Beginning July 1, the UA will have a new vice president for research, graduate studies and economic development, a scholar known for her extensive research projects and commitment to interdisciplinary studies.

Leslie P. Tolbert has been chosen to replace Richard C. Powell, who will retire June 30. She has been at the UA since 1987.

Tolbert is a Regents' Professor of neurobiology at the Arizona Research Laboratories. She holds a joint appointment in the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy in the College of Medicine. [Read article]

The Arizona Board of Regents recently approved a land swap between the UA and KB Home, which will result in the development of many new homes, several retail stores and a one-of-a-kind pharmaceutical research facility.

In the swap, the UA agreed to exchange 124 acres from its Science and Technology Park, 9000 S. Rita Rd., for 53.5 acres at South Kino Parkway and East 36th Street, according to Marshall Worden, senior officer for policy and strategic initiatives at the UA office for economic development. [Read article]

Softball bows out early from WCWS

The UA softball team knew it would have to deal with a shaky offensive unit in its return trip to the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City after a one-year hiatus, but this could not have been what the Wildcats expected.

The Wildcats (45-12) were eliminated in double-elimination play after falling 1-0 to Tennessee in their opener and 1-0 to Texas in 11 innings in their third game. Arizona managed to sandwich a 3-2, 12-inning win over California in between the defeats. [Read article]

NASA approved a Mars mission last week that will send a "lander" to the northern polar region of the planet in August 2007 to dig for signs of possibile of life.

The Phoenix Mission will send a long-arm lander to the icy surface of the Martian planet to dig through soil layers in search of "habitable building blocks of life," said Doug Lombardi, UA education and public outreach manager working on the mission. [Read article]

The relationship between ASUA and the Wildcat

In the corner of ASUA President Cade Bernsen's office lies a small punching bag adorning a taped-up cut-out of the Wildcat, an heirloom of sorts, first handed down in 1997.

The toy punching bag is really a gag gift most recently passed down by former President Alistair Chapman to Bernsen at his inauguration in May.

Despite the light-hearted nature of the gift, the toy actually represents a dynamic relationship on the UA campus that has existed for decades. [Read article]

A former ASUA president speaks

Regardless of the type of relationship existing between ASUA and the Arizona Daily Wildcat, it is essential the Wildcat remain the strongest check and balance on the activities of the student government.  The Wildcat's main purposes, in relation to ASUA, should include (1) following up with the promises made by student leaders and making sure they are accomplishing the goals they set forth in their campaigns, (2) making sure the current or new initiatives set forth by ASUA are what students really want or are in the best interests of the student body and (3) ensuring ASUA is listening to the students, rather than creating programs or initiatives only 13 elected officials feel are necessary or important. [Read article]

Wednesday 8th

Temp: 96/64

Opening Reception – "Expressions," by Edward Goyette. Goyette's work includes a range of paintings in several mediums, black and white photographs from recent trips to New York City, and a black and white photographic exploration of Fourth Avenue. 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Bumsteds, 500 N. Fourth Ave. [Read article]

taken daily with a grain of salt