Four years ago, the University of Arizona was still reeling from a men’s basketball scandal that had boiled up into the national news and conversation.

Alarmed by new revelations, the Arizona Board of Regents issued a statement in October 2020 that, in the clearer light of today, must be read as a damning indictment of that body that oversees Arizona’s public universities.

“The board takes these matters seriously and, as the governing body for the University of Arizona, is committed to upholding the integrity of the university, including its athletic programs. The board maintains full confidence in President (Robert) Robbins’ leadership as the NCAA process continues and supports his decision to request review.”

It remains a real question if the regents ever did take these matters seriously.

Because four years later the Arizona university system is an inferno.

The reputations of state’s two major public universities — UA and Arizona State University — are scorched. The integrity of their leadership is under challenge and calls are rising for........

© Arizona Republic