By Ann McBride
Arizona Daily Wildcat
The New Campus has a new name now that the Arizona Board of Regents voted unanimously yesterday to approve "Arizona International University."
It will take effect immediately.
During the four-year liberal arts institution's formative years, however, it will be referred to as Arizona International Campus of the University of Arizona, said Provost Celestino Fernandez during his presentation at the one-day meeting at Arizona State University.
Fernandez said he is pleased with the name and most importantly it will allow staff to begin to communicate the campus' philosophy to potential students and parents. The name also helps to identify the campus as having an international and forward-looking focus, he said.
But, while the name passed with no opposition there was discussion surrounding Arizona International University's status.
Is it a campus or a branch?
It has never been designated a branch campus, said Fernandez. It is a "campus of the UA." But, he said there is a confusion surrounding the campus' designation since regents Judy Gignac and John Munger both agreed it was a branch campus and UA President Manuel Pacheco said the board has been "purposefully nebulous" regarding the subject.
Everyone understands that "right now" this is a branch campus, Munger said, but he added that it was not the board's purpose to debate that issue, only to decide on its name.
Now that the New Campus has a name, all it needs is a location and, although that was not on the meeting's agenda, a discussion ensued regarding the direction of the UA's search for a permanent location.
Regents Munger and Hank Amos, of Tucson, were concerned with the October meeting's minutes, in which the issue was discussed. Board President Eddie Basha decided to table approval of the minutes, but he did request that the board, once again, clarify its position for Pacheco as to how the board wants him to pursue the search for a permanent campus.
Amos said it was his understanding that the former IBM facility, currently called UA Science and Technology Park, would be looked into first prior to extending the search to other possible sites. Pacheco said he has discussed the issue of a possible site on Pima Community College property with its president , as directed by the board, and he also spoke with Donald Pitt, the chief negotiator for the IBM facility, and requested that he place suitable property on hold so that if it is decided to be the best location for Arizona International University the property will be available.
Pacheco said he was following the spirit of the board's direction and he stressed that "no negotiations (are) taking place of any kind."
The board restated its direction for Pacheco in regards to the campus.
It was unanimously agreed upon that he is to evaluate the IBM facility, Pima Community College and any other location which should present itself as economically and physically suitable. He said he plans to bring the evaluations and a recommendation to the board in January.
Arizona International Campus of the University of Arizona is scheduled to be operational with about 150 students in fall of 1996.
The board also voted unanimously for each university to conduct a review of its affirmative action programs. This review should include admissions, student financial aid, student services, academic support, employment and procurement. A report along with any recommendation for change is due to the board in June.
Former president of the Board of Regents Herman Chanen read a letter written on behalf of himself and four previous members to the board. In it he requested that the current board preserve their effort and affirm the continuation of the programs outlined in the 1989 "Common Commitment" report, which established a statewide commitment to diversity.
Regent Amos said this move to review the programs is not a retreat from the board's previous commitment. He said he is confident the programs are completing their objectives and people should not be shy about studying them.
In other action, the board approved the UA's request to purchase a home for $84,000 at 1533 E. Mabel St. The home will be demolished to make access for a "ring road," which will give UMC emergency vehicles better access to its emergency room. Purchase of the property was not contested by the property owner.
And, the board unanimously approved the three universities' proposed changes in undergraduate degrees completed at the board's request following a 1994 ruling requiring a 120-hour degree limit. UA exceptions to the 120-hour rule include the five-year degree programs of architecture and bilingual education.
Provost Paul Sypherd said during his presentation that a faculty committee reviewed 137 undergraduate degree programs at the UA and adjusted 82 of those to comply with the 120-hour limit. He said these changes will affect 80 percent of the undergraduate student body when they take effect in the fall of 1996.
Although Regent Amos expressed appreciation for the UA's effort, he said he felt its Fine Arts degrees, many of which still require more that 120 hours, should be to see if they can be reduced to further comply with the 120-hour limit.