KOLD News 13U of A President Shelton Makes His First "State of the University" Address

U of A President Shelton Makes His First "State of the University" Address

By J.D. Wallace, KOLD News 13 Reporter

At the University of Arizona, like other universities, many students expect more from their school.

"Student wages for the student workers on campus.  We barely make enough to make ends meet," said U of A freshman Christopher Howard.

But some do give the school credit on issues such as how it surveys its students.

"It makes us feel like we have a responsibility to decide how the university is spending extra funds or an increase in funds," said freshman Dan Arrington.

"This university is about quality, discovery, and opportunity.  Those three words define us.  They underpin all that we do and all that we are," U of A president Dr. Robert Shelton said in his first State of the University speech on Tuesday.

He said that the U of A must fight to attract more high quality faculty , and can use state help doing so.

"This is one way the state can turn one dollar into 10, and it's not only the state we're asking for help.  We're in this too.  Faculty are going to bring in federal dollars through their grants, and we're going to go to many of our private friends," Shelton said.

And he wants the state to help match large external grants.

"I'm talking $50 million to $100 million.  If we want to win those grants, we need the state to partner with us to help bring those dollars in," Shelton said.

When it comes to money and the university, some students' biggest concern is their own funds.

"I think tuition is like one of my main concerns but that's because I'm the one who's shelling out the cash for it," freshman John Danloe said.

"We have to work with every student, every family to reassure them we'll provide the support they need to come here and succeed," Shelton said.

That approach is part of the Arizona Assurance, a program set to begin next fall to make U of A accessible to all qualified students.  Some already here have no complaints.

"I'm not sure.  I'm pretty satisfied with how the University is running right now.  It's a good school," said junior Rochelle Bernie.

But to make the school even better requires a plan.

"We want to compete," Shelton said.