Flames flicker just short of some properties, but the fight isn't over

Dick Browning was overjoyed at the sight of his still-standing cabin posted among photos at yesterday's open house meeting for Mount Lemmon residents and business owners at Sabino High School.

The UA alumnus' family getaway was one of 133 cabins in the Summerhaven area that survived the Aspen Fire.

"I can't believe how lucky I am," said Browning, 58. Nearly all of the residences surrounding his cabin were destroyed, he said. [Read article]

UA will receive over $14 million yearly to build new research buildings

In what UA President Pete Likins called "incredibly good news," the Arizona State Legislature passed a bill Thursday that will bring an estimated $440 million to all three state universities for the creation of three research facilities.

The bill, which Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano is expected to sign, directs the state to give the university $14.2 million annually from fiscal year 2007 to 2030. [Read article]

President Pete Likins on Thursday urged regents to be patient as the university reshapes itself under Focused Excellence, Likins' plan to narrow the university's mission in response to continual funding cuts from the state.

Many of the plans for cutting, merging and altering individual programs must still be reviewed by faculty, staff and students before they can be implemented.

That means it might take longer for the university to see changes. But Likins believes more people are likely to accept the changes if a broader group is able to offer opinions. [Read article]

New video teaches incoming freshmen lessons in classroom etiquette

University officials are tired of ringing cell phones, constant chatting and skimpy clothes in the classroom. So this summer they are working to stop these "disruptive behaviors" before they start.

After surveying almost 800 students and faculty about what classroom behaviors really irk them, the Dean of Students office has compiled these "disruptive behaviors" in a video that is now being shown to incoming students during freshman orientation. [Read article]

(U-WIRE) STORRS, Conn. - The recently enacted USA PATRIOT Act is being criticized by many, who say it infringes on peoples' privacy.

The act allows the government to view records of people who have checked books out of libraries.

An acronym for "Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism," the USA PATRIOT Act is several hundred pages long and is aimed at helping law enforcement to investigate suspected terror activities with haste. [Read article]

ASU Sun Devil misses Tempe's Starbucks while locked away in her La Paz pad

WILDCAT: Judging by the binder you have here, do you go to ASU?

BARRETT: Yes.

WILDCAT: Then what are you doing down here?

BARRETT: I'm taking an organic chemistry class.

WILDCAT: Do you realize you've crossed into enemy lines? You know, we're rivals, all that stuff.

BARRETT: I know, I know. [Read article]

Changes on way for schools across nation

Ann Arbor, Mich. ÷ The U.S. Supreme Court handed the University of Michigan only a partial victory Monday, but many other colleges had more to celebrate.

A university's ability to consider the race of an applicant, until yesterday, had depended on its geographic location. Lower court decisions had banned affirmative action in Texas, Georgia Louisiana, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. [Read article]

$3 billion urged by Bush for Pakistan. Bush is asking Congress to give the money to help the south Asian country advance security and economic opportunity for its citizens, according to the Fox News website.

80-foot fall was survived by a baby. Her father tossed the 10-month old out the seventh story window of a Peekskill N.Y. apartment, crashing through several tree branches before hitting the ground. She suffered cuts and bruises. The father was arrested Monday on attempted murder charges, according to the Associated Press. [Read article]