The final ASUA presidential debate yesterday was dominated by questions of character and experience.

Both Associated Students of the University of Arizona candidates were asked tough questions about their past actions during the Arizona Daily Wildcat sponsored debate in the Gallagher Theater in the Student Union Memorial Center.

During the debate, candidate Jacob Reuben, a business economics junior, answered questions from a panel representing Arizona Student Media about the circumstances of his dismissal as corporate director for Spring Fling. Panelists also asked about a 2003 incident involving his fraternity, and comments he made to the Wildcat as a freshman stating his indifference to a large increase in tuition. [Read article]

Many students on the Associated Student University Arizona's Spring Fling committee said presidential candidate Jacob Reuben was fired from his position this year, and they question if he can commit to a higher position.

Reuben was the corporate director for Spring Fling, a paid appointed position that he was supposed to commit to for a year, but was removed after a few months, said current directors of Spring Fling. [Read article]

The final steel beam was added to the Thomas W. Keating building yesterday, signifying one of the final steps before the UA is able to usher in an era of collaborative research with the physical completion of the BIO5 Institute.

Vicki Chandler, director of BIO5 Institute, said scientists on campus from different fields are already collaborating in their research, but BIO5 will provide them with a central way to facilitate the research. [Read article]

A local artist has created an illuminated sculpture of a parrot adorning the front of Centennial Hall. It will be auctioned off to the public in April with the proceeds benefiting KUAT.

UA alumnus Gerald Dawavendewa designed and built the 6-foot tall "Parrot Luminary," a multicolored, solar-powered sculpture composed of wood and Plexiglas, in a Southwestern motif.

According to the Tucson Pima Arts Council Web site, Dawavendewa is one of more than 35 artists taking part in the Tucson Luminarias del Pueblo project who are working tirelessly in cutting, welding, gluing, hammering, and, with the help of Tucson Electric Power, learning to estimate wattage requirements and wire the solar lighting for their creations to illuminate at night. [Read article]

Students who find themselves too intoxicated to drive may find a free ride home if a proposed designated driving program is approved as a program for next semester.

Four UA students, including Associated Students of the University of Arizona Senators Erin Hertzog and Ashley Eden, gave a presentation on Cats RIDDE yesterday to Melissa Vito, dean of students, who said she was initially supportive. [Read article]

UA administrators yesterday made clarifications on statutes for proposing and accepting program fees.

Provost George Davis and Vice Provost Jerry Hogle presented their informational document "Guidelines and Protocols on Requests for Differential Program Fees" to the Faculty Senate.

Davis said the information clarifies the criteria for implementing program fees, an issue he said has "blindsided" some departments. [Read article]

Students and staff expressed their support of the UA Museum of Art's move to a new larger location, but were hesitant because it is unclear how the project will be funded.

The museum, 949 E. Second St., is housed in a facility with 12,000 square feet of gallery space. This space only allows about 3 percent of its 5,000 pieces to be displayed at any given time. These limitations also dictate what the museum is able to collect, said Charles Guerin, director of the museum. [Read article]

Phoenix - Though the UA South campus elimination was taken out of consideration, a university funding bill that passed in a House of Representatives committee yesterday still met some foes.

The bill, as it reads now, would create a formula for university enrollment-growth funding based on the number of full-time students, allow community colleges to offer certain four-year baccalaureate degrees, and eliminate provisional community college districts, among other changes. [Read article]

In response to a proposed increase in the business college program fee, the Eller Student Council distributed a survey yesterday and will present the results to the Arizona Board of Regents before they vote on the increase in April.

Ryan Jennings, president of the Eller Student Council, said the aim of the survey is to gather student input on the proposed $250 increase to the current $500 program fee in the Eller College of Management, making the fee $750. [Read article]

Though Associated Students of the University of Arizona general elections begin today, many students are unsure of what each office entails.

Adam Falck, ASUA elections commissioner, said ASUA took action to inform students about the role of their student leaders on campus, but students being uninformed is still a problem.

When Falck spoke at a multicultural students meeting this year, many students did not know the specific function of ASUA and others did not even know what it was. [Read article]

Freshman and former thief is glad Martha Stewart is free, doesn't think she has any prison tattoos

Wildcat: My name is Kylee and you're on the spot. So, are you happy Martha Stewart is out?

Wong: Ahm ... Sure, I guess. I don't think she did anything wrong.

Wildcat: So you don't think she should have been locked up in the first place?

Wong: Not really.

Wildcat: Why not? [Read article]

Things you always never wanted to know