Members of the Arizona Board of Regents voted to give a policy extension to the 40 percent cap on out-of-state students during their meeting on Friday.
In a unanimous vote, the board gave a two-year extension to the policy that places a limit on the number of out-of-state students Arizona universities can admit at 40 percent of the total university population. Around 30 percent of current UA students are non-residents.
UA President Robert Shelton said that recruiting students from out of state or overseas helps the university from both diversity and financial standpoints and made “”good sense.””
“”Is there anything magic about 40 percent?”” Shelton asked. “”I can’t argue that. But I do think the 30 percent needs to be relaxed.””
Arizona State University President Michael Crow said it is his goal to have students from every country and every state attend ASU, because it “”pedagogically advances the enterprise.”” He also said he was against the notion of the cap, since it might limit who universities can admit, but that ASU would remain true to its mission to admit all qualified Arizona students.
The regents also heard a report from their Legislative Affairs Committee, which discussed forthcoming legislation. Several regents voiced their strong disapproval to proposed bills that would allow the concealed carry of weapons on college and university campuses.
Crow said the issue of concealed carry was not so much about safety and that “”it goes to the very heart of the value system the university stands for.””
“”There is no other function for those devices other than to kill the person who is at the other end of their use,”” Crow said.
John Huppenthal, state superintendent of public instruction, asked for more information on safety from campuses that currently allow concealed carry. Utah is the only state that permits concealed weapons throughout its college and university campuses.
He also asked to see a report on safety of students off campus, citing an ASU student who was killed near campus, but off university property.
The chiefs of police for all three state universities have come out against concealed carry laws.
Regent Board Chair Anne Mariucci said the board should move quickly as a result of its “”visceral and immediate consensus”” on the issue and directed board staff members to use all available resources to “”show a united force in opposition to (the bills).””
They also spoke out against a bill that would place a constitutional limit on state spending. Several regents said such a measure might unnecessarily tie legislators’ hands when it came to funding.
The board also approved new criteria to help identify low-productivity degree programs. Liz Grobsmith, the provost for Northern Arizona University, said that NAU plans on disestablishing as many as 50 of its degree programs within the next year due to lack of performance and enrollment.
