Approval of freshman facility is not a "good thing"

By John C. Barentine
Arizona Summer Wildcat
August 27, 1997

To the Editor:

It's amazing what happens when one spends almost $1 million putting together a bunch of ostensibly "educated" bureaucrats: a complete lack of common sense.

The Arizona Board of Regents has given its blessing to the multimillion-dollar Integrated Instructional Facility (IIF). UA administrators, who supported it all along the way, have at last received affirmation that the sham they conspired to perpetrate university stakeholders was the right thing to do.

Its lack of popularity and the fact that the only vocal supporters of the IIF seem to be those with some personal or professional interest at stake in its construction did not stand in their way. It's business as usual for the UA; throw money at a problem and it's solved.

In this case, that means undertaking a costly and, according to the Regents own review, unnecessary capital construction project, and as a result, freshman enrollment will magically increase, parallel with retention rates and GPAs.

The Regents heard many opinions on this subject and were made aware of the fact that the IIF does not enjoy wide support around the UA campus; nevertheless, they all waffled to the UA administrators slick presentation style. All but one. In the face of these administrative spin doctors, Kurt Davis voted against the IIF, fearing its impact on students cost of attending the UA. Regent Davis can take comfort in knowing that his decision was just and in the best interest of the students at this school. Kudos should also go to the staff of theWildcat, whose reporting kept this important issue alive in the minds of the students.

A "good thing", to borrow from Vice President Valdez comments, did not happen for the UA student body last week. The price we must pay the IIF has not yet become apparent.

John C. Barentine

Physics senior