By
Ryan Gabrielson
Arizona Daily Wildcat
AIC could become a branch of UA's main campus
The UA is requesting approval for multi-year contracts for several professors in the Arizona International College from the Arizona Board of Regents, which could mean the college is here to stay. At least in some form.
"Even in the more distant future the AIC will probably be within the University of Arizona, and they certainly are right now," said George Davis, provost and vice president for academic affairs.
Ten AIC professors are receiving multi-year contracts, six of which are receiving appointments of five years.
A year ago, the AIC had an enrollment of about 165 students and now instructs about 300 students, said Paul Rosenblatt, AIC dean.
When the AIC first opened its doors in 1996, it was expected to evolve into an indecent institution.
But low enrollment and lack of tenure for professors plagued the AIC, leading members of the UA community to push for it to be closed.
In 1998, Rosenblatt became dean of the fledgling college and the AIC moved from the south side of campus to North Cherry Avenue and East Speedway Boulevard.
However, the AIC is outgrowing its current home, and the college is now considering a move to Pima Community College's new north campus.
A decision is expected in October but, the move wouldn't be until the fall of 2003.
"That (move) will probably be resolved within a month or two," Davis said.
Although it is clear the AIC is growing, whether it is growing away from the UA is still in question.
"It is anticipated it will develop into its own free standing entity," Davis said.
But Davis added he doesn't foresee that step being taken in the near future.
"It (the AIC) isn't thinking in terms of independence," Rosenblatt said.
Arizona State University has an east campus and, the west campus recently became a four-year institution. All the campuses are in the Phoenix metropolitan area, which Davis said could serve as a model for the UA.
If the AIC does move to the PCC north campus, it could serve as an extension to the UA.
"(The AIC) has the trappings of a branch campus," Rosenblatt said.
The UA already has another campus in Sierra Vista and Sharon Kha, UA spokeswoman, said she isn't sure if the AIC could serve in that role.
"That's something that only time will tell," Kha said. "It provides some differences, some choices. It's been sort of sheltered and received support that a young college needs."
The multi-year contracts will go before ABOR today during their meeting at Arizona State University in Tempe.
But more security for AIC's professors could be just the first step to creating another extension for the UA.
"We'll see how it goes, it's hard to call," Rosenblatt said.
