TO CLIPS INDEX - Clips for April 24, 2008

Editorial: Painful choices
The Arizona Republic - April 24, 2008 12:00 AM
The Ironman budget competition is in full swing. Figuring out how to fill the $1.2 billion hole in
the current state budget was a marathon. But it was only the opening event. Arizona faces an
even bigger financial challenge for fiscal 2009, with a deficit approaching $2 billion. The plan
will certainly need to include financing school construction. Painful cuts will be unavoidable,
but they must be done to avoid inflicting long-term damage on Arizona's future. The repair
plan for the 2008 budget was a reasonable compromise that all sides could live with.

Study: Drug combo cuts risk of colorectal cancer
The Arizona Republic - April 24, 2008 12:00 AM
Researchers say they can stop most polyps, precursors to the disease
An experimental weapon in the fight against colorectal cancer reduced the risk of recurrent
colon polyps, a precursor to the disease, by as much as 95 percent, a clinical trial by University
of Arizona researcher Eugene Gerner and others found. About 149,000 people in the United
States, more than 90 percent of them 50 or older, will be diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer
this year, the American Cancer Society says. Almost 50,000 will die.

State universities await ruling on budget cuts
The Arizona Republic - April 24, 2008 12:00 AM
Arizona's three state universities will find out Friday how much they will each have to cut from
their budgets this year because of the state deficit. A proposal going before the Arizona Board
of Regents would cut Arizona State University's budget by nearly $12 million and the University
of Arizona's by $11 million. Northern Arizona University, which has fewer students, would see a
$2 million cut. A large chunk of the cuts, $5.2 million each at ASU and the UA, takes money from
the planning and design of an expanded UA medical campus in Phoenix.

NAU faces $2.1M cut
Arizona Daily Sun - April 24, 2008
TUCSON -- Staff for the Arizona Board of Regents have recommended a $2.2 million cut for
Northern Arizona University to help meet a tighter state budget. That represents a 1.3 percent
cut to this year's general fund appropriation of $161 million. GOP legislative leaders originally
had proposed a cut of $16 million, which NAU officials said was unworkable, coming so late
in the fiscal year when teaching contracts had already been signed. They were not available
Wednesday to comment on the $2.2 million proposal. The regents plan to discuss today how
all three of Arizona's state universities will share the $14.7 million cut to this fiscal year's budget
handed to them last week by the Legislature.

Rats facing NAU spay chemical
Arizona Daily Sun - April 23, 2008
As the United Nations warns of a global crisis and residents of more than a dozen countries riot
because of rapidly increasing food prices, rice-field rats in Southeast Asia are chowing down in
the world's rice bowl. The rodents, able to produce 600 offspring from one pair in a few months,
have sometimes eaten one-third of the rice crops and are raising a famine scare in India. General
anti-coagulant poisons knock back the populations, but they always rebound. "With the food short-
ages that are starting to erupt, this is huge," said Cheryl Dyer, researcher and ovarian physiologist
at Northern Arizona University.

Editorial: Well-intentioned 'No Child' revamp ignores reality
Arizona Daily Star - April 24, 2008
Our view: Penalizing schools that fail to raise minorities' graduation rates isn't the answer
Education Secretary Margaret Spellings announced changes in the federal No Child Left
Behind legislation that place new responsibilities on public schools for the numbers of
students they graduate. Like much of No Child Left Behind, the goal is positive but the
method is lacking. Some of the changes, Spellings said, are intended to increase the
number of students, specifically minority students, who graduate from high school. The
federal legislation is up for reauthorization in Congress, but efforts to change it have not
moved forward.

My opinion George F. Will : The sorry state of U.S. education
Arizona Daily Star - April 24, 2008
WASHINGTON - If an unfriendly power had attempted to impose on America the mediocre
educational performance that exists today, we might well have viewed it as an act of war. —
"A Nation At Risk" (1983). Let us limp down memory lane to mark this week's melancholy 25th
anniversary of a national commission's report that galvanized Americans to vow to do better.
Today the nation still ignores what had been learned years before 1983. Sen. Daniel Patrick
Moynihan once puckishly said that data indicated that the leading determinant of the quality of
public schools, measured by standardized tests, was the schools' proximity to Canada. He
meant that the geographic correlation was stronger than the correlation between high test
scores and high per pupil expenditures.

UA wary of state's budgetary problems
Arizona Daily Star - April 24, 2008
Tuition increase, deeper cuts could come next year
While UA officials have softened the impact of budget cuts announced by lawmakers last week,
they worry that the state's nearly $2 billion projected deficit next year could force even greater cuts
and leave students with a higher bill. University of Arizona officials put a non-faculty hiring freeze
into effect last month and trimmed costs in other areas in anticipation of the Legislature's cutting
$14.7 million from the three state universities in order to balance this year's budget. But budget
and Arizona Board of Regents officials worry that the Legislature might ask for more significant
cuts — up to $100 million — to help offset next year's projected deficit.

Regents likely to OK Busch, Butts deals
Arizona Daily Star - April 24, 2008
Two UA coaches' contracts are likely to be approved today at the Board of Regents meeting.
Arizona Wildcats' swim coach Frank Busch should receive a contract extension through 2011
and a raise of almost $14,000. His $120,000 a year salary comes on the heels of guiding the
women's and men's teams to NCAA championships last month. The contract of new women's
basketball coach Niya Butts has a five-year deal worth $200,000 a year, plus incentives. The
contract expires in June 2013.

Lawmakers yet to resume talks on next state budget
Tucson Citizen -April 24, 2008
PHOENIX — Arizona legislators have erased a big shortfall in the current state budget, but they've
yet to resume negotiations on closing an even bigger gap in the next state spending plan. The
Legislature approved the current year's fix last week and Gov. Janet Napolitano signed it into law
on Friday. House Minority Leader Phil Lopes says he wants talks to begin quickly and to incorporate
partial agreements reached earlier when lawmakers worked on both budgets at the same time.
But House Majority Leader Tom Boone says he's canvassing fellow Republicans regarding tough
decisions on proposals for spending cuts and new borrowing to prop up spending. Napolitano
says the ball is in the Legislature's court because she's already presented lawmakers with a
comprehensive proposal.

Our Opinion: Pearce's nutty amendment deserves to be history
Tucson Citizen - April 24, 2008
You can sleep soundly. State Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, is keeping Arizona's public schools
safe for democracy. The House Appropriations Committee he chairs amended a bill with a measure
to empower the state superintendent for public instruction to hold "appropriate hearings" on courses
or school activities that "denigrate, disparage or overtly encourage dissent from the values of American
democracy and Western civilization, including capitalism, pluralism and religious toleration." If the
superintendent found the class or activity sufficiently anti-democratic or anti-West, he could withhold
funding from the offending school.

Gimino: O'Neill has new job; pray it won't last
Tucson Citizen - April 24, 2008
Here's hoping Kevin O'Neill gets a job. A real job. Not the one he was reassigned to Wednesday,
of course, because that's just some made-up thing that gets him one step closer to, we can only
hope, a graceful exit. Then, O'Neill can get on with his coaching life, Arizona basketball coach Lute
Olson can get on with his coaching life, the program doesn't suffer any more than it already has
and someday maybe we'll all look back and have a good laugh about that wacky 2007-08 UA
basketball season. But, first, O'Neill has to get another coaching job. NBA. College. Head coach.
Assistant. Something. Somewhere.

O'Neill removed as coach, to be Livengood's special assistant
Tucson Citizen - April 24, 2008
Kevin O'Neill no longer will coach men's basketball and has been reassigned within the athletic
department, the University of Arizona announced today. O'Neill, who was hired nearly a year ago
to assist UA head coach Lute Olson, had been UA's interim head coach this past season as
Olson was on a leave of absence for unspecified medical reasons. Athletic director Jim Livengood
said O'Neill will be a "special assistant'' to him for the balance of this fiscal school year, which ends
on June 30. O'Neill, 51, will work in the development area and on fundraising, Livengood said.

Students rally again to protest dean's policy decisions
ASU Web Devil - April 24, 2008
Students under the moniker "Save The Teachers" gathered outside of ASU West's Faculty
Administration Building to voice their displeasure Wednesday with Dean Elizabeth Langland's
policy decisions at ASU West, which include a recent decision to cut part-time faculty positions
and to cancel some classes that are normally offered. The group of about 10 said they are a
"united group of students, faculty members and taxpayers who are concerned about the
impending loss of the existing valued and irreplaceable faculty associates, or FAs, and lecturers
at the ASU West Campus and the cancellation of many important classes."

Poly to usher in new arts, sciences dean in fall
ASU Web Devil - April 24, 2008
In addition to the 240,000 square feet of new classroom, laboratory and office space that will be
coming to the Polytechnic campus next fall, the Polytechnic's School of Applied Arts and Sciences
will be receiving a new dean. The current dean, David Schwalm, will be leaving his position on
June 30 after more than 20 years of service to ASU. Dr. Craig Thatcher, a professor, researcher
and program director from Virginia Polytechnic Institute, or Virginia Tech, will fill the position
Schwalm leaves behind. "I am very pleased to have Dr. Thatcher as my successor," Schwalm said.
 "He is quite an ideal candidate in that he comes from one of the largest polytechnic institutions in
the country."

M&G dollars on deadline
ASU Web Devil - April 24, 2008
Hard-pressed to use up their dollars, students still find discounts at eateries
ASU's food provider Aramark is offering M&G users a 10-percent discount on Thursdays at many of
its dining locations, but many students are struggling to spend all their remaining money, not save it.
Many students buy meal plans with M&G dollars, which they can use at on-campus cafeterias and
markets. But if they don't spend the balance they have on their cards by July 31, they will lose the
M&G dollars they have already paid for.

Extra M&G dollars used to help the needy
ASU Web Devil - April 24, 2008
With hundreds of M&G dollars left on their Sun Cards, two freshmen living on campus are helping
students turn their extra M&G dollars into meals for the hungry. After realizing that many students
had significant amounts of surplus M&G dollars — a dollar-for-dollar credit that can be used at
food service locations on campus — Cole Wirpel and Mary Beth Hutchinson organized a food drive
as an outlet for the unspent money and a way to help the community. The two are asking students
to donate food to their cause and use up their extra M&G dollars at the same time.

NAU undergraduate researchers to get financial boost
Inside NAU - April 24, 2008
Northern Arizona University recently learned it is one of 15 universities nationwide designated to
receive 2008 Beckman Scholars Program undergraduate awards from the Arnold and Mabel
Beckman Foundation. "Looking at the list of universities that are getting awards, we are in good
company," said Edwin Lewis, a chemistry professor and associate dean for Research in NAU's
College of Engineering and Natural Sciences. This is the third time NAU has received Beckman
Scholars Program designation.

Undergraduate researcher welcomes Goldwater scholarship
Inside NAU - April 24, 2008
Brad Douglas Felicetti once lacked career direction, but now the Northern Arizona University student
has received an award for his steadfast stride on a path to help cure cancer. Felicetti, a sophomore
in the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, received a $7,500 annual scholarship for two
years, from the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program. The funding
will help keep Felicetti on track to earn a doctorate in biological chemistry and eventually a medical
degree, both with a focus on researching cancer cures. "NAU allowed me to jump right into lab
research as a freshman," he said. "

Regents to discuss state stimulus
UA Daily Wildcat Online - April 24, 2008
The UA has secured funding to replace its legacy systems, and spring enrollment is up 2.2 percent
this year - two things known as the Arizona Board of Regents continues its stay on campus this week.
The regents will occupy the Student Union Memorial Center today and tomorrow to vote on a $1.4
billion proposal to bolster the state's economy, make two key UA appointments and designate three
new Regents' professors, among other tasks. The board's Technology Oversight Committee approved
yesterday $90 million over three years that will replace the UA's critical computer systems.

O'Neill reassigned as fundraiser
UA Daily Wildcat Online - April 24, 2008
Kevin O'Neill has been removed from the UA men's basketball staff and reassigned to a fundraising
role within the athletics department for the remainder of the fiscal year, Arizona athletic director Jim
Livengood announced yesterday. O'Neill, 51, served as the interim head coach for the Wildcats
during the 2007-08 season while head coach Lute Olson took a personal leave of absence. O'Neill
will be a "special assistant" to Livengood until at least June 30, when his contract expires and the
situation will be reevaluated. "After June 30, Kevin and I will sit down and decide what's next,"

Students advocate for more lenient gun laws
UA Daily Wildcat Online - April 24, 2008
PHOENIX - Forget drunken debauchery. As soon as James Knitter, the UA campus leader for
Students for Concealed Carry on Campus turned 21, he got a concealed weapons permit. "I got
my permit right when I turned 21 and I've been carrying ever since," the pre-physiology sophomore
said. He put in his application to start the UA chapter of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus
just two days before the shootings that killed 6 people at Northern Illinois University Feb. 14. "For
me, the NIU shooting was vindication," he said.

Professor, students build self-driven car
UA Daily Wildcat Online - April 24, 2008
It 's only 2008 and already a car that can drive on its own is a feasible idea. Jonathan Sprinkle, an
assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, is hoping to change the idea into reality
by making a car that completely drives itself. A car that seems like it is driven by a human when it is
actually driven entirely by a computer. All the person would have to do is start the car, and the rest of
the driving involves no input from the driver.

Agreement Connects UA, French Researchers
University of Arizona Communications - April 23, 2008
The University of Arizona and the French National Research Center have created a framework that
will allow researchers at both institutions to collaborate in a number of areas. The four-year agree-
ment between the UA and the CNRS establishes a Joint International Unit on Water, Environment
and Public Policy, and will link researchers with common interests in these areas. The UMI, the
French acronym for Joint International Unit, is one of only four such units in the U.S. and will be
based at the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy.

NSF Fellowship Goes to UA Computer Science Alumna
University of Arizona Communications - April 23, 2008
Ekaterina "Kate" Hristova Spriggs, a University of Arizona graduate now working as a research
assistant for her alma mater, has been awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate
Research Fellowship. The fellowship comes with $30,000 each year for up to three years. The
funds will allow Spriggs to study artificial intelligence, particularly in computers vision and their
ability to detect human voices. “This guarantees funding for the first three years of research
when it is most important,” said Spriggs, a former Honors College student who graduated from
the UA with a computer science degree in 2007.

Arizona universities dreading budget cuts
ABC15.com - April 24, 2008 3:57 am
The Arizona Board of Regents will look at a proposal Friday and determine how much money three
state universities have to cut from their budgets. The proposal would slash Arizona State University’s
budget by nearly $12 million, University of Arizona’s by $11 million and Northern Arizona University’s
by $2 million.

Money expected to be big topic when regents meet
Mohave Daily News - April 23, 2008 11:47 PM CDT
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - University budget cuts ordered by the state will be the primary topic of
conversation when the Arizona Board of Regents meets. The regents plan to discuss how
Arizona's three state universities will share the $14.7 million cut to this fiscal year's budget
handed to them last week by the Legislature. The board is scheduled to meet in Tucson on
Thursday and Friday at the University of Arizona.