New University of Arizona President Scores $988K Compensation Deal

The University of Arizona has appointed Dr. Robert C. Robbins as its new president, marking a historic compensation milestone. Robbins will earn an annual salary of $988,000 under a three-year contract pending approval by the Arizona Board of Regents.

Robbins, currently the CEO of Texas Medical Center, will start his tenure on June 1, 2017. This transition allows outgoing President Ann Weaver Hart to leave her position earlier than planned while still receiving her $670,000 salary through June 2018. The total cost for presidential compensation at UA will exceed $1.6 million next year, combining salaries for both Robbins and Hart.

While Robbins previously earned over $1.2 million annually, he noted that he’ll likely experience a significant pay cut in his new role. “I’ve never been really motivated by money,” he remarked in a recent interview.

Robbins’ compensation package is almost $200,000 more than that of Arizona State University’s president, Michael Crow, who currently stands as the highest-paid university leader in the state. The Arizona Board of Regents has not confirmed if Crow will receive a pay raise to match Robbins’ salary.

The additional funds for Robbins’ salary will come from private donations facilitated by the University of Arizona Foundation. The foundation established an “endowed presidential leadership chair” to ensure a similar salary enhancement for future UA presidents, a move lauded by foundation CEO John-Paul Roczniak as a commitment to institutional support.

This arrangement aims to help attract and retain prominent leaders like Robbins, who expressed intent to remain in his position for a decade or more. While favored by some donors, Robbins faced resistance from certain faculty members who preferred ASU executive Sethuraman Panchanathan as the next president.

Hart’s departure follows criticism regarding her side job on the board of a for-profit university, which drew significant attention. She announced her decision to step down when her contract expires in June 2018. Hart will resign on May 31 under terms allowing for “termination without cause,” ensuring her financial package until the contract’s end. Following this, her salary as a tenured faculty member will align with that of the highest-paid faculty in her department.

For further inquiries, please contact reporter Carol Ann Alaimo at 573-4138 or calaimo@tucson.com. Follow her on Twitter @StarHigherEd.