Disruption minimized during ÎPlaza' work

The Alumni Association would like to clarify a few statements made in the Oct. 30 issue of the Wildcat regarding the construction of Alumni Plaza.

As reported, the construction of the plaza is expected to be completed within nine months, commencing mid-December 2003 and wrapping up early October 2004. The project will have six phases designed to minimize the adverse impact of the project's construction upon pedestrian and bicycle traffic around the Administration building. The first phase ÷ December through February ÷ will have the greatest impact on traffic, especially bicycle traffic. Details about the construction schedule will be available shortly at www.fdc.arizona.edu/ [Read article]

As the semester rolls on and builds momentum as it does every year, I always look forward to what the month of November brings. It signals the home stretch of the fall semester, which is both exciting and a little scary. The belt-busting few days of Thanksgiving is just around the corner. The cooler, but wonderful Arizona weather I talked so much about last week is finally here to stay. In addition to all these wonderful things November brings, it is also when we get to exercise our greatest right as United States citizens. We get to vote. [Read article]

In the last several weeks, the daily comic strip "Sarape's Grill,"

illustrated by Arnie Bermudez, has become a topic of discussion in the Mailbag section of the Wildcat. The comic strip follows the life of Sarape, a Mexican immigrant in the "Old West" who owns a restaurant, wears a zarape and interacts with a variety of characters. Many readers are offended by Bermudez's depiction of Mexican American, Hispanic and Chicano culture. [Read article]

Salam alaikoum! I am writing to inform everybody that the Islamic holy month of Ramadan began Oct. 27. During this month, Muslims (or submitters) fast from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from all food and drink as well as other physical indulgences. The purity of a Muslim's mental life is also critical during this month, and thus all fasters strive to abstain from negative thoughts of any kind. In particular, lies, slander, broken promises and greed are to be avoided. A Muslim must intend, within his or her innermost self, to fast for the sake of God. A fast must not be undertaken with an unwilling spirit. [Read article]