For everything else, there's MasterCard

UA seniors are no strangers to jumping through hoops. They've taken their trads and Tier Twos, they've learned the secrets of getting what they need on WebReg, in departmental pre-registrations and have even adjusted to navigating through an extra page before they get to WebMail. However, with one semester left, there's a unique set of obstacles that faces hopeful graduates, which is rough on the wallet. Second-semester seniors will need to shell out 20 bucks for a cap and gown and $35 for a degree check - and that's to say nothing of the hours they will spend waiting in line at the UofA Bookstore and trudging between pre-graduation meetings with advisers. Yikes. For their consumption of cash and time, these pricey chores before graduation get a Fail.

OK computers

Associated Students of the University of Arizona Senator Rhonda Tubbs is helping to ensure that Wildcats are technologically equipped for the tasks they face on campus. Last week marked the debut of a laptop-loan program, which allows students to check out laptops at the library for use anywhere on campus for up to four hours. The program, funded through a private grant matched by the library, has already proven popular. Within the first two hours of the program's existence, six laptops had already been checked out. Now, if only we could have wireless Internet access throughout campus. Meanwhile, Sen. Tubbs and the laptop-loan program get a Pass.

K-Fed up

The man best known for marrying Britney Spears and pioneering the socks-and-sandals fashion combo is now desperately trying to give the world another reason to remember him. Kevin Federline is releasing a rap album, which features his first single, a classy little ditty about the female anatomy. Nearly everything this man does is an affront to good taste. However, that hasn't kept him from becoming famous simply for being famous. If you want to see real talent, this campus offers an amazing amount. Listen to the bands and singers who perform on the UA Mall, attend a recital through the schools of music or dance or go see a play presented by our theatre department. K-Fed's aural assault pales in comparison - and for that, we'll give his fame a Fail.

Be careful what you wish for

Last week, the NCAA released its annual figures for athletic graduation rates across the country and for the first time, the numbers don't penalize schools for students who transfer for nonscholastic reasons or leave early to play professional sports. While the UA has historically blamed its low graduation rate on stellar athletic programs that send students on early to bigger and better things, the new figures still place the UA last in the Pacific 10 Conference with a graduation rate of 66 percent. For getting what they asked for and still failing to measure up, UA athletics programs get a Fail.

Opinions Board

Opinions are determined by the Wildcat opinions board and written by one of its members. They are Lori Foley, Caitlin Hall, Michael Huston, Ryan Johnson, Aaron Mackey, and Tim Runestad.