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University Of ArizonaThe University of Arizona is an institution of higher learning located in Tucson, Arizona. Created by the Arizona Territorial Legislature as a land-grant university in 1885, classes met for the first time in 1891 with 32 students. In 2002, total enrollment was 36,847 students. Academically, the U of A is strong in many areas (especially the sciences), and is particularly well known in the areas of optical science, management information science, and astronomical research. It also has the oldest and arguably strongest garbology program in the US. Additionally, the university is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The current and 18th University President is Peter Likins; his term began in 1997. History The University of Arizona was approved by the Arizona Territorial Legislature in 1885. Ironically, the city of Tucson had hoped to receive the appropriation for the state's mental hospital, which carried a sum of money slightly larger than the $25,000 allotted to the state's only university (Arizona State University was founded at the same time, but it was created as the state's normal school). The citizens of Tucson prepared to return the money to the territory until two gamblers and a saloon keeper decided to donate the land necessary to build the school. Sports Arizona's sports teams are called the Wildcats. They participate in the NCAA's Division I-A and in the Pacific Ten Conference; the men's basketball team is often a contender in the NCAA championships. The University mascot is named Wilbur the Wildcat. The identity of Wilbur is kept secret through the year as the mascot appears only in costume. In 1986 Wilbur married his longtime wildcat girlfriend, Wilma. Together Wilbur and Wilma appear along with the cheerleading squad at most Wildcat sporting events. A strong academic and athletic rivalry exists between the University of Arizona and Arizona State University located in Tempe. The basketball team has been one of the Nation's most successful programs since Lute Olson was hired as head coach in 1983. Since then, the team has had 18 consecutive 20-win seasons, and reached the NCAA Tournament 21 years in a row, which is the longest active and second-longest streak in NCAA history (University of North Carolina, 27). The Wildcats have been ranked in the top 25 (regular season only) since 1987. Lute has taken the Wildcats to the Final Four 4 times. In 1997, Arizona beat the defending-champion University of Kentucky to win the NCAA Basketball Tournament. The football team was somewhat successful in the 90's under head coach Dick Tomey and his "Desert Swarm defense" that was characterized by tough, hard-nosed tactics. In 1998, the team posted a school-record 12-1 season and made the Holiday Bowl in which they defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Arizona ended the season ranked #3 nationally and #2 in several publications. The baseball team won several national championships in the 80's (1976, 1980, and 1986) and the softball team is typically ranked as one of the best in the nation. The softball team has won six Women's College World Series titles, in 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, and 2001. Academic subdivisions The University of Arizona's academic departments and programs are organized into colleges and schools. Typically schools are largely independent or separately important from their parent college. In addition, not all Schools are a part of a College. Colleges and Schools at the University of Arizona as of Fall 2004 are: Campus museums For current museum hours, fees, and directions see "campus visitor's guide" in the external links. - Two herbaria are located on the University campus and both are referred to as "ARIZ" in the Index Herbariorum
- The University of Arizona Herbarium - contains roughly 400,000 specimens of plants.
- The Robert L. Gilbertson Mycological Herbarium - contains more than 40,000 specimens of fungi.
- The Arizona State Museum is the oldest anthropology museum in the American Southwest.
- The Center for Creative Photography features rotating exhibits. The permanent collection includes over 70,000 photos.
- The Arizona Historical Society is located one block west of campus.
Current state of the university - Current funding considerations have led to a State-wide reorganization of the programs offered at each of Arizona's Universities. Known as "Focused Excellence," this reorganization aims to focus the mission of the University of Arizona upon research through eliminating and merging less popular and low-revenue academic departments.
- Additionally, the University of Arizona is the only remaining PAC-10 conference school to not award plus and minus grades for courses. Currently, grades are given on a strict 4-point scale with "A" worth 4, "B" worth 3, "C" worth 2, "D" worth 1 and "E" worth zero points. Discussions with students and faculty may lead the U of A towards using a plus-minus grading system in the future. Administrators say that the change could occur as early as Fall 2006. http://wildcat.arizona.edu/papers/97/160/01_1.html
- Uncertainty currently surrounds the future of common commencement ceremonies for the entire student body. Critics of the large ceremony argue that the event has become marred by misbehavior of graduates; the administration has vowed to cancel undergraduate commencement in favor of individual college convocations if behavior does not improve. Partially at issue is the tradition in which graduates fling tortillas into the air (in a manner similar to throwing mortarboards) during the ceremony. Critics of this behavior argue it is disruptive, potentially dangerous, offensive to Mexican Americans, and insensitive to the plight of the hungry and needy. Proponents of tortilla throwing argue it is a harmless and fun tradition.http://wildcat.arizona.edu/papers/98/67/03_3.html The future of commencement ceremonies at the University of Arizona will remain uncertain pending the decision of the university administration. Behavior at the December, 2004 ceremony will likely be the deciding factor.
Miscellany The University of Arizona is called Arizona nałtsoos ízisgo baa ótad in Western Apache, a language spoken in Arizona. Notable alumni External links Arizona Arizona Arizona
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