Discussions on TA fee waivers a 'huge step'

Members of the Arizona Board of Regents say they are enthusiastic about UA's budget plans for Proposition 301 funds and anticipate approval at today's meeting.

"(The plans are) very pleasing to everyone at this point," said Mary Echeverria, a student regent and economics senior from Arizona State University. "I'm very impressed with the mechanisms."

UA President Peter Likins and UA Provost George Davis, along with representatives from ASU and Northern Arizona University, first approached the regents at their meeting in January with plans for how to distribute the $459 million from the voter-approved Prop. 301. The proposition increased Arizona's sales tax by 0.6 percent to benefit public education.

"I am thrilled with the quality of the proposals and also the degree of cooperation and collaboration between the university provosts, the central office, and the entire Arizona university system," said regent Jack Jewett.

One of these proposals, UA's Technology and Research Incentive Funding request, will have an emphasis on optics, biomedical science, biotechnology and water research.