Jun 11, 2016 09:28 AM EDT By Ron S., UniversityHerald Reporter

University of Arizona President Ann Weaver Hart is set to leave her post by the time her contract expires on 2018.

Hart did not seek a contract extension as the UA president looked forward to returning to being as a teacher. Hart cites that she would rather return to full-time faculty work, and a "citizen of the university," as AZ Central reported.

The State Board of Regents announced Hart's decision on Friday. The regents have expressed their support for the UA president's decision, of which the entire choice was Hart's as Chairman Jay Heiler stated.

Heiler has also laid down plans of ABOR to continue working with Hart until her contract expires, and the board will start seeking for a replacement by fall.

It is reported that the board's search would be nation-wide and a comprehensive strategic review of a replacement would be conducted.

Hart's contract would run up to June 30, 2018. The UA president, along with ASU President Michael Crow, were given contract extensions, as well as six-figure bonuses last September for having met the board's set goals, which were related to increased bachelor's degrees, higher enrollment rates, and other academic issues.

It was specified in Hart's e-mail to her colleagues that she came to the realization of not extending her contract when Hart was presiding over her 14th commencement as university president. Hart states that she is proud of her and the University of Arizona's accomplishments, and the time has come for Hart to assess her future, according to The Daily Wildcat.

Hart intends to stay at the University of Arizona, but as a full-time faculty teaching, and being a citizen of the university.

The UA president is not free from controversy as she was recently involved in an issue that led to a lawsuit from the Federal Trade Commission.

Hart was discovered to have accepted a side job, while being university president, as a board member for the company that has ties with DeVry University. The for-profit university was allegedly misleading students regarding job prospects, of which DeVry denies any wrongdoing.

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