ROTC cadets prepare for upcoming 'Ranger Challenge' in Calif.

In the cold morning air, a group of 15 elite ROTC cadets trudged sleepily up the steps of the UA's South Hall.

It was 5:30 a.m.

The students, clad in lightweight uniforms, waited two weeks ago for their team captain to lead stretches as they prepared to take the Army physical fitness test. The cadets worked in virtual silence, broken only by the captain's occasional command to switch stretches. [Read article]

Students could face a $500 tuition increase this year if regents and the three university presidents decide to reach their goal of getting university tuition to rank at the top of the bottom one-third of other senior universities.

According to data compiled by the Arizona Board of Regents, the UA is exactly $497 away from the top of the bottom one-third, or the 34th spot on the tuition roster.

This increase would come on the heels of last year's record setting $1,000 tuition increase for resident undergraduates. [Read article]

Student lobbyists hold off on proposal

Student Body President J.P. Benedict reversed an earlier statement last week, saying that student lobbyists will not release a tuition proposal until mid-February.

At the beginning of the semester, Benedict said the tuition proposal would be released within weeks; but now he says the proposal will be released at the same time it was released last year. [Read article]

While still on probation for hazing violations, the Chain Gang Junior Honorary is turning a punishment into a positive, and being rewarded for it.

Chain Gang received a $200 award Wednesday for drafting a proposal that provides campus clubs with alternatives to hazing.

The Dean of Students Office established the award this year to encourage clubs and organizations on campus to think of creative ways to get new members involved without hazing them. [Read article]

Student Body President J.P. Benedict is saving a seat for you at his lunch table.

Benedict, in a move he said is modeled after Franklin D. Roosevelt's fireside chats, is inviting students to come to his lunch table every other Monday to talk to him about anything they want.

"A lot of people enjoyed him opening up," Benedict said of the former president, whose fireside chats aired on the radio in the '30s. [Read article]

Things you always never wanted to know

Senior has well-groomed and patterned facial hair and thinks Seattle's Best is not giving its best

Wildcat: Hi, my name's Nathan and you're On the Spot.

Dawson: Good to meet you. I'm Jamie.

Wildcat: Is it cold being bald this time of year?

Dawson: Naw ... well, sometimes it is. Right now it's great. Perfect weather. When it gets too cold, I got to put the beanie on and protect the ears. [Read article]

Flandrau Science Center approved as part of Rio Nuevo

The University of Arizona Science Center has officially become part of the city's Rio Nuevo downtown redevelopment project.

The Tucson City Council voted unanimously to include the center in the redevelopment project Monday.

The move allows the science center to qualify for $20 million in funding from the Rio Nuevo Multipurpose Facilities District. [Read article]