What a year .

The craziness of finals is nearly over and for most of us it is a time of farewells and reflections of the past year.

What a year for the University of Arizona!

Our basketball team instantly ignited our school spirit, setting off an incomprehensible celebration for the fans, the players, and the university.

Our president of six years announced his departure from the U of A and set in motion the selection process for hiring a new president.

National rankings were released with the University of Arizona ranking high among some of the best universities in the nation.

What a year for the students at the University of Arizona!

Classrooms throughout the campus were renovated with new technology and furniture.

Students participated in over 300 clubs and organizations to lead one of the most productive years ever.

The university experienced a decline in enrollment but a substantial increase in student support for the university.

What a year for the Associated Students of the University of Arizona!

ASUA registered thousands of students in the annual voter registration drive and organized several informational programs on the national election.

Representatives of ASUA successfully rewrote the ASUA Constitution to allow for better accountability and responsiveness to the general student body. ASUA ends a successful year only to prepare for one of the best yet to come.

When the students return next fall to begin another year of hard work, learning, and growth, they will be surprised to find a huge back-to-school party awaiting them.

Catfest '97 will be a free concert on the Mall where students can dance, enjoy the warm Arizona evening, and browse through club booths to get involved in campus activities. ASUA, the Interfraternity Council, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the Residen ce Hall Association, and the University Activities Board are coordinating this event to welcome students back on August 29.

ASUA programs and services will be available for students to get involved and clubs will have a new and improved club resource center within ASUA to use and enjoy.

ASUA is here to serve the students and provide representation on university committees and express student concerns on a state level.

This next year we will need everyone to get involved in making the University of Arizona an outstanding school to attend.

As President of the Associated Students, I hope everyone did well on their finals.

Have a great summer break, and best of luck to those who graduated this year!

Go U of A!

Gilbert Davidson is the 1997-1998 president of the Associated Students of the University of Arizona.