Regents tell UA to move ahead on IIF

The regents, meeting at Northern Arizona University, also gave final project approval to a biochemistry building for NAU and conceptual approval for a mediated classroom/social sciences building at Arizona State University.

The University of Arizona presented an updated report on the $20.25 million IIF, and Joel Valdez, UA vice president for business affairs, asked the board for an indication of whether the building would be approved.

The UA got the go-ahead to continue the project, although the board must still formally vote on project approval for the building.

The IIF is a planned first-year student facility to be built under the UA Mall.

Regent Judy Gignac called the IIF "the capstone of the undergraduate experience," and said she is prepared to approve the building.

She said the IIF and the core curriculum, passed earlier this month by the Faculty Senate, are signs the UA is making undergraduate education a priority.

Regents Hank Amos and John Munger, who earlier opposed the IIF project, also voiced their support.

"I don't have a problem with this. I now see the purpose and importance," Amos said. "I think you should move forward."

Amos, a UA alumnus, said a concern he had was that the location of an underground facility between the Main Library and the Psychology building would destroy the Mall, which he called "hallowed ground." He said models of the project assured him that once construction is completed the building will enhance the Mall's appearance.

However, these words of support came after the board raised concerns over the need to build any of the proposed buildings, citing a report that emphasized the need to make better use of existing space before building new.

"I can't tell the taxpayers we need these buildings. We ought to do what the DeMichele Report says," Munger said.

Regent Kurt Davis also asked the board if its priorities were new buildings, building renovation, or compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. He also called for the board to complete space utilization studies before the ASU or UA buildings get final project approval.

"I'm done with 'yea' votes on this until we answer these other questions," Davis said.

When asked about the inconsistencies in board members' initial comments on space concerns and later discussion about the IIF, Davis said the initial comments were meant to cover all three buildings.

"IIF just moved through with a recognition that more space utilization studies must be done," he said.

Davis also said the more than $600,000 in funds already invested in the IIF would have no impact on his vote. If the space utilization studies show the building is not needed, he said he will vote against it.

In other business, the regents criticized the state Legislature for a budget footnote that would increase law school tuition by $1,000 for residents and $2,000 for non-residents.

Student Regent Jonathan Schmitt, a UA agricultural economics senior, said that tuition setting is clearly the regents responsibility and the state Legislature is overstepping its authority.

He said the board and students have been bypassed.

Regent Judy Gignac added that "If the Legislature passes the tuition footnote, we should check our legal options."

The board agreed to send a letter to the Legislature asking that the footnote be deleted.

The regents also:

• Appointed four UA professors as regents professors. They are: J. Randolph Jokipii, planetary sciences and astronomy; H. David Soren, classics; Gordon Tollin, biochemistry; and Henry Yamamura, pharmacology.

• Reviewed a plan to eliminate or consolidate degree programs that have few graduates or are duplicative.

• Established a major in biomedical engineering at the UA.