The UA's search for life on other planets has gotten a $5 million boost.

In August, about 15 UA scientists joined the NASA Astrobiology Institute and the National Optical Astronomy Observatory to search for life inside and outside the solar system.

The UA will receive a $1 million-per- year budget from the NAI that lasts for five years before the UA must reapply.

"It is really hard to get into this program," said Nick Woolf, professor of astronomy, who leads the Tucson-based project. "Even schools like Harvard got denied this time around." [Read article]

Top administrators yesterday ended a two-year hiring freeze that prevented departments from employing new staff without approval from a university vice president, according to a memo from Provost George Davis.

The freeze was originally implemented in late 2001 to help offset a $13.9 million state-mandated budget cut. Though the university has suffered more than $40 million in cuts since the freeze began, the UA now has a good enough grip on the budget crisis that departments can be freer to hire new staff, several administrators said yesterday. [Read article]

When last year's budget cuts threatened student jobs at UApresents, they decided to take action.

The student employees formed the UApresents student association to work with the communication and development departments and come up with some solutions to save their jobs.

The student employees met with UApresents' full time staff at the end of last semester. At that meeting and the ones that followed, they found ways to save money and agreed to work with the full-time UApresents staff to promote the shows and bring in bigger audiences. [Read article]

At last night's ASUA Senate meeting, the first Club of the Month award was given to Chain Gang Junior Honorary.

"Through numerous philanthropic events, Chain Gang furthers the notion that college students truly care about the communities they live in," said Marc Viscardi, president of Chain Gang.

This award comes just a few months after the Dean of Students' Office placed Chain Gang on probation for hazing and alcohol violations. [Read article]

Architecture student enjoys Tucson's temperature, wouldn't lay out naked on the UA Mall

Wildcat: What are y'all doing right now?

Joslin: Drawing this building in perspective.

Wildcat: Do you like Tucson?

Joslin: I do because of the temperature; I live up in Tempe, so it's a little cooler here.

Wildcat: So you like UA or ASU better?

Joslin: UA [Read article]

Addressing all your most important questions and concerns

Question: How many bicycles are stolen on campus every year?

Answer: I still remember that sad day last summer when I walked out of the Cherry Avenue Garage to find an empty space on the bike rack where I had left my old beach cruiser Diamondback bicycle the week before. (It was the coolest bike ever too! It had a basket, a water-bottle holder and three speeds!) [Read article]

Things you always never wanted to know