1997
Oct. 1 – Likins starts his first day as president of the UA, succeeding Manuel T. Pacheco.
Nov. 13 – Likins says a union fee is necessary for an expansion that will cost $60 million to $70 million. The fee would provide between $31.5 million and $70 million in funding for the new union.
Nov. 19 – Students vote in record numbers, and 70 percent vote down the student union fee.
1998
March 10 – For the first time in eight years, a UA president appears in front of the Associated Students of the University of Arizona senate. Likins speaks about students’ concerns and the UA’s pending contract with Nike.
April 6 – Hundreds of faculty and staff Social Security numbers are released illegally to MCI Telecommunications Corp. and Saguaro Credit Union in what is known as the “”CatCard controversy.”” Likins takes full blame for the incident.
Oct. 14 – Miles Simon sues the UA and the Kansas City Star for defamation – naming Likins in the suit. The suit is later dismissed.
1999
April 21 – About 30 students camp out in Likins’ office to demand his signature for a workers’ rights resolution fueled by Students Against Sweatshops. After a 225-hour sit-in, Likins signs a resolution.
March 3 – Likins gives his support for homosexual employees and promises to look at domestic partner benefit options. “”I (understand) because I have six kids and one of them is gay,”” he says.
2000
Sept.7 – The Manuel T. Pacheco Integrated Learning Center construction is a few months behind schedule, but Likins says it will open in Spring 2002.
Oct. 5 – Likins officially kicks off Campaign Arizona, a $1 billion fundraiser for the university.
2001
September 11 – In the hours following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Likins meets with 20 to 30 UA officials to plan a forum for students. “”I knew inside myself immediately that the campus needed to gather.””
Audio of President Likin’s speech after September 11, 2001
October 25 – The ILC is completed and dedicated.
2002
February 3 – Budget cuts cause the president to cut 115 classes and 69 jobs on campus.
October 24 – Likins’ plan for the university, Focused Excellence, is born. Later in the month he also creates the Diversity Action Plan.
Nov. 17 – Likins gives football coach John Mackovic a chance to redeem himself after he was “”disrespectful”” to student athletes. He calls on Mackovic to “”practice humility.””
2003
March 6 – The Arizona Board of Regents approves a record-breaking tuition hike, and tuition is raised by $1,000.
Nov. 6 – Campaign Arizona reaches its $1 billion goal 21 months early.
2004
Sept. 21 – Likins had planned to remove the December graduation ceremony, but after talks with ASUA President Alistair Chapman, graduation is restored.
2005
Nov. 21 – The board of regents releases details about the UA College of Medicine’s expansion to Phoenix. Likins proposes a $400 tuition increase.
Sept. 26 – Shawntinice Polk dies.
Dec. 31 – Likins has a pacemaker implanted into his heart to regulate its beating.
2006
Jan. 27 – The Presidential Search Committee names Robert Shelton to succeed Likins when he retires June 30.
April 12 – Likins nearly faints in his office and is rushed to UMC for emergency heart surgery. He is listed in fair condition, but whether he will return to work before his retirement date is uncertain.
