Regents have final say on proposed activity fee

Even if students vote in favor of the activity fee that appears on a special elections ballot in three days, it needs the approval of the Arizona Board of Regents.

And the regents say they're not sure they support the refundable $30 per year activity fee because it seems too rushed.

"I think when a student vote takes place, there (should) be enough time to have a thorough discussion," said Chris Herstam, president of the board. "This is all happening very quickly." [Read article]

PHOENIX - A bill that would push the last call for alcohol sales back an hour moved one step closer to becoming a law yesterday.

The legislation gained initial approval, passing out of the Senate Committee of the Whole by a vote of 13-8.

The Senate must take a final vote on the bill before it is passed to the governor's desk.

Gov. Janet Napolitano has said she would sign the bill into law.

Sen. Jorge Garcia, D-Tucson, said the bill is an example of bar owners preying on college-aged students. [Read article]

On his first day as a Cat Tran driver, Artie Eck realized he was dealing with no ordinary band of passengers.

While driving around campus, Eck said he started singing and got a complaint from a passenger who apparently did not enjoy his complimentary rendition of a song on the radio.

"Boy, it's a hard crowd I'm dealing with," Eck said good-humoredly.

Although some people might mind the singing, it hasn't kept them off the shuttle. [Read article]

Spring Fling coordinators, worried that few people will visit the carnival this year because it falls on Easter weekend, hope new incentives will keep attendance up.

Spring Fling, the largest student-run carnival in the country, will take place April 8-11.

"We were disappointed at first, but we are working around it," said Tricia Domschke, Spring Fling public relations director.

Spring Fling, an event with a $195,000 budget, always falls on the second week of April and could not be changed this year because the Pima County Fairgrounds already had commitments on other weekends, said Lindsay Urbank, Spring Fling executive director. [Read article]

PHOENIX - A state lawmaker has put the brakes on legislation that would have raised the speed limit on rural interstates to 80 mph.

Rep. Gary Pierce, R-Mesa, refused to hear the bill in the House Committee on Transportation, where he is chairman.

The bill had gained approval in the state Senate and could have given Arizona the state's highest speed limit.

Pierce said the bill was pointless because it would have given the Arizona Department of Transportation the power to study the possibility of raising the speed limit and to decide whether to raise it. The bill would not have mandated an increase. [Read article]

Student leaders who back the $30 per year activity fee have yet to discuss logistics with the Bursar's Office and the Budget Office, a fact that administrators say might cause problems if students and regents approve the fee.

Dick Roberts, budget director, said before the fee can be executed, a proper network must be set up to regulate where the money goes, as with any university revenue.

But Roberts said no student leaders have contacted him about the student activity fee. [Read article]

Joel Feinberg, a distinguished UA philosophy professor and noted author, died Monday from complications with Parkinson's disease. He was 77.

Feinberg taught courses in social and political philosophy, ethics and law, and morality at the UA for 17 years. He retired in 1994.

During his career, Feinberg received the honor of Regents Professor of philosophy and law, the highest mark of distinction the UA offers. [Read article]

The trial date for an accused serial rapist suspected of committing several assaults around the UA in 2001 and 2002 has been set for June 1.

James Allen Selby, 37, is charged with four campus-area rapes, along with more than 25 other crimes ranging from attempted murder to kidnapping.

Selby was ordered to appear in Pima County Superior Court Wednesday after refusing to attend previous court dates. [Read article]

Freshmen ponder prospect of noncommittal makeout, holidays, one-night stands

Wildcat: I'm Eliza from the Wildcat, and you're on the spot. How you feeling today?

Saucier: Terrible.

Wildcat: Terrible, why?

Saucier: 'Cause it's a terrible day out. And I failed my math test, so ...

Wildcat: That sucks. Are you a big fan of NCMO?

Saucier: (laughing) What the hell is that? [Read article]

Things you always never wanted to know

Quotes this week from around campus and around the world

"We're pissed."
- David Ybarra, an electrical engineering sophomore and Zona Zoo pass-holder, in response to the "Zona Zoo and Wildcard Sports Passes Not Accepted" sign posted at the UA vs. Team USA softball game.

"If majors are doubled and faculty is cut in half, the bottom line is obvious."
- Bill Mishler, head of the political science department, on why nonmajors are being booted from upper-division political science courses. [Read article]