Dr. Robert C. Robbins has to prove his worth to many of the school’s professor at the University of Arizona’s next president.

According to public records, faculty members who had expressed their opinions had a sizable preference for the Indian-origin presidential finalist, who did not get the job.

Several favored ASU executive Sethuraman “Panch” Panchanathan. Instead of the selection made by the Arizona Board of Regents, who chose Dr. Robert C. Robbins, the CEO of Houston-based Texas Medical Center, to replace the outgoing University of Arizona President Ann Weaver Hart.

The Board of Regents is expected to make an announcement regarding the terms and vote on Dr. Robbins’ contract at its April 7rh meeting at the university.

The faculty’s preference for Panchanathan was not shared by a handful of the University of Arizona’s donors, who wrote to the Board to express their views. According to the records they wanted Dr. Robbins to get the job.

The Arizona Daily Star requested for public records on March 9th seeking documentation feedback the board received on the presidential selection. The Regents’ headquarters released the document son Friday.

The emails from donors and faculty members provide the only public glimpse into the finalists’ perceived strengths and weaknesses in a presidential search some have criticized as lacking in transparency.

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