University of Arizona President Dr. Robert C. Robbins clarified certain points of the university’s financial situation, even addressing the controversial retention of former Chief Financial Officer Lisa Rulney, in an email sent to the university community Tuesday morning. 

As Robbins mentioned in the email statement, Senior Vice President for Business Affairs John Arnold has been serving as Interim CFO for the university since Rulney stepped down in December, following controversy over her role in the university’s financial crisis. 

However, Rulney’s name reappeared in the news last week, when it was revealed that she was still employed at the UA and earning upwards of $500,000 annually from the university.

In his email to the campus community, Robbins said that, “To help ensure a minimally disruptive and well-informed transition, I made the decision to have Lisa serve in a temporary role through June 30, 2024, in line with her existing employment contract.”

Robbins also outlined Rulney’s current responsibilities, clarifying that she is now serving in an advisory role to Arnold, in order to “provide support to our Interim CFO as he focuses on implementing the University’s financial action plan and managing the division’s broad operations.” 

Robbins commented that Arnold has been meeting with leaders and advisors from across campus to find solutions to the UA’s financial situation, and that leadership expects “updated campus guidance by the end of the month.”

The email statement concluded with Robbins thanking members of the campus community for their continued work and input in the search for effective solutions.

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