Channeling the Sun Devil spirit downtown

By Maureen Barton, Bailey Elise McBride and Scott Davis

Students at Arizona State University’s downtown Phoenix campus connect with the greater ASU community through Sun Devil sports, public transportation to the Tempe campus and the arts and culture of the downtown area.

Although the Phoenix campus is just 10 miles from ASU’s main campus, students who attend school downtown say there is no gap in their feeling of the Sun Devil community because the main campus is easily accessible by shuttle and light rail.  More than 11,500 students attend classes in Phoenix, according to the school’s website.

Many students said they appreciate the smaller environment in Phoenix. Zujaila Merino, a senior in the College of Nursing, said she is glad for the personal attention from professors and loves the atmosphere of central Phoenix.

“I have more one-to-one [contact] with my professors,” said Merino, who works as a campus guide.

Lauren Guzman, a student who works with Merino, also said she likes the smaller campus setting and likes the level of interaction between students and faculty.

“You are actually like a real person [downtown] rather than just a number,” Guzman said.

Guzman said transportation is handy and easy to use, including both the shuttle service and the light-rail system, which travel regularly to and from Tempe.

“We have an awesome shuttle service,” she said. “[Transportation] is not a problem.”

Stephani Habib, a student who enjoys working downtown, said she appreciates the great transportation system because it is reliable, and she does not like to drive.

Michael Alvarez, a 2013 graduate with a degree in criminal justice, said he identifies with the greater ASU community through the Sun Devil sports program. He also likes working downtown.

“I like it more here. It’s just more my style,” Alvarez said. “It’s a little more laid back.”

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The Arizona State University downtown campus connects students to the broader central Phoenix arts and cultural community and supports individual student activities and leadership opportunities. (Photo by Maureen Barton)

The downtown campus academic programs include 15 colleges, schools and institutes, including a graduate and honors college and a University College for undergraduate exploratory programs. (Photo by Maureen Barton)

Taylor Place is a leader in university student housing. Incoming freshmen are expected to live on campus for the full academic year to encourage a greater involvement in the campus community and increase contact with faculty members and the student body. (Photo by Maureen Barton)