TUCSON, Ariz. — The Arizona Board of Regents intends to cut the salary of University of Arizona President Robert Robbins in order to contend with ongoing financial issues at the Tucson-based university.
ABOR Chair-elect Cecilia Mata announced Monday the board will reduce Robbins' base salary by 10% and eliminate his individual at-risk and multiple-year performance compensation. Robbins' base salary was raised to $816,000 last year, ABOR records show.
“President Robbins supports these reductions and the message they send as UArizona comes together to resolve its financial challenges and emerge from this process a stronger and more resilient institution," Mata said in a statement.
The announcement comes amidst the ongoing fallout of a $177-million budget shortfall UArizona and ABOR has been grappling with for the last few months.
Gov. Katie Hobbs, who is an ex-officio member of the board, recently criticized the regents and UArizona for alleged "appalling" behavior while responding to criticisms about the university's budget problems. Shortly after the governor delivered her blistering statement, the board's chair agreed to step down and the board's executive director took a leave of absence.
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