The Arizona Board of Regents is seeking public input as they begin their search for a new University of Arizona president.
A town hall will take place Wednesday, April 24, from 5:30–7 p.m. at 1064 E. Lowell St. in the Environment and Natural Resources 2 Building, ENR2, Lecture Hall, Room 120. The event will also be streamed at ABOR Live.
After embattled president Robert Robbins announced he would leave office at the end of his current term, which ends in 2026, or as soon as the regents select a replacement, the board of regents began its search for what will be the 23rd UA president.
Robbins has faced scrutiny and at times outrage since last fall when, to the shock and consternation of many in Southern Arizona and throughout the state, he and university financial officers announced that they were about $180 million over budget.
The deficit prompted hiring freezes, cost-cutting, and personnel shake ups — including Robbins agreeing to take a modest pay cut. But the mea culpas and internal adjustments didn’t placate faculty, staff and students, who have, for months now, been calling for Robbins’ resignation. On April 2, he finally announced he would step down.
As the university braces for both layoffs and new leadership, departments are also being asked to trim their budgets. The university’s new chief financial officer, John Arnold — who replaced former CFO Lisa Rulney has directed university colleges to cut spending by as much as 15% over the next 18-36 months.
For more detail, reactions and analysis on the financial crisis, follow Arizona Luminaria’s ongoing coverage and breakdowns.
Now, it is up to the regents and the UA Presidential Search Advisory Committee, along with public input, to find a new leader as the university slowly reduces the deficit.
When: Wednesday, April 24 from 5:30-7 p.m.
Where: 1064 E Lowell St. in Tucson at the University of Arizona Environment and Natural Resources 2 Building, ENR2, Lecture Hall, Room 120 and on ABOR Live.
Public comment: Public comment will be available to all in-person participants. Those unable to attend can submit public comments through this form until April 23 at 7 p.m.
Who: The UA presidential search advisory committee is comprised of these members: Cecilia Mata, chair, Arizona Board of Regents; Fred DuVal, regent, Arizona Board of Regents; Doug Goodyear, regent, Arizona Board of Regents; Tobi Adigun, undergraduate student, serves on the University Advisory Council; Marla Franco, vice president of Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives; David Hahn, dean of the College of Engineering and member of the Academic Deans’ Council, serves on the University Advisory Council; Erin Hart, higher education policy advisor to Gov. Katie Hobbs; Melanie Hingle, professor of nutritional sciences, serves on the University Advisory Council; Jenny Lee, vice president of Arizona International, dean of International Education and member of the Academic Deans’ Council; Humberto “Bert” Lopez, president of H.S. Lopez Family Foundation, UA Foundation Board of Trustees former chair and serves on the Foundation’s National Leadership Council; Fletcher McCusker, CEO of University Associates Venture Capital and member of UA’s FORGE Strategic Advisory Council; Lucinda Rankin, associate professor of physiology, serves on the University Advisory Council and Faculty Senate; Desireé Reed-Francois, vice president and director of athletics; Christina Rocha, manager of the Research, Innovation & Impact Business Center, serves on the University Advisory Council, Staff Council and Faculty Senate; Stephen Roe Lewis, governor, Gila River Indian Community; Joellen Russell, distinguished professor of geology, serves on Faculty Senate; Caleb Simmons, professor of religious studies, Faculty Senator, Committee of Eleven member and Executive Director of Online Education, serves on the University Advisory Council and Faculty Senate; Mark Stegeman, associate professor of economics, serves on the Faculty Senate, former Tucson Unified School District board member
Comments may also be sent to UArizonaPresidentialSearch@azregents.edu.
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