On Wednesday, Rep. Regina Cobb, chair of the House Appropriations Committee inexplicably shut down questioning of ASU President Michael Crow by Rep. Jake Hoffman. The presidents of Arizona’s three state universities appeared before the committee during the Joint Legislative Budget Committee staff presentation on universities.
President Crow was first up to discuss the priorities of ASU, current use of funding, and a wish list of initiatives to be funded in the future.
Hoffman began by complimenting Crow for his reference School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership, formerly known as the Freedom School, in his presentation. Hoffman than confronted Crow about an embarrassing situation earlier this month in which a fundraiser for the Political History and Leadership program was cancelled abruptly by University officials. The event honoring esteemed Arizonans Dan and Carleen Brophy was to be hosted by Congressman Andy Biggs, with former Congressman Jason Chaffetz serving as the keynote speaker.
“I’m wondering how you feel about the Political History and Leadership program that you just canceled the event on?” Hoffman asked of an obviously uncomfortable Crow.
Crow paused before claiming, “All events that bear the name of the university have to be sanctioned by the university. This is an event I’m very familiar with, and we’re very happy to host that event.”
However, according to AZ FREE News, “Three different reasons for the event’s cancellation were given to different parties involved in the event. The first two related to technicalities: the uptick in COVID-19 cases, and one unnamed faculty member’s failure to follow ASU rules. The third had to do with a more contentious topic: the featured speakers. AZ Free News also learned that ASU President Michael Crow wasn’t aware of the event or its cancellation, and that ASU would reschedule. However, emails obtained by AZ Free News indicated that the ASU administration was responsible for canceling the event.”
An annoyed Cobb allowed Hoffman follow-up question, but first warned him that his first question was somehow inappropriate and should not have been asked. Cobb insisted that second question needed to address a different topic.
Hoffman then successfully argued that he had already received permission from Cobb to ask the second question. “Then do you want to ask a different question, Mr. Hoffman?” Cobb asked. “I want less hostility from my chairman,” retorted Hoffman.
“Dr. Crow, you’re coming to us and you’re asking us, and the Executive (branch) is asking us for money. The University obviously wants more funding,” began Hoffman. “You have had multiple instances of high-profile racism on campus and I’m wondering what you guys are doing to curb that. Unfortunately, the racism that we have seen is permeating from a cultural and institutional level so, can you talk a little bit about that?” Cobb Interrupted, “Mr. Hoffman I appreciate your question but it’s I’m not on our budget material today…” Hoffman then interrupted Cobb and asked, “Are you going to have him come back so we can ask the question?”
The conversation ended when Cobb turned to Rep. Lorenzo Sierra for a question for Crow.
“Michael Crow’s refusal to answer for the extremely concerning allegations of institutionalized racism, viewpoint discrimination by professors, and rampant wokeism at Arizona State University during yesterday’s House Appropriations Committee is yet another glaring example of his utter disdain for any level of transparency, oversight and accountability,” Hoffman told the Arizona Daily Independent. “Under his watch, racism and wokeism by professors and staff has led to an increase in high profile incidents of discrimination on campus, yet when questioned during his testimony in front of the state’s top appropriators he chose to hide behind Ms. Cobb, the committee chairwoman. Mr. Crow’s appalling behavior has given legislators merely one more in a long line of reasons to oppose any new funding for his university.”
Late last year, an incident in which to black female students verbally attacked and harassed two white male students went viral and caused extreme embarrassment for the University. While the women were reprimanded, Crow’s failure to opening address the situation caused doubt in his leadership. Then earlier this month, Governor Doug Ducey, who has generally ignored when conservative students on Arizona’s college campuses are discriminated against, blasted a group of anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian supporters at Arizona State University (ASU).
Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) was protesting the recent evictions of Palestinians from East Jerusalem and called for Israel to be eradicated.
From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free https://t.co/7oKSOwaZGZ
— SJP at ASU (@sjpasu) January 21, 2022