Service remembers lives lost 62 years ago

About 500 people gathered yesterday on the UA Mall to remember those killed aboard the USS Arizona, docked at Pearl Harbor, 62 years ago.

The ceremony included music from the U.S. Navy Band, reading of poetry written by Pearl Harbor survivors, and the ringing of the USS Arizona bell in memory of the eight Arizonans still entombed in the wreckage of the sunken ship. [Read article]

A random slur written on a bathroom stall, a note carved into a wooden tabletop, graffiti spray painted in an underpass ÷ it might seem like harmless fun to students and community members, but that fun is costing the UA thousands of dollars every year.

"Graffiti like this is very common, and happens on a daily basis," said Deryl Smith, assistant director of landscape management.

Every morning around 6 a.m., campus maintenance crews sweep the UA and try to remove graffiti before it is seen by any student, visitor or faculty member. [Read article]

Improvements to advising and adjustments to the general education requirements are two of the concerns students want the new vice provost for instruction to address.

The four candidates for the position will hold public forums this week to speak with the university community and gain insight on the status of undergraduate instruction.

Students who crowded into the library this weekend to prepare for upcoming finals have some suggestions for the four candidates. [Read article]

Federal grant will help students redesign, improve South Tucson

Students and faculty in the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture are revitalizing neighborhoods in South Tucson, thanks to a $394,225 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The grant was awarded last month as part of the national Community Outreach Partnership Centers competition. Only 20 grants totaling $6.87 million were presented to colleges and universities. [Read article]

The new dean of the College of Medicine is arriving in March, bringing his expertise in both business and science to the table.

Dr. Keith A. Joiner, 55, is making his way from Yale, where he is the associate chairman of the department of medicine. At the UA, he will oversee the entire medical school. He is replacing the interim dean of the College of Medicine, Dr. Kenneth Ryan, who has served since July 2002. [Read article]

With the recent suicide of a UA student and with finals fast approaching, J.P Benedict, ASUA president, will be promoting Ulifeline to help students cope with the everyday pressures of college life.

Ulifeline is a mental health Web site geared toward college students.

Benedict said that suicide does happen, as evidenced by the recent suicide of a student in Sierra Residence Hall in November.

"Students get lonely, depressed and anxious, especially with finals coming up," Benedict said. [Read article]

Music senior plays trombone and makes National Geographic collage when bored

Wildcat: My name's Nathan and you're On the Spot. Where are you coming from?

Escoto: I just came out of a rehearsal for Wind Ensemble.

Wildcat: What do you play?

Escoto: Trombone.

Wildcat: I was in band when I was in high school. But band people, I have to admit: They're weird. Do you think so? I had to get out. [Read article]

Today

1941 ÷ The United States entered World War II as Congress declared war against Japan, a day after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

1980 ÷ Rock musician John Lennon of the Beatles was shot to death outside his New York City apartment building by a deranged fan.

1995 ÷ The Grateful Dead announced it was breaking up after 30 years of making music. The news came four months after the death of lead guitarist Jerry Garcia. [Read article]

Things you always never wanted to know