PHOENIX ÷ A law that would have made universities accept woodworking or high school auto shop credits in lieu of fine arts credits required for undergraduate admission was voted down yesterday.

The bill failed by a 6-6 vote despite arguments from people who said technical vocational classes better prepared students for careers in engineering and other fields.

Rep. Olivia Cajero Bedford, D-Tucson, the bill's sponsor, said it was unfair to force students into taking an arts class when their interests might fall in more technical fields.

"Is nursing services less important than introductory art? Is business management less important than modern dance? Is horticulture less important than ceramic sculpture? · What I am saying is that they are equal," Cajero Bedford said.

A cooperative group from the three state universities assessed the issue earlier this year and determined career vocational and technical credits should not be recognized in university admission standards, said Kathy McGonigle, Arizona Board of Regents spokeswoman.

McGonigle said university presidents prefer a system that would allow students to use vocational credits in place of fine arts only when they apply to their prospective major.

But it wouldn't go into effect until 2006 when admission requirements will become more rigorous.

Most universities across the country don't accept career technical training in the place of fine arts credits, McGonigle said.

Rep. John Hupenthal, R-Chandler, said his high school woodworking class helped prepare him for his college engineering studies. He questioned whether the current requirements are keeping capable high school students not interested in art out of college.

"When I was in high school I took woodworking, and drafting. · The question I have for you is could I have gotten into college under your requirements," Hupenthal asked McGonigle.

The bill posed a difficult question. Should the state legislature be able decided university admission requirements, which until now has been the duty of the board of regents?

"Micromanaging at the university level for admissions purposes is a dangerous, dangerous area to tread on," said Rep. Ben Miranda, D-Phoenix.

UA professor and Democratic Rep. Ted Downing had a slightly harsher criticism of the bill.

"For over a hundred years we haven't opened the barn door of allowing the Legislature to step in and set the admission standards for our universities. I can guarantee you that that will create immense division and vocal fights within our society," Downing said.

Downing also said he suffered in his early years of college because of lax admission standards that didn't include fine arts requirements.

Although the bill failed, the Board of Regents will continue to address the matter while drafting new undergraduate admission requirements that will kick in by 2006, McGonigle said.