NAU President Rita Cheng won’t seek contract extension
FLAGSTAFF – Northern Arizona University President Rita Cheng announced Tuesday she will not seek an extension of her contract that expires in 2022.
Cheng touted growth in research funding, enrollment and student retention and diversity since she began overseeing the university in 2014. She said she has confidence in the school’s leadership team, faculty and staff to continue the work amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“While there is still a long road ahead, our planning and response to the pandemic – keeping our eyes totally focused on our academic mission and strategic priorities while engaging in the hard work necessary to keep us on a firm, sustainable financial footing – fills me with pride,” Cheng said in a statement.
The university recently reopened for in-person classes, against the wishes of a union that represents faculty, staff and graduate student employees.
Earlier this year, Cheng rebuffed calls from a group of students to resign after a state audit found that the university did not comply with policies in paying more than $40,000 in travel expenses for Cheng and her husband. University officials said they believed they were following policies and were unaware the expenses weren’t properly documented.
Cheng also faced criticism in May when she announced contracts for about 100 faculty members would not be renewed because of an expected drop in revenue. At the same time, Cheng said she would be taking a 10% pay cut.
Cheng notified Arizona Board of Regents Chair Larry Penley of her decision not to seek a contract extension in a person call, said board spokeswoman Sarah Harper.