Because of problems with a new computer system, the Office of Student Financial Aid was scrambling late last week to distribute millions of dollars in financial aid and scholarships to students who still need to pay for tuition, books and other expenses.

By Aug. 21, the financial aid office had distributed $21.7 million in scholarships and financial aid. That number is $8 million less than the $30.1 million doled out at the same time last year, said John Nametz, director of financial aid. [Read article]

Attendance on the first day is crucial

If you're thinking about skipping class on the first day, you might want to think again.

The Office of Curriculum and Registration sent out an e-mail notice last week, warning that those students who skip class on the first day risk being dropped by the professor.

Due to a high demand for seats in many classes, instructors have been asked to drop those students who do not show up on the first day of class and fail to notify the department of their absence, the notice stated. [Read article]

Students worried about how to get their tuition paid by the end of today have a new option: For the first time, the UA Bursar's Office is offering a tuition payment plan.

Under the plan, students pay a $75 enrollment fee per semester and then pay their tuition in three interest-free installments. [Read article]

But waiting lists for housing are getting smaller

Approximately 300 students are breathing sighs of relief after late cancellations and no-shows have taken them off the Residence Life waiting list and into permanent housing.

Although most of those who were on the waiting list have been placed in one of the 5,500 permanent spaces, some are still living with resident assistants.

For those who are still sharing rooms with RAs, Director of Residence Life Jim Van Arsdel said he hopes to find them permanent housing in the next few weeks, anticipating that some new students will choose to move out and free up spaces. [Read article]

As the fall semester begins, UAPD is reminding the campus community that a credit card fraud alert is still in effect.

The UAPD's Crime Prevention Office issued the alert on Aug. 12, warning the campus community of a possible credit card scam that may target UA students, employees and visitors.

Sgt. Eugene Mejia, who coordinates crime prevention programs on campus, said the alert was issued after a single incident in which a man told police he started receiving credit cards in his name at his home address. The man said he did not remember applying for the credit cards, saying he only remembered supplying his personal information once to an unidentified person, in exchange for free disposable cameras and phone cards. [Read article]

Wildcat Welcome Week is in full swing, offering students entertainment, directions to class, and for those who know where to look, lots and lots of free stuff.

The six-year-old project, which officially began last Wednesday, welcomes back new and returning students. Nearly 300 volunteers assist new students moving into the residence halls and answer student questions at several Ask Me stations on campus. [Read article]

While students may be breaking the bank trying to pay for books, tuition, and the like, the Wildcat Welcome staff is providing loads of free food, entertainment and fun for everyone on campus.

Here's a guide to the best freebie finds of the week for those who might want to find that cold, fruity flavor of a free Eegee's smoothie while they stand in the mile-long line at the Financial Aid office. [Read article]

Former meth-lab renovated by mother to honor slain UA bicyclist

When graduate student George Kalli transferred from his home in Anchorage, Alaska to the UA, he was not sure what to expect. He researched the city, registered for classes and secured living arrangements as close to campus as possible.

Little did he know that the house he found on the UA Campus Housing Web page had so much significance to the UA and Tucson communities. [Read article]

San Xavier Mining lab contains no dynamite, says lab director

A report released by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms concerning an August burglary at a UA mining laboratory has come under fire from UA officials who question its accuracy.

According to the ATF report, the suspects entered the UA San Xavier Mining Laboratory in Sahuarita sometime between Aug. 7 and Aug. 14 and removed 34 sticks of ICI Powermax 120, 11 tubes of Magnum 1.1D Emulsions and one canister of Procore Primer, an explosives booster. [Read article]

Students preparing for the upcoming semester by making lists of school supplies are being urged by health experts to add another item to their to-do list: A doctor's visit for a meningitis vaccination.

College students living in residence halls are six times more likely to contract meningitis, a potentially fatal bacterial meningitis that causes inflammation in the linings of the brain and spinal cord, according to the Meningitis Foundation of America. [Read article]

Aspen Fire threatens UA facilities

The Aspen Fire burned more than 85,000 acres between June 17 and July 12, destroying more than 340 homes and businesses and causing more than $15 million of damage to Mt. Lemmon.

The fire came within 100 yards of the Steward Observatory, threatened KUAT's radio towers and damaged the physics department's Cosmic Ray Laboratory on Radio Ridge.

Control lines and back burns prepared by firefighters kept the observatory from harm. [Read article]

How have you been affected by the gas shortage?

"The gas shortage has made me more aware of my driving, I have to start making priorities."

Rachael Schein, psychology freshman

"My car guzzles gas, so I had to have my dad drive me to Tucson, when normally I'd just take my car."

Raymond Rivera, mechanical engineering sophomore

"I've had to wait in line for 50 minutes (for gas), and I've had to make sure to have enough gas to return home." [Read article]

Sophomore from Sierra Vista looks for classes and has a rebellious belly-button piercing

Wildcat: Hi. My name is Nathan and you're on the spot. You are . . .

Goggin: I'm Courtney.

Wildcat: You are Courtney.

Goggin: Goggin.

Wildcat: Goggin. So you know what "On the Spot" means?

Goggin: No. [Read article]

Things you always never wanted to know

· Cows have four stomachs. Often when a calf is born, the farmer will make it swallow a magnet. That is to attract the various nails, staples, tacks, bits of wire and so on that the cow may ingest while grazing. (That odd hunger is known as "hardware disease.") When the animal is slaughtered, the butcher will remove the magnet along with the metallic debris, and sell the mass of iron and steel for scrap. [Read article]

Monday

1875 ÷ Captain Matthew Webb became the first person to swim across the English Channel, traveling from Dover, England, to Calais, France, in 22 hours.

1944 ÷ Paris was liberated by Allied forces after four years of Nazi occupation.

Tuesday

1920 ÷ The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing American women the right to vote, was declared in effect. [Read article]