Crow joins university leaders in roundtable with media

University presidents and chancellors from across the nation, including ASU President Michael Crow, congregated in New York Thursday, Oct. 4, for an open dialogue with 31 national reporters to discuss issues facing higher education today. <br /><br />Crow moderated the roundtable discussion for the annual higher education media dinner at The Penn Club. Ten university presidents and chancellors from public and private institutions joined the discussion, including: Amy Gutmann, University of Pennsylvania; Douglas Bennett, Earlham College; G.P. “Bud” Peterson, University of Colorado; Mark Emmert, University of Washington; Shirley Jackson, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Larry Vanderhoef, University of California, Davis; Mark Yudof, University of Texas System; Loren Crabtree, University of Tennessee; and Ralph Hexter, Hampshire College.<br /><br />The dinner discussion remained dynamic and intense throughout the evening, as reporters were able to ask any question to the higher education officials for candid responses. Topics ranged from access to higher education to how universities can better measure success. Highlights of the discussion include:<br /><br />• Alan Finder of New York Times asked about financial aid programs available to low-income students and whether these programs are working. <br />• Margot Adler of National Public Radio brought up the topic of university endowments and how they are appropriated. <br />• Beth Nissen of NBC-Universal on students protests – what are your students protesting about and how do today’s digital-age students differ in form and effectiveness of their protests compared to students in the 60s and 80s.<br />• Claudia Dreifus of New York Times wanted to know about the tenure process and whether higher education leaders see a warrant for reform. <br /><br />Media attendance included representatives from the New York Times, Time, Newsweek, NBC, National Public Radio, CNBC, ABC, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Money magazine, Careers &amp; Colleges, Inside Higher Ed, Chronicle of Higher Education, Los Angeles Times, University Business and Christian Science Monitor. <br /><br />To view the photo gallery from this event, click <a href="http://www.asu.edu/news/mediadinner/">here</a>.</p&gt;