In a half-hour meeting with The State Press on Oct. 24, ASU President Michael Crow discussed topics related to the University’s relationship with White House officials, maintenance of athletics programs, federal and private funding, and more.
Relationship with the Trump administration
Crow said he has been speaking with Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, who attended the ASU Global Silicon Valley Summit in April 2025.
“We need to focus on aspirational goals for the United States,” Crow said he told her. “We need to call the universities to order. We need to, in a sense, bring on a set of national aspirations that the universities can really focus on.”
Crow also said he met with President Donald Trump’s science adviser.
Discussions continue between White House officials and the University, Crow said. He added that the University is trying to help the government achieve its goals of improved economic competitiveness, job creation and “better access for Americans to American universities.”
“What I’ve been communicating is … if you (the Trump administration) want to achieve all the things in your goals … you can’t do any of those things without the universities, none of them, so let’s start talking about how to get the universities to be most helpful in making those kinds of things happen,” Crow said.
Student visas
More than six months after the number of revoked student visas at the University exceeded 50, Crow said the University has seen no progress with international students’ visa applications and getting affected students into the country.
Crow said the lack of progress is of concern, and he is unsure of why there is no advancement on the issue.
READ MORE: Revoked visas never reinstated, restricts affected students from entering US
He also defended the purpose of international students attending schools in the U.S.
“The country is a country of immigrants, including students who come here to study,” Crow said. “The country has benefited immensely, and so to pretend that we haven’t is not true.”
The international students who were unable to return to the U.S. have been able to remain engaged “digitally” in hopes they can attend in-person classes later.
Athletic programs
As college athletics enters an era in which universities can pay student athletes with athletic department revenues, some universities have had to cut certain programs regardless of their performance.
Over the summer, Athletics Director Graham Rossini said the University is committed to keeping all 26 athletic programs. Crow said the University has already reached the maximum revenue-sharing requirement.
“We’re raising more money for athletics,” Crow said. “We’re generating more support for athletics. We’re operating athletics more efficiently and effectively.”
Crow also said the University is moving toward a full-scholarship model for all student-athletes. Some programs, like the baseball team, were already operating on a full-scholarship system.
“You’re going to get a student who might be going to LSU or Auburn or UCLA or USC, and they’re getting an eighth of a scholarship, and we’re giving them a full scholarship,” Crow said. “That family is going to want their kid to come here.”
Research and funding
The $50 million gift from Bob Zorich that established the Global Institute for the Future of Energy, as well as the recent nine-figure gift from John Shufeldt for the John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering, came on the heels of the largest gift ASU has ever received: $115 million from Rob Walton to found the new Rob Walton School for Conservation Futures.
“We’re pursuing every investment you can possibly imagine, including the $265 million plus that has been invested in us from those three gifts,” he said.
READ MORE: Donation of $115 million will found new School for Conservation Futures
In the meeting, Crow called federal funding “unstable” and “unpredictable,” but said the issue will improve as the government’s priorities are determined.
“It’s problematic and challenging, absolutely, but we’re looking to be of greater service to the country, to be more responsive to the things that people are asking for in terms of priorities,” Crow said.
In fiscal year 2025, which ended on June 30, the University raised $630 million in philanthropic gifts, and the University is trying to move the “base” amount of funding to $600 million a year. Crow said the University will receive between $400 and $600 million for the current fiscal year.
Free speech and safety
On Oct. 23, College Republicans United at ASU held a tabling event in which students were encouraged to report associates of antifa to federal law enforcement. CRU at ASU called out two faculty members by name for alleged ties to antifa.
Antifa, which is shorthand for anti-fascist, is an umbrella term that describes far-left-leaning militant groups that often resist fascists or neo-Nazis, especially at demonstrations.
Crow was asked what the University is doing to protect its students and faculty from being targeted for their political views.
“We work hard to protect everyone,” Crow said. “One group has a right to say that ‘I think these people are idiots,’ and the other group has a right to say, ‘well, you’re an idiot,’ and so that’s fine.”
Crow said because CRU at ASU is not a registered student organization, its ability is limited to table or reserve spaces on campus – but not its members’ rights to speak and interact with people.
READ MORE: Antifa reporting event by College Republicans United at ASU draws opposition
Sophia Braccio, Senna James, George Headley, Henry Smardo, Carsten Oyer and Jack McCarthy contributed to this reporting.
Edited by Carsten Oyer, George Headley, Katrina Michalak and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporter at kagore1@asu.edu and follow @kategore_17 on X.
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Kate Gore is the Science and Tech Desk editor, ensuring accurate coverage of the scientific endeavors completed by ASU faculty and students and their impact on the broader community. She is beginning her second year on staff at The State Press. She previously worked as a Community and Culture Reporter, shining light on important events and happenings around campus.
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