Campus Incidents

Campus Incidents

 

Oct. 26, 2023 Update:

The University of Arizona Tech Park initiated a lockdown out of an abundance of caution after receiving information about a potential threat to the Citi Group call center. The alleged suspect was located by law enforcement off of the Tech Park grounds and the lockdown was lifted. The Tucson Police Department is investigating and we refer you to TPD for further information.

Stay Up to Date

Are You Following UA Police on X

The Twitter feed of the University of Arizona Police Department serves as a comprehensive platform for disseminating safety guidelines and real-time updates through UAlert, the university's official emergency notification system.

FOLLOW UARIZONA POLICE ON X

Are You Registered for UAlert?

The UAlert system is the University's emergency alert system. UAlert is a free service that delivers emergency messages via text and email to students, employees and designated campus colleagues. Family, friends and community members may also register for UAlert.

REGISTER FOR UALERT

UPDATE OR OPT OUT OF UALERT

INFORMATION ON UALERT

Counseling & Psych Services

On-demand mental health support for students.

https://caps.arizona.edu/

520-621-3334

Employee Assistance Counseling

Available 24/7 to all University of Arizona employees, their dependents and members of their households.

877-327-2362

(TTY: 800-697-0353)

Life & Work Connections

Resources, tools and education for faculty and staff.

lifework.arizona.edu

520-621-2493

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

The phone number 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). It is now active across the United States.

Communications Contact Information

Media inquiries on these topics should be directed to the University Communications team.

Phone: 520-621-1877
Email: media_requests@list.arizona.edu

Previous Incidents

Wednesday, Oct. 5, 5:26 p.m.

The University of Arizona experienced a shooting today on its main campus in Tucson. At approximately 2 p.m., a person entered the John W. Harshbarger Building and one victim was shot and has since died.

The university has canceled all in-person classes on the Tucson campus for the remainder of the day and is asking all non-essential faculty, staff and students to leave the Tucson campus or go to their dorms.

The University of Arizona Police Department and the Tucson Police Department continue to search for the suspect.

The suspect is described as a white male, 5 feet 8 inches tall, about 35 years old, with short brown hair, and wearing a blue baseball cap and a dark backpack.

Please remain clear of the Harshbarger Building, 1133 E. James E. Rogers Way, located northwest of the Student Union Memorial Center, and stay tuned to UAlert for the latest updates. You can sign up for UAlert using this link: https://cirt.arizona.edu/sign-ualert.

A news conference will be held at 5:30 p.m. Pacific time. It will be livestreamed at arizona.edu/live.

Wednesday, Oct. 5, 6:55 p.m.

Law enforcement authorities have apprehended a suspect in the shooting that occurred today on the University of Arizona main campus.

Arizona Department of Public Safety officers apprehended Murad Dervish after a traffic stop near Gila Bend, Arizona, at 5:10 p.m.

For updates, please visit the Campus Shooting webpage or follow UAPD on Twitter (@UArizonaPolice).

Wednesday, Oct. 5, 9:15 p.m.

Message from President Robert C. Robbins:

Dear Students and Colleagues,

I am writing with great sadness to provide an update on the shooting that occurred earlier today. We have lost a beloved member of our University of Arizona community, Dr. Thomas Meixner, Professor and Department Head of the Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences.

For details on the investigation, please watch the recording of the news conference with University of Arizona Police Chief Paula Balafas, and see updates on the alerts webpage. I want to assure you that I remain committed to campus safety, and we will do everything we can to support our students, faculty and staff. 

We have reached out to Dr. Meixner’s family, and ask that their grief and privacy be respected. 

This incident is a deep shock to our community, and it is a tragedy. I have no words that can undo it, but I grieve with you for the loss, and I am pained especially for Tom’s family members, colleagues and students.

I encourage you to have compassion for one another and to care for yourselves and those around you during this difficult time. If you need help, please reach out to these resources: 

Campus safety is our foremost priority and will remain so. I want to thank the officers of the University of Arizona Police Department and partner agencies for their professionalism today, and I look forward to further engaging and activating our entire community on this issue.

Sincerely,

Robert C. Robbins, M.D.

President
The University of Arizona

Thursday, Oct. 6, 8:00 a.m.

The Tucson campus is open today. Classes may be rescheduled or repurposed in some part by instructors to accommodate time for reflection on the loss of our beloved colleague, Tom Meixner. Support and counseling services are available to anyone in need. Please look out for communications from your instructors.

Thursday, Oct. 6, 7:36 p.m.

Message from President Robert C. Robbins:

Dear Students and Colleagues,

I want to once again express my concern and care for all of you in the wake of yesterday’s tragic event on our main campus. Dr. Meixner, an international force in his field of hydrology and atmospheric sciences and a kind and warm man, had a tremendous impact on his department and the students he mentored. Our hearts break for his family, students, colleagues, and our entire campus community. He set a wonderful example for all of us on how to be a true servant leader in life, and he will not be forgotten.
 

Healing our Community

Community can be a source of healing, and this includes organized campus activities and classes. In consultation with student support experts and academic leaders, we made the determination yesterday to hold classes today and tomorrow in a sincere effort to put the needs of our community members first. In some cases, faculty members have cancelled class and, in others, they have provided the option for students to forego attending or to attend remotely. I support these approaches and the exercise of discretion on the part of each instructor and student. With this in mind, I ask that you express compassion for one another and offer the sincere consideration each of us deserves.

I recognize that being on campus today was a surreal experience for many, and I urge those who need to pause, step back from their routines or to speak with others to access many available resources. We also have locations throughout campus for those who simply would like to gather together. 

Students, if you are in need of mental health support, please reach out to Counseling & Psych Services, which has additional support available. Employees, please reach out to Life & Work Connections or Employee Assistance Counseling, which will have walk-in services tomorrow as detailed in this email from Human Resources.
 

Family Weekend

Currently, we plan for most scheduled Family Weekend events to go forward. As Parent & Family Programs has shared, we embrace our community in times of joy and in sorrow, and the weekend’s events are important opportunities for our students and families to connect. Please visit the Family Weekend webpage for current information.
 
As I noted yesterday, the well-being and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors are our most important responsibilities. In consultation with University of Arizona Police Chief Paula Balafas and other law enforcement experts, we will continue to seek the most effective ways to keep our community safe.

Thank you for the concern and care that you have shown for one another and for our University community over the past 24 hours, while our thoughts continue to be with Dr. Meixner’s family, friends, students, and colleagues.

Sincerely,

Robert C. Robbins, M.D.

President
The University of Arizona

Friday, Oct. 7, 2:18 p.m.

Candlelight Vigil Honoring the Life of Dr. Thomas Meixner

The University of Arizona will hold a candlelight vigil at 8 p.m. tonight to honor the life of Dr. Thomas Meixner by bringing together the campus community and the Tucson community for a shared time of reflection and remembrance.

Dr. Meixner was recognized internationally in his field of hydrology and atmospheric sciences. He also was a beloved teacher, mentor and leader. A graduate of the University of Arizona, Dr. Meixner joined the faculty in 2005 and became head of the Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences in 2019.

University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins and Fr. Emmanuel Taylor, associate pastor at St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center, will make brief remarks during the vigil, which will be held on the University of Arizona Mall just east of Old Main. In the event of rain, participants will be able to stand on the verandas that encircle Old Main.

Parking is available in the Second Street Garage.

Mental health resources and support are available for students, faculty and staff. For more information, please visit the Campus Shooting webpage.

Friday, Oct. 7, 10:01 a.m.

A video message from University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins

Monday, Oct. 10, 10:01 a.m.

Extended: Counselors on Campus Monday Through Friday This Week (updated 10/12/22)

Many of you were able to speak to the on-site counselors for employees last week. Counselors will continue to be available this week for all interested University of Arizona employees from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday in two locations:

We encourage you to consider this free and confidential counseling resource. You can also call in 24/7 to speak with a counselor. Visit the Employee Assistance Counseling page for more information.

Please remember to check the Campus Tragedy page for updates.

Sincerely,

Division of Human Resources

Life & Work Connections

Monday, Oct. 10, 6:48 p.m.

Dear Students and Colleagues,

In the days following last week’s tragic murder of Professor Tom Meixner, the University community has come together to honor his memory, to comfort one another, and, for some, to ask important questions about how this could happen on our campus. Since last Wednesday, while the University Police Department and the Tucson Police Department have continued their joint investigation, our senior leadership team has been engaged in meaningful and transparent dialogue about what we must do for our students, faculty, and staff. As I shared on Friday, your safety is critically important to me.

As many of you know, over the past two years, we have experienced other tragic incidents, both on campus and off, that have shaken our community and challenged our notion of safety. While I take great pride in our ongoing efforts to protect our community, we must ask ourselves if there is more that we and our public safety partners can do.

We have begun the work to retain recognized independent external experts in security and threat assessments to begin a comprehensive review of all aspects of our campus safety, violence prevention, and public safety response, with an initial report, including recommendations, due to me within 75 days. While the charge to the external experts will include a review of how the University handled threats in advance of the murder of Professor Meixner, it also will encompass the safety and security of our buildings, our threat assessment approach, our UAlert system, and any area of campus security they determine relevant to campus safety. 

I expect the full and complete cooperation of all University employees and staff, as this is our priority.

I also am committed to working with Faculty Senate leadership and our broader network of faculty and staff to ensure that, working together, we can receive, review, and address concerns raised from all of our campus colleagues.

My promise to our students, faculty, staff, parents, and visitors to campus: we will thoroughly review our campus safety response, particularly as it relates to Professor Meixner; we will vigorously pursue necessary and prudent avenues to enhance community safety, relying on experts to advise us; and we will remain steadfast in our commitment to all of you.

Sincerely,

Robert C. Robbins, M.D.

President
The University of Arizona​

Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2:33 p.m.

Are You Registered for UAlert?

The UAlert system is the University's emergency alert system. UAlert is a free service that delivers emergency messages via text and/or email to registered students and employees, or their off-campus family and friends.

Anyone affiliated with any University locations, such as main campus, the College of Applied Science and Technology in Sierra Vista or the College of Medicine – Phoenix, can receive alerts specific to those campuses.

3 things to know about UAlert
  1. Sign up for SMS text alerts in addition to email alerts for the most timely delivery of UAlert notifications. SMS registration is separate from email registration. Please make sure you register for both.
  2. If you already registered for UAlert, please make sure your account is active and that your contact information is correct.
  3. SMS registration must be renewed any time you change cellphone carriers by selecting your new carrier in the UAlert system.
To register for UAlert

Student or an employee

  • Visit the registration page on the Critical Incident Response Team website.
  • Select "register or update now" under the "Students, faculty and staff" section.
  • Sign in with your NetID, then follow the prompts to fill in your 10-digit phone number (without hyphens).
  • Indicate whether you'd like to receive messages about specific campuses.

Family and friends

  • Register by going to the registration page.
  • Select "Sign up or update now" under "Family and friends of the university."
  • Fill out the form.
Additional safety resources

You can familiarize yourself with safety resources and tips from the University of Arizona Police Department. More information also is available on the FAQ page on the Critical Incident Response Team website.

Monday, Oct. 17, 8:58 a.m.

Dear Students and Colleagues,

Last week, many of us came together to honor the memory and to celebrate the life of Professor Tom Meixner, who was so tragically killed on October 5. Tom was an amazing man, whose impact went well beyond his immediate colleagues and students, family and friends. Our thoughts are with all of them, including members of the Department of Hydrology & Atmospheric Sciences, who have our unequivocal support.

As you know, last week I announced a broad, independent expert review of our campus security, which will include how the University handled the matters involving the shooter. I understand that there are many questions about what the University knew about the behavior of a former student, its response to that behavior, and what more might have been done to prevent the tragedy. I also recognize that many of you have suggestions, thoughts, and concerns that you want to share with us.

As we await the conclusions and potential recommendations from the review, and in the interest of openness and transparency, I first want to share with you some of the steps that the University took to address the threatening behavior from the former student. If we could have done better, we will acknowledge it and make changes. But I do believe it is important for you to know that the University took action in regard to the conduct directed toward Professor Meixner and others.

  • In January 2022, the former student initially was prohibited from University property.
  • In February 2022, the Dean of Students determined that the former student had violated the Student Code of Conduct and recommended expulsion for his behavior directed at University personnel.
  • The University assisted the Department of Hydrology & Atmospheric Sciences in moving faculty.
  • Department leadership was provided with pictures of the former student to distribute to members of the department with instructions on how and when to call police.
  • The University changed the entry passwords for rooms to which the former student had access as a graduate student.
  • The University contacted the former student’s previous educational institution to ascertain additional information about his history, but to no avail.
  • The University educated impacted faculty on the legal options available to them—including the filing of harassment charges and injunctions—as well as the opportunity to pursue criminal charges against the former student with the Pima County Attorney’s Office (PCAO).
  • In the Spring of 2022, UAPD brought information forward to the PCAO in an attempt to charge the former student based on his communications directed toward a University staff member. The PCAO declined to move forward with charges.
  • University of Arizona Police Department (UAPD) officers made at least two visits to the former student’s home to follow up on threats he had made against University personnel. Officers spoke with him on one of those occasions in April.
  • In June 2022, at the conclusion of the disciplinary proceedings following his appeal, the former student was formally expelled. Upon expulsion from the University, he was permanently banned from campus and university activities.
  • In August 2022, the University diverted incoming emails from the former student to University email accounts into a separate email account that could be reviewed by UAPD and certain other parties.
  • In mid-September 2022, UAPD again sought charges against the former student by bringing information forward to PCAO regarding the former student’s harassment of faculty. As of this date, the PCAO has not notified UAPD of its determination on those charges.

 

Since the tragic killings of three University employees nearly twenty years ago, the University has had in place a Threat Assessment Management Team, composed of multi-disciplinary experts from across the University to evaluate and respond to threatening or potentially violent situations. TAMT is there to assist faculty, staff, and students, and ANY member of the University community can reach out to TAMT to report threats at hr.arizona.edu/tam.

In addition, I want to remind you that our Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) is there to provide you with support, tips, and resources, and I would strongly encourage all of you to visit cirt.arizona.edu for information.

I understand that, ultimately, the actions of University personnel and of others in the months leading up to last week’s tragedy did not prevent this tragic loss of life. However, as the information shared above indicates, the University did take action within our authority—we worked closely with the faculty in the Department of Hydrology & Atmospheric Sciences and took their concerns seriously; we took prudent measures available to us under the law to keep our faculty, staff, and students safe; and we pursued criminal charges against the student. We have people and processes in place to respond to potential threats and concerning conduct on campus because we know that your safety and security is fundamental to your work, research, and studies. We also do this because we care.

The independent review will help inform us about what additional or different steps could have been taken to better protect our faculty, staff, students, and visitors and how we can improve our response, policies, and procedures involving campus safety and security in the future. We will share changes and new initiatives as they are implemented.

In the weeks ahead, members of the administration will meet with faculty and staff from every college across campus to listen to your concerns, to receive your suggestions and to answer your questions as we are able. In the meantime, I invite you to provide your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions regarding campus safety directly to our leadership team by submitting your anonymous comments via this online form. Each comment will be read, and every suggestion will be considered. Everything is on the table for consideration, including the examination of how the University can enhance its approach to violent threats while balancing civil liberty protections with the health and safety of our community; the implementation of more stringent physical security for our campus and buildings; and how we can support changes to external systems that respond to threats and acts of violence on campuses.

Thank you to all of our faculty, staff, students, and community members who have stepped up to offer your support, your cooperation, your collaboration, and your compassion during this difficult time. We are a resilient community, and we will move forward, together.

Sincerely,

Robert C. Robbins, M.D.

President
The University of Arizona​​​​​

Tuesday, Oct. 25, 6:30 p.m.

Dear Students and Colleagues,

In providing you with an update regarding our campus safety and security initiatives, let me begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to the nearly 800 faculty, staff, students, and community members who have completed our anonymous campus safety and security survey . Your suggestions and concerns center on prevention, building security capacity, threat assessment and management, UAlert notifications, communications, and student and employee support. Every suggestion and concern has been read and considered and will be given to our outside experts as part of their campus security review. If you have ideas or suggestions that have not yet been shared, please consider doing so via the online survey.

Late yesterday, at a meeting with members of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, we shared that the University has retained PAX Group, LLC to work with us on our assessment of our campus safety and security and to provide us with recommendations. I have asked the firm to be thorough, inclusive, and frank in their review, and I have pledged our institution’s full cooperation. I expect that our students, faculty, and staff will be engaged in the process in a variety of ways.  

We anticipate receiving an initial, preliminary report within the timeline previously shared. Before then, we will continue to refine current programs and to implement additional safety and security measures that we determine will immediately enhance our campus environment.

The University also has engaged Steve Patterson, who recently retired as the FBI’s Tucson Assistant Special Agent in Charge and brings a unique and specific combination of training, experience, expertise, and knowledge to assist our Threat Assessment and Management Team with its daily work on these important matters for campus. 

I am grateful to our faculty, staff, students, and community for pulling together to offer meaningful feedback during a difficult time, and I look forward to ensuring we do all that we can to make our campus safer.

Sincerely,

Robert C. Robbins, M.D.

President
The University of Arizona​​​​​

Friday, Oct. 28, 8:01 a.m.

Dear Students and Colleagues,

Over the past weeks, I have provided several updates on campus safety and security, and want to again express my appreciation for each of you who have shared your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions for the good of our University. As a form of dialogue, this work has been an important means for our community to begin healing in the wake of the tragedy that has affected all of us, and I sincerely hope it will continue. 

I also want to acknowledge the generosity and compassion many in our community have shown over the past several weeks, which I believe to be paths for healing as well. Support has been shared for Professor Meixner’s wife and sons through a GoFundMe campaign started by members of their family, as well as through the Dr. Thomas Meixner Memorial Fund , which was established to honor his legacy and will be directed by the family to a University cause meaningful to them.  

Here are a few other notable topics and announcements: 

UA Cares campaign extended to Nov. 11 ​​​​

I want to thank everyone who has contributed to the UA Cares campaign this fall. As you all know, this is the University’s annual workplace giving campaign, in partnership with the University of Arizona Foundation and United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona. Faculty and staff can sign up for payroll deductions to support the charity of their choice, as well as community volunteer opportunities known as Days of Caring. 

One example of University community members giving their time for a local cause was the recent project to revitalize a playground at Laguna Elementary School in the Flowing Wells School District. In the photo above, you can see some of the 75 faculty members, staff, and students who came together on Oct. 21 in a collaborative effort including the Office of the CIO, College of Education, and UA Cares. The event was an opportunity for connection outside of work in support of a good cause. 

As with this event and many others, the campaign is an outstanding means of community engagement for the University. In recognition of the opportunity for impact through UA Cares, the campaign has been extended through Nov. 11.  

If you have not yet taken part, I encourage you to learn more by visiting the UA Cares campaign web page

Support for students, faculty, and staff with family or friends in Iran 

As many of you might know, protests have taken place throughout Iran following the death of Mahsa Jina Amini, a young woman from the northwestern area of the country, after she had been detained by what has been called the country’s morality police.

Many faculty members, staff, and students have written to my office or commented on the University’s social media accounts and other channels sharing their grief over the Iranian government’s violence in response to the protests. Particularly for those with family and friends in Iran, I want you to know we hear you, and you have our sympathy and support. Thank you for reaching out and speaking up.

I urge you to use the University resources available if you need help. CAPS, which has a counselor embedded within the International Student Services, stands ready to assist students. A free support group will be held on Nov. 4 from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.  

For faculty and staff, Employee Assistance Counseling is available through ComPsych, accessible 24 hours a day at (877) 327-2362, for in-the-moment support and then receive a referral to a provider in the community. Telehealth counseling is available.  

I also ask that instructors, supervisors, and others in positions of authority have compassion for those in our community who have been affected by this situation and find ways to accommodate their needs.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Lastly, as we come to the end of October, I want to thank everyone throughout the University who has called attention to Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 

Also known as intimate partner violence, domestic violence affects people from all walks of life. The Office of Institutional Equity provides a list of resources, protective services, and hotlines to call for help at its Domestic Violence Awareness Month page, which includes a quick exit button in the event that you need to protect your privacy or safety.
 
In addition, OIE has shared a brochure in both English and Spanish from the Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse with tips and guidelines for anyone who may be experiencing domestic violence and wants to learn more about how to help.

This has been a trying month in many ways. I hope you all have found ways to heal as well as moments of peace. As we look forward to this weekend, I hope Homecoming provides an opportunity to build community and find comfort and joy in one another’s presence.
 

Sincerely,

Robert C. Robbins, M.D.

President
The University of Arizona

Wednesday, Dec. 14, 7:38 a.m.

Dear Students and Colleagues,

I hope you are all doing well now that finals are in full swing. Students, remember we have many resources available such as THINK TANK, if you need help preparing, or student assistance through the Dean of Students Office, if you need help coping with any stress you may experience.

If you are completing a degree program this semester, congratulations! Enjoy the winter convocation ceremonies, and I hope we see all of you back for Commencement in May.

Here are a few highlights for this week.

Sustainability

Earlier this month, I participated on a panel with other leaders from AAU-member universities, discussing the importance of our institutions leading the creation and implementation of climate solutions. I was very proud to describe the leadership provided by our students, whose dedication to this issue has inspired all of us. This includes the creation of the University’s Sustainability Fee, proposed by students, supported by the ASUA and GPSC, and approved by ABOR in 2021. The fee is the source for our Campus Sustainability Fund , which accepts proposals from faculty, staff, and students. The Fund’s 2022-2023 Annual Grant proposals are due by Jan. 15, and I encourage you to learn more if you are interested in submitting.

I also was pleased to announce the University’s new Presidential Advisory Commission on the Future of Agriculture and Food Production in a Drying Climate just last week, which you can read about on the Executive Office of the President website.

WSCUC Institutional Accreditation

On November 14, 2022, the Department Of Education gave the University permission to apply for accreditation from the WASC Senior College & University Commission (WSCUC). If the accreditation request is approved by WSCUC, the University will switch from the current accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

WSCUC accredits approximately 200 four-year colleges and doctoral universities, many of which are our peers. Notable examples are the institutions of the California State University system and University of California system, Stanford, and USC.

A diverse group of campus colleagues, including representatives of shared governance, have supported the effort to apply for WSCUC accreditation. On Jan. 18–19, 2023, a WSCUC peer review team will conduct a site visit at our main campus with faculty, staff, administrators, and students. The team will then provide a report for WSCUC’s review and consideration. Strategic direction is provided by the Senior Vice Provost and Academic Liaison Officer, Gail Burd, who served as Executive Lead for the HLC 2021 Affirmation of Accreditation.

I invite you to read these accreditation FAQs to learn more.

Public Health Updates and Reminders

As we prepare for the winter holidays, I want to encourage all of you to take basic public health precautions to protect yourself and those around you. Cases of respiratory illnesses are rising, including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, and many hospitals and other health care facilities are under strain.

COVID-19 and Influenza

Pima County, home to our main campus, now has a high CDC Community Level for COVID-19, and wearing a high-quality face coverings indoors in public is recommended. If you live or work in other counties, or if you are travelling, please visit the CDC’s COVID-19 by County page to check conditions near you.

Testing for COVID-19 is always important if you have symptoms, and particularly now with the increase in cases. Cats TakeAway Testing remains available through Dec. 23 (with regular hours resuming Jan. 3). At-home tests are widely available, including through the Campus Health Pharmacy. Remember that with at-home tests, continued testing over several days may be necessary.

Please make sure you are up to date on the vaccine for COVID-19, which includes the bivalent booster released earlier this fall. Visit vaccines.gov or contact your health care provider to make an appointment.

If you have yet to get your flu shot, please consider doing so as soon as possible. The flu vaccine is widely available at community providers.

Mpox

Mpox, recently renamed from monkeypox by the World Health Organization, has been detected in main campus wastewater samples. University leaders and local public health officials receive aggregate data from testing results.

While cases have dropped dramatically in the United States, mpox remains a public health concern, and the CDC has recommended vaccination if you have been exposed or are at high risk of exposure. As a reminder, mpox is spread mostly through close, intimate contact. For more information, including vaccination options at no cost to students, faculty, and staff, please visit the Campus Health mpox page.

Campus Safety Update

As an update on campus safety and security, I want to thank again the nearly 1,200 campus and community members who have provided valuable input. The PAX Group LLC is continuing its independent review. Retired FBI Tucson Assistant Special Agent in Charge Steve Patterson is consulting with our Threat Assessment and Management Team and offering insightful expertise on immediate campus security needs. University programs and practices are being reviewed to identify opportunities to improve. This remains my top priority, and I look forward to updating all of you further in the new year.

University of Arizona Global Campus Update

We are making progress in the process of acquiring and incorporating UAGC into UArizona. The UA-UAGC Initiative, launched earlier this year to coordinate the operations of the two universities, has activated working groups across campus. With members from both universities, including representatives of shared governance, the working groups are addressing opportunities and challenges in five key focus areas: Academics, Student Success, Institutional Operations, Oversight and Compliance, and Continuous Improvement.

The working groups will provide recommendations and potential solutions to leadership in advance of the planned acquisition date of July 1, 2023. There is still much to do, and I truly appreciate the efforts of our dedicated faculty and staff members who are contributing their time and expertise to this important initiative.

I appreciate everyone’s contributions this semester, particularly those rooted in our Core Values in support of one another. I wish you all Happy Holidays.

Sincerely,

Robert C. Robbins, M.D.

President

The University of Arizona