Sitting on blue and teal pillows, a Tibetan monk draped in a maroon robe leaned close to the ground to touch up a yin and yang symbol the size of a thumbnail.

The symbol is a tiny detail in a colorfully intricate sand art piece called a "mandala" that 11 monks are creating in the UofA Bookstore.

Tsewang Dorje took a break from working on the mandala and sat behind the information table, dispensing literature to curious onlookers. [Read article]

Social justice, diversity and multiculturalism make for murky waters, but one center on campus intends to clarify these issues.

The Multicultural Leadership Center was founded last fall to promote diversity on campus and reach out to minority students. And now the center's director, Michelle Espino, is envisioning something bigger.

"There is a fear out there in talking about things like ethnicity and sexual orientation," Espino said. "What has not happened on this campus is an opportunity for dialogue between communities." [Read article]

Standing next to a colorful display of artwork inspired by a summer in Chiapas, Mexico, Marisol Badilla turned pages in her photo album that depicted the effects of neo-liberalism in the town of San Cristobal de las Casas.

"Here is a wealthy couple, with lighter skin, eating at a Domino's," Badilla said, as she pointed to the black-and-white photos. "And here are the indigenous children eating the leftovers." [Read article]

PHOENIX - A nurse advocacy group says legislation that would delegate nursing home duties to less skilled workers rather than registered nurses will threaten patients' safety and make it harder for UA nursing students to find jobs.

The Southern Arizona Nurses Coalition is opposing bills introduced by Rep. Deb Gullet, R-Phoenix, which would create a pilot program allowing certified nursing assistants to administer medication to nursing home patients, and allowing minimally trained workers to assist feeding at the homes. [Read article]

The ASUA Senate approved $2,538.78 in special funding for five UA organizations last night.

The Engineering Student Council received the amount they requested, $897.18, for I-Expo. The event provides the chance for students interested in becoming engineers to meet with recruiters.

Omicron Delta Kappa received $572.48 to attend the ODK National Convention in Norfolk, Va., Feb. 27 to 29. Due to the cost of the ticket, the Appropriations Board decided to fund only one member's attendance. [Read article]

History senior loses dance competition, but gains respect with love for AC/DC

Wildcat: My name's Jessica and you're On the Spot.

Sparks: Oh no, I'm wearing my old man clothes.

Wildcat: I like the track suit; it's very Mr. Roper on "Three's Company."

Sparks: That's what I was going for.

Wildcat: So, what's your favorite stuff to dance to?

Sparks: Classic rock, 'cause you don't really have to dance to it. [Read article]

Things you always never wanted to know

Question: What happened to that broken blue teeter-totter that used to be by Old Main?

The controversial teeter-totter (Does it teet, or does it tot?) or "Grown-up Seesaw" as the artist behind the work, Laddie Pepke, likes to call it, disappeared suddenly from its home near Old Main. Just like that - poof - it's gone.

Almost immediately after it was installed last year, it was vandalized. And judging by the damage, it took one massive overload to take it out of commission. You can't really blame the seesaw for wanting to relocate after that. [Read article]