Benedict responsible for voting competition loss

Did everybody see J.P. Benedict's wonderful display of positive leadership yesterday ("ASU wins annual voter challenge")? Let me quote: "The punishment should be good because if students ask why I am wearing the shirt, I can say it's because they didn't register to vote."

Yeah, that's right, J.P., we should be punished for your administration's shortcomings. Your failure to abundantly advertise this competition should be directly the fault of your constituency. Let us be your proverbial scapegoat. [Read article]

I hope everyone is ready to roll up his sleeves and get into the ring, so to speak, as the new semester gets rolling. It seems like every spring semester I come back to Tucson after a relaxing break and holiday season where I sit on the couch and eat, hang out with the family or have fun. And then I'm hurled helplessly back into the chaotic rapids that are the UA.

If you're not ready for all the activity we left behind when we took our little break, it'll hit you like a Mack truck or blow right by you, leaving you in the dust. And right now, there is no larger issue than the tuition increase that looms before us in the coming months. [Read article]

This week's winners and losers

A bomb - The Alumni Plaza. Contrary to popular belief, it's not being funded by taxpayer or tuition dollars - but that's not enough to make it a good idea. It seems the only thing the plaza is good for is providing a barrier to students scuttling to class.

Da bomb - The Bursar's Office's ambitious and hugely successful effort to dole out financial aid on a reasonable schedule. The office's timeliness was a huge relief to students living in fear of a repeat of last semester's disbursement debacle. [Read article]