ASUA members realize campaign promises can be difficult to keep

Last Thursday a new group of ASUA officers were inaugurated, bringing a fresh set of plans and ideas to the student government. But some incoming officers will be forced to pick up where their predecessors left off.

A year ago, as with every year, the Associated Students of the University of Arizona senators ran for office, each with campaigns offering promises to UA students, faculty and staff members. [Read article]

Resolution urges support for AIDS fight

The Associated Students of the University of Arizona have joined a worldwide effort.

Across the world, more than 22 million people have died from AIDS, and more than 15,000 people are affected with HIV everyday.

Although the U.S. spends more than $1 billion on the education and control of the virus, the amount is far from enough, said Adam Taylor, creator of the Students' Global AIDS Campaign, which is trying to broaden awareness and support for AIDS. [Read article]

A conference open to the public this weekend could shape what city officials are calling the "cornerstone attraction" of downtown Tucson's future.

The conference "Building Bridges: A Conference of Civic Engagement" scheduled for May 9 and 10 at the Tucson Community Center will allow community members to provide input and guidance in the formation of a UA science center downtown, which could include the Flandrau Science Center. [Read article]

A member of the UA community turned 80 last month, but it may not be who, or what, one might expect.

It was the 36-inch telescope located on Kitt Peak.

The telescope, which was dedicated April 23, 1923, is UA's oldest, and since its dedication, has helped many UA astronomers search the night sky.

"I discovered a trans-Neptunian object named Veruna (with the telescope). It has one of the largest orbits I've seen," said Robert McMillan, who uses the telescope four or five times a month. [Read article]

Students must perform song auditions to get into or keep spots in fine arts' musical program

Yesterday was an uneasy day for many musical theatre students ÷ it was audition day.

Waiting for their turn to get in to the Bachelor of Fine Arts program, several BA students wandered about the hall, while others talked nervously with each other.

While some students quietly whispered their audition songs, so that they wouldn't disturb others, some students expressed their anxieties out loud. [Read article]

Several University of Arizona Police Department officers and employees will be biking and running through the heart of campus today in an effort to raise money for the Special Olympics.

Eleven UAPD employees will join a Special Olympics athlete in the thirteenth annual Law Enforcement run, in which participants will bring the Special Olympics' torch through campus.

"This is a good chance for us do to something," said Sgt. Octavio Barcello, coordinator of the event. "We are raising money for a good cause. Many of us take for granted the athletic things that we can do, but the fact that these athletes can compete competitively is something special." [Read article]

When Richard Cosgrove received the Provost's Award for Teaching Excellence this year, he was honored for his dedication to students. But the award is even more extraordinary for the retiring history department head, as he has served the students and UA community for the past 36 years.

"It's a very nice way to leave. Its always nice to get recognition," said Cosgrove, who has been called "humble" and "hardworking" by his colleagues. [Read article]

Kupfer earns Gen Ed award for innovative teaching, commitment to his students

John Kupfer's students are easy to pick out in a crowd; they are the ones with sunburns.

Kupfer's students can be found taking tours of the Joseph Wood Krutch Cactus Garden or checking out the foliage around Old Main. This is all part of a Natural Sciences 101 class that Kupfer has been teaching for four years, Earth's Environments: Introduction to Physical Geography. [Read article]

As the school year draws to a close, two UA reporters are preparing to mount the Wildcat throne as editors-in-chief for the summer and fall.

Journalism senior Arek Sarkissian II and junior Jeff Sklar were named April 11 as overseers of the paper.

"In essence, it's the CEO of the paper," said Sklar, the fall editor-in-chief. "No one in the world can override the editor-in-chief on issues of content." [Read article]

Editor in chief can't spell to save his life, and thinks all great campus leaders pee

WILDCAT: So, what was your favorite part of the semester? I'll tell you my favorite moment. It was when you spelled the word challenge wrong in a headline.

SCARPINATO: Oh yeah, "challenge" with an "a." Yeah it was a challenge for me to spell that word.

WILDCAT: It's a challenge for you to spell a lot of words. [Read article]

· Snails only mate once in their lives. It may take up to 12 hours to consummate the act.

· Louis Pasteur, whose work on wine, vinegar and beer led to pasteurization, had an obsessive fear of dirt and infection. He refused to shake hands and carefully wiped plates and glasses before eating.

· Queen Latifah worked at Burger King before becoming an actress and rap star. [Read article]

How many final exams do you have, and how will you reduce stress?

"I have zero exams, but in the past, not sleeping sort of reduces stress because you're studying more."

Carina Bien-Willner
architecture senior

"I have three. I'm going to the water park on Thursday, and I also eat a lot to reduce stress." [Read article]