Administrators are sticking with plans for seven program mergers that were proposed in January, according to an update released yesterday.

News of the administration's recommendation to merge the departments of German studies and Russian and Slavic studies came as a complete surprise to faculty members who thought they were in the clear.

"We were under the impression that we were off the hook," said Tom Kovach, German studies department head. "We thought that reason had prevailed, but now it just feels like we are in the twilight zone." [Read article]

UA will bear $8 million in cuts next year; ASU, NAU slated to split $16.3 million

PHOENIX ÷ Republican legislators released a new proposal yesterday that would cut UA's budget by 2.5 percent in 2003-2004, eliminating money to hire new instructors as enrollment grows.

The Republican lawmakers proposed cutting beyond what they proposed in late January ÷ $3.7 million more ÷ to bring the funding UA receives from the state's general fund down to $308,555,100 from this year's $316,546,300. [Read article]

Resource center would provide support groups, other services for chronically ill students

With an idea that would be the first in the Pacific-10 Conference, two UA students are hoping to make being sick a little easier.

Their plan is to develop a resource center for students who suffer from chronic illnesses ranging from allergies to Crone's Disease.

"There are a lot of students who have illnesses and need to cope with them, as well as being a regular student," said Associated Students of the University of Arizona Senator and communication junior Jason Poreda, who, with the assistance of his senate aide, came up with the idea. [Read article]

That work will include listening to the needs of students as well as continuing an effort to work with the administration to better issues such as tuition remission, workload and childcare.

"Now, more than ever, it is important to have good leadership," said Radebaugh, who believes her three years of GPSC experience have prepared her for the added responsibility.

Veronica Diaz, who was elected last night as external affairs vice president, said she also believes GPSC should continue being an active voice in campus policy changes. [Read article]

Loss of funding keeps some students away from Asia, others weigh options before leaving

Arizona has reported only one suspected case of SARS, but the potentially fatal virus has already taken its toll on some UA students.

"I was studying in Singapore, but I came back to Tucson Thursday," said Clay Condon, a mechanical engineering and business economics sophomore who had been overseas since January. [Read article]

Students and community members battled Mother Nature as they took part in Earth Day festivities on the UA Mall yesterday.

However, the windy conditions didn't deter people from enjoying several events.

"There (were) over 40 organizations expected to participate," said Alana Levine, program coordinator for recycling and waste management. "They specialize in a variety of issues from energy to wildlife to recycling to eco-feminism." [Read article]

A UA football player is facing drug charges after being stopped Saturday on suspicion of having a fake license plate, authorities said.

Kirk Johnson, a communication sophomore, was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence of drugs, said Frank Valenzuela, Department of Public Safety Public Information Officer.

Johnson was first pulled over in Casa Grande when a DPS officer noticed he had a fictitious license plate that read "The Boss" on the rear of his car. [Read article]

Freshmen talk about working at Spring Fling and dealing with carnies

WILDCAT: Well what's your favorite part about going to fairs like Spring Fling?

DEMAR: Well, people have a good time laughing at me.

WILDCAT: Let's not forget the carnies!

DEMAR: We kind of were carnies.

WILDCAT: Hey now! Could you join their union? It's like a secret trust or something. You've got to go in their meetings with a tooth missing. They're all, "You one of us now!" So you guys were running the rides and stuff? [Read article]

· A parrot's beak can close with a force of 350 pounds per square inch.

· We will never know Albert Einstein's last words. Einstein spoke his last words in German to a nurse who did not understand the language.

· Julius Caesar banned all wheeled vehicles in Rome during daylight hours because of traffic congestion.

· The longest pencil in the world measures 20 feet, 6 inches long and weighs over 560 pounds. It was made by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon team in 1998. [Read article]

What is your favorite thing to do in Tucson?

"Go hike at Sabino Canyon. They have a humongous rock you can sunbathe on. I also like to go out to Guido's."

Crystal Heuft
media arts junior

"I go swimming at my work at like midnight."

Alexis Leigh
aerospace engineering sophomore

Sorority house life poses problems for UA student

Hey Abby,

I decided to write because I have no one who can help me with this problem. I am in a sorority and plan to live in my sorority house next fall. That's the good part. My best friend who was supposed to share a room with me has just backed out, and now I have to share a room with a girl I cannot stand. I know we are all supposed to be sisters, but how can I live with someone I don't like? I really want to live in the house, and there are no other girls I can share a room with. What am I going to do now? [Read article]