As the University of Arizona prepares for a new school year, this week Arizona 360 checked in with President Robert Robbins. Lorraine Rivera asked Robbins how his administration is addressing accusations of Title IX violations directed at the UA and its Athletics Department.
"We’re going to be very focused on a program that will reorganize our Title IX efforts, and I would even say our Title VII discrimination efforts, to proactively go out and… keep this on the front burner of something we're talking about," Robbins said.
Robbins also discussed how he plans to improve academic success among students. A third of new students have to enroll in remedial math, according to Robbins. He said more stringent admissions requirements will ensure students enrolled at the university are prepared and will be less likely to drop out.
"It doesn't mean they can't come to the University of Arizona, but they've got to work their way up," Robbins said. "The last thing we want them to do is to come here and fail."
After hearing from UA President Robert Robbins, Arizona 360 wanted to know how leadership changes resonate with students. We got insight from the university's student-led organizations. Marie Teemant, president of the Graduate and Professional Student Council, and Natalynn Masters, president of the Associated Students of the University of Arizona, also shared some of the concerns they hope administrators consider.
While the University of Arizona prepares to roll out its strategic plan, investigations into alleged misconduct are ongoing. Few are covering the developments as closely as the Arizona Daily Star's Caitlin Schmidt. She shared how the community is responding to what she's found so far.
For Your Vote 2018, Arizona 360 is seeking interviews with all of the gubernatorial candidates who qualified for the primary ballot. We are focusing on their views about Arizona's economy and education funding. Among the five candidates, this week we spoke to Republican Ken Bennett and Democrat Kelly Fryer. Bennet is a former state secretary and state senator, as well as the only candidate challenging incumbent Gov. Doug Ducey in the primary. Fryer is CEO of the YWCA Southern Arizona.
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