Approaching his seventh year, Robbins has remained confident since revealing the financial shortfall in November. But he has not sugarcoated the challenges Arizona faces. Everything is on the table with athletics, including layoffs, compensation freezes and the elimination of sports, although the latter seems unlikely. Robbins initially told the board of regents the university had a $240 million miscalculation. Since then, after closer evaluation, an operation deficit of $177 million has been revealed. Of Arizona’s 81 colleges and divisions, 61, including athletics, face a budget deficit.
