TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) is meeting on the University of Arizona campus this week, addressing the University of Arizona's 2024 budget plan, among a number of other items of business.
At previous ABOR meeting two weeks prior, Regents told University President Dr. Robert Robbins he had until the upcoming December 15 meeting to present a revised budget, following news of a massive cash on hand shortage. Today, Robbins presented a number of academic and research achievements as part of his 'State of the University' presentation.
Robbins began, "I will say, obviously we've heard a lot about our financial challenges, and we'll continue to talk about that during this meeting and beyond. I'd like to take the opportunity to thank all of our shared governance partners, faculty, staff and students who have been working with us over the last three weeks—seemingly all day, everyday--to address a plan going forward that is due to you on December 15.
"It's not the time to go through and describe all the issues around our financial challenges, but I though I would look at where we've made investments, often time from the strategic investment fund, which is from our reserves."
WATCH ROBBINS PRESENT HIS STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY ADDRESS IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE
Prior to the presentation by Robbins, students, faculty and other university community members packed themselves into the meeting room to address ABOR and Robbins directly, many of them calling for personal accountability by the university's administration.
Megan Wong, a univerity senior studying pharmacy and senator for the Associated Students of the University of Arizona said "I do not trust the university with my well-being anymore."
"Students, faculty, staff and family are feeling betrayed by our administrators and Arizona Board of Regents. The countless money, time, dedication that people around the United States and even around the world have put into this university—it feels like it's gone," Wong said addressing the Board.
"It feels like it's been thrown away by this mismanagement and overspending," Wong said.
Other speakers called for direct accountability by university administration, saying they saw you indication there would be consequences at higher levels for the budget shortfall.
Phyllis Brodsky, with the University Center for Assessment, Teaching and Technology addressed ABOR on her own behalf, she said, but also on behalf of faculty planning retirement:
"You are floating decisions that will directly collide with my 40 years of teaching in this community and at the university. That collision is not on me. I didn't run the stop sign, but you did," she said.
"I didn't buy a car I couldn't afford, but you did. You should receive the citation, you should pay the fine, and your car should be [repossessed]. I did my job for 40 years, now you do yours," Brodsky concluded.
Among action items at the ABOR meeting, was a unanimously approved set of student fee increases:
- Consolidate to create a Comprehensive Undergraduate Student Engagement Fee of $1,744
- Establish a College fee for undergraduates:
- $550 to $1,800 per academic year for residents, depending upon the college
- $800 to $2,600 per academic year for nonresidents, depending upon the college
- $550 to $1,800 per academic year for residents, depending upon the college
- Increase the honors college fee from $475 to $600 per semester
- Adjustments to specific colleges
There was no indication what role the increased fees will pay in the overall
WATCH THE FULL CALL TO THE AUDIENCE BELOW:
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Tuition guarantees, other financial aid on potential chopping block as UArizona grapples with financial future
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