The state's short on money, the regents are ready for a change, the university presidents are accepting the challenge, but some programs' futures are uncertain

They've been frank: There will be cuts. Since the first mention of "Focused Excellence," the UA's plan to redefine its academic focus and become less dependent on state funding, administrators have warned that a new university identity will mean that not everyone and everything will be able to book passage on the journey to a new university. [Read article]

With all the discussion of President Peter Likins' "Focused Excellence" plan, student leaders are working to understand the effect the plan will have on students, especially in regard to tuition and admissions standards.

Last year at this time, the student government and student lobbyists were gearing up to fight administration's desire to raise tuition. This year, both organizations are reluctant to declare their stance on the issues. [Read article]

Contract for telescope testing device should bring jobs to Tucson

The UA is receiving $22.2 million to create an optical system to test telescopes for Lockheed Martin, President Peter Likins, Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup and other officials announced yesterday afternoon at the Steward Observatory Mirror Laboratory.

The technology, which is expected to be completed in 2006, will allow Lockheed Martin to test telescopes in a vacuum chamber to see how they'd work in space. [Read article]

Astronomers will be able to see into space more clearly than ever before because of work by UA researchers.

Two UA telescopes, the only two of their kind in the United States, are now networked with two European telescopes to detect images in 3,000 times more detail than what the Hubble Space Telescope can detect.

To detect an object, all four telescopes are pointed toward the same astronomical object in the sky. [Read article]

For the remaining four days of "National Coming Out Week," the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender branch of student government will hold presentations, a party and a drag show on the UA Mall, handing out pamphlets and ÷ tomorrow ÷ bags full of condoms, candy, sex tips and personal lubricant.

Pride Alliance, the student group putting on the events, wants to be known as a resource for students who need someone to talk to about their sexual identities, or who want more information about the homosexual community. [Read article]

Writer Red Cross won't take blood from men who have had sex with other men since 1977

While the Red Cross calls for students to donate blood over the next 10 days in a competition with ASU, sexually active gay men at UA will not be allowed to donate.

In the midst of Coming Out Week at the UA, students will be asked a series of questions before donating blood at the annual UA vs. ASU blood drive. [Read article]

Pre-business freshman fond of Chinese food, but not wrestling or fat guys wearing thongs

WILDCAT: So what are you doing here on this park bench right now?

KIRKLAND: Waiting for my boyfriend to eat.

WILDCAT: What?! You are waiting for him to eat?

KIRKLAND: He's coming down here and we're going to eat.

WILDCAT: Oh, I see. I thought that he was eating and you were sitting here all by yourself waiting for him to finish. I was like, that's kind of rude. So, what's your favorite kind of food? [Read article]

FORT COLLINS, Colo. ÷ If you ever felt like you were being watched on campus, you might be right.

Colorado State University has cameras situated on and off campus. There are a total of 14 cameras recording students' every move.

Cameras are located underneath the tunnel at College Avenue by the old Fort Collins High School, the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, the Federal Research Facilities, the Administration building and the water bowl on the south side of the Engineering building. Some of the cameras have been there for only a few years and others for much longer. The Colorado State University Police Department also records the football games at Hughes Stadium for safety reasons. [Read article]

MUNCIE, Ind. ÷ A former Ball State University student who was arrested last spring for dealing illegal drugs from his dorm room was sentenced to 90 days in jail Monday by a Delaware County Circuit Court judge.

Judge Robert Barnet Jr. of Circuit Court 3 handed down the 90-day sentence after John M. Lam, 19, Schererville, Ind., pled guilty to dealing marijuana in April from his room in Beeman Hall. [Read article]

Harvard Crimson

(U-WIRE) CAMBRIDGE, Mass. ÷ Lifetime Television has begun production of an original movie about the life of Elizabeth A. Murray, who gained national attention as she overcame a childhood on the streets to enter Harvard two years ago.

The movie, currently titled "Homeless to Harvard," will run sometime next spring, according to Lifetime.

Murray's story has been the subject of numerous newspaper and magazine articles, and she recently signed a book deal with Hyperion Publishing. [Read article]

COLUMBIA, Mo. ÷ Title IX of the education amendments of 1972 was supposed to bring women equality in higher education. Thirty years after its passage, women are still underrepresented in science and engineering.

"Studies have shown that women have less access to important resources than men," said April Brown, a professor at Duke University during testimony Thursday before a Senate committee. [Read article]

"Considering the cost these days, it might be all that it's good for."

÷ Riccardo Giacconi, an American physicist who won the Nobel prize for physics yesterday, on saving the prize money for his grandchildren's college education.