MALLORY LORING/Arizona Daily Wildcat ASUA senator Ben Weiss, a political science junior, and secretary Kari Collins, an undeclared freshman, got a head start on Halloween at the ASUA meeting last night. Senators decided to dress in costume for their weekly meeting.

ASUA senators were briefed on plans for the 3.7 million Alumni Plaza at last night's senate meeting.

The UA Alumni Association will organize a groundbreaking celebration on Nov. 7 on the Mall.

Construction on the 108,000 sq. ft. plaza, which begins during winter break, will be completed by Oct. 1, 2004.

Mike McDonald, a representative of the association, said the plaza would serve as a multifunctional open space where informal and formal events can be held.

In front of the Administration building, there will be an amphitheater where dance and band performances can be held. There will also be a raised grassy hill where students can sit and watch the stage.

The plan includes planting 55 to 70 new trees between the Student Union Memorial Center, Administration building and the Modern Languages building, and enlarging the Joseph Wood Krutch cactus garden.

The project also includes several fountains, a statue and 8-foot plaza benches.

Students will be impacted by the construction, but the plans are to get the major work done in three months, McDonald said.

Bicycle and pedestrian paths near the Modern Languages building will be affected and bike traffic will be curbed elsewhere. Access to the union will be restricted, with only the east side entrance remaining open through the whole project.

"The plaza will engage the alumni and connect them with their passion for the UA campus," McDonald said.

However, senators did have some concerns regarding construction.

Senator Brian Seastone commented on the fact that the plans required for a portion of the Mall to be paved, reducing the area where students can play football or toss the Frisbee.

McDonald said that only the portion in front of the Administration building will be impacted and that the paving is for aesthetic reasons.

Seastone also asked what would happen to the trees already in place around the area.

Trees already placed will be transplanted to the east side of the Administration building and no new palm trees will be added. If they are removed they will be put back in place once the construction is done, McDonald said.

The ASUA Senate approved the appropriations board's consent agenda for $2,689.58 in special funding for five clubs.

Only one club did not receive the amount of funding it originally requested. The National Society of Black Engineers requested $1,102.65 but only received $915.15.

The reason the club could not receive all the money it requested was because ASUA has set a precedent of not providing more than $1,000 in funding to an individual club.

Patrick McNamara, Outreach and Development director, told senators about some of the alumni homecoming events that will be taking place.

On Nov. 7, a tent will be out on the Mall from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. where UA alumni and students can mingle.

McNamara said that he hopes a senator can be there for the whole time so that students and alumni can get to know ASUA officers and see their faces.

The ASUA freshman and sophomore class councils will also be out on the Mall providing face painting for anyone who wants it.

The Desert - UA's yearbook - the UA band and cheerleaders will all be out on the Mall as well.

Darin Yee, University Relations director, also spoke to the senators about the President's Breakfast, held next Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Marriott Hotel.

The breakfast includes President Peter Likins as well as 10 UA students who are interested in representing the

student body and having discussions with Likins on various topics of their concern.

Applications are now available to students who are interested in attending the breakfast.

Yee said he hopes a diverse group of students will apply.

Senator Jacob Reuben asked what kind of qualifications students must meet in order to be chosen.

Yee said that there are no real qualifications and that he would like a good mix of students from all classes.

He also said that they want a good group of students to represent the campus and that choices are primarily based on students' applications.

Executive Vice President Melanie Rainer made an announcement reminding senators of the upcoming Club Olympics, saying she expects all of them to attend.

The event will be held on Nov. 7 and Nov. 8 on the Mall. Clubs can still sign up for the event until Friday but late sign-ups may be accepted.

The event allows clubs to test their athletic ability against one another in games like hot dog-eating and trivia contests.