A major news event along the lines of the tragic nursing college shootings or the chaotic Fourth Avenue riots could very well happen this semester, and the Arizona Daily Wildcat is prepared to meet that challenge.

But we're also prepared for what we know will happen. Spring 2003 will be one of the most news-filled terms in several years, as our institution and our world change directions.

Some of the most fundamental alterations in the UA's academic mission and structure will be unveiled in the coming weeks in the form of something called Focused Excellence, which is President Pete Likins' plan to ride out Arizona's hard economic waters and make the university more elite. Wildcat editors, reporters and columnists have spent the past month preparing themselves to fairly, accurately and comprehensively cover this plan and its positive and negative effects. [Read article]

When Pete Likins gave his inaugural address in 1997, I listened to his words carefully as he described the "whitewater" we would all one day experience. He urged us to prepare. He was aware that severe challenges would attend this institution's quest to continuously improve.

In July 2000, I became provost. Immediately I, too, came to see riffles of whitewater downstream. Then we were in it. Between July 2001 and today, the permanent cuts in our operating budgets have removed $33.4 million from academic affairs and $12.9 million from business affairs, campus life, advancement, and the office of the president. Colleges have had to cut faculty positions, staff positions, support for students, courses and classes, seats, operations support, computer support, travel support, capital equipment support, graduate student support and support for outreach activities. [Read article]

On the first day of the spring 2003 semester, we are again plunged back into a life that revolves around school, school, school. From Trent Lott's thoughtless comments to a pending war; from a new Arizona state adminstration to a sprained ankle, we all had a little time to sit down and ponder the news over the break. Here is a reflection on what each columnist thought was the Issue of Winter Break. [Read article]