After facing complete elimination, the School of Planning received two awards from the Arizona Planning Association, including the Best Student Planning Project for the year.

"It's very gratifying," said Barbara Becker, director of the School of Planning who received the Distinguished Leadership award. "For one thing, it shows that throughout all the turmoil that was going on, we still remained focused on delivering to our students the best possible opportunities and best classes that we could." [Read article]

Students could have a louder voice regarding changes to the university system proposed this summer.

Gary Stuart, president of the Arizona Board of Regents, said he's interested in expanding a workgroup that will be guiding the proposed restructuring of the state's university system to include students.

"This is all about the students in the first place," he said. "It's all about student success." [Read article]

The UA signed a five-year contract with Alltel over the summer, making them the official communications provider on campus.

With the contract, campus departments will receive a 20 percent discount on university-issued phones. Staff, faculty and students can also receive a 10 percent discount on individual services.

The UA had many service options to choose from. It was narrowed down to four companies, and Alltel was finally selected. [Read article]

Hundreds of students filed through the main UofA Bookstore yesterday, resulting in long lines and unofficially marking the first day of the academic year.

Frank Farias, director of UofA Bookstores, said the first two days of the fall semester are typically the busiest of the year.

"We try to move people out as fast as we can," Farias said.

To combat the lines, the bookstore had four checkout points with 29 registers running. In addition, approximately 12 floor staff were on hand to handle questions from students. [Read article]

Yellow tractors and raw dirt still mark what will soon be the Alumni Plaza, but the Alumni Association says things are coming along nicely.

The 108,000 square-foot Alumni Plaza, paid for by alumni and donors, broke ground Nov. 7, 2003, and is scheduled to be dedicated on Oct. 29. As part of the Arizona Alumni Association's homecoming, "The Bash at Alumni Plaza" celebration will be the official introduction of a UA mascot statue. [Read article]

Freshman can explain the difference between 'vortex' and 'vertex,' prays for English-speaking TAs

Wildcat: So my name's Nathan and you're On the Spot. Welcome back to school.

Stoupa: Thanks.

Wildcat: How was your first day?

Stoupa: It actually hasn't started yet.

Wildcat: Oh, you're serious?

Stoupa: Yeah. Six o'clock is my first class, but I'm in class all day tomorrow and all day Thursday. [Read article]

Life was more interesting before you

Yesterday

1939 - Adolph Hitler and Joseph Stalin sign a non-aggression pact, stunning the world, given their diametrically opposed ideologies.

1989 - Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein openly declared his intention of annexing Kuwait, prompting President George Bush to deride the invasion as an act of "naked aggression." Fears of war and escalating prices were written all over the markets: during the week of the 23rd, the Dow lost 6 percent of its total value. [Read article]

Things you always never wanted to know