Amid the University of Arizona’s hiring freeze, layoffs and calls to cut administrative ranks, its leaders are “considering” creating a new senior leadership position of chief operating officer.
Though the UA would not confirm that the position will definitely be created, a member of the president’s office spoke to the Faculty Senate about the new role on Monday afternoon, and the discussions have apparently been taking place since late last year.
“In light of the financial challenges that surfaced in November, there have been ongoing discussions about establishing a chief operating officer to ensure all business and non-academic units are properly coordinated,” said Kody Kelleher, assistant vice president and associate secretary of the university.
The move, Kelleher told the Faculty Senate, is part of the “general restructuring discussions that have been ongoing.”
In November, UA President Robert C. Robbins and then-Chief Financial Officer Lisa Rulney revealed a financial miscalculation that led to a $177 million deficit. Robbins has repeatedly pledged to cut administrative positions, or what many on the faculty call “administrative bloat,” first.
“President Robbins continues to be actively engaged in ensuring the coordination of university finances and operational efficiency,” Kelleher said. “He will consult with incoming Provost Joseph Glover and will continue exploring this as an option moving forward.”
The university did not answer questions from the Arizona Daily Star including the salary range of the potential new position, the reporting structure or the hiring timeline. Kelleher did not answer similar questions posed by members of the Faculty Senate on Monday.
“I find it very difficult to believe that the university, given the financial crisis, is hiring yet another high paid administrative official,” said Lucy Ziurys, a regent’s professor in astrobiology. “It seems like we hire all these high paid officials, and then they have to hire someone else to do their job.”
Mark Stegeman, the Faculty Senate’s parliamentarian and a professor in the Eller College of Management, asked Kelleher what the reporting relationship would be between the COO and the CFO, who is currently John Arnold.
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“I think everything is on the table right now,” Kelleher responded. “There just hasn’t been any further discussions that I’m aware of.”
