Today marks the last day of classes for the roughly 2,400 students who will graduate next week.

"It's especially hectic around here right now, with graduation and everything," said planning graduate student Marilyn Robinson.

The 129th Commencement Ceremony will take place in the McKale Center on Dec. 20, with the procession of candidates beginning at 9:10 a.m.

Degrees will be conferred upon about 2,400 students by President Peter Likins. Almost 2,000 undergraduate, 440 master's, and 213 doctoral degrees will be presented, said Vern Lamplot, associate director of News Services. [Read article]

First in families to earn degrees

When Carlos Martinez moved to Tucson from Mexico at the age of 9, he didn't speak any English.

Next week, the 21-year-old will graduate from the UA with a degree in computer engineering. Alongside him at the ceremony will be his older brother Salvador, 23, who will receive a degree in electrical engineering.

The two will be the first in their family to graduate from college. [Read article]

The Honors College has received additional funding to increase the number of classes offered next semester, but honors students have not noticed the impact.

Provost George Davis granted the Honors College about $100,000 to be used to increase the number of honors sections offered or to hire more faculty members to teach honors sections next semester, said Patricia MacCorquodale, dean of the college. [Read article]

A group of 65 residents of the La Aldea graduate student-housing complex have come together to form a residents association because of their dissatisfaction with the apartments.

Members of the association, which formed last month, drafted a four-page letter, expressing their concerns over construction delays and disturbances, safety issues, and amenities at the apartment complex. They sent the letter to Residence Life and to Ambling Companies, the company that manages La Aldea. [Read article]

'Underground' will serve as 'safe' party spot tonight

Students can trade in alcohol for a root beer keg and drinking games for a round of Blackjack at tonight's UA Latenight.

UA Latenight, held from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. in Wilbur's Underground, is a night of prizes and activities that is sponsored by the Collaboration Board to keep students from drinking.

The Collaboration Board includes representatives from ASUA, the University Activities Board, Panhellenic Association, Interfraternity Council, Residence Housing Association and Student Media. [Read article]

As classes end and exams begin, many students might be feeling the stress of finals week.

But if students adhere to a few tips, officials say they are more likely to ace the tests than stress over them.

"The first thing to do is not to wait too long to begin studying," said Michael Strangstalien, mental health clinician at UA's Counseling and Psychological Services. "Start preparing a little each day." [Read article]

When molecular and cellular biology senior Long Trinh was a child, her family fled Vietnam to the United States in a homemade boat to escape the Viet Cong.

Now Trinh, who will graduate on Dec. 20, is one of six students who will be receiving the Centennial Awards, which are given to UA student leaders and volunteers.

The award, which is being offered for its 19th year, is given to two students from undergraduate, master's and doctoral programs. [Read article]

Free of fences and construction, students this semester were finally able to gather on the Mall, toss around Frisbees, kick soccer balls and walk to their classes without navigating obstructions.

Students may be disappointed when they return to school in January to find a large chunk of the Mall once again swallowed up by fences to allow for construction of the Alumni Plaza.

Construction of the plaza will take place in the area directly south of the Administration building, and fencing will cover the adjacent section of the Mall and extend to the Modern Languages building to the east and the Student Union Memorial Center to the west. [Read article]

Over the summer, Saul Loeb was at the White House Rose Garden taking pictures of the U.S. president and the prime minister of Israel.

Now he is taking charge of nearly 100 people, as the new editor in chief of the Arizona Daily Wildcat.

Loeb, who served as an intern for Knight-Ridder Tribune in Washington, D.C. this past summer, has been published by The Boston Globe and Detroit Free Press to name a few. [Read article]

140 over weekend

Roughly 140 people, mostly UA students, were arrested this weekend for drinking underage at a bar and house party.

The first bust came at approximately 9 p.m. on Friday night when, responding to an anonymous tip, deputies from the Southern Arizona DUI Task Force caught 96 minors consuming alcohol at the Stingray Lounge, 4550 S. Palo Verde Road.

The students had been bussed to the lounge by Wild West Promotions, said Deputy Dawn M. Barkman, spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff's Department. [Read article]

Students who can't decide between a career in business or science have another lucrative option.

With the UA's professional master's degree program, which began in fall of 2000, students can combine both science and business-based studies into one degree.

There will be an informational meeting concerning the degree program today at 5:15 p.m. in the Physics and Atmospheric Science building, Room 218. [Read article]

Outgoing editor wants predecessor to cover him in ranch, thinks he's similar to Al Sharpton

Wildcat: Jeff, this is your last issue as editor of the Wildcat.

Sklar: I said that a year ago, too.

Wildcat: So you think you'll make a return to editor again?

Sklar: No. Not on your life.

Wildcat: Why not? You've had it? You're through? Nothing else you'd like to do? [Read article]

Arizona State Museum to honor local Indian communities

The Arizona State Museum will host a reception to publicly thank the heads of three local American Indian communities for their assistance in helping preserve ASM's remarkable pottery collection. Terry Enos, chairman of the Ak-Chin Indian Community, Richard Narcia, governor of the Gila River Indian Community, and Joni Ramos, president of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, will be honored at the event. [Read article]

Things you always never wanted to know