accepted because of her 3.8 GPA, but she has a backup plan.
"I'm keeping my options open," Partnoff said. She will apply to more state schools in case UCLA denies her application.
So while California universities contemplate enrollment caps to confront budget rollbacks, President Crow said the ASU student population should grow much larger in future years and that we should be "judged by whom we include."
Since Crow assumed the presidency here at ASU, the University has received million-dollar donations to the W. P. Carey School of Business and the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering, with more likely on the way. Sounds great, doesn't it? Apparently not.
Many students don't seem to have a very favorable impression of President Crow, so I talked to a few to try and find out why.
"All I know is that he's made a lot of changes that seemed to better himself," said Trish Henry, a pre-nursing sophomore who is only familiar with Crow through her roommate.
President Crow has the right idea about the growth and expansion of ASU, whether or not he is well-known or liked by students.
Heck, I didn't even mind the tuition hike. If it means I will get a quality education in return, I know my money was well spent.
Through these recent donations to ASU, we can afford to invest in quality faculty as well as research. The tuition increase provided more money in financial aid for students. And higher student enrollment would mean more money from which everyone can benefit.
"Maybe I'll start looking at out-of-state colleges," Partnoff said when asked what she would do if rejected by the schools she applied to as a result of the potential enrollment cap.
"If that's what I have to do, then I'll do that because I want to go to school," she added.
ASU seems ready to welcome students such as Partnoff with open arms.
Evonne S. Avalos is a journalism senior. Reach her at evonne.avalos@asu.edu.