We are pleased to announce the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) has approved Ashford University's application for a change of ownership. This approval allows for the acquisition of Ashford University from Zovio Inc. by The University of Arizona Global Campus (Global Campus), an Arizona nonprofit corporation. 

Thank you for your continued commitment to the health and safety of our community as we complete the fall semester. For the Spring 2021 semester, we will continue to offer four course formats, in-person, flex in-person, live online and iCourse. For courses with in-person components, we anticipate starting the semester in Stage 2, described in the full message, based on the most current data trends and continued consultation with our public health experts, epidemiologists, and campus community. The specific stage classifications and ramp-up plan have been adjusted from Fall 2020 (see the breakouts in the full message at the link). 

Over the past several months, as part of our commitment to shared governance and transparency, my team and I have consulted with numerous stakeholders across campus as we have explored every avenue to finance the mission of our incredible institution through the pandemic crisis. 

Given timing constraints, our responsibility to begin addressing our revenue shortfall, and the desire to preserve as many student, staff and faculty jobs as possible, I have decided to move forward with the proposed furlough and furlough-based salary programs, to begin on Aug. 10.

Sadly, in the past several days, sickening racist stickers inciting violence against Black members of our community have been posted in several places around our campus. These hateful, threatening displays contradict everything we stand for as a community, and I condemn them in the strongest possible terms.

The past few months have been challenging for all of us on so many fronts. We have been — and continue to be — faced with uncertainty about the future; with anxiety about the health and safety of our families and loved ones; with worries about finances; with sincere concern for our colleagues; and with anger and pain following yet more examples of systemic racism and social injustice in the United States.

Decisions I have made since the start of the pandemic have been based on our collective values, on reliable data, on medical expertise, and on the very difficult recognition of the significant health and safety and financial challenges that we face. 

After much discussion and serious contemplation of the financial impacts of any delay, I have decided the best way forward is to delay the implementation of the University’s Furlough and Furlough-based Salary Programs from July 1 to August 10, 2020. 

Along with so many of you, I was sickened by the footage of George Floyd’s horrific death on a Minneapolis, Minnesota street while in police custody this week. Although this took place nearly 2,000 miles from Tucson, it resonates here and across this nation with every person who expects basic human rights and demands equal justice for all. Mr. Floyd’s tragic death stands in stark contrast to these minimal societal expectations, and the senseless and unnecessary taking of his life is both heartbreaking and infuriating.