The University of Arizona has become the seventh US university to reject a Trump administration proposal that aimed to influence campus culture, hiring, and admissions practices through a 'Compact for Academic Excellence,' emphasizing principles like academic freedom and merit-based research, amidst broader resistance from several institutions.
The University of Arizona declined to sign a Trump administration proposal linking federal funding to adherence to certain policies, citing the importance of academic freedom, joining other elite institutions in opposition to the initiative.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, a player for the University of Arizona football team, faced NCAA eligibility issues that threatened his senior season and NFL dreams, but his story is one of resilience and success.
Scientists have proposed a new theory explaining the unusual composition of Moon rocks, suggesting that heavy minerals like ilmenite initially sank to the Moon's core before rising back to the surface, effectively turning the Moon inside out. This theory, supported by data and models, challenges previous assumptions about the Moon's formation and could provide a new understanding of our celestial neighbor for future lunar exploration missions.
University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins has announced his resignation, effective at the end of his term in 2026, but he is open to stepping down earlier if a successor is chosen by the Arizona Board of Regents. The decision comes amid criticism over the university's $177 million deficit. The board plans to initiate a national search for the next president and has already approved a 10% cut in Robbins' base salary to aid with the university's financial action plan.
University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins has announced his resignation, effective at the end of his term in 2026, but he is open to stepping down earlier if a successor is chosen by the Arizona Board of Regents. The decision comes amid criticism over the university's financial deficit, with plans for a national search for the next president to be expedited. Despite ongoing challenges, Robbins expressed confidence in the institution's ability to achieve greater stability, while some stakeholders have expressed concerns and called for greater transparency in the presidential search process.
A Tucson police officer was killed in a crash near the University of Arizona campus while responding to a call for service. The cause of the collision is not yet clear, and more information is expected to be released at a press conference on Monday morning. This incident comes shortly after an off-duty police officer in Phoenix was hospitalized after being shot multiple times.
A new study from the University of Arizona suggests that adults aged 60 and older who spend more than 10 hours a day engaged in sedentary behaviors, such as sitting while watching TV or driving, may be at increased risk for developing dementia. The research emphasizes that the total time spent sedentary each day is what drives the relationship between sedentary behavior and dementia risk. However, regular exercise, including daily activities like brisk walking, cleaning, or gardening, can reduce the risk of developing dementia by about 28%, and for Alzheimer's disease specifically, the risk is reduced by 45%.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs criticized the Arizona Board of Regents for their oversight of the University of Arizona's financial crisis, demanding an immediate in-person meeting with the board and university president. Hobbs also condemned ABOR Chair Fred DuVal's legal threats against UA Faculty Senate Chair Leila Hudson, calling it a failure of leadership. The governor expressed concerns about the UA's purchase of Ashford University and the lack of accountability, stating that people's livelihoods are at risk and college affordability is under threat.
Desireé Reed-Francois has been appointed as the new Director of Athletics at the University of Arizona, pending approval by the Arizona Board of Regents. She brings extensive experience from her previous roles at the University of Missouri and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and is known for her success in fundraising, relationship building, and enhancing student-athlete welfare. Reed-Francois, who will start her tenure on March 3, has a strong financial acumen and a proven track record of transforming athletic departments into high-performing, cost-effective operations.
University of Missouri athletics director Desiree Reed-Francois is leaving to take the same job at the University of Arizona after less than three years at MU, where she was credited with generating momentum, hiring coaches, and securing a record $62 million donation. Her departure comes amid the establishment of an oversight committee to monitor Mizzou Athletics, and she will reportedly receive a $1 million per year salary at Arizona, a pay cut from her previous $1.25 million.
The University of Arizona is set to hire Desireé Reed-Francois, the current athletic director at Missouri, as its new AD, despite the school's financial struggles. Reed-Francois, who has experience at UNLV and a history of leadership at various universities, will be the first female AD at Arizona. Her attraction to the job includes the opportunity to improve Arizona's financial situation. This move comes as Arizona faces a reported deficit of $177 million, and the athletics department has borrowed over $80 million from the university in recent years. Reed-Francois is known for her ability to handle finances and fundraise, and she leaves Missouri with a positive budget trend and successful coaching hires.
The University of Arizona plans to save $27 million by permanently eliminating vacant positions and cutting various programs and projects in response to a $177 million deficit. The Arizona Board of Regents is overseeing the university's financial recalibration process and has outlined the steps taken, including job cuts, program suspensions, and project delays. The university is committed to not raising tuition but must make significant cuts to address the deficit, leading to concerns and protests from the campus community. The board is confident that the actions taken will result in improved outcomes for students, faculty, and staff.
NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission has successfully returned samples from asteroid Bennu, providing scientists with a wealth of material to study. Initial analysis suggests that the asteroid may contain remnants of an ancient ocean world, with samples rich in water, carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorous. The University of Arizona's Kuiper-Arizona Laboratory for Astromaterials Analysis is at the forefront of this research, using advanced instruments to examine the samples at the atomic scale. The findings from this study could provide valuable insights into the origins of our solar system and the potential connections between asteroids and meteorites.
A study from the University of Arizona found that closing the toilet lid before flushing does not substantially reduce cross-contamination of bathroom surfaces by airborne bacterial and viral particles. However, adding a disinfectant to the toilet bowl before flushing and using disinfectant dispensers in the tank significantly reduce cross-contamination. The study involved experiments with E. coli and coliphage MS2 in both public and household toilets, and found that rigorous cleaning with a toilet bowl brush and Lysol reduced contamination by 99.99 percent. The researchers recommend the use of disinfectants to reduce restroom cross-contamination associated with toilet flushing, especially in health care facilities and households with active infections.