ASU, Tempe, and Beyond

Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American research university, creating an institution committed to excellence, access and impact—the New American University. 

ASU’s charter, adopted in 2014, is the blueprint of that transformation: “ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves.” Explore the mission and charter. 

Arizona State University is consistently recognized globally as a top-ranked knowledge enterprise dedicated to delivering academic excellence, advancing research-based solutions for humankind’s greatest challenges, producing strong and compassionate leaders, ensuring the health of our planet and providing quality education for all learners. Explore those rankings

Center for Biology and Society

The majority of our time together will be spent in the School of Life Sciences, particularly the Center for Biology and Society suite of conference rooms and offices in the Life Sciences C building (LSC C), with occasional “field trips” to other lab spaces across campus. The Center for Biology and Society promotes research, education, and engagement related to study of the life sciences and their interconnections with society. Research initiatives in the Center span biology education; computational history and philosophy of science; environmental history, ecology, and economics; ethics in the life sciences; and history and philosophy of science.

Tempe and Beyond

Tempe is a college town with plenty within walking distance of campus. But if you’re interested in exploring, the entire Phoenix Metro Valley is an interconnected urban sprawl of cities. Public transportation can take you from Tempe to Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, and more in one trip. There are hiking trails where you can see the sunrise. (And yes, a sunrise hike is recommended because it gets hot here!) And weekend trips to Tucson, Sedona, and Flagstaff are just a rental car away!  

Here’s a few quick links to get you started on exploring food, culture, and more: 

Phoenix Magazine’s “Central Phoenix Dining is Ground Zero for Culinary Craft”

Phoenix New Times’ Thing to Do Calendar

Best Hikes in and around Phoenix

Tour ASU 

Before joining us on campus, feel free to sign up for a virtual campus tour to familiarize yourself with ASU’s Tempe campus. The historic Tempe campus offers hundreds of majors that engage undergraduates and graduates in multidisciplinary research and exploration in first-rate laboratories and facilities. Sun Devil Stadium and ASU’s other Pac-12 athletic venues contribute to the spirit-filled energy on campus. The Sun Devils’ athletic complex, performing arts facilities and high-tech research space create a dynamic and engaging learning environment.

From the Tempe campus virtual tour page, you can:

  • Check out campus live streams. 
  • Take a virtual 360 degree tour.
  • Explore Tempe campus on the interactive map.
  • Watch student-led, recorded campus tours. 
  • Download a printable map, or save it as a pdf for reference during your stay. 
  • Download the ASU Visits self-guided tour app. From the app, you can personalize your tour to see the locations and topics that interest you most, or take a curated tour of popular locations around campus. 
  • There's also the option to take a self-guided audio tour of the Tempe campus and listen to ASU Devils' Advocates walk with you through campus, describing the highlights from a student point of view.

Covid-19 Health and Safety Guidelines

Arizona State University has committed to building a Community of Care, where we are all doing our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 to keep our community healthy and well. We are continuing to make adjustments to operations based on public health recommendations.

At this time, face coverings are recommended but not required to visit ASU. Signs will be posted to note any areas where face coverings are still required, such as in health care settings or on intercampus shuttles.

Visitors are welcome to wear face coverings at any time.
For more information on campus safety and guidelines, visit our novel coronavirus FAQ page.