Letters to the Campus Community

8/28/2009 The H1N1 Influenza Virus With the fall 2009 semester now in full swing at The University of Arizona, many members of the extended UA community have expressed concern about how the H1N1 influenza virus, commonly referred to as the H1N1 flu, may affect our students, faculty and staff. I am writing to address those concerns.We are preparedLast year, key UA personnel completed a comprehensive pandemic managem ... (Read More)

11/6/2008 "The K Chronicles" Comic Strip On Tuesday, November 4, 2008, the world witnessed an historic event, considered stunning by millions of Americans, no matter their ethnicity, political preference or principles, with the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States of America. Sadly, we arrived on campus the following day only to see that the Arizona Daily Wildcat, our student-run campus newspaper, had published a co ... (Read More)

7/9/2008 Hartman H. Lomawaima, Director of Arizona State Museum It is with great sadness that we write to inform you that Hartman H. Lomawaima, Director of Arizona State Museum, died on Tuesday after an 11-month battle with colon cancer, which he fought with great determination. Among Hartman's many professional accomplishments, he is noted for being the first American Indian director of a major museum in the Southwest and the first American Indian di ... (Read More)

5/8/2008 An Open Letter to The University of Arizona Campus Community With the spring semester quickly drawing to a close, I wanted to write and express my very sincere thanks to everyone at the University of Arizona for the extraordinary effort that has been put forward to make this academic year such a grand success.The University of Arizona is about people – our students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters – and we should all feel a tremendous sens ... (Read More)

1/14/2008 Preparing for Possible Short-Term Fiscal Challenges As students return to campus and we begin the spring semester, I want to take a moment to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to everyone in The University of Arizona family. We anticipate that this spring will be a time of continued accomplishment and success for the University, culminating with the 138th commencement ceremonies on May 17 and the May 25th landing of the UA's Phoenix Mars Miss ... (Read More)

9/5/2007 A Tragic Loss on Campus The death of student Mia Henderson is a terrible tragedy that saddens everyone in The University of Arizona family. On behalf of the University I want to extend my deepest sympathy to Mia's parents, family and friends, and to assure our campus community that we are taking every possible step to handle this situation. At no time today was there a threat to anyone else on campus. Our police ... (Read More)

7/3/2007 Boycott of Israel's Universities The University of Arizona stands with its colleagues around the globe in repudiating the effort of Britain's University and College Union to promote a "boycott" of Israel's universities. An academic boycott undercuts the fundamental principles of a modern university and runs counter to everything for which The University of Arizona stands. This attempt to ostracize Israeli academ ... (Read More)

4/16/2007 Violence at Virginia Tech University We are shocked and saddened by the brutal, senseless violence that occurred today at Virginia Tech University. I know I speak for the entire campus community when I offer our deep sympathy, thoughts and prayers to the victims, their families and friends on this very sad day.Although words cannot express the sorrow we feel, many at The University of Arizona know firsthand the awful nature of such i ... (Read More)

2/12/2007 Standardizing Our Annual Budget Review Process In December 2006, I notified Vice Presidents, Deans and Directors that we would be implementing a new budget process in January. Provost Davis and Senior Vice President Valdez have begun implementation of this process by providing areas with guidelines and scheduling budget review meetings.During this time, I have been listening closely to concerns voiced by faculty and staff regarding the stabil ... (Read More)

2/9/2007 Response to the "Black Theme Party" In my first year as President of The University of Arizona, I have learned more and more every day about our school. I have met many talented, thoughtful, creative and engaging students, faculty and staff from all walks of life and every corner of the world. There are amazing contributions being made on and off campus, across the nation and around the world by the members of the UA community. I am ... (Read More)

10/5/2006 UA Cares I am pleased to serve as the Honorary Chair for The University of Arizona's 2006 workplace giving campaign. One of the University's greatest roles and challenges as a land grant institution is to ensure the health and vibrancy of both our University and local community. UA Cares provides us each with a meaningful opportunity to help fulfill this vital mission.October 17 is the launch date ... (Read More)

8/29/2006 Rainbow Bridge In my short time as president of The University of Arizona, I have been impressed by this campus’s multifaceted commitment to be a positive influence on the Tucson community. Among its most imaginative pursuits has been the UA’s commitment to bring the UA Science Center to the heart of Rio Nuevo. Many campus leaders have exhibited inspiring dedication to this community by focusing ... (Read More)

8/9/2006 First Day on Campus On my first day at the UA, I was greeted by hundreds of you with a welcome I will always cherish.  What a way to start! During my first week at the UA I looked very closely at our FY07 budget situation, something I did not cherish.  The budget plan for the coming year, although feasible, would leave us facing a large hole in short order, something I simply was not comfortable w ... (Read More)

7/12/2006 First Impressions I am writing to begin what I would like to be a continuing dialogue with you about The University of Arizona, a treasure entrusted to all of us. I'd like to start with a heartfelt thank you to this community for your fabulous reception last Monday. My wife, Adrian, and I were absolutely overwhelmed by your generosity in coming personally to welcome us. Between the Wildcat welcome to campus ... (Read More)