PHOENIX ÷ Republican lawmakers responded to Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano's budget proposal yesterday with a plan that would give no new money to Arizona's state universities.

The Joint Legislative Budget Committee's budget was a far cry from the university-friendly budget proposal Napolitano released last week. That proposal called for an $8 million funding boost at the UA to keep valuable professors and help with enrollment growth, and $46 million in overall increased funding for the state's universities. [Read article]

Posada San Pedro hall provides new honors environment for fall

This fall, Kaibab-Huachuca Residence Hall will lose its honors status as Posada San Pedro in the Highland District becomes the newest honors hall.

The decision to give honors status to one of the new Highland District residence halls was reached last semester after a number of debates and discussions involving the Honors Student Association and the Yuma, Yavapai and Kaibab-Huachuca hall governments. [Read article]

In a year when interest rates are low and tuition rates are high, more students are taking out loans than usual.

John Nametz, director of student financial aid, said the amount of students relying on student loans has increased by 11.6 percent since last year.

Nametz said that in the past few years, unlike the national trend, the UA has not seen an increase in the number of college students relying on financial aid. [Read article]

Senators and ASUA executive officers struggle year after year to stick to their campaign promises.

Now an ASUA senator and the elections commissioner say they hope to reverse that trend. But with primaries only one month away, ASUA officials have yet to form any specific plans on how they will ensure candidates are more educated than they have been in the past.

Sara Birnbaum, an ASUA senator, said she, elections commissioner Dan Suh and other officials have made it their goal to educate candidates on how to develop feasible campaign promises so ASUA can become a more credible organization. [Read article]

A UA fraternity and a UA club put on probation last year by the Dean of Students Office for hazing and alcohol violations will be able to start this semester with a clean slate.

Delta Tau Delta ended its probation term Jan. 3 after the fraternity forced pledges to eat ravioli covered in pancake syrup.

Chain Gang Junior Honorary was placed on probation last year for hazing after new members were sent on a scavenger hunt as part of the orientation process. [Read article]

Students with vehicles can rest easy as the two road closures that affected the surrounding campus will soon be lifted.

The first closure, at North Cherry Avenue and East University Boulevard, will end tomorrow.

"The closure was for the installation of a utility line for Meinel Optical Sciences, and was scheduled over the Christmas break.

It was supposed to re-open on the 12th, but a part didn't arrive on time, causing a delay," said Melissa Dryden, program coordinator for Facilities Design and Construction. [Read article]

A few funny pictures are worth 1,000 words

Wildcat: Hi, my name's Nathan and you're the first person to do an On the Spot ditty I like to call Express Yo' Self. (interviewee responds to given situations with facial or body expressions)

Wildcat: Your mom's in the freezer.

Wildcat: Somebody in the next stall just farted really loud. [Read article]

Things you always never wanted to know

Human Resources to launch online application system

UA Human Resources plans to launch the UA's first online employment and application system in February.

Cathy Nicholson, SAC-Human Resources liaison, reported at the Jan. 13 Staff Advisory Council meeting that the new system, Career Track, will make advertising jobs and collecting applications much faster and easier.

With the new system, departments will be able to create a job requisition, post a position and arrange for advertising through a single online process. Read more details on the UA's first online employment and applicant system, Career Track, at the News Services Web site. [Read article]