Flip Flop

By supporting the IIF Building, the incoming ASUA government shows that the more things change, the more they stay the same

Certainly, when many of us came to the University of Arizona, it was a great disappointment to find out that most of the classes would take place above ground, with access to fresh air. We harbored secret dreams of someday being confined to an underground dungeon, locked away from the sun that typifies the state of Arizona, sheltered from any sort of meaningful life experience.

Fortunately for future freshmen, they won't have to struggle under the dual burdens of freedom and sun-catalyzed Vitamin D activation. They will have a gem of isolation called the Integrated Instructional Facility thanks in part to our incoming Associated Students of the University of Arizona government. IIF, if you didn't already know, is the underground facility for first-year students to be built beneath the Mall.

To recap briefly, ASUA President-elect Gilbert Davidson, Administrative Vice President-elect Tara Taylor, and Executive Vice President-elect Casey Cuny recently sent a letter to the Arizona Board of Regents endorsing the facility, a sudden turnabout in position, especially for Davidson.

In August, Davidson sent a letter to the board stating quite clearly his opposition to the IIF Building and pushing for repairs and renovations to the Union. In it he wrote, "I, as a student leader in ASUA, feel the only choice is to repair an existing building that is used by all and delay the building of a freshmen center that will create an added burden on the students, parents, and taxpayers of this state."

Davidson campaigned largely on Union improvements. Now he's given up the fight to put the students first, instead bowing to administrative pressure in its push to build IIF. Davidson hasn't even taken office yet, and already he's amending his campaign promises.

Too bad, especially when, had these newly elected "representatives" spoken with Student Regent Jonathan Schmitt before submitting the letter, they would have found out that Schmitt, in his own words "definitely had a lot of momentum in support of the Union" within the board of regents. Instead, the sudden change in position from ASUA's new top officials was sprung on him right before the last regents' meeting. Schmitt said he was "befuddled" by the flip flop in ASUA's position. So are we, as all UA students should be.

By Editoral Staff (Editor's letter)
Arizona Daily Wildcat
April 8, 1997