TO CLIPS INDEX Clips for March 13, 2009

Regents reject proposal to eliminate AIMS
scholarships
Tucson Citizen 3/13/09
TEMPE - The Arizona Board of Regents voted Friday
against a proposal to eliminate the AIMS scholarship
program. The board rarely denies requests from the
university presidents, but they did so Friday by voting
against the proposal from University of Arizona
President Robert N. Shelton and Arizona State
University President Michael Crow. In addition, the
board asked university leaders to present options
regarding the future of the AIMS scholarship - also
called the Regents High Honors Endorsement
Scholarship - to the Academic Affairs Committee
in April. The action to save the scholarship assures
current sophomores, juniors or seniors in high
school who meet the AIMS scholarship
requirements that they will receive the
scholarship.

Regents OK rate hike on university housing
The Arizona Republic 3/12/09 10:09 PM
It will cost more for freshmen to live at state
universities this fall. The Arizona Board of
Regents voted Thursday to permit Arizona
State University to increase housing rates
about 6.5 percent, the University of Arizona
about 7 percent, and Northern Arizona
University about 11.9 percent

Mesa council goes to bat for ASU Polytechnic
campus
The Arizona Republic 3/13/09 8:15 AM
Mesa's dream for its Gateway area rests on a three-
legged stool. One leg: Massive private investment
of the sort promised by the Gaylord hotel approved
this week by voters. Another: Continued growth at
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. And the third: Tech
-oriented education centered at the Polytechnic
campus of Arizona State University. The viability
of that third leg is a bit iffy at the moment.
Polytechnic took several sharp blows when ASU
announced budget cuts this year in response to
Arizona's massive fiscal crisis. With the elimination
or move of several programs, the College of
Technology and Innovation would be the campus'
lone remaining college.

Regents decide to continue AIMS scholarships
East Valley Tribune 3/13/09  12:07PM
The Arizona Board of Regents protected a popular
financial aid program Friday morning, voting
unanimously to continue funding the AIMS High
Honors Tuition Scholarships. Even in the current
economic crisis, the regents found eliminating
merit-based financial aid unpalatable, at least
right now. “We have a contract, in a sense, and
there is no fine print for financial emergencies,”
regent Robert Bulla said of Arizona high school
students’ reliance on the AIMS scholarship.
Ernest Calderón, a regent and Phoenix attorney,
vigorously lobbied the board, arguing that the
AIMS scholarships are some students only
option to pay for their higher education.

Fee overhaul weighed for state's three universities
Arizona Daily Star 3/13/09
PHOENIX — Future students at the state's public
universities could earn online degrees or attend new
state colleges in their own backyard, though they'll
likely be shouldering more educational costs than
their predecessors. In a wide-ranging study session
at the Arizona Board of Regents meeting Thursday,
higher- education officials wrestled with the goal of
increasing the number of in-state residents who
earn bachelor's degrees, while realizing that state
cuts have likely permanently removed more than
$190 million from their coffers. The difference
between the financial needs of the state's three
public universities and the state's budget has higher-
education officials calling for students and their
families to begin shouldering more of the financial
burden of higher education.

Regents OK 7 percent increase in UA dorm rates
Tucson Citizen 3/12/09 10:10 pm
TEMPE - University of Arizona students who want to
live on campus will have to pony up $4,700 to $5,999
next year, an average increase of about 7 percent
over this year's rates, depending on which residence
hall they live in. The Arizona Board of Regents
approved increases to residence hall rates at UA
and residence hall rates and mandatory meal plan
rates for Northern Arizona University and Arizona
State University on Thursday at its meeting at Arizona
State University, with Regent Anne Mariucci the lone
dissenter. Mariucci said she would approve the rate
increases, but only if a guaranteed rate provision in
the Northern Arizona University proposal was
removed for incoming freshmen.

Lawmakers reverse cuts, restore $55 million in
spending
azcapitoltimes.com 3/12/09
Lawmakers have restored about $55 million to various
state programs in an effort to secure federal stimulus
aid, satisfy one lawsuit and avoid several others. The
bill, which passed the House and Senate on March 12,
provides $40 million to health care programs to reverse
cuts that were part of an earlier round of budget
revisions. The move allows the state to collect federal
money to pay for a program that distributes child care
subsidies to low-income, working families. Gov. Jan
Brewer said last week that the program would run out
of funding if the Legislature didn't act before March 14.
 .....The measure also restored funding for graduate
medical school training and rural health care centers
that were cut in January when lawmakers passed
budget revisions to solve a $1.6 billion deficit. The
cuts had threatened to disqualify Arizona from
receiving some portions of the $4.2 billion in federal
stimulus money that's available to the state.

ASU beats U of A, dents chance of flight frenzy for
NCAA
Phoenix Business Journal 3/12/09 2:35pm MST
The chances of both Arizona State University and
University of Arizona basketball fans being able to
book trips to the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament
games next week took a hit Thursday. ASU beat the
U of A 68-56 in the first round of the Pac-10
Conference basketball tournament Thursday in
Los Angeles. That puts a major dent in the Wildcats
chance to get a bid to the NCAA tourney. ASU
already is assured of a place in the tournament
and could get a prime seed if the Sun Devils
progress in the Pac-10 tourney. U of A was on
the proverbial bubble in terms of its shot for the
tournament and losing to ASU a third time this
year dims the prospects.

Arizona State University-University of Pennsylvania
deal broadens reach for technology transfer
Phoenix Business Journal  3/13/009
Arizona State University and the University of Pennsylvania
are taking their technology to the private sector in a land-
mark agreement among major U.S. universities. ASU and
Penn partnered earlier this year to bolster their technology
and patent portfolios. The deal calls for revenue sharing
and for researchers to contribute to projects at both
universities. It’s the first time ASU has paired with another
U.S. university, although it has several agreements with
international schools, said Augustine Cheng, managing
director and chief legal officer of Arizona Technology
Enterprises. AzTE is the nonprofit organization that
facilitates ASU’s technology transfers. Though in its
early stages, the move could help both universities
facilitate more transfers to private businesses, Cheng
said.

ASU cuts sports MBA program
Phoenix Business Journal 3/13/09
A 10th anniversary typically calls for a celebration,
but students, faculty and staff at Arizona State
University’s MBA Sports Business program have
little to cheer about. Talk of the decade-old
program’s demise has circulated for months. Ray
Artigue, the program’s executive director, was
informed shortly after the new year that his pro-
gram was on the chopping block. ASU made the
information public in mid-February, effectively
closing one of the most marketable programs
at the W.P. Carey School of Business. On July
1, Artigue no longer will have a job. The last
class will graduate in May 2010, when the two-
year graduate degree officially is dismantled.
“These things can never be planned for,” said
Artigue, who has run the program for three years.
“It’s a result of these unprecedented times we’re
living in.” He said the program brought a fair
amount of attention to W.P. Carey, but the
niche offering enrolled only 24 students ––
a hard sell in the cost-cutting climate of higher
education in the state. ASU alone is facing $88
million in budget cuts.

Opinion: John F. Munger: It’s time to imagine
what Arizona can and should be
Inside Tucson Business 3/13/09
Imagine if Arizona were the nation’s small business
engine, creating high-paying jobs to keep our kids
in Arizona and our families prosperous. Imagine the
news media featuring Arizona’s schools as the best
in the nation, and discussing how other states could
be like Arizona. Imagine our universities thriving in-
stead of being starved for sufficient funds to educate
our future leaders. Imagine a health care system that
is affordable for all, even small businesses who
need every dollar to get started. Imagine an efficient
transportation system that zips us quickly to and from
work. Imagine protecting our natural resources for
future generations while still meeting the needs of
thousands of people and businesses who move to
Arizona.

Midwestern ready to fill ASU West gap
Glendale Star 3/13/09
As the state struggles to balance its budget and
make spending cuts, Arizona State University is
struggling to deal with its share of those cuts, $88
million. ASU officials announced last week they
will be removing programs at ASU West, leaving
only the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and
Sciences along with business and education
classes, meaning the college of nursing program
will be gone. ASU West is on the southeast corner
of Thunderbird Road and 51st Avenue in Phoenix
and borders Glendale. But another university
located in Glendale may just step in to fill the void.
“We will continue to look at and develop any new
health care professional programs that will meet
the needs of the state and community,” Midwestern
University President Kathleen Goeppinger said.
“That has always been our mission from day one.”

Board of Regents raising the cost of housing
at state universities
3TV/azfamily.com 3/12/09 5:52 PM MST
PHOENIX - Tuition was raised a short while ago
at the state’s universities and this time it's campus
life that's getting more expensive. Students should
expect to pay more for housing starting this fall.
Exactly how much will depend on which school
you are attending. The Board of Regents adopted
a proposal essentially raising the rent students
will pay at the states three universities. It comes
on the heels of a 10 percent tuition hike making
some students and parents wonder when the
increases will stop.

Biz Tucson magazine launches with honors
for several Tucsonans
KOLD News 13 3/12/09 9:54 PM MST
Several local businesses leaders are profiled
with honors in a new Tucson magazine. Biz
Tucson is rolling out to newsstands, and as
part of their launch, it held the Global Visionary
Awards Thursday night on the University of
Arizona campus. The ceremony recognized
six Tucsonans whose business vision puts
the world's eyes on Tucson. The honorees
include the Critical Path Institute's Dr.
Raymond Woosley (pharmaceuticals), The
University of Arizona's Dr. Robert Shelton
(biosciences, aerospace, medical research,
etc), Breault Research Organization's Dr.
Robert Breault (optics), Ventana Medical
System's Dr. Thomas Grogan (Biotech),
World Care's Lisa Hopper (Global Relief)
and Canyon Ranch's Mel Zuckerman
(Spa/Tourism). Each honoree responded
to the question "Why the World Is Watching
Tucson" and also explained what it took to
become successful.

UA housing rates going up
KVOA New 4 3/13/09
University of Arizona students will have to shell
out more money to live on campus next year.
The Board of Regents just approved a rate in-
crease for campus housing Thursday afternoon.
UA officials state that the increase is actually
lower than a typical yearly increase. The highest
rate hike is $584 dollars for the Arizona-Sonora,
Coronado, Villa Del Puente, La Cienega, La
Paz, Pima, and San Pedro. Rent is also climbing
for other housing, anywhere from $32 to $430.
Lindsay Dermyer lives in the Posada San Pedro
Residence Hall. Dermyer says, "It's just really
frustrating because they don't increase the
scholarship with the increase in fees, so it's
hard to compensate for the extra price
difference." That's one of the reasons why
she's moving off campus.

Kappa Sigma to leave UA
UA Daily Wildcat 3/13/09
Spring break is starting off on a sour note for
one of UA's largest fraternities, as the Gamma-
Rho chapter of Kappa Sigma Fraternity had
their recognition revoked by the university.
"We received notice this week that the
university has removed recognition" said
Mitchell Wilson, executive director of Kappa
Sigma National Fraternity Organization. "We
got a call (from the UA) last week receiving
a heads up that the decision was coming, at
which point we informed our members earlier
this week," he said. Wilson said the first action
plan will be appealing the university's decision.
There are two ways a chapter can lose their
charter or campus recognition: either by
university decision or by the national head-
quarters of the fraternity organization, Wilson
said. "It is a university action to withdrawal
recognition," Wilson said. "We have every
intention to make an appeal and we are
currently in that process now."

Compost program awaits state approval
UA Daily Wildcat  3/13/09
The composting project, Compost Go-Live,
that could save the UA $28,000 a year by
diverting food, manure, and landscaping
waste from landfills, is one step closer to
becoming a reality. Lesley Ash, ASUA
sustainability director, said the university
has agreed to give the project $30,000 in
matching funds if they receive the Waste
Reduction Assistance grant from the
Arizona Department of Environmental
Quality that they are applying for. In a
presentation Tuesday in the Tubac room
of the Student Union Memorial Center,
Ash said the total budget for the in-vessel
composting project was reduced down to
$125,000 from the originally proposed
$475,000.

Regents up dorm rates, look at fees
UA Daily Wildcat 3/13/09
TEMPE ­- The Arizona Board of Regents handed
down their first decision to help close the budget
shortfall - increasing the rates of some residence
halls by up to almost 11 percent. At yesterday's
meeting at Arizona State University, the board
separated the UA residence halls into three
price tiers, as opposed to their traditional five,
and ranked them based on factors such as
popularity and amenities. Tier one halls have
the highest rate increase at close to 11 percent,
which equals about an extra $584 per year.
Halls affected include Arizona-Sonora, Coronado,
Villa Del Puente, Pueblo de la Cienega, Colonia
de la Paz, Pima House, and Posada San Pedro
residence halls. The least expensive halls,
which include Coconino, Navajo-Pinal and
Yavapai will experience a little over a 1
percent increase, about $53.

Obama Ed Budget Passes First Test
Inside Higher Ed 3/13/09
WASHINGTON -- The higher education agenda
that President Obama outlined in his 2010 bud-
get blueprint and a speech this week contained
several proposals that, in normal times, might
have started a war on Capitol Hill. Just ask his
predecessors: Previous proposals to end the
lender-based guaranteed student loan program
bruised President Clinton; President Bush was
repeatedly pummeled for daring to mess with
the Perkins Loan Program; and many a
president has taken a pounding for seeking to
expand federal entitlements, as Obama has
done by calling for making Pell Grant funding
mandatory and ensuring annual increases tied
to inflation. As the president's chief emissary
for those changes, Education Secretary Arne
Duncan, made his first Congressional
appearance in the job Thursday before the
House Budget Committee, lawmakers asked
a series of rather polite questions about those
and other proposals (plus some K-12 related
matters, like charter schools).

Phoenix Mars lander scientists see signs of
liquid water
Los Angeles A Times 3/13/09 9:43 AM PDT
A team of scientists believes it has found strong
evidence of liquid water on Mars, a discovery
that would greatly increase the likelihood that
some form of life may exist on the Red Planet.
The findings are controversial because there is
disagreement among researchers over the
evidence, which came from the Phoenix Mars
lander's mission last year to Mars' north pole.
Phoenix was dispatched to Mars in search of
ice and found it only a few centimeters under
the surface of the northern polar region. But
researchers generally believed that the chilly
temperatures on Mars, reaching minus 200
degrees Fahrenheit at the poles in winter,
ruled out the formation of liquid water. They
believed that ice exposed to the atmosphere
would not melt, but sublimate directly to a
vapor.