The UA library plans to cut book orders and journal subscriptions across the board by 16 percent over the next two years, a move intended to combat inflation and a lack of additional funding.

Librarians are in the process of determining which library materials will be missed the least, said Stephen Bosch, associate librarian. The cuts are necessary to avoid what librarians expect will become a $1.3 million deficit by 2006. The library's budget is about $9 million. [Read article]

Full-tuition waivers may be reality within 3 years

The UA will increase graduate teaching and research assistants' tuition waivers from 50 percent to 60 percent next year, and may boost that amount to 100 percent within three years, President Peter Likins said yesterday.

That means next year the university will waive about $2,550 of the $4,248 tuition for graduate assistants, who all pay the in-state rate regardless of whether they are Arizona residents. [Read article]

Pima RA, residents Îtin foil' fellow RA's entire dorm room

What started off as an April Fools' prank ended with the firing of a Pima Residence Hall RA.

Around 8 a.m. on April Fools' Day, Phillip Chavira and two other students entered the room of another Pima resident assistant and used 400 square feet of tin foil to cover the entire room.

"We tin-foiled the contents of her room: her TV, books, shoes," Chavira said. [Read article]

The fee debate will be back.

Although many of the activity fee's biggest supporters are graduating in May, future student leaders are already thinking about what went wrong in the election so they can get the $30 per year fee past a student vote next year.

The fee was voted down by 56.5 percent of the 3,006 students who took part in the election this week.

Cody Ortmann, Associated Students of the University of Arizona senator-elect, said he understands the intense level of commitment the fee initiative requires and already has ideas for next year. [Read article]

Earlier this week, the Wildcat asked UA students, "If you could ask or tell Gov. Janet Napolitano anything, what would it be?"

After compiling the questions, the Wildcat sat down with the governor yesterday to ask her some of the questions students raised.

Wildcat: The Legislature's budget isn't looking too good for university funding. Are you going to sign off on anything that doesn't have a significant increase in funding for the universities? [Read article]

Tucsonans and UA students made their way to Rillito Downs for a fun night of boosters and megadrops as part of the 30th annual Spring Fling.

"I enjoyed the Megadrop," said Matt Laskin, an anthropology sophomore.

"It was a rush, but they need to fix that flag on the top of the ride," said Laskin, referring to an American flag loosely attached to the top of the Megadrop.

But Laskin said he didn't go on many other rides last night. [Read article]

Freshman has phobia of foam, trained by sisters to never tell a girl she's Îfat'

Wildcat: Excuse me, do you have a couple of minutes?

Mendelis: That depends, what is this for?

Wildcat: I'm Claire from the Daily Wildcat and you're on the spot. Is that good enough for you?

Mendelis: Sure, I guess.

Wildcat: What's your favorite red thing?

Mendelis: Andrew's shirt · because it's on Andrew and he's a good guy. [Read article]

Things you always never wanted to know

Quotes this week from campus and around the world

"It'd be nice to meet a person to move back to Tucson. I'd like to meet my future wife in Tucson. I'm really like everybody-fucking-else."

÷Rapper MURS on keeping it real in Tucson.

"I'm going to be honest: A real defined timeline is not in place yet."

÷ ASUA Sen. Nick Bajema on the logistics of setting up the student activity fee if passed by students. [Read article]