By Terri Jo Neff |
The Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) has directed the state’s three public university presidents to immediately take the necessary steps to rid the universities of any investments in Russia companies.
The ABOR’s order to the presidents of Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University comes after Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee recently reminded all state vendors and contractors of their responsibilities in response to current U.S. sanctions against Russia.
The order also requires the director of the board’s retirement plan to exclude Russian assets and investments until further notice.
“The Arizona Board of Regents condemns in the strongest possible terms Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine and apparent targeting of civilian populations, with one million refugees already in its wake,” said ABOR Chairperson Lyndel Manson.
Several educational programs at ASU, NAU, and UA with ties to Russia or Russian universities have been put on hold since the invasion began last month.
“As this humanitarian tragedy and assault on democracy continues to unfold, it is vital we understand the totality of our engagement in Russia so we can take any appropriate and necessary action,” said Regent Larry E. Penley.
