Police take heat for underage drinking raids

Tucson police have received an increasing number of complaints from parents and students with their attempts to weed out underage drinkers.

Negative sentiment came to a head following the arrest of 36 students on Oct. 17. The students were traveling in a bus from the Vagabond Hotel after a Gamma Phi Beta sorority date dash.

For the first time, police met significant resistance from community members, said Capt. John Leavitt of the Tucson Police Department midtown division. [Read article]

Zupan leaves UA after 6-year stint

Awards and UA memorabilia crowd Mark Zupan's office, the evidence of six years of service to the UA. Next semester, all of those reminders will be cleared away.

On Jan. 1, Zupan, who has been the dean of the Eller College of Business and Public Administration since 1997, will assume his new position as dean of the William E. Simon School of Business Administration at the University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y. [Read article]

Although the Office of Student Financial Aid is still not comfortable with a new computer system that delayed distribution of millions of financial aid dollars in the fall, officials say students won't have the same headaches in the spring.

Disbursement of financial aid is set to happen on schedule on Jan. 8, the earliest date allowed by law, said John Nametz, director of need-based aid.

At the beginning of the fall semester, many students waited in long lines at the financial aid office, waiting to get their scholarships and financial aid that for some people came two to three weeks late. The money was held up by the implementation of a new computer system called Matrix, Nametz said. [Read article]

Some Tucson bar owners are beginning to voice their opinions about increased police enforcement in their bars - and things may soon get a bit louder.

Luke Cusack, owner of The Keys, is on the cusp of bringing "extremely severe legal actions" against the City of Tucson. He thinks that large-scale police raids on bars and restaurants are affecting business owners and creating a state of prohibition in Tucson. [Read article]

Applications are due tomorrow for the $500 merit-based scholarships that ASUA and the Parents' Association are offering to 12 undergraduate students.

Students must have at least sophomore status and a cumulative grade point average of 3.0. In addition, they must not have been a paid 2003 - 2004 ASUA official.

Applicants must submit an unofficial transcript, a resumŽ and complete an application consisting of three questions regarding their stay at the UA. [Read article]

Longtime fan finally gets a word in with her favorite Wildcat employee; digs his beard, glasses

Wildcat: My name's Nathan and you're On the Spot. You don't know how nervous I was to meet the only girl that ever wrote me a fan letter.

Jensen: I love your column.

Wildcat: I was hoping I wouldn't scare you with my beard, and you'd think I'm a psycho or something.

Jensen: No, I like beards. [Read article]

Benefit Christma Party

Tucson child (center) meets Santa for the first time at a benefit Christmas party sponsored by members of Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority. Fifteen underprivileged children were treated to dinner and presents at the sorority house Wednesday night. The parents of the children (representing four families) each received a Christmas tree.

Have a safe and happy holiday season, everyone. Good luck on finals and enjoy the break! [Read article]

Things you always never wanted to know