Arizona State University organizational structure and administration

Arizona State University (ASU) is a leading metropolitan research international institution in the United States that is committed to excellence in teaching, research, and public service. Established in Tempe in 1885 by a legislative act, ASU was initially formed as a teachers college. The core of the Tempe campus was a 20-acre cow pasture donated by leading citizens who desired an institution to educate public school teachers and offer instruction to their children in agriculture and mechanical arts.

In 2002, Michael M. Crow became the University's sixteenth president. In his inaugural address, he outlined his vision for the transformation of the school into a prototype for a new American university. This future institution will be a comprehensive research university that continues its academic excellence as well as have a strong commitment to social, economic, cultural, and environmental issues to meet the needs of the growing Phoenix area. The city has increased by 54% since 1990, making it the fifth largest city in the country. The population of the region is projected to double in the next two decades to 6 million.

ASU wishes to provide the best possible education to the broadest possible spectrum of population. Within 15 years, the school is projected to grow from 61,000 to 90,000 students. Presently there are three locations -- in Tempe, northwest Phoenix and Mesa. The Tempe campus has over 700 acres with pedestrian malls laid out in a grid plan, lawns and subtropical landscaping. ASU's West campus currently serves nearly 8,000 students on its growing, modern, urban campus. ASU's Polytechnic campus in Mesa includes the College of Technology and Applied Sciences, the Morrison School of Agribusiness and Resource Management, and East College. Of its total undergraduate student base, ASU has 47% men and 53% women. The ethnic breakdown consists of 3.7% African-American; 2.2% American Indian; 5.1% Asian-American; 12.9% Hispanic; 69.2% white; 2.7% international; and 4.2% unknown.

To be considered as a student, it is necessary to have a 3.0 GPA (2.5-2.99 considered) or be in the top 25% of the class (26-50% considered), with an ACT of 22 or SAT of 1040 in reasoning for residents; 3.0 or top 25%, ACT of 24, and SAT of 1110 for non-residents. The writing portion for the exams is not required. Competency requirement is a minimum of 2.0 in any subject area: English - 4 years (composition/literature based); Math - 4 years including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II and one course requiring Algebra II as a prerequisite; Laboratory Science - 3 years total with 1 year each from any course including biology, chemistry, earth science, integrated sciences and physics; social science -- 2 years including one year American history; foreign language - 2 years of the same language; and fine arts -- one year.

A wide range of undergraduate degrees are offered in the Colleges of Biodesign, Engineering, Architecture, Human Services, Liberal Arts, Fine Arts, Nursing, Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, Global Management and Leadership, Journalism and Mass Communications, Agribusiness and Resource Management and Business. A bachelor's degree in nursing, for example, gives the student the opportunity to practice in diverse areas of nursing and with clients who span the age continuum. Employment opportunities are available in schools, community agencies, industrial agencies, government, businesses and hospitals. The education degree curriculum provides a combination of classroom instruction, pre-student teaching field experiences in a variety of public school settings in the greater Phoenix area, and student teaching that is a full-day, full-semester obligation. The University also offers numerous graduate programs in Education and Nursing in addition to a School of Law and Business.

Many students at the West campus plan on pursuing a career in a health profession that normally require completion of an bachelor's as well as a graduate or professional degree in an area such as allopathic medicine (M.D.), osteopathic medicine (D.O.), dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, podiatry, chiropractic medicine, pharmacy, public health, physician assistant, or nursing. The Health Professions Advisory Committee was established to assist students with academic advice and guidance through the admissions process. However, students in Arizona are at a disadvantage because the number of state-supported professional programs is very limited. There is one M.D. program at the University of Arizona, which only admits Arizona residents, along with a D. Pharmacy. And a Master's of Public Health program. There are no state-supported programs in dentistry or veterinary medicine.

The estimated cost of attendance includes room and board that a typical full-time student may incur over the combined Fall and Spring semesters. This figure is used in determining financial aid eligibility and consists of both direct and indirect costs. For an Arizona resident the cost is approximately $12,000; $26,500 for a nonresident. The school offers the usual federal grants and loans as well as a number of private and public scholarships for outstanding students. There are also work study programs, on-campus jobs, and resources for off-campus employment. Although freshmen do not have to live on campus, there is a dorm specifically for these students separate from the upper classmen.

The three campuses have a total of eight libraries with three million volumes for student use. The largest one in Tempe, the Architectural and Environmental Design Library, holds over 50,000 items including books, periodicals, CD-ROMs, video recordings, and microforms. Subject coverage focuses strongly on design, including: architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, graphic design, industrial design, housing and planning.

The University offers a wide range of student clubs, activities, sororities/

fraternities and athletics. Also, a favorite student location is the Art Museum, named "the single most impressive venue for contemporary art in Arizona" by Art in America magazine. As part of the Herberger College of Fine Arts, it serves a diverse community of artists and audiences through innovative interdisciplinary programming. Dance is another artistic option: Students who want to learn an Irish jig, a Salsa, or the philosophical issues in dance can take courses at the dance school.

In the sciences, the NASA and Mars Education Program offers the opportunity to be involved in authentic research by participation in the Mars Student Imaging Project. Teams of students work with scientists, mission planners and educators to image a site on Mars using the THEMIS visible wavelength camera onboard the Mars Odyssey spacecraft that is currently orbiting Mars every two hours.