TUCSON, Ariz. — Gov. Katie Hobbs is demanding an in-person meeting with University of Arizona President Robert Robbins and the state board of regents to discuss the Tucson-based university's troubling financial situation.
In a lengthy statement released Monday, the governor criticized the Arizona Board of Regents for what she described as "appalling" behavior expressed during a recent board meeting, in regards to UArizona's ongoing budget problems.
Over the last few months, the university has been grappling with a $240 million budget shortfall that's prompted fears of faculty layoffs and the end of campus programs.
The governor has previously told the board, which oversees Arizona's public colleges, that she "no longer trusts the process" and wished to see some changes in how education leaders are held accountable.
Now Hobbs is claiming the regents are telling "conflicting stories" about the situation and accused them of "litigating personal grudges" rather than addressing the financial crisis.
The governor's full statement is below:
“It is crystal clear that the handling of the University of Arizona crisis is heading in the wrong direction. New facts have come to light that once again show the Arizona Board of Regents failed in their oversight role and highlight a university leadership that was clueless as to their own finances. In the past days, instead of addressing their failure of leadership, ABOR has told conflicting stories to me, the press, and the public about the purchase of Ashford University. And while I have not been given the facts and therefore cannot comment about the veracity of recent statements from faculty regarding ABOR board members potential conflicts of interest, I do know one thing: ABOR members attacking faculty, even going so far as threatening a lawsuit, is not leadership.
“I cannot be more clear: because of Chair (Fred) Duval and the Board’s actions, university employees are going to lose their jobs. Attacking faculty is not, and never will be, the answer.
“Instead of taking any accountability and guiding with a steady hand, ABOR is circling the wagons and announcing they are litigating personal grudges during Board meetings. In the February 22nd meeting, an ABOR member openly called for President Robbins to overthrow the faculty's governing body. This behavior is appalling and unacceptable. Chair DuVal and members of the Board of Regents appear more concerned with saving face than fixing the problems they created. It’s time for them to come down from their ivory tower and realize this is hurting Arizonans and the university.
“At some point, enough needs to be enough, and that time is now. People's livelihoods are at risk. College affordability is under threat. The state and the University of Arizona have suffered immense reputational damage as a result of this crisis. This lack of accountability and continued scapegoating can no longer continue. I am demanding an in-person meeting with ABOR leadership and President Robbins immediately where we will discuss next steps.”
*Editor's Note: The above video is from an earlier broadcast*
UP TO SPEED