The Joseph Wood Krutch cactus garden is seemingly safe from Alumni Plaza-related destruction, but the Arizona Daily Wildcat has another humble request to make of the associated former UA students:

If you feel compelled to erect a visible memorial to your alumni-hood, why not make it a more useful one? The economy isn't terribly healthy right now; it seems almost gluttonous to wastefully spend money on unnecessary adornments.

With budget cuts threatening our beloved programs, housing, classes, teachers' pay raises and building restorations, it seems clear that your cash could be more effectively spent on other facets of campus rather than on a water-wasting, phallic, fountain-adorned, oak-filled tribute to yourselves. We have parking shortages, no way to house anyone beyond their freshman year and lack of space for graduate students to live near campus.

We couldn't have suggested a better proposition than the one given to the Wildcat on Wednesday by Kathleen McCabe, a concerned citizen and wife of a University of Arizona alumnus. In her letter to the editor, she stated the obvious:

"If the Alumni Association really wants to improve the university campus, they should · use their money to construct a new residence hall," she wrote. "They can call it 'Alumni Hall.' More residence space is what's needed ·"

It's perfect. The association gets its highly visible commemorative structure, and the university's current students get what they need so desperately.

The Highland District Redevelopment Project could use some financial assistance. This project entails the construction of four new residence halls, which should accommodate approximately 750 students. Construction is about to begin.

Your money would go so much farther if you used it wisely - by putting your names on a project that truly needs it.

It's great that you're still so attached to the campus and want to make it better; but why not use that devotion to help our campus where it truly needs it the most?