How a group of child refugees from the Sudan made their way to the UA

In 2002, a group of the Lost Boys of Sudan living in Tucson spoke at the UA. They said they had dreams of someday wearing the university "A." Fourteen of them now do, and they have each walked thousands of miles to get here.

The Journey

Their journey began about 17 years ago, when the Lost Boys of Sudan fled from a war that has killed at least 2 million, by conservative estimates. They all left the largest country in Africa between 1987 and 1989 because they were scared. [Read article]

When UA law student Laura Conover became a volunteer tutor for the Lost Boys of Sudan in 2001, she simply wanted to help them adjust to their new lives in America. But three years later, Conover says she's learned more from them than they have from her.

In summer 2001, Conover, then a Spanish and political science major, was preparing to enter her senior year at the UA when she decided she wanted to volunteer with the Sudanese refugees who had moved to Tucson that year. [Read article]

While many of the Lost Boys of Sudan continue to live together in their Tucson homes, a few who started classes at the UA this semester decided to move on campus in August, hoping life in the residence halls would help them improve their English and teach them more about American culture.

Peter Ayuen, a political science junior who came to Tucson in 2001, lived in a house with seven of his best friends before moving into Babcock Residence Hall in August. [Read article]

Humanities, Liberal Arts programs cut under Likins' Focused Excellence plan

TEMPE - The humanities program and Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree was officially eliminated from UA curriculum last Friday.

The Arizona Board of Regents approved the elimination proposed by UA President Pete Likins in 2003.

George Davis, UA provost, said the humanities program had merely become an "outliner program" because it was intended to serve students in University College whose majors were undeclared. [Read article]

After months of negotiations, ASUA's request for an early polling site on campus has been approved and will be the capstone of their effort to promote civic engagement.

The polling site, which will accommodate everyone living in Pima County, regardless of district, will be in the conference room on the third floor of the UofA Bookstore in the Student Union Memorial Center.

Anyone registered to vote in Pima County will be able to vote at the site, regardless of district, because staff will have all district's ballots on hand, said Alistair Chapman, Associated Students of the University of Arizona president. [Read article]

TEMPE - Arizona Board of Regents approved the UA's request to sell up to $21.9 million in bonds Friday to purchase La Aldea, a graduate student housing complex privately owned by Ambling Companies.

With funding from the System Revenue Bonds, La Aldea, located on North Euclid Avenue, could soon operate under UA's Residence Life management, said Joel Valdez, senior vice president of business affairs at the UA. [Read article]

As part of a nationwide tour of swing states, members of the satirical political group Billionaires for Bush, arrived in Tucson today and will campaign on the UA Mall tomorrow.

As part of the "Get on the Limo" Swing State Tour, members of Billionaires for Bush dress as billionaires, go by pseudonyms and show their disapproval for President George W. Bush by pretending to support his policies, which they say favor the wealthy. [Read article]

Between 800 and 1,000 participants and supporters showed up for the Jim Click Run & Roll event early yesterday morning benefiting the UA's Disability Resource Center and its athletes.

The festivities got underway at 6:45 a.m. with the HealthSouth Elite 8K Wheelchair Race with DRC athletes from the UA as well as disabled athletes from across the country competing in the race.

The 8K Run/Walk, 3K Fun Run/Walk and Kid's Race started at 7:30 a.m. with UA students, professional runners and Tucson community members racing to raise funds for the DRC. [Read article]

Bands play at free concert to 'Rock the Vote'

Hip-hop group Nappy Roots and local band Troy's Bucket played Friday night for screaming students all with one thing in common - they were all registered voters.

The concert on Bear Down Field was free for all students as a part of Rock the Vote 2004, a national effort to get young people to vote in the upcoming presidential election.

"It's a good idea to have a concert to have people jump on the voting bandwagon," said Kyle Lynch, a psychology senior. "It's cool to see famous people trying to promote voter registration." [Read article]

Things you always never wanted to know