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University of Arizona

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The University of Arizona (UA) is a land-grant and space-grant institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885 when the state was still a territory. In 2005, total enrollment was 37,036 students.

Academically, the UA is strong in many areas, and is regarded as one of the top-ranked research universities in the U.S. Among the strongest programs at UA are optical science, astronomy and astrophysics (as the UA is awarded more NASA grants for space exploration than any other university nationally), hydrology and hydrogeology, philosophy, and anthropology. The UA also has a top tier law school, and a top 20 undergraduate business school in the U.S., public or private.

Arizona is classified as a Carnegie Foundation "Doctoral/Research Universities—Extensive" university, and has excellent facilities, particularly in the medicine, science and engineering disciplines. The UA is home to Arizona's only medical school, which awards an M.D.

The university receives more than $400 million USD annually in research funding, generating nearly 75 percent of the research dollars in the Arizona university system. This figure is triple the total research funds generated by Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University combined, and 26th highest in the U.S. (including public and private institutions). The university has an endowment of $348.3 million USD as of 2005.

Nobel laureates on the faculty include two members of the College of Optical Sciences: Dr. Nicolaas Bloembergen (Physics, 1981) and Dr. Willis E. Lamb (Physics, 1955). Including eight Pulitzer Prize winners (alumni and faculty), the UA has more than 50 faculty as elected members of exclusive academies including Britain's Royal Society, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, among others. Two current UA professors were also recently named to Popular Science magazine's list of "Brilliant 10."

The UA was recently awarded over $325 million USD to lead NASA's 2007 mission to Mars to explore the Martian arctic. The school's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory's work in the Cassini spacecraft orbit around Saturn is greater than that of any other university globally.

The UA is considered a more-selective national university, with students hailing from all states in the U.S. While nearly 72 percent of students are from Arizona, 8 percent are from California, followed by a significant student presence from Illinois, Texas, and Washington (2004). The UA has approximately 2,200 international students representing 135 countries. International students comprise approximately 6 percent of the total enrollment at UA.

The current and 18th university president is Peter Likins, whose term began in 1997. President Likins will vacate his post at the conclusion of the 2005-06 academic term.

Reputation, associations and rankings

Reputation

  • The Council for Aid to Education ranked the UA 12th among public universities and 24th overall in financial support and gifts. Campaign Arizona, an effort to raise over $1 billion USD for the school, exceeded that goal by $200 million a year earlier than projected.
  • The National Science Foundation ranks UA 16th among public universities, and 26th among all universities nationwide in research funding.

Notable associations

Notable rankings

  • In terms of comprehensive rankings, U.S. News & World Report placed UA 45th nationally among the public institutions (top tier), and 97th overall, in the publication's 2006 Guide to Colleges 1[2]
  • In 2005, UA was ranked 73rd in the world and 47th in North America by an annual listing of the Top 500 World Universities[3]published by the Institute of Higher Education in Shanghai, China.
  • The Eller College of Management's programs in Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Management Information Systems, and Marketing are ranked in the nation's top 25 by U.S. News & World Report. The Eller College undergraduate program was ranked 18th in the nation (including public and private institutions) by U.S. News & World Report in 2005, the highest ranking college in the university. The Masters in MIS program[4]has been ranked in the top 5 by US News and World Report since the inception of the rankings. It is one of three programs to have this distinction.
    • The Eller MBA program has ranked among the top 50 programs for 11 straight years by U.S. News & World Report. In 2005 the MBA program was ranked 40th by U.S. News & World Report. Forbes Magazine ranked the Eller MBA program 33rd overall for having the best Return on Investment (ROI), in its fourth biennial rankings of business schools 2005. The MBA program was ranked 24th by The Wall Street Journal's 2005 Interactive Regional Ranking.
  • The James E. Rogers College of Law at UA is continually ranked in the top tier of law schools in the U.S., and was ranked 41st nationally by U.S. News & World Report in 2005.

Founding of the university

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). Tucson, having a smaller contingent of legislators than cities like Prescott and Phoenix, was granted last priority and was awarded the university, which disappointed many city residents. With no parties willing to step forth and provide land for the new institution, the citizens of Tucson prepared to return the money to the Territorial Legislature until two gamblers and a saloon keeper decided to donate the land necessary to build the school. Classes met for the first time in 1891 with 32 students in Old Main, the first building constructed on campus, and in use still today.

Athletics

Main article: Arizona Wildcats

Like many large public universities in the U.S., sports are a major activity on campus, and receive a large operating budget. Arizona's athletic teams are nicknamed the Wildcats, a name derived from a 1914 football game with then California champions Occidental College, where the L.A. Times asserted that Arizona "showed the fight of wildcats." The University of Arizona participates in the NCAA's Division I-A in the Pacific Ten Conference.

Men's Basketball

The men's 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 amassed 18 consecutive 20-win seasons, and reached the NCAA Tournament 21 consecutive years, which is the longest active and second-longest streak in NCAA history (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 27). Lute Olson has taken the Wildcats to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament in 1988, 1994, 1997, and 2001. In 1997, Arizona defeated the University of Kentucky, the defending national champions, to win the NCAA National Championship (NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship).

Football

The football team began at the University of Arizona in 1899 under the nickname "Varsity" (a name kept until the 1914 season when the team earned the name "Wildcats"). The football team was notably successful in the 1990s under head coach Dick Tomey and his "Desert Swarm" defense that was characterized by tough, hard-nosed tactics. In 1993, the team had its first 10-win season and drubbed the powerhouse University of Miami Hurricanes in the Fiesta Bowl by a score of 29-0. In 1998, the team posted a school-record 12-1 season and made the Holiday Bowl in which it defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Arizona ended that season ranked 3rd nationally and 2nd in several publications.

Baseball

The baseball team has captured three national championship titles in 1976, 1980, and 1986. Arizona baseball teams have appeared in the NCAA National Championship title series a total of six times, including 1956, 1959, 1963, 1976, 1980, and 1986 (College World Series).

Softball

The Arizona softball team is among the top programs in the country and a perennial powerhouse. The softball team has won six NCAA Women's College World Series titles, in 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, and 2001 under head coach Mike Candrea (NCAA Softball Championship). The team has appeared in the NCAA National Championship in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, and 2002, a feat second only to UCLA. Mike Candrea also led the 2004 U.S. Olympic softball team to a gold medal in Athens, Greece.

Men's and Women's Golf

The university's golf teams have also been notably successful. The men's team won a national championship in 1992 (NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships), while the women's team won national championships in 1996 and 2000 (NCAA Women's Golf Championship).

Other

Three national championships for synchronized swimming were won in 1980, 1981, and 1984, though these championships were in the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, and not the NCAA.

Although surprising to some, the University of Arizona has a strong history in ice hockey. The school's club team, known as the Icecats, has won over 520 games since its inception in 1978. The Icecats defeated Penn State for the National Collegiate Club Hockey National Championship in 1985.

Individual National Championships

A number of notable individuals have also won national championships in the NCAA. These include Amanda Beard in 2001 for swimming and Annika Sörenstam in 1991 in golf. The men's cross country has also produced two individual national titles in 1986 (Aaron Ramirez) and 1994 (Martin Keino) (NCAA Men's Cross Country Champions). The women's cross country also produced two individual national titles in 1996 and 2001 (NCAA Women's Cross Country Championship).

Rivalries

A strong academic and athletic rivalry exists between the University of Arizona and Arizona State University located in Tempe. The football rivalry game between the schools is known as the Territorial Cup and is the nation's oldest. Rivalries have also been created with other Pac-10 teams, especially University of California, Los Angeles which has provided a worthy softball rival and was Arizona's main basketball rival in the early and mid-1990s. Since that time, however, UCLA has fallen off somewhat, while Arizona has maintained its basketball prowess, appearing most recently in the Elite Eight of the 2005 NCAA tournament.

Mascot

The University mascot is an anthropomorphized wildcat named Wilbur. 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.

Notable venues

  • McKale Center, opened in 1973, is currently used by men's and women's basketball, women's gymnastics, and women's volleyball. The official capacity has changed often. The largest crowd to see a game in McKale was 15,176 in 1976 for a game against the University of New Mexico, a main rival during that period. In 2000, the floor in McKale was dubbed Lute Olson Court, for the basketball program's winningest coach. During a memorial service in 2001 for Lute's wife, Bobbi, who'd passed away after a battle with ovarian cancer, the floor was renamed Lute and Bobbi Olson Court. In addition to the playing surface, McKale Center is host to the offices of the UA athletic department. McKale Center is named after J.F. Pop McKale, who was athletic director and coach from 1914 through 1957.
  • Arizona Stadium, built in 1928, seats over 56,000 patrons. It hosts American football games and has also been used for university graduations. The turf is bermuda grass, taken from the local Tucson National Golf Club. Arizona football's home record is 258-139-12. The largest crowd ever in Arizona Stadium was 59,920 in 1996 for a game against Arizona State University.

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. The university maintains a current list of colleges and schools at http://www.arizona.edu/index/colleges.php[5]

Campus museums

For current museum hours, fees, and directions see "campus visitor's guide" in the external links.

  • Much of the main campus has been designated an arboretum. Plants from around the world are labeled along a self-guided plant walk. The Krutch Cactus Garden includes the tallest Boojum tree in the state of Arizona[6]. (The university also manages Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park, located c. 85 miles north of the main campus.)
  • 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 Center for Creative Photography features rotating exhibits. The permanent collection includes over 70,000 photos.
  • UA Museum of Art.
  • The Arizona Historical Society is located one block west of campus.

Current state of the university

  • Led by Roger Angel, researchers in the Steward Observatory Mirror Lab at UA are working in concert to build the world's most advanced telescope. Known as the Giant Magellan Telescope, the instrument will produce images 10 times sharper than those from the Earth-orbiting Hubble Telescope. The telescope is set to be completed in 2016 at a cost of $500 million USD. Researchers from at least nine institutions are working to secure the funding for the project. The telescope will include seven 18-ton mirrors capable of providing clear images of volcanoes and riverbeds on Mars and mountains on the moon at a rate 40 times faster than the world's current large telescopes. The mirrors of the Giant Magellan Telescope will be built at UA and transported to a permanent mountaintop site in the Chilean Andes where the telescope will be constructed. The project will secure the already reputable astronomy program at the UA among the world's best and most innovative.
  • A downturn in Arizona's economy in the 2000s, coupled with the severe impact of the September 11, 2001 attacks, led to less money being allocated by the state legislature to Arizona's universities. Academic programs were hard-hit, and the university was forced to consider extensive changes, beginning in 2002. As a result, a reorganization known as "Focused Excellence" aims to focus the mission of the university on research, graduate training, and more selective undergraduate education, in part, by eliminating and merging less popular and low-revenue academic departments. The closure of some programs, notably the innovative Arizona International College and the School of Planning, provoked widespread protest. There are plans to restrict undergraduate admission to the more academically qualified students, thus further distinguishing the university from the state's larger Arizona State University. However, efforts to improve academic performance and to encourage new research areas were not enough to prevent a number of key departures from the faculty in the early 2000s, and budgets remain restricted.
  • 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. This creates demands by students on academic staff to award "A"s and "B" grades, so that their overall grade point averages do not suffer. Discussions with students and faculty may lead the UA toward using a plus-minus grading system in the future. Administrators say that the change could occur as early as Fall 2006. [7]
  • 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.[8] The future of commencement ceremonies at the University of Arizona will remain uncertain pending the decision of the university administration.

Recognized fraternities and sororities of the Greek System

There are currently (2005) 44 fraternity and sorority chapters that are recognized by the University of Arizona. As of 2005, approximately 7 percent of male UA students were members of campus fraternities, and 11 percent of female students were members of sororities. The fraternities and sororities are governed by 3 governing councils. The Interfraternity Council (IFC) represents 20 fraternities, the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) represents 6 historically African-American fraternities and sororities, and the Panhellenic Association (PHC) represents 18 sororities. The university maintains a full list of recognized fraternities and sororities as well as a map that highlights the locations of fraternity and sorority houses at http://www.union.arizona.edu/csil/greek/chapters/index.php[9]

Recognized student clubs and organizations

A new and expansive Student Union building [10], opened in 2003 as the largest student union in the U.S. not affiliated with a hotel. The University of Arizona is home to more than 500 philanthropic, multi-cultural, social, athletic, academic, and student clubs and campus organizations. A listing is found at Center For Student Involvement and Leadership (CSIL)[11] through the Student Union.

CSIL also houses the Arizona Blue Chip Program[12] one of the largest collegiate-level leadership development programs in the United States, with over 500 active students at any one time throughout the 4 years of the program. Blue Chip was founded in 1999 and has become so successful that an international partnership has been formed with the Univerity of Wollongong, in Wollongong, Australia where a sister program, the Black Opal Leadership Development Program[13] began in February, 2005. Structure, curriculum, students and even staff are exchanged between the two institutions in a unique international leadership development initiative.

The large size of the university and a generally student-friendly administration provides for an environment where many diverse and unique clubs can thrive. Through funding from the CSIL and the Associated Students of the University of Arizona, clubs are given the resources and encouragement to explore unusual interests.

Student government representation

The students at the University of Arizona have, since 1913, been represented by the Associated Students of the University of Arizona, or ASUA. Representation is elected by the students every year (usually in March).

Miscellany

Athletics

  • The first sport to bring national recognition to UA was Polo. The 1924 UA Polo Team captured the Western Collegiate Championship, and traveled to the east coast to present U.S. President Calvin Coolidge with a cowboy hat. The UA Polo team faced Princeton University for the intercollegiate title and lost 6-2 and 8-0. With the onset of World War II, the UA was unable to continue sponsoring a Polo team.

Current events

  • On April 24, 2005, an article by John Merrow entitled The Undergraduate Experience: Survival of the Fittest appeared in the New York Times. The article presented the disadvantages that some freshman and poorly performing students face at large educational institutions such as the University of Arizona. The University of Arizona administration has responded to the negative publicity of the article on the grounds that the article does not accurately depict the typical experience of most university students. The article takes exception to the University's size and population by criticizing the admission of 83 percent of applicants to the University. The article also criticizes large class sizes and resulting virtual anonymity of the students in these classes. In contrast to the picture presented by the New York Times article, the University of Arizona admissions office website reports that less than 4 percent of classes are larger than 100 students and the average class size is 29.[14]

Film

History

  • The University of Arizona is called Arizona nałtsoos ízisgo baa ótad in Western Apache, a language spoken in Arizona.
  • In the 1974, the University of Arizona received $5.5 million USD from the Arizona state legislature to renovate its football stadium. A provision of this legislation (ARS 15-1630) prohibited the University of Arizona Medical Center from performing abortions (unless the mother's life is in jeopardy) or teaching its medical students abortion procedures. This legislation is still in effect, and could potentially impact every public medical school in Arizona, making Arizona the only state which prohibits the teaching of abortion in public universities. To address this issue, Planned Parenthood implemented a rotation for obstetrics and gynecology residents to receive abortion training. Interested residents and medical students have the ability to utilize such resources to study the medical procedure of abortion. Second and third year medical students have both scheduled and elective time available to pursue such supplemental training.
  • The current school colors are cardinal red and navy blue. Before 1900, the colors were sage green and silver. The switch was made when a lucrative discount on red and blue jerseys became available.
  • Arizona's first mascot was a real desert bobcat named "Rufus Arizona", introduced in 1915.
  • In 1952 Jack K. Lee, an applicant for the UA's band directorship, departed Tucson by air following an interview with UA administration. From his airplane window, Lee observed the huge letters on the roof of the UA gymnasium reading "BEAR DOWN." Inspired, Lee scribbled down the music and lyrics to an up-tempo song. By the time his plane landed, he had virtually finished it. A few weeks later Lee was named the UA band director, and in September 1952, the UA band performed "Bear Down, Arizona!" in public for the first time. Soon thereafter, "Bear Down, Arizona!" became accepted as UA's fight song. (Bear Down)
  • The Berger Memorial Fountain at the west entrance of Old Main honors the UA students who lost their lives in World War I, and dates back to 1919.

Traditions

  • The bell housed on the USS Arizona was one of the two bells rescued from the ship after the attack on Pearl Harbor and has a permanent home in the clock tower of the Student Union Memorial Center on campus. The bell first arrived on campus in July 1946. The bell is rung seven times on the third Wednesday of every month at 12:07 p.m. to honor the achievements of the UA, as well as after football victories over all schools located outside of Arizona.
  • At the beginning of each school year, freshmen repaint the "A" on "A" Mountain, and for more than 100 years the "A" remains a Tucson and Wildcat landmark.
  • Spring Fling is the largest student-run carnival in the U.S. and has been held annually by UA students since 1975.

Notable alumni and faculty

Main article: List of University of Arizona people

With an established history, strong academic programs, and a significant tradition in athletics, the University of Arizona has been distinguished by a number of notable individuals. Notable alumni include a former U.S. Secretary of the Interior, the U.S. Surgeon General, the creator of the television series "Sesame Street" and founder of the Children's Television Workshop, the owner of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Major League Baseball team, and several NASA astronauts.

Notes

  1. ^ UA Highlights 2004-05
  2. ^ "USNews.com: America's Best Colleges 2006: National Universities". November 23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  3. ^ "Masters in MIS program". November 23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  4. ^ "Top 500 World Universities". November 23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  5. ^ "http://www.arizona.edu/index/colleges.php". November 23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); External link in |title= (help)
  6. ^ "Boojum boon for UA campus : www.azstarnet.com ®". November 23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  7. ^ "Arizona Summer Wildcat - Making the grade: UA's plus/minus debate - Monday, August 9, 2004". November 23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  8. ^ "Arizona Daily Wildcat - Mailbag - Monday, November 29, 2004". November 23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  9. ^ "http://www.union.arizona.edu/csil/greek/chapters/index.php". November 23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); External link in |title= (help)
  10. ^ "home : arizona student unions (See above)". November 23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  11. ^ "Center For Student Involvement and Leadership (CSIL)". November 23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  12. ^ "Arizona Blue Chip Program". November 23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  13. ^ "Black Opal Leadership Development Program". November 23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  14. ^ "Fast Facts". November 23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  15. ^ "BIO5 : University of Arizona Institute for Collaborative BioResearch". November 23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
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