Calculus and chemistry can be difficult to understand, and for some students, having an international teaching assistant can make it even harder.

Nathan Barnett, a political science junior, said students were distracted in his math class last semester because they were unable to understand their international TA.

"It was hard to focus and comprehend the material," said Barnett. "There needs to be better screening or some efficient teaching method." [Read article]

Students in residence halls are keeping quiet about changing quiet hours.

Residents who have the opportunity to vote on whether to change the time quiet hours begin, say the vote hardly matters because quiet hours aren't enforced.

Yavapai, Pima and Cochise Residence Halls voted last week, but no hall got enough votes to make a change.

"There is no point in having quiet hours voted on because no one follows them anyway," said Yavapai resident Leigh Laws, a journalism sophomore. [Read article]

PHOENIX ÷ A decision made by the state Legislature yesterday could shave six minutes off your next trip to Phoenix.

A bill allowing the Arizona Department of Transportation to raise the speed limit on stretches of interstate outside urban areas, from 75 to 80 mph, passed unanimously out of the Senate Natural Resources and Transportation Committee.

The bill originally would have boosted the speed limit on sections of interstate and state highways with speed limits of 65 mph up to 70 mph and raised the excessive speeding level up from 85 to 90 mph. [Read article]

As student leaders work to put a $15 to 20 activity fee on the elections ballot, an ASUA elected official said the proposal lacks the research necessary to be ready for the vote.

Victoria Ruan, ASUA administrative vice president, said the fee, which students leaders say would bring major concerts and speakers to campus, has good intentions but asks students to pay too much too soon.

"Everyone want to see more going on (at the UA), but we can't just jump into it with our eyes closed," she said. [Read article]

Yesterday's high of 83 surprises students

Students around campus ripped off their jackets and scarves yesterday, as they were met with surprisingly warm temperatures reaching 83 degrees.

Though most students were unsure why the weather was so warm, they were unwilling to let the day go to waste.

"I was going to do my homework at home, but it's too pretty of a day to spend indoors," said Vanessa Lopez, a molecular and cellular biology senior, who lounged next to the fountain at Old Main. [Read article]

Thousands of students who have UA health insurance depend on Campus Health Service when they are ill, but the center's limited hours make it difficult for them to obtain the medical care they need.

On weekends and university holidays, students are forced to find alternate sources of medical care, such as going to an urgent care facility or University Medical Center.

Even with UA health insurance, a visit to an urgent care center usually comes with an out-of-pocket co-pay cost of about $50. Emergency health services at a hospital usually cost about $100. [Read article]

The 7-year-old gen ed program is undergoing a routine review this semester, and if a committee recommends changes, students could begin to see them next spring.

Jerry Hogle, the new vice provost for instruction who will re-evaluate the general education system, said most departments go through a mandatory academic program review every seven years, and though this review is similar to the current one, it is not required. [Read article]

Freshman isn't really a streaker, but will drop out of school to be a taco delivery boy

Wildcat: Hi, I'm Claire from the Wildcat and you're on the spot.

Evans: OK, I'll do it.

Wildcat: So this is perfect streaking weather, isn't it?

Evans: Yeah, I guess I'd have to agree.

Wildcat: Are you planning on doing that tonight?

Evans: Probably not. I'll take a rain check on that, though. [Read article]

Things you always never wanted to know

Dean invites students to document Îone day at UA'

UA students are invited to participate in the sixth annual One Day at the UA today from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

One Day at the UA is an annual event in which students document one day of their lives at the university. The Dean of Students Office will hand out more than 100 disposable cameras to UA students. Student are asked to document their lives for 24 hours and return the camera by tomorrow at 5 p.m. to Old Main, Room 203. [Read article]