Cassandra Tomlin/Arizona Daily Wildcat Public administration senior Ashley Eden hugs a friend while mud wrestling on the UA Mall last year during Homecoming.

A student competition between residence halls and clubs kicks off today to raise funds needed for Project Solar.

The Solar Blitz campaign aims to involve students in raising money and awareness for the $40,000 solar panels that are planned to be installed on the UA Visitor Center, said Rhonda Tubbs, a student senator and an economics senior.

Solar Blitz is a joint effort between the Associated Students of the University of Arizona and Eclipse, the UA solar energy club, and is a combination of three competitions, said Tubbs, who is overseeing the fundraising effort.

Residence halls and campus clubs will compete in the first two fundraising competitions, which run from today until Dec. 2. Members of Greek Life will then participate in the third fundraising competition from Nov. 14 through Nov. 19.

Each week, the club and residence hall in the lead will be featured on a banner on the UA Mall. After the

campaign, the winning club and residence hall will be featured on a plaque, Tubbs said.

"The reason we wanted to do it is (ASUA President Cade Bernsen) put so much emphasis on student participation and awareness," Tubbs said.

While the campaign is not expected to raise the full $40,000, officials said more than 5,000 students will be participating so they expect to raise any amount from $2,000 to $5,000, Tubbs said.

While the 19 residence halls are expected to participate, the decision is left up to the hall governments, some of which are still undecided about joining the competition.

Pete Pereira, hall director for Kaibab-Huachuca Residence Hall, said the hall government tabled making a decision to participate until tomorrow's meeting.

"We've talked about it but they don't know yet," Pereira said.

While some dorms are still finalizing whether to compete, Pima Residence Hall has yet to receive any information about the project.

"We've never even heard of it," said Mel Engel, Pima hall director and higher education graduate student.

No other hall directors were available for comment.

- Nick Smith

Bobcats, student government to sponsor weeklong Homecoming festivities

The UA Bobcats senior honorary, in collaboration with student government, is hosting a series of events on the UA Mall to celebrate Homecoming week.

Various events like a pie-eating contest and a mud tug-of-war will take place from noon to 1 p.m. today through Friday, and are free and open to all UA students.

Funds for the events came from $8,500 allocated by the Associated Students of the University of Arizona, which provided Bobcats enough cash for the week's festivities, advertising and the Homecoming parade, said Blake Buchanan, Bobcats president.

Although many of the events are geared toward clubs, like ASUA's Club Olympics, there are also events that require individual participants or small teams, said Buchanan, a journalism senior.

"We want to get as many people involved in Homecoming as possible," Buchanan said.

Students who show up to the activities will also have a chance to meet the Homecoming court, whose members are required to attend each day's festivities, Buchanan said.

Those wanting to vote for this year's Homecoming king and queen can log on to www.uagrad.org/ Homecoming on Wednesday and Thursday.

- Ariel Serafin