The Arizona Board of Regents will likely pass a plan to make the UA a more research-intensive institution with stiffer enrollment requirements if Arizona State University goes along with plans to expand and absorb growing enrollment, President Pete Likins told the student government last night.

The UA and ASU have proposed plans that will compliment each other, Likins said. There was some talk about ASU not becoming the campus with massive enrollment at a board of regents meeting held about a week ago.

Both universities have acknowledged their different roles in higher education and are moving toward an exciting future, Likins told senators, emphasizing that the university presidents must present the regents with an agenda they all agree upon.

"I think the board of regents will approve Focused Excellence if ASU stays on course," Likins said.

The Associated Students of the University of Arizona welcomed Likins to discuss Focused Excellence with senators during a meeting last night.

Downsizing, merging and cutting some programs will be part of the UA's plans to focus funds and attention on other departments, Likins said. Likins will have a better idea of which programs will be modified, cut or merged in January, when the board of regents meets.

Administrators also plan to shape admissions requirements to slow the growth of the student body in a campus of limited size, Likins said.

"It will become more difficult to get into UA in the next few years. This is necessary because we are land-locked in Tucson," Likins said.

ASUA President Doug Hartz welcomed Likins' visit.

"I appreciate President Likins' accessibility to speak to the senate. It is unique for a university president to speak directly to a group of students as Likins does at UA," Hartz said.

Likins also discussed campus safety at the meeting, in light of the Oct. 28 murders at the College of Nursing. He said security would be improved by identifying potential problems before they erupt.

"Enhancing campus security is more about identifying students among us that are struggling with mental health problems," Likins said.

In other ASUA news, the senate approved ASA Task Force Director Nick Green, who will replace Jennifer Rimsza. Rimsza, who resigned Oct. 18 over differences in the way she and Hartz voted. As ASA Task Force Director, Green will be a new lobbyist for students at the UA.