An attempt to create a human Israeli flag on the UA Mall yesterday was interrupted when protesters floated a set of red balloons over the crowd, trying to create the illusion of a bloodstain on the flag.

More than 100 students and supporters of Israel formed the Star of David in the flag to celebrate the 56th anniversary of the creation of the state of Israel and to show support for the nation. [Read article]

Likins says UA 'national leader' in labor movement; others have doubts

Five years ago this week, President Peter Likins was a visitor in his own office. A group of about 40 UA students were living on the seventh floor of the administration building, refusing to budge until Likins agreed to meet their demands: to stop labor abuses in the factories that manufacture UA clothing.

The UA's Students Against Sweatshops began the protest on April 21, 1999, and continued the sit-in for 10 days. [Read article]

Arizona's governor is eager to see universities rewarded for improving their graduation rates, but one of her top aides warns that another facet of a wide-ranging plan to reconsider university funding strategies may be too ambitious.

Gov. Janet Napolitano said yesterday that an Arizona Board of Regents proposal to offer universities financial incentives to raise graduation rates would improve the state's economy by preparing more students for high-wage jobs. [Read article]

To celebrate and honor the life of Joseph Johnson, a resident assistant killed in a motorcycle accident two weeks ago, about 120 people attended a memorial service yesterday at Graham-Greenlee Residence Hall.

"Your impact on others is more than you ever imagined," read one of several messages written on the courtyard ground in chalk. The wall read, "In Loving Memory of Joe."

The memorial service included a barbecue and canned food drive. The food will be given to the Salvation Army, as requested by Johnson's parents. [Read article]

In an effort to motivate students to attend college, Sigma Lambda Beta, a Latino fraternity, gave students from Amphitheater High School a taste of college life yesterday.

Twelve high school students met with the fraternity, which works in conjunction with Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, a college outreach program, to prepare and encourage low-income students for higher education. [Read article]

The ASUA Senate approved a resolution last night that ASUA opposes any fee not waived for students with merit-based aid or need-based aid.

On April 24, 2003, at the Arizona Board of Regents meeting, Mark Zupan, then-dean of the Eller College of Management, pledged that the Eller College of Business and Public Administration would protect students with merit-based and need-based financial aid from the $500 fee after last year's Associated Students of Arizona Senate wrote a request to do so. [Read article]

Ticketmaster thinks 'On the Spot' is show from Australia, running at the TCC, or not showing at all

Wildcat: (Standing at Centennial Hall ticket window) I was just wondering, could I get the dates and ticket prices for "On the Spot?"

Puga: Uh, for what?

Wildcat: "On the Spot."

Puga: What is that?

Wildcat: Do you guys show it here at all?

Puga's Co-Worker: When is it? [Read article]

Things you always never wanted to know

Question:

When and why did the university colors change from green and silver to red and blue?

Answer:

All right, if it's a history lesson you want, it's a history lesson you'll get.

Once upon a time in 1899, before they were even called "Wildcats," the UA football team had "uniforms" that weren't more than "padded canvas pants, old shoes to which a local shoemaker attached cleats and shoulder pads made of old shirts stuffed under their shirts," according to the UA Web site. "Practice" meant getting up early and running to Fort Lowell and back, just in time for a quick shower before class. The original team was so hardcore it played without headgear whatsoever - never mind the fact that they couldn't afford the equipment anyway. [Read article]