Asu.edu Corporate Ownership Or Affiliation

So, I was sitting in my favorite coffee shop the other day, minding my own business, when I overheard a group of students discussing their university choices. One of them mentioned they were considering Arizona State University, and another student piped up, "Oh, you know, that's the one owned by that billionaire, right?" I nearly choked on my latte. Owned by a billionaire? I thought. I've heard of universities having big donors, but this was a new one. And that, my curious friends, is how I ended up down the rabbit hole of ASU's corporate ownership and affiliation.

ASU and Starbucks: A Match Made in... Coffee Heaven?

Let's rewind a bit. The student was actually referring to Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks. In 2015, Schultz invested $10 million in ASU's W. P. Carey School of Business to create the Schultz Distinguished Speaker Series. Now, that's a serious coffee break. But does this make ASU "owned" by Starbucks? Not quite.

You see, ASU is a public university, which means it's owned by the state of Arizona. However, it's also a part of the Arizona State University system, which is a bit more complex. The ASU system includes four universities: ASU itself, ASU - West, ASU - Polytechnic, and ASU - Thunderbird. So, while Schultz's investment is significant, it's more of a partnership than an ownership.

ASU and EdPlus: A Side of Tech with Your Education

Now, let's talk about ASU's affiliation with EdPlus. EdPlus is a central unit within ASU that focuses on digital innovation and online learning. It's like the tech department that keeps ASU's online courses running smoothly. But here's the twist - EdPlus is also a for-profit subsidiary of ASU.

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Wait, a for-profit company within a non-profit university? Isn't that like having a McDonald's in a health food store? Not quite, my friends. You see, ASU created EdPlus to help it navigate the complex world of online learning and digital innovation. And while EdPlus does make a profit, that profit goes right back into ASU's coffers to support its mission.

So, Who's Really in Charge?

At the end of the day, ASU's governance structure is a bit like a big, happy family. At the head of the table is the Arizona Board of Regents, which oversees all three state universities (ASU, University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University). Below them are the ASU president and the university's governing bodies, like the Faculty Senate and the ASU Foundation Board.

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Schultz and EdPlus might have a seat at the table, but they're not the ones calling the shots. ASU's leadership is responsible for making sure the university stays true to its mission and values. And let's not forget, the real bosses are the students, faculty, and staff who make ASU the vibrant community it is.

So, there you have it. ASU might have some unique corporate affiliations, but it's not owned by any one person or company. It's a complex web of partnerships, investments, and governance structures that all work together to make ASU the institution it is today. And hey, if it means we get free coffee on campus, I'm all for it. Just don't tell my barista at the coffee shop.