Afternoon Q&A with Likins draws 19 students

Katherine K. Gardiner Arizona Daily Wildcat From left, Arizona Daily Wildcat editor in chief, Tom Collins, UA President Peter Likins, and KAMP student radio outreach coordinator Justin Clifton conduct a forum on the Mall yesterday. Likins addressed money issues and the future of the Memorial Student Union renovation project.

Likins, whose hour-long forum on the University of Arizona Mall was cut short by rain, estimated the new fee to be a "small fraction" of the $40 per semester that 74 percent of UA voters defeated in November.

"Last fall, students were asked to make a decision with a great deal of uncertainty," Likins said.

But he said the Arizona Board of Regents' approval of a "fast track" renovation plan will make the next vote different. Likins said the new plan will give students a better idea of where their money will go and what the project will cost while shaving off valuable dollars and time.

"When we bring the matter before the students, we will be able to minimize what students pay," he said.

In terms of student turnout, Likins' hour on the Mall flopped like a lead balloon, with 19 students forming the largest crowd.

KAMP Student Radio and the Associated Students promoted the event to give students a chance to ask the president questions, but just one brave soul voluntarily came forward while moderators coaxed another student out of the audience.

ASUA Sen. Summer Katzenbach, a public administration junior, said she was concerned about UA student programs losing funding.

"There's evidence of people being financially squeezed throughout higher education," Likins replied. "I have no doubt that students need skills out side of the classroom. We just need to increase the flow of money into the universities."

Justin Clifton, KAMP's outreach coordinator, carried the day by posing question after question about tuition, goals and the university's relationship with the state Legislature.

Likins said he stands behind the 5 percent tuition increase he pitched to the board of regents last month. At its meeting, the board postponed setting tuition until the Legislature appropriates funds to the state's three universities.

Likins said if he "ran the zoo," there would be higher tuition rates at the UA and more financial aid for those in need.

"The fact is, we have a very low tuition rate in the scheme of things," he said. "My goal is to make this place financially accessible."

Likins said another of his goals is to restore optimism at the UA despite financial strains.

Although rain cut the question-answer hour short, Likins ended on an positive note.

"I can't pull money out of the sky," he said. "Well, maybe I can - we'll see."