After nearly two decades of planning for a new facility, many in the chemistry department and UA community feel an enormous sense of relief as ground has been broken for the new chemistry sciences building.

The new addition to the Old Chemistry Building will allow for cohesion with all of the chemistry sciences departments to one site, said Mark Smith, chemistry department head.

President Peter Likins, who spoke yesterday at the groundbreaking ceremony outside of the Koffler Building, said it took an enormous amount of patience with physical and financial planning to plan for an extension on the building. [Read article]

Students asked to weigh in on changes to spring's final exam schedule

Dead Day could soon be a luxury of the past if the final exam schedule changes this spring as expected.

Students have been asked for their opinion on which of three potential final exam schedules could replace the existing schedule in May.

Patti King, associate registrar for curriculum, said the Undergraduate Council was asked to consider three new proposals last week for the spring 2005 final exam schedule. [Read article]

Amy Goodman, host of the independent radio show Democracy Now!, will speak on campus Sunday about her book and her critical views of politicians and mainstream media coverage of world news.

Goodman, who has been criticized by both Democrats and Republicans for her criticism of mainstream media, said the media has hit an all-time low.

"When it comes to the invasion and occupation [in Iraq] the media is a conveyor belt for the lies of the administration," Goodman said. "It is the journalist's role to hold those in power accountable and give a voice to the voiceless." [Read article]

Next week, Associated Students of the University of Arizona's push to register students to vote will culminate with a Nappy Roots concert exclusively for registered voters.

Students who are not registered will be able to do so at the ASUA office when they pick up tickets, or at the door of the Oct. 1 concert on Bear Down Field.

With the voter registration deadline for the presidential election Oct. 4, ASUA Sen. Steven Eddy said the Rock the Vote 2004 concert, headlined by Nappy Roots, the number one selling hip-hop group for 2002, with local ska/punk band Troy's Bucket, will be ASUA's last big effort for voter registration on campus. [Read article]

The first question people ask surfer John Mizell is, "Where do you surf in Arizona?"

Despite the lack of waves in Tucson, Mizell and 60 other UA students have banded together to share their desert fate in the Arizona Surfers club.

"As a surfer attending the University of Arizona, you're always kicking yourself," said Mizell, who founded the club last spring. "The Arizona Surfers gives those students an opportunity to exercise their enthusiasm for surfing while not having a readily available ocean to dive into." [Read article]

Quotes from around campus and the world

"Getting out the vote is key. It is not rocket science ... For your voice to be heard, you must go out and vote."
- Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano Wednesday night in the Gallagher Theater on the need for people to vote in the November presidential election.

"He's the youngest 70-year-old guy I know. I'm 30 and he's probably in better shape than I am."
- Ryan Hansen, director of basketball operations, on the 70th birthday of Lute Olson, head UA basketball coach. [Read article]

Things you always never wanted to know