Blood supply levels down

A lack of blood donations for the Red Cross has prompted another campus blood drive to raise blood supply levels.

The Red Cross generally keeps a minimum 3-day supply, but current blood levels are down to a one-to two-day supply, said Associated Students President Ray Quintero.

Besides donating for Points for Pints - a blood drive competition between the University of Arizona and other NCAA schools - Quintero said student participation is necessary because a large percentage of the population relies on the donations.

"It's really a time for students to step up and make a contribution to their community," he said.

The blood drive will be held today at the Campus Health Center from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Petitions sent to Legislature

Signatures from 950 UA staff, faculty and student employees were collected and sent to the Arizona Legislature yesterday.

Petitioners hope the signatures will influence the senate so that University of Arizona and other state employees can retain the salary increased promised earlier, said Lisa M. Wakefield, president of the Staff Advisory Council.

"I don't know if it will make a difference," Wakefield said.

Organizers began collecting the signatures last Wednesday, the day of a protest at the state Capitol to save the increases, which came under fire earlier this winter when Gov. Jane Dee Hull called on the Legislature to eliminate them in the face of state-mandated budget cuts.

Wakefield said collecting the signatures in less than a week is a big accomplishment.

She said the petitions, combined with last week's protest, create a strong voice for state employees.

Two finalists will contend for presidency at Arizona State

Two candidates for university president at Arizona State University are scheduled to interview with the school's search committee today.

The current president, Lattie Coor, will retire when his contract expires on June 30.

The 35-member search committee will interview Michael M. Crow, vice provost at Columbia University in New York City, and Karen A. Holbrook, provost at the University of Georgia.

The committee will pass one or both names to the Board of Regents after the interviews. The board is expected to interview the finalists March 15.

The committee is made up of regents, faculty, students, administrators, alumni and business and community leaders. It has been meeting since October and has considered the credentials of more than 75 prospects.

"This appointment is critical to the future of Arizona State University and to the well-being of the state of Arizona," said Don Ulrich, regent and committee chair.

The finalists are expected to visit Arizona State University to meet with campus and community representatives during the next two weeks.

Graduate elections now online

The Graduate and Professional Student Council representative elections will now be online, replacing the past paper ballot voting system.

Similar to ASUA online voting, GPSC's Internet voting will be located on Student Link. Voting will take place April 1-2.

All candidates will have their statements posted on the voting Web site to provide students with information before they cast their votes, said Holly Mandes, GPSC elections director.

"My hope is that accessibility will allow for more voter participation," she said.

Representatives are responsible for providing information to graduate students within their college.

Officer elections will follow representative elections soon after, Mandes said. Officer duties include carrying out the general business of the GPSC.

Director positions will also be available starting in March.

GPSC Executive Vice President Linda Pierce will be taking director applications, which will be posted on the GPSC Web site in March.

Representative candidates must turn in their petition for candidacy, and make candidacy statements by March 29.

The Center for Computing and Information Technology will provide the program to set up GPSC online voting at no cost.