TO CLIPS INDEX - Clips for February 8, 2008

State performance-pay plan could expand to all teachers
The Arizona Republic - Feb. 8, 2008 12:00 AM
A two-decade-old state program that rewards high-performing teachers in a select number
 of Arizona school districts would be expanded statewide under a legislative proposal to be
introduced today. Known as Career Ladder, the program provides state funding so districts
can supplement the income of top teachers. Twenty-eight districts belong, ....

It's not you, it's me: behind the UA-Banner split
The Arizona Republic - February 7, 2008
Every break up -- whether it's junior high or a business deal -- hits similar notes. University
of Arizona and Banner Health announced on Tuesday that they were parting ways. For a
roughly a year, the pair tried to finalize a deal that would bring a teaching hospital to the
school's downtown Phoenix medical school campus. As news of the split spread, so did
the familiar themes. One side has hope for the future: "This is basically to get a better lay
of the land," said Jaime
Molera, ...

UA's Stoops issues apology
The Arizona Republic - Feb. 7, 2008 04:49 PM
TUCSON- Arizona coach Mike Stoops apologized on Thursday for saying that Arizona State
has "turned into a J.C." "Yesterday in my annual signing day news conference I regretfully
made some comments about sister institution Arizona State University," Stoops said in a
statement. "These remarks were dutifully reported by the media, and not necessarily taken
out of context - which was within some of my heartfelt observations about the recruiting
process and what it entails for individuals and college football programs. But it was a
personal mistake and one for which I apologize."

UA dance program benefactor endows post for its director
Arizona Daily Star - February 8, 2008
A primary benefactor of the University of Arizona's dance program is endowing a faculty
position to support the program's longtime director. On Thursday, UA President Robert
Shelton announced the second major gift to the dance program from UA alumna Stevie
Eller, who is the namesake of the program's 28,600-square-foot theater. Jory Hancock,
director of the dance program since 1990, will be named as the first Stevie Eller Chair in
dance. Future directors of the School of Dance will occupy the chair, said John Brown, ...

UA team doctor disciplined in Polkey's death
Arizona Daily Star - February 8, 2008
SCOTTSDALE — University of Arizona team physician Don Porter has been found to have
committed unprofessional conduct in connection with the death of basketball player
Shawntinice Polk. The Arizona Medical Board voted 4-2 Thursday to issue a letter of
reprimand to Porter for failing to consider and pursue a diagnosis of a lung blood clot
and failing to perform an adequate exam on Polk, ...

ASU responds to Stoops with numbers, facts
Arizona Daily Star - February 8, 2008
One day after Mike Stoops referred to Arizona State as a junior college, the Tempe school
took a swipe at the UA with all the subtlety of an open-field tackle. Terri Shafer, Arizona State's
vice president of public affairs, issued a press release comparing academic information
between the two schools. The release noted that the NCAA's Academic Progress Report —
which punishes programs with poor graduation rates — has cost the ASU football team
"NO SCHOLARSHIPS." The UA football has lost six scholarships in the past three years.

Stoops sorry for calling ASU a junior college
Arizona Daily Star - February 8, 2008
Mike Stoops cannot win. Two months ago, the UA football coach received criticism for not
taking the rivalry with Arizona State seriously enough. Now, Stoops is catching heat for
making fun of the rival school's recruiting tactics. On Thursday, Stoops issued a mea culpa
— for comparing Arizona State to a junior college during a news conference a day earlier.
"These remarks were dutifully reported by the media, and not necessarily taken out of context
— which was within some of my heartfelt observations about the recruiting process and what
it entails for individuals and college football programs," ...

UA in cutting-edge solar home show
Tucson Citizen - February 8, 2008
The University of Arizona Solar Decathlon team is trying to inject fresh air into home design.
High-tech materials, new devices and novel designs are being combined to produce a
solar home integrating healthful environmental features that will compete in the fourth annual
U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon in Washington, D.C. Innovative solar devices, a
greenhouse to modulate temperature and air quality, and modular panels made of evolving
materials will make the project home environmentally friendly and a good place to live, said
Jason Vollen, ...

Endowment boosts UA arts
Tucson Citizen - February 8, 2008
The University of Arizona College of Fine Arts has received its third endowed faculty chair,
helping to retain the director of the School of Dance and offer options to expand the program.
UA alumna Stevie Eller is funding the chair, which will be held by Jory Hancock. UA President
Robert N. Shelton made the announcement during The President's Club luncheon at the
Arizona Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix along with the Ellers, Hancock and Maurice Sevigny, dean
of the College of Fine Arts.

Stoops backs away from ASU remarks
Tucson Citizen - February 8, 2008
Arizona football coach Mike Stoops apologized Thursday for comments he made in reference
to Arizona State "turning into" a junior college. At the same time, ASU issued a statement to
the media saying its admission standards were the same as Arizona's. Stoops said
Wednesday at UA's signing day conference that it was easier for players to enroll academically
at ASU than UA, based on accounts from players both schools were recruiting.

New report: Arizona academic standards not high enough
Arizona Daily Sun - February 8, 2008
Once again, a nonprofit foundation has assessed the state of education in Arizona and found
it wanting. Previously, reports by different groups had faulted early childhood education, teacher
training and school funding equity. This time, the Arizona Community Foundation has taken on
student performance and the AIMS graduation tests in a report titled "Educating Arizona" and
funded by the Ellis Center for Educational Excellence.

ASU encouraging freshmen to live close to where they study
Phoenix Business Journal - February 8, 2008
Arizona State University freshmen who apply for student housing are being urged to live on the
specific campus that houses the college of their major studies. This means, for example, that
journalism students are being asked to live at Taylor Place, the dormitory being built near the
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Both the dorm and the college
will open this fall in downtown Phoenix. "What I am encouraging all students and all parents to
do is to think about living downtown, whether that's Taylor Place or an apartment near the down-
town campus," said Christopher Callahan, ...

Universities join forces, partner with industry to get students geared up for the work force
Phoenix Business Journal - February 8, 2008
Preparing students for the work force can be a daunting task for colleges and universities, but
teaming up can ease the process. The 10 colleges within the Maricopa Community Colleges
system are working with public and private universities to provide a seamless -- and less
expensive -- education for students, young and old. The colleges also are reaching out to
industry to prepare tomorrow's workers. The Rio Salado College Lifelong Learning Center in
Surprise is partnering with the American Association for Retired Persons to provide West
Valley employers and workers with a series of workshops.

NAU interested in Havasu university
News Herald - January 31, 2008 9:53 PM MST
When members of the Havasu Foundation for Higher Education met Wednesday for the
organization's annual meeting, the mood was optimistic and the speeches were inspiring,
even though the group's dream of bringing a four-year university to Lake Havasu City is years
away. "Lake Havasu U - how does that sound?" foundation President Ralph Tapscott said to
enthusiastic applause. "It's a 10- to 20-year vision, and we've got to start sometime."