Board of Regents Meeting

April 6-7, 2017

Item #24
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Page 1 of 3

Item Name: Appointment and Multiple-Year Employment Contract for

Dr. Robert Clayton Robbins President of the University of
Arizona

Action Item
Committee Recommendation to Full Board
First Read of Proposed Policy Change
Information or Discussion Item

Issue: The board office asks the board to appoint Dr. Robert Clayton Robbins as
President of the University of Arizona and to approve his multiple-year
employment contract as described in this executive summary. The board
will also authorize the board chair to sign the contract with Dr. Robbins.

Enterprise or University Strategic Plan

Empower Student Success and Learning

Advance Educational Attainment within Arizona
Create New Knowledge
Impact Arizona
Compliance
Real property purchase/sale/lease
Other: Appointment of Presidents

Statutory/Policy Requirements

A.R.S. 15-1626 General Administrative Powers and Duties of the Board

Board Policy 6-1101 Appointments of Presidents

Background/History of Previous Board Action

The board is responsible for hiring the presidents of the universities and the
president of the board.

Contact Information:
Nancy Tribbensee 602-229-2510 nancy.tribbensee@azregents.edu
 Board of Regents Meeting
April 6-7, 2017
Item #24
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Page 2 of 3

The board conducted an extensive national search for the President of the University
of Arizona. It engaged the search firm of R. William Funk & Associates to assist with
the search. Guidelines for the search process were adopted by the board on
September 22, 2016 to provide notice to the public and potential prospects of the
process.

The board actively solicited input on the desired qualities of the next president of the
University of Arizona through the 27-member search advisory committee, which was
widely representative of the university and broader community, including UA faculty,
business, civic and community leaders, student leaders, and regents. Search
Advisory Committee chair Bill Ridenour, vice chair Ron Shoopman, and other
regents also met with various faculty, staff, students and community members to
solicit input.

Additionally, the board office created a website to provide public information about
the search and to allow the public to provide input or ask questions about the search
process.

After reviewing prospect qualifications, the board interviewed two very qualified
candidates, and invited Dr. Robbins to a University of Arizona campus visit on March
8, 2017.

On March 13, 2017, the board directed the chair to negotiate a multiple-year
employment contract with Dr. Robbins. That agreement is presented for board
approval.

Discussion

The term of the proposed contract between the board and Dr. Robbins is June 1,
2017 through June 30, 2020. The board chair may approve reasonable and
mutually acceptable changes in the start date, if necessary in the transition.

The key proposed contract provisions are:

Annual salary of $600,000
Annual housing allowance of $70,000
Participation in a cash balance defined pension plan at $108,000 (18% of
base annual salary)
Annual car allowance of $10,000
Benefits and travel reimbursement comparable to other UA employees
Moving expense reimbursement in accordance with UA Financial Policies
and Procedures 9.14 Relocation Policy for New Employees
 Board of Regents Meeting
April 6-7, 2017
Item #24
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Page 3 of 3

Employment-related benefits as available to all other UA administrators,

including medical benefits, sick leave, vacation leave and retirement options
Appointment to an Endowed Presidential Leadership Chair to be funded by
private funds from the University of Arizona Foundation in the amount of
$200,000 per year. This appointment is conditioned upon Dr. Robbins
serving as the President of the University of Arizona
Annual disclosure to the board of organizations with which Dr. Robbins is
affiliated and any associated compensation
Annual and multiple-year at-risk compensation to be assigned through a
separate agreement entered no later than December 31, 2017. Dr. Robbins
will also be eligible for at-risk compensation assigned after July 1, 2017 to
the Enterprise Executive Committee.

Board counsel will review and prepare the final contract with Dr. Robbins. Approval
of this item will authorize the board chair to sign the multiple-year contract on behalf
of the board.

Requested Action

The board office asks the board to appoint Dr. Robert Clayton Robbins as the President
of the University of Arizona effective June 1, 2017, to approve the multiple-year
employment contract, and to authorize the board chair to execute the multiple-year
employment contract with Dr. Robbins, as described in this executive summary.