A.R.S. § 38-533

This article does not apply to an employee or former employee of a state university or the board of regents which has in effect at the time a personnel action is taken against the employee a rule or provision for the protection of its employees from reprisal for the disclosure of information to a public body, except that the employee or former employee may appeal the final administrative decision to the superior court as provided in title 12, chapter 7, article 6. Notwithstanding section 12-910, an employee or former employee who has been dismissed is entitled to a trial de novo in superior court.