5,000 fewer people than last year attended UA's student-run carnival

Last weekend's weather was sunny and warm, but that was not enough to keep the clouds away from Spring Fling success.

Organizers estimated that just under 30,000 people attended the 29th annual event, 5,000 fewer than last year and more than 10,000 short of the organizers' goal.

Spring Fling, the largest student-run carnival in the nation, grossed between $250,000 and $300,000, according to estimates from organizers. Last year, the event grossed $315,000. [Read article]

When the application deadline for student government appointed positions arrives at noon Friday, the recently elected officers will immediately begin the search for new ASUA blood.

"We're looking for the people who are going to be really involved," said Executive Vice President-elect Melanie Rainer.

President-elect J.P. Benedict also hopes to bring in fresh energy to the Associated Students of the University of Arizona with the appointment of 28 new cabinet members. [Read article]

The director of the Department of African-American Studies spoke out yesterday at the Islamic Center of Tucson at East First Street and North Tyndall Avenue. He was confronted by UAPD officers at the same intersection earlier this month as a suspect who threatened a sandwich shop employee with a knife.

Professor Julian Kunnie told about 60 supporters and local media that a change needs to be made in how black people are viewed in the community, which NAACP Tucson President Clarence Boykins said could only be made with a change in society's attitude. [Read article]

Brotherhood and sisterhood, scholarship and service have traditionally been the pillar values of many greek organizations, but according to the Greek Philanthropy Report, UA's sorority women surpassed the men when it came to service last semester.

UA sororities under the Panhellenic Association raised $39,275 for charitable causes in fall 2002, while performing 14,071 community service hours, according to the report. Fraternities in the Interfraternity Council reported 5,357 hours and raised $10,250. [Read article]

Elected officers settle on allocation of funds to cabinet members

The newly elected ASUA officers are already hard at work setting stipends, and they haven't even been inaugurated yet.

The first orders of business included establishing new Associated Students of the University of Arizona elected positions, and then setting stipends for the 28 cabinet positions, while trying to learn as much as possible about their jobs. [Read article]

Native American students moving from reservations to college life face a variety of challenges, but a center on campus is working to ease the transition.

Native American Student Affairs provides academic services to students, but also supplies a positive social atmosphere.

"I am not really social, so the more times I went there I got to meet more and more people," said Ryan Chee, an aerospace engineering freshman, from the Navajo reservation. [Read article]

Kid can spell his name, wants to drive a Îfast' Subaru and wishes he was like Spiderman

WILDCAT: How do you spell your name?

PONETA: (looks up at mom)

MOTHER: You know how to spell your name!

PONETA: (still looks up at mom)

MOTHER: B-E-N.

WILDCAT: How old are you?

PONETA: Five and a half.

WILDCAT: Sounds like you're counting those years off, aren't you? What are you waiting for? Some big day, like when you turn 16 so you can drive? [Read article]

· Gary Stewart jumped a record 177,737 times on a pogo stick between May 25 and May 26, 1990.

· King John did not sign the Magna Carta in 1215. He could not write his own name, so he embossed it with his seal.

· The longest wedding dress train measured 670 feet. It was worn by Hege Lorence and needed 186 bridesmaids and pageboys to carry it.

· A mosquito engorged in blood is able to carry twice its own weight while flying. [Read article]

What is your most embarrassing moment?

"I walked in on my parents having sex and they were both naked."

Tristan White
music freshman

"Throwing up at a party, probably. I threw up on some other kid at a rugby function one time ... a common occurrence there, I guess."

Sean Camden
criminal justice sophomore