You may have noticed classrooms seem a little bit warmer than usual this year, and no, it's not only because of warmer weather.

Due to budget cuts, UA administration voted to turn off all air-conditioning units from classrooms and residence halls in a futile attempt to cut costs by saving electricity.

The air-conditioning was officially turned off in all classrooms late yesterday afternoon and coordinators plan to shut off the remaining residence hall air-conditioning later today.

The UA plans to save nearly $15 million by turning off the air conditioning, which is the amount used to cool down classrooms and residence halls during the hot spring and summer months.

"Most universities are not located in the middle of a desert," said Janice Speedman, director of money for the UA Budget Office. "We would rather spend money on new programs that cater to the students than on the electricity bill."

Campus Health Service suggests students drink plenty of water before heading to class, and administration asked professors to be prepared to give students periodic bathroom breaks during class.

"Students should be drinking a lot of water during the summer months anyway," said Dr. Jeanne Milner, Campus Health physician. "Without air-conditioning, students should double or even triple their normal water intake."

Experts recommend Americans drink eight eight-ounce glasses of water a day. Campus Health physicians recommend UA students drink at least three gallons of water a day to beat the heat.

Another effective item students can use to stay cool is a hand-held personal fan. The UofA Bookstore, 1303 E. University Blvd., will sell personal fans for $35 starting Monday for students who want to keep cool during class. They come in an assortment of colors and students can wear them around their necks for quick accessibility.

"I think these personal fans will be like the next iPod fad," said Alice Waters, manager of the UofA Bookstore, "Students can buy faceplates to change the color of the fans to match their outfits. This is an accessory that students can't live without."

Other fashion suggestions that could help students cool down include using a parasol to block out sunlight and wearing loose fitting, light-colored clothing.

"I can live without air-conditioning if it means that girls will be wearing little bikinis in class," said Bruce Meyer, a biochemical engineering sophomore. "The girls here wore next to nothing when there was air-conditioning available, so I can only imagine what they will wear now."

University engineers have been developing a special water-like product made especially for people who live without air-conditioning. This "UA Water" will be sold all over campus and includes added ingredients to help students beat the heat.

"We have been working on this product for a few years now, and we are really excited to see what effects this water will have on students," said professor Von Ashleykins of the College of Engineering.

The electricity saving plan will continue throughout the next five years and the Arizona Board of Regents hope to save enough money to pay professors and other faculty members double their wages, which would bring them up to par with other research-based universities, said Gray Stuant, the board president.

After increasing faculty salaries, administrators said the leftover funds could be used to build a second Alumni Plaza near North Park Avenue and East University Boulevard for future UA students to enjoy.

"This plan will be very beneficial to the school, the students who sweat it out now are creating a better college life for future students," Speedman said.

For more information on the five-year plan, and for contact information check out the Wildcat Web site: www.wildcat.arizona.edu.