by Corinne Murdock | Oct 4, 2023 | Education, News
By Corinne Murdock |
The Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) issued three percent raises to Arizona’s three university presidents, bringing their collective salaries to over $2.2 million, with the three also receiving nearly $600,000 in bonuses altogether.
ABOR issued the bonuses and raises during its meeting last Friday.
Arizona State University (ASU) President Michael Crow’s new base salary is now $834,100. Crow also received a $150,000 bonus. His contract was extended through June 2028.
The $150,000 bonus came from three annual at-risk compensation goals, each worth $50,000: designing and launching a premium brand for ASU online; developing and launching a plan to move the three core brands of the W.P. Carey School of Business, Fulton Schools of Engineering, and the Barrett Honors Colleges into three global brands; and designing and launching a new Health Futures Strategy which included development of a holistic approach around health sciences, similar to their engineering programs, and designing and preparing for the launch of the Public Health Technology School.
Crow will potentially receive another $180,000 bonus next year, should he accomplish the three proposed at-risk compensation goals for 2023-2024.
The first goal concerns a science and technology economic development strategy to design tools, levers, and processes necessary to move Arizona from the top of the third tier as determined by Milken Institute to the bottom of the first tier. The first goal’s metrics include active engagement and the role of tech transfer, with strategic pathways document being the product.
The second goal concerns the creation of an all-industry semiconductor industry training sector for the state: semiconductors, advanced battery technology, high-tech computation and systems, and artificial intelligence (AI). Additionally, Crow would have to build the Learning Enterprise training programs with advanced digital learning for enhanced and accelerated workforce development drawing from ASU content. This second goal’s metrics include the design and launch of the special digital training center across the sectors with industrial participation in each and every aspect.
The third goal concerns the creation of an AI strategy to optimize its use in teaching, learning, and discovery activities. This third goal’s metrics include a plan and launch strategy.
ABOR also proposed to take away $30,000 from any 2023-24 at-risk compensation awarded should Crow fail to fully implement the General Education Program for all first-time incoming students in Fall 2024.
Northern Arizona State University (NAU) President José Luis Cruz Rivera’s new base salary is now $594,100. Cruz Rivera also received a $135,000 bonus. His contract was extended through June 2026.
The $135,000 bonus came from three annual at-risk compensation goals, each worth $45,000: a new system encompassing in-person, online, and hybrid learning modalities, branch campuses, community college partnerships, and engagement with the state’s K-12 system; revamping NAU Online with focused external consultation regarding academic program offerings and operations in areas such as student outreach, recruitment and engagement, instructional design, and academic support; increasing enrollments and enhancing post-graduate career preparation opportunities.
Cruz Rivera will potentially receive another $150,000 bonus next year, should he accomplish the two proposed at-risk compensation goals for 2023-2024.
The first goal concerns the launch of NAU Health, part of ABOR’s Arizona Healthy Tomorrow initiative. The new program will double the number of credentials awarded in health-related fields by 2030, namely for physicians and practitioners targeted to serve in urban, rural, and indigenous communities. Milestones for this goal will include the establishment of the College of Nursing, launch of the Office of NAU Health, hiring senior leadership to structure and coordinate existing academic programs and research for medical academia expansion, and publication of a plan to establish the College of Applied Community Medicine.
The second goal concerns collaboration with ABOR to produce a multi-year strategic and operational plan for building a network of colleges powered and coordinated by NAU. One milestone for this goal is proposing actions for ABOR endorsement on market assessment, concept and structural mission, funding and advocacy strategies, and design specifications. Other milestones concern the launch of an A++ certified academic pathway for Fall 2024 with A++ certified partners, seeking intergovernmental agreements for implementation, and expansion into the K-12 realm using NAU’s Arizona Institute for Education and the Economy.
University of Arizona (UArizona) President Robert Robbins’ new base salary is now $816,100. Robbins also received a $132,500 bonus. His contract was extended through June 2026.
The $132,500 bonus came from three annual at-risk compensation goals, each worth about $45,000: secure $200 million in initial funding commitment from the state, local government, or private donors for establishing the Center for Advanced Molecular Immunotherapies; develop a plan and timeline to centralize responsibility and balance local authority in the administrative functional areas of Information Technology and Financial and Business Services; work with the Department of Education and accrediting bodies to fully absorb UArizona’s Global Campus. The first goal was only partially achieved.
Robbins will potentially receive another $150,000 bonus next year, should he accomplish the two proposed at-risk compensation goals for 2023-2024.
The first goal concerns the establishment of a multi-institutional translational research, education, and innovation park in the city of Maricopa with focuses on food safety and sustainability, automation and autonomous systems, drug and vaccine development, digital health and biotechnology, climate technology, aggrotech, and battery technology. Milestones include achieving a planned vote or completion of annexation by the city; plans with local government leaders for a network of supportive infrastructure to sustain growth, attract and retain investment, retail services, office development residential and hotel development; a leasing plan with external developers; the launch of internal and external communications and campaign strategy; an initial catalog of proposed programs; tribal endorsement; ABOR approval of a governance model; a five-year funding plan for site development; and an initial construction proposal for the first buildings by fall 2025.
The second goal concerns the defining and funding of the Arizona Institute of Data and Computing in coordination with the Colleges of Engineering, Medicine, Science and Business, with a focus on AI, data, and computing. Milestones include a structural and funding plan presented by June 2024, at least $5 million in initial funding commitments secured by June 2024, and the organization of at least one summit or event involving key industry, government, funding, and academic leaders by June 2024.
ABOR also proposed to take away $20,000 from Robbins’ total at-risk compensation for 2023-24 if he fails to complete the centralization of Information Technology Services.
The three presidents also received another $45,000 bonus each for meeting collective annual at-risk compensation goals: proposing a comprehensive and sustainable model for state funding of the three universities ($80,000); developing and promoting the Arizona Promise Program with high public awareness and consistency across the three universities, especially regarding financial aid award letters ($20,000); completing a comprehensive risk assessment of online education using Department of Education regulations, projected demand, potential competitors, employer attitudes toward online education, online alumni wages versus immersion alumni wages, and impacts on university branding with corresponding recommendations issued ($80,000).
For 2023-24, ABOR proposed another $240,000 in collective at-risk compensation goals. The first goal concerns a plan to improve Arizona residents’ post-high school educational attainment outcomes by 10 percent over three years. The second goal concerns a comprehensive review of university international strategies and operations. The third goal concerns the implementation of the Arizona Promise Program through marketing, award deferrals, and protocols.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
by Corinne Murdock | Jan 25, 2023 | Education, News
By Corinne Murdock |
Arizona’s three public universities have this to say to potential employees: those opposed to modern diversity ideology need not apply.
As of last fall, Arizona State University (ASU) required diversity statements from approximately 81 percent of job applicants; Northern Arizona University (NAU) required diversity statements from 73 percent of job applicants; and the University of Arizona (UArizona) required diversity statements from 28 percent of job applicants. This data comes from a report issued earlier this month by the Goldwater Institute, a right-leaning public policy think tank.
The Goldwater Institute noted that universities both in Arizona and nationwide have even gone so far as to swap the traditional cover letter requirement with a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) statement. The universities also encouraged applicants to incorporate critical race theory (CRT) terminology in written portions of their applications.
Though diversity efforts were long underway at these universities, the death of George Floyd in 2020 accelerated their progress at the urging of students, activists, and community members.
For UArizona and NAU, these diversity commitment disclosures are part of their Diversity Strategic Plan (DSP); ASU also implements a diversity plan, though they don’t refer to it as a “DSP.” These diversity plans are executed through independent administrative offices. For UArizona, it’s the Office of Diversity & Inclusion (ODI). For NAU, it’s the Center for University Access and Inclusion; they also have a dedicated “Diversity Fellow” or “Diversity Commission” to oversee various units at the university, which they call a larger effort to make NAU a “True Diversity University.” For ASU, it’s the Office of Inclusive Excellence.
UArizona asked applicants to issue a 500-word minimum personal statement describing their personal philosophy and future commitment to inclusivity.
Last September, NAU advanced its DEI efforts by requiring applicants to issue a “diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice” (DEIJ) statement. As part of this statement, applicants had to express comprehension of intersectionality, a commitment incorporating diversity ideology in the classroom and in research, and diversity-related community service and activities.
In one example given concerning ASU, the university asked postdoctoral fellow applicants to write a “diversity statement”: how their past or potential contributions to DEI efforts would advance the university’s diversity plan.
The universities’ push for commitment to diversity ideology extends beyond faculty. As AZ Free News reported earlier this month, the UArizona College of Medicine requires students to complete diversity training, in addition to faculty and staff. UArizona is also attempting to make law school admissions more equitable by pushing for an alternative to the LSAT.
UArizona has consistently ranked high for most DEI staff.
Last May, NAU proposed that students take a 12-credit general studies program focused on diversity. Backlash prompted the university to hide the proposal behind a login page.
“The 12 credits of diversity requirements are unprecedented and puts [sic] NAU at the forefront of higher education,” stated NAU.
In 2021, ASU launched a DEI curriculum for K-5 students through its K-12 online school, ASU Prep Digital.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
by Terri Jo Neff | Apr 10, 2022 | Education, News
By Terri Jo Neff |
Tuition for the next academic school year is going up at Arizona State University for all students, while tuition hikes at the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University will hit mostly new students, according to the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR).
On Thursday, the ABOR which oversee the state’s three public universities announced higher tuitions and housing costs for residents and non-residents during the 2022-23 school year. All except the UofA will also be increasing the cost of student meal plans.
“The board recognizes any increase in tuition has an impact on Arizona students and families, but we are pleased that the presidents’ proposals included only modest added costs in 2022-23,” ABOR Chair Lyndel Manson said of the hikes. “The proposals demonstrate the joint commitment of the presidents to prioritize Arizona, access and quality while shielding resident students to the greatest extent possible from extraordinary inflationary cost pressures.”
The ABOR’s announcement means existing and new resident students at ASU will be paying 2.5 percent more than this year’s tuition. That works out to $10,978 for undergrads who are Arizona residents and $12,014 for graduate in-state resident students
ASU students who are not residents of Arizona will experience a 4 percent tuition hike, while the ABOR approved a 5 percent hike for international students at ASU. Online students registered at ASU will also notice a 2 percent increase in the cost of each credit hour.
At the UofA, resident students currently in the Guaranteed Tuition Program will not see tuitions go up, but incoming freshman and undergrads whose tuition is not guaranteed will pay $11,535 per year, a two percent increase. UofA grad students who are residents will pay $12,348, which is also up 2 percent.
Non-resident new students and non-resident existing students who are not in one of UofA’s guarantee tuition program will see tuition rates jump 5.6 percent. Different tuition rate increases are being implemented for the UofA’s College of Medicine and College of Veterinary Medicine students.
Meanwhile, incoming freshman and graduate students at NAU will be hit with a 3.5 percent tuition increase to $11,024 and $11,390 respectively. The rate boost applies to resident and non-resident students.
Undergraduate course fees at NAU will also be changing for the 2022-23 year. Meanwhile, international students at NAU will experience the biggest tuition hike among the three universities, with increases of 7.2 to 7.4 percent.
But that is not the only economic impact students at Arizona’s public universities will have to contend with for the 2022-23 school year. The ABOR has upped its housing costs between 3 and 3.5 percent at all three universities.
Any students seeking to utilize a university’s meal plan will also have to fork over more money during the next school year. In addition, ABOR also boosted some mandatory student fees.
According to the ABOR, a person must be able to prove “continuous physical presence in Arizona for at least 12 months immediately preceding the semester of application” to be eligible for resident tuition.
by Corinne Murdock | Aug 12, 2021 | News
By Corinne Murdock |
Arizona State University (ASU), Northern Arizona University (NAU), and University of Arizona (UArizona) all announced a mask mandate on Wednesday. NAU even encourages students to police their peers on mask wearing and social distancing. As of press time, UArizona hasn’t updated their face covering policy – though President Robert Robbins promised that further guidance would be available this week.
All three universities will enforce the mandate indoors where social distancing isn’t possible. This includes classrooms, teaching or research labs, all clinical programs and centers that serve the public, meeting rooms, workshops, and design or production studios. The universities say that they may even require masks in certain outdoor settings and activities where social distancing can’t be maintained.
These mask mandates will go into effect when classes resume – for ASU, that’s next week. NAU and UArizona start classes in two weeks’ time.
Several weeks ago, ASU said that masks would be recommended only for most students except for certain health care centers and non-campus shuttles. However, the university did allude to the possibility of expanding its mask mandate beyond those areas.
“ […] ASU is now strongly recommending that everyone on campus wear a face cover when inside a university building. We previously communicated that face covers would be required in certain health care centers and on-campus shuttles. Those requirements may extend further to select buildings and at events that may pose a higher risk of transmission,” wrote ASU. “Notification will be provided in advance of events and/or at building entrances if face covers are required. Consistent with the governor’s executive order and the CDC guidelines, we are not making distinctions between the vaccinated and unvaccinated. This will apply to all individuals regardless of their vaccination status.”
Students have already planned protests against ASU’s mask mandate. Maricopa County Young Republicans and the Arizona Young Republicans announced that they would take part in a protest on Friday. Republican governor-hopeful Kari Lake and other special guests will make an appearance at the protest.
“We are going to stand with our brother[s] and sisters at ASU tomorrow!” wrote Arizona Young Republicans. “The madness must end! #FreeASU[.]”
https://twitter.com/ArizonaYRs/status/1425842512497811456
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
by AZ Free News | Mar 24, 2021 | News
The University of Arizona plans to allow classes of up to 100 students to meet face to face beginning next week according to President Robert C. Robbins.
From March 15 to March 19, the university administered 8,756 COVID-19 tests, with 26 positives – a positivity rate of 0.3%.
Meanwhile, the UArizona COVID-19 vaccination POD , or point of distribution, still has appointments available this week for people age 55 and older. Those eligible for vaccination can register and schedule an appointment through the Arizona Department of Health Services website. Those who need assistance can email covidhelp@arizona.edu (link sends e-mail) or call 602-542-1000 or 844-542-8201 for help in both Spanish and English.
Beginning Wednesday, March 24, at 8 a.m., any Arizonan age 16 or older will be able to register for a vaccination appointment at state sites, including the UArizona POD, the Arizona Department of Health Services announced Monday .
The university also is partnering with the Maricopa County Public Health Department, the city of Phoenix and the Phoenix Revitalization Corporation on a community pop-up vaccination site for residents 55 and older, Robbins said.
