Undergrad biology team dedicated to UA students

Patrick Leach (Feb. 19 "Mailbag") says he feels bitter toward the UA and cites his experience over five years as a TA in introductory biology. He states, "I saw most UA undergraduates receiving substandard treatment as well."

I have been associated directly with undergraduate biology for 20 years here, originally as a computer support person and more recently as a part of a team that develops online curriculum and adjunct material for various biology classes, most especially the introductory courses. I cannot think of a more dedicated, caring and professional group of people than the professors, TAs and staff who work in support of these courses. Over the years, we have invested a tremendous amount of time and effort to improve and enrich the experience of our students. We treat our students with complete respect, and make every effort to accommodate their needs. The professors have been exceptional in their devotion to office hours, group study sessions and review sessions, establishing tutoring programs, developing web-based curriculum aids and, in general, giving their all to these supposedly mistreated undergrads. The feedback we receive from students supports these assertions. Of course, not everyone feels that way. In courses as large as intro biology, there are bound to be some who feel their particular needs are not being met. It is certainly not for lack of concern, effort or teaching ability. [Read article]

For years, UA students have complained that they don't get enough seating in McKale. "I've been paying tuition for four years, and I've never gotten to see a game," they whine. "All I ever get to do is watch the fans hobble away to their Mercedes SUVs after the games, their khakis wrinkled from long hours of sitting."

I hate to say it, but the alumni are right: Students don't automatically have the right to see basketball games just because they attend this school. Alumni pay good money - tens of thousands of dollars - to attend our premiere team's games. If we students don't work to save up tens of thousands of dollars to contribute to the athletics program, then clearly, we just don't deserve seats at all. [Read article]

John Ashcroft isn't exactly known for being a staunch defender of civil liberties. In the past three years, the attorney general has, among other things, cracked down on immigrants' rights and ordered American librarians to provide information about "suspicious" patrons. (I don't know about you, but when I want to plan a hijacking, my first thought is to make a beeline for the public library. Just imagine all the terrorists who will be caught red-handed thanks to this provision of the Patriot Act.) [Read article]

This week's winners ... and losers

The bomb - The need for speed. Arizona's Senate Natural Resources and Transportation Committee unanimously voted to raise the speed limit on Interstate 10 from 75 to 80 mph. It's about time; most people go at least 80 on the freeway as it is.

A bomb - Some of Arizona's state legislators essentially telling students to stop complaining about another tuition increase. Yes, a college education is an investment, but with its rising costs, it's becoming an investment that many students (and parents) are unable to make. [Read article]