Amanda Beard says she's just another student.

"Sometimes, they call roll in class and people will look when they hear my name, but they don't put it together," she says.

While the rest of the UA community gets ready for a week's worth of semester-ending exams, the retail and consumer sciences junior is prepping for her own final, and it's now just 99 days away.

The course: History 2004.

The classroom: Athens, Greece. [Read article]

In the midst of the war on terrorism and the resistance in Iraq, the debate over reinstating the military draft and adding female conscription is re-igniting.

Registering women is one of several changes to the draft plan proposed by the Selective Service System's chief, Lewis Brodsky.

Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., has recently introduced a bill that would reinstate the draft. Sen. Fritz Hollings, D-S.C., has introduced a corresponding bill in the Senate. [Read article]

For many UA students, today's celebration of Cinco de Mayo offers another chance to party and drink beer. But the holiday actually commemorates the defeat of the French army at Puebla, Mexico, by poorly armed Mexican citizens.

Steven Carrillo, an engineering junior, said the holiday doesn't mean anything to him. He said he thinks it's celebrated to give partygoers another chance to drink beer. [Read article]

Four UA students have won nationally competitive scholarships for their excellence in the areas of science research and American Indian public policy.

UA students Marlene Benally and Bijiibaa Garrison were named 2004 Morris K. Udall Scholars, while Brianna Muhlenkamp and Justin Steinfadt were awarded the 2004 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship.

Karna Walter, assistant director of international studies and scholarships, said although the annual number of UA recipients varies, it is not unusual for the UA to have multiple winners. [Read article]

Student renters shouldn't be worried about paying the city's proposed renter's tax, as city officials say the fee will only impact students paying more than $600 in rent.

The extra monthly fee would only be tacked onto apartments that have a monthly rate of more than $600 and would cost renters between $10 and $15 per month, said Carol West, Ward 5 council member.

"Six hundred dollars per month is where we want to start it," West said. "If your rent is $601, then you'll pay the tax." [Read article]

After serving a year in office, former ASUA senators say not only is it nearly impossible to live up to campaign promises but it might not even be in students' best interest to try to fulfill them.

As last year's Associated Students of the University of Arizona senators finish their term, some said senate projects don't reflect campaign promises but rather what needs to get done and where each senator finds their niche on the UA campus. [Read article]

After weeks of extensive training, three members of UAPD will graduate today and start serving the community. They'll play an important role in explosives and narcotics detection. They'll also assist with patrols.

But what really makes these graduates stand out from other officers is their four legs and fur.

Two black Labrador retrievers, named Michael and Shadow, along with a German shepherd named Dag, received honors with their handlers today at a ceremony at UAPD. [Read article]

As the school year comes to a close and finals week begins, Campus Health officials say it's important for students to do their best not to get burnt out.

They recommended that students start studying for finals now to keep the workload from getting too great, said Mike Strangstalien, a mental health clinician with Counseling and Psychological Services in Campus Health Service.

For those students who are just getting started, he recommends organizing and prioritizing their time. [Read article]

Caitlin Hall, opinions editor and a molecular and cellular biology and philosophy junior, has been named the new editor in chief for the Arizona Daily Wildcat.

Hall, who will lead the Wildcat during the summer and fall, said she is excited for the fresh start.

"You have the opportunity to mold the paper however you see fit, and I'll be able to do that for the next eight months," Hall said.

Hall said as EIC, one of her first and most challenging priorities is to redesign the Wildcat, something that should improve the paper's readership. [Read article]

Ex-ASUA officer gets bad phone reception, thinks she and new VP are different

Rainer: Hi. Did you call me?

Wildcat: Yeah. We're just doing a little ASUA wrap-up, and I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions.

Rainer: OK.

Wildcat: So, now that you're being replaced by someone who I personally feel is a little more qualified for the job, Sara, what direction do you think ASUA will take? [Read article]

Question: What are these mysterious messages that occasionally appear in the Daily Wildcat, like the one on the back of the paper on April 30? What is the meaning of their cryptic and vaguely religious code? Is it the work of Freemasons? Aliens? A campus cryptography club? Or is ASUA just trying out a new means of releasing announcements in hopes that if we don't know what it says, we won't realize how little they do? [Read article]