Three speakers approved by ASUA

At last night's Graduate and Professional Student Council meeting, Internal Vice President Brittney Williams announced that there was a last minute surge in participants for Friday and Saturday's Student Showcase.

This year's Student Showcase will have 70 participants, up from 28 only two weeks ago. There were 75 participants last year.

The Student Showcase is an undergraduate and graduate level research competition held every year during Homecoming. The showcase will be on the mall this weekend.

The council also voted to send a letter regarding further tuition remissions for graduate students to the administration and the Arizona Board of Regents.

Graduate assistants received a 50 percent tuition remission last year, which covered the cost of this year's tuition hike. They are now requesting a 100 percent remission.

The issue is on the agenda for the Regents next meeting on Nov. 20 here at UA.

Several representatives said this was especially important after hearing that Likins will propose another $1,000-$1,200 tuition increase at the Regents' meeting.

At last night's senate meeting, $1,135.60 in special funding was approved by the senate for Theta Nu Xi and Cats for Kids.

Theta Nu Xi requested $290.75 for their "Create a Hate Free Zone" forum, which deals with stereotypes and derogatory language. The club received $326.60, more then what they requested, because the Appropriations Board believed they should receive more money for advertisement of the event.

The forum is Nov. 13.

Cats for Kids requested $1,142.75 but only received $809.00 for their child-focused service day. The event, entitled "The Lil' Event", will bring together campus organization to participate in activities with Tucson-area children. The event is on Nov. 22.

The board decided to fund one bus instead of two and one van for the event. This was done in order to follow the previous precedent of only funding clubs up to $1,000.00.

The senate also approved a speaker's contract for the final three speakers of the school year for the ASUA Speaker's board. Jay Friedman, Tracy Gold, and Elizabeth Wurtzel will finish off this year's series.

Friedman is a sex educator who will be speaking on Feb. 12, during Sexual Awareness Week.

Gold is set to speak on Jan. 28. She will discuss eating disorders and body image.

Wurtzel will be speaking on Mar.10 about depression.

"Depression is a huge issue that people don't talk about," said Shana Metzger, Speaker's Board director.

Senators questioned the amount that Gold and Elizabeth were given in the contract. Gold will be paid $10,000 and Elizabeth will be paid $8,000.00.

Metzger said these numbers are high but that the board can cover the costs in their budget. However, Metzger is unsure whether or not the board will have any money left over after the funds are given.

Metzger said it all depends on who cosponsors the lectures. She said that UAB and the Student Health Advisory Council are both interested in helping fund the speakers.

Even though it doesn't look like it, the prices are actually a good deal, Metzger said.

The reasons for the high price were that Gold usually asks up to $12,000 and Wurtzel's book, Prozac Nation, will be made into a movie in March, increasing her speaker's fee in the future.