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INSIDE Opinion: Guns v. Weed p 8 Life: Wrestling, p 12 Sports: Track and field, p 20
SINCE 1914 Issue 6,
Building the future of NAU
A&E: Check yes for Chimi, p 31
VOL 99 Feb. 23 2012 - Feb. 29 2012
Provost to step down BY BREE PURDY
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The Hilltop Townhomes, which are expected to be built by next fall, is open to all students. The homes will offer game rooms and tanning beds for students. (Photo by Jon Gustafson)
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BY JON GUSTAFSON
ver since the Great Recession tightened state budgets nationwide, public universities have buffered the steady decline of taxpayer support by increasing student enrollment. InsideNAU reported that Arizona’s most recent reduction of $30 million from NAU’s budget leaves state support at less than 25 percent of the university’s revenue, compared to 41 percent a decade ago. While state support for NAU dwindles, enrollment numbers continue to grow with the 2010 NAU Campus Master Plan projecting 25,000 students on the Flagstaff campus by 2020 or soon after. To accommodate increasing enrollment and students’ desires for oncampus housing, NAU requested proposals back in 2008 from private real estate investment trusts (REITs) which manage all aspects of design, finance,
construction and operational management of student housing properties. American Campus Communities (ACC), the largest private owner and manager of student housing communities in the U.S., was selected in NAU’s competitive bidding process. According to an April 2011 ABOR meeting document, NAU will lease campus property to ACC for a period of 40 years with four 10-year options to renew. In return, ACC funds, builds and operates the estimated $68 million Hilltop Townhomes and Suites residences which can accommodate up to 1,100 students. Alicia Voytek, NAU Residence Life’s Associate Director of Operations explained how the partnership between NAU and ACC came about. “Basically, NAU was starting to seek a private partner to develop additional housing in support of enrollment growth,” Voytek said. “As en-
rollment was growing, we were trying to meet the demand of students that wanted to come back to campus. NAU chose ACC because of their reputation and to preserve our own capital for future academic projects.” According to a Business Wire press release, ACC owns 119 student housing properties nationwide containing approximately 74,100 beds and its clients include Portland State University, Princeton University and the University of New Mexico, among others. Brochures tout NAU’s Hilltop Townhomes which offer students luxurious amenities including Xbox 360 and PS3 game rooms, tanning beds, an iPad bar and private bedrooms and bathrooms for a price nearing $600 per month. Students at the Townhomes pay for their electricity usage in see APARTMENTS page 5
AU Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Liz Grobsmith announced on Feb. 17 she will no longer serve as provost following the end of her current appointment on June 30. Grobsmith will remain with the university in another position. Current Provost Liz “After 10 years as Grobsmith provost, I feel it’s time for (Photo courtesy me to move on to new Office of the Provost) challenges,” Grobsmith said in a university press release. “At this stage of my career, I’m excited to serve the university in a new role.” Grobsmith intends to work with President John Haeger to determine her current and future role at NAU. According to Haeger, the search for a new provost will begin within the next few weeks. During her time at NAU, Grobsmith has assisted in doubling the population of international students on campus and has assisted in implementing numerous programs intending to increase undergraduate student success.
Haeger gets extension BY BREE PURDY
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he Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) officially announced a two-year extension of NAU President John Haeger’s contract through June 2015. A special meeting concerning the extension was held on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at the Phoenix office. His previous contract expired June 30, 2012. ABOR members are enthusiastic about the contract extension. “President Haeger has guided NAU to unprecedented gains and access in affordability for Arizona student throughout the state,” ABOR chair Bob McLendon said in a press release from the university. “An extended contract will assure leadership continuity as we work toward aggressive system goals of increasing degree attainment and expanding research activities to enhance the state’s economy.” Haeger has served as NAU president since November 2001. During this time, the university has experienced enrollment increase, infrastructure expansion and has committed to carbon neutrality by 2020.
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