When the University of Michigan entered the national spotlight last year for its policy on the role of race in admissions, UA President Pete Likins said he would stay out of the debate.

Now, shortly after filing a legal brief opposing an alternative to Michigan's policy, he says he can't avoid the discussion.

Likins plans to push forward with admissions proposals that will give special consideration to minorities as part of his plan to make the UA more diverse, even as the Supreme Court considers the Michigan case, which could have major implications on the role of race in university admissions. [Read article]

Students lunch with lawmakers, hoping to impact future budget decisions

PHOENIX ÷ Republican lawmakers will propose cutting "a lot less" from UA and the Arizona Health Sciences Center in the rest of this fiscal year than the $15.8 million they proposed late last month, speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives said yesterday.

Instead, they will cut the remainder after July 1, meaning that GOP lawmakers who control the House and Senate might have downsized their proposal to cut $35.2 million from the UA and AHSC between this year and next. [Read article]

Four UA professors held a teach-in on the effects of a possible war with Iraq and expressed their opposition to a U.S. attack in front of an almost full auditorium last night.

The event, entitled, "Teach-In: Motivations and Wisdom on the Pending War with Iraq," featured opinions on Iraq from the history, philosophy, Near Eastern studies and political science departments.

All four professors presented views opposing U.S. military action in Iraq. They were each given 15 minutes to express their individual concerns, followed by an hour-long question and answer session. [Read article]

More than 300 members of the UA greek community focused their attention on hazing and alcohol abuse prevention last night, as they gathered to hear Risk Management and hazing specialist Dr. Ron Binder speak at the New Member Symposium.

"It is a wonderful thing: getting it out in the open. People think it hurts, but it helps," said Jake Joyce, president of Sigma Nu fraternity.

With events such as bid nights, initiations, big brother and big sister nights, formals, mixers and 21st birthday celebrations, the risks associated with alcohol abuse and hazing in the greek system are high, Binder said. [Read article]

Joe crashes a lot, has many scars; comes to UA to ride his bike down stairs

WILDCAT: So, you just come to UA to ride down our stairs on your bike?

METZ: Basically.

WILDCAT: Cool. Yeah, so what the crap made you think this is a good idea?

METZ: Because they're fun and I like to do it.

WILDCAT: Yeah, good plan. But at least you wear a helmet so that your head doesn't get smashed in. [Read article]

· Only humans and horses have hymens.

· The word "set" has more definitions than any other word in the English language.

· The state with the longest coastline in the United States is Michigan.

· "Pulp Fiction" cost $8 million to make ÷ $5 million going to actors' salaries.

· "Underground" is the only English word that begins and ends with the letters "u," "n and "d." [Read article]

Attractive academia

The California Aggie
University of California-Davis

According to a handful of students who rated him, University of California Davis computer science professor Dean Sniegowski is a helpful professor who teaches a challenging class. Furthermore, the man is evidently "sexy."

Welcome to www.ratemyprofessor.com, a nationwide network where students rate their professors on a scale ranging from one to five in three categories: clarity, helpfulness and ease. Students can also leave comments and note whether the professor is "sexy." [Read article]