The University of Arizona has seen better years. While UA strives to remain a top Research I university and an affordable educational refuge for in-state students, many events tried to sink our ship this year.

Honoring the first anniversary of Sept. 11th and watching the Wildcats get knocked out by Kansas in the Elite Eight should have been enough to cope with.

But we cannot forget that three innocent professors were murdered in October.

The nursing college shootings shook a usually calm university community. On Oct. 28, 2002, UA lost Cheryl McGaffic, Barbara Monroe and Robin Rogers to an act of violence.

The campus reaction was quiet south of East Speedway Boulevard, but the event was still a shock that caught the eye of the national news.

Focused Excellence and Changing Directions, the plans to mold UA into a more elite institution, made significant steps, although the change is yet to be felt. As part of the plan, President Pete Likins lobbied to raise tuition by $1,000 to increase the amount financial aid available, thus improving accessibility.

The hike was the largest in UA history, placing a disproportionate amount of money on aid.

The tuition increase was necessary, but it failed to raise money to improve aspects of the university that students live with on a daily basis ÷ class size, teacher retention, departments having money to print syllabi.

What would have been the biggest story of the day if the nursing college shootings hadn't happened? A few hours later, the basketball ticket mob passed nearly unnoticed.

Thousands of students had convened early in the morning hoping to get a voucher that would enable them to purchase basketball tickets. While the voucher system could have worked if ample security had been provided, the event turned into a dangerous mob as students rushed the sales window for a voucher. Tucson Police Department officers in riot gear dispersed the crowd, leaving an opportunity to improve the system. Members of ASUA worked hard this semester to put together the new Zona Zoo Sports Pass program. And although it has some downsides, will hopefully help avoid another mob situation in the future.

While many hoped UA wouldn't make the national spotlight again until March Madness, dozens of members and veterans of the football team met with Likins behind the backs of the Athletics Director Jim Livengood and the coaching staff to discuss the coaching practices of head football coach John Mackovic. Many were glued to the TV hoping to witness Mackovic resign. Perhaps not so ironically, the same kid Mackovic called " a disgrace to his family," junior tight end Justin Andrew Levasseur, was arrested in Illinois on Dec. 4 with possession of 87 pounds of marijuana.

Four words: Ravioli and maple syrup. Greek hazing slid into the news not because hazing was out of control, but because enforcement seemed to be over the top. While hazing shouldn't have to be necessary to create lifelong bonds, busting fraternities for push-ups and silly food dares is a waste of the Dean of Students' time. Monitor alcohol, yes; worry about silliness, no.

This year, we have learned how to take what life throws at us. At times we mourn, and at others we fight unfair tuition increases.

But ultimately we came together to support our troops in Iraq and our Wildcats on the road to New Orleans.

Next year will be another hurdle and another adventure.

Opinions are determined by the Wildcat opinions board and written by one of its members. They are Daniel Scarpinato, Jessica Lee, Shane Bacon, Jose Ceja, Jennifer Duffy, Brett Fera, Caitlin Hall, Jessica Suarez and Kendrick Wilson.