Another year is done. The students, faculty and staff at the University of Arizona have endured an emotional and financial roller coaster that has made us stronger. It has also presented future challenges that weāll need to hurdle.

As we begin planning for next semester, perhaps it is appropriate to take a step back and reflect. Through the careful critique of the past, we will only be able to take what we have learned and apply it to the future.

For the students returning next year: These are the five top issues that kept us on our toes and have set the path to 2003. To the graduates: These were the topics that contributed to a tumultuous final year. Either directly or subtly, these issues have taught you something about real life. Take those lessons with you, and good luck.

Budget cuts to state universities

The Arizona State Legislature decided its universities are not a top priority. By cutting UAās budget by nearly 5 percent and already threatening more cuts for next year, the state has shown little regard for the workforce of the future.

All of Arizonaās universities have had to make sacrifice after financial sacrifice, and the situation will not be improving anytime soon. We have learned that we cannot count on Gov. Jane Dee Hull, the Legislature or the Arizona Board of Regents to supply us with the resources we need.

We need to begin looking into alternatives to reform the way UA, ASU and NAU are funded in the near future. A 4 percent increase in in-state tuition and a 7.25 percent hike for nonresidents will not even come close to compensating for the financial hardships UA has endured this year and will continue to face in the coming years.

Something must be done, and soon. The state will continue to fail our future.

Campus appropriately responded to Sept. 11

Nearly nine months after the events of Sept. 11 shocked the world, the UA community should look back and be proud of the way this campus handled the tragedy.

Rather than helping to escalate the fear felt on that day, students and faculty responded in an appropriate fashion, attending campus forums and vigils rather instead of panicking. Considering how the community responded to Arizonaās loss to Duke in last yearās NCAA tournament, the manner in which Sept. 11 was handled was a refreshing break.

Rather than a riot, there was the Wall of Expression. Instead of racial name-calling, there was a peace rally on the Mall. UA President Likins held a community campus forum on the Mall the day of the tragedy offering guidance and emotional support. Students and staff of the University of Arizona acted as university affiliates should: maturely and orderly.

Sept. 11 will forever remain in our memories. But itās comforting to know that UAās response to the tragedy did not further incite the chaos, terror and pain. UA became a united community. And we will always have that bond.

Campus Crime Alert

Sad but true: University campuses are not very safe. From the libraries, to the parking garages, to the unlit lanes after nighttime classes, the University of Arizona is no exception. This school year, weāve seen a rather dramatic increase in the number of assaults and rapes, even in the presumed safe dormitories and off-campus housing. Itās a scary situation for students and parents alike.

Various organizations have done what they can to avert menacing campus situations. SafeRide recently extended its service to the parking garages, making unescorted trips to oneās vehicle a thing of the past. New emergency phones have been added to campus, supplementing those that already existed.

But the University of Arizona Police Department is not superhuman, and these improvements to campus safety cannot work if they are not used. It is imperative that students and staff look out for one another and for themselves. Regardless of your sex, learn self-defense techniques and carry pepper spray. Take advantage of the free services SafeRide offers.

Empowering yourself against assault makes UAPDās job simpler and campus safety more feasible.

The Joseph Wood Krutch cactus garden

This could easily have been the non-issue of the year if it had not kicked up controversial dirt. At the end of the fall semester, the Alumni Association and Hargreaves Associates publicly announced their plans for the new Alumni Plaza to be built in the center of campus, from the Administration building to the Science Library. Many members of UA and Tucson came to the public forum to voice concern about the future health of the fragile cactuses that would have to survive a replant to Old Main.

Those comments failed to change the plazaās design. In January a protest, petition, letters to the editor and e-mails to UA President Likins pressured the decision-makers to take a harder look at the value of the priceless garden. While the conflict was overdramatic, overplayed and overdrawn, the solution was simple: compromise.

The current Alumni Plaza plans incorporate expanding the Krutch garden.

Two positives arose from the Battle of the Boojums: Not only was the cactus garden saved, but this dilemma can stand as an example to future campus plans that public input cannot be bypassed.

Teaching vs. research

UA is a Research I public institution. Underneath this prestige rests a difficult balancing act ÷ dividing an instructorās time between educating students and prolific research.

In April, the debate reignited when the political science department informed senior lecturer James Todd that he had one year to publish or he would need to find another job. Upon hearing the news, hordes of students spoke out defending Todd, claiming he was an amazing and influential instructor who spent his time with students instead of engaging in research.

Research brings academic honor and grant money to UA. Yet, with more than 35,000 students demanding an education, many wonder if there is a place for incredible professors who want to devote 100 percent of their time toward instruction.

It is not likely that this philosophical debate will reach a verdict anytime soon. And the past and future budget cuts will only put a greater spin to the dispute.

Perhaps splitting research and teaching time into percentages is ambiguous and needs to be clarified and re-evaluated. But the bottom line is that a contract is a contract.

The good news is that UA is a Research I institution. Students have a unique opportunity to get involved.

Staff editorials are the collaborative stance of the Arizona Daily Wildcatās opinions board.