Enrollment hits record at ASU downtown Phoenix campus

by Eugene Scott - Sept. 18, 2012 07:40 PM
The Republic | azcentral.com

Arizona State University enrolled its largest number of students this fall at its downtown Phoenix campus. And although some area businesses are excited at the potential for new business, some residents say they would like to see more community engagement from those connected to the campus.

Nearly 10,000 students enrolled at ASU's downtown Phoenix campus this fall compared with 9,367 students last fall. The campus has grown each year since opening with 3,059 students in 2006.

Because enrollment numbers change daily with new students signing on and others withdrawing, campus officials said official enrollment numbers won't be available for weeks.

Chris Callahan, vice provost of the downtown campus, said he is amazed at how fast the campus has grown in such a short time.

"It's remarkable," he said. "I'm looking out my window at a campus that didn't exist six years ago."

Downtown enrollment could have been larger if so many people weren't still affected by the economy, said Patrick Panetta, associate director of ASU's Real Estate Development Office.

" We were actually expecting a larger bump last year, but I think the economy put a damper on the enrollment a little bit. Folks chose not to go back to school and spend the money," he said. "I think with the economy recovering a little better, we're going to see sort of a return to the previous growth trajectory we've been on."

ASU plans to expand its downtown presence more by bringing another college to the campus and increasing its relationship with the Phoenix Biomedical Campus, the downtown Phoenix campus that includes the University of Arizona College of Medicine and programs from Northern Arizona University.

Enrollment at the youngest ASU campus already is higher than both the West and Polytechnic campuses.

ASU is converting the U.S. post office at 522 N. Central Ave. into a student union. Phoenix purchased the building and leases it to the university.

ASU is expanding the downtown Phoenix YMCA, as well. The project will add 75,000 square feet to the existing YMCA. The renovation will be completed before the fall 2013 semester.

Both students and community members will share the newly renovated spaces, but some areas, such as classroom space, will be reserved for ASU students.

"Both facilities will be essentially treated as one, so (students and YMCA members) have access to both buildings. There are only a couple of exclusive areas in the new building," Panetta said.

University officials hope to bring the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law to Phoenix from the Tempe campus in the next several years.

"I don't believe there's a specific timetable for it other than it's a high priority for President (Michael) Crow -- having a world-class law school in the middle of a major metropolitan area," Callahan said.

Many downtown Phoenix businesses had hoped to see significant bumps in customers with the infusion of students, but some have fared better than others.

"The food and things have done really well. Some of the direct services are doing well. The apartments are doing very well, but not every business has seen the same level of increase in business ," said David Roderique, president and CEO of Downtown Phoenix Partnership, a tax-funded non-profit . "There are some service providers like dentists or doctors that may not have seen that same level of pickup ."

Some downtown businesses have struggled to partner with the university, particularly with the Sun Card, a university-issued student-identification card often used to make off-campus purchases.

"It's not widely accepted around local businesses, and one of the reasons is that there are a lot of fees that are placed on the Sun Card," Roderique said. "We've brought that to their attention."

In its infant stages, the downtown campus boasted that students would serve the community and build relationships with residents.

Callahan said campus officials are still working on ways to get students off the campus to volunteer and take advantage of arts and cultural opportunities.

"What we've been focusing on a lot is how we can even better connect our students with the downtown Phoenix community," he said.

But some community members think ASU officials need to work harder. Steve Weiss, founding member of the Downtown Voices Coalition, said ASU's commitment to reach out to the community has wavered over the years.

"During and right after the (2006) bond election, the attitude of the campus changed from community engagement and outreach to 'If you want to come to us, we're here,'" said Weiss, an ASU alumnus. "We're having a hard time trying to figure out how to get our students out of the gated community that is ASU downtown."

Weiss acknowledged that some local business owners have benefited from ASU's downtown presence.

Callahan said most of the people are pleased with ASU's engagement.

19 Sep, 2012

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Source: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2012/09/17/20120917asu-downtown-enrollment-record.html
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