University of Arizona in the News

Inside Higher Ed June 15, 2022
An Optional LSAT?

An American Bar Association committee has recommended ABA accreditation standards no longer require an entrance exam, such as the Law School Admission Test or Graduate Record Examination. If the association adopts the recommendation, law schools could use the LSAT or GRE, but would not be required to do so. Historically, law schools only used the LSAT to determine a student's acceptance. But in 2016, the University of Arizona College of Law began using the GRE as well.
The Atlantic June 14, 2022
Our powerful, shiny new telescope got its first upsetting ding

The James Webb Space Telescope recently took a hit to its sensitive primary mirror from a micrometeoroid "beyond what the team could have tested on the ground," according to NASA. The mirror that took the hit will be adjusted to counter the distortion and noise that resulted from the impact. "Webb got launched like a beautiful new car, and after you go to the parking garage a few times, there's going to be a few dings," said Marcia Rieke, an astronomer at the University of Arizona who leads one of Webb's instrument teams.
KGUN-TV June 14, 2022
University of Arizona commits to increasing number of Hispanic faculty and doctoral students

The University of Arizona and 19 other top U.S. research universities announced the formation of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities, dedicated to increasing opportunities for a population that has been historically underserved by higher education. "This alliance, has come together, 20 presidents and chancellors coming together, to rally around two common goals. Those goals are to double the number of Hispanic doctoral students across our institutions and to increase the number of Hispanic faculty by 20%," said University of Arizona assistant vice provost of Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives, Marla Franco.
 
Axios June 14, 2022
Arizona undergraduate enrollment surges as nation sees decline

Undergraduate enrollment at colleges and universities in Arizona has grown by 4.5% since spring 2019. At the same time, enrollment nationally has declined by 7.8%, according to a recent analysis by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Arizona was one of only eight states to see an enrollment increase. 
The TODAY Show June 14, 2022
Surprise! Watch TODAY Show anchors reunite with old friends on the plaza

A Jaw-dropping moment this morning for TODAY Show anchor Savannah Guthrie during a segment on reunions. The University of Arizona alumna enjoyed a surprise reunion with fellow Wildcat Melissa Manas, her best friend from their undergrad days in Tucson. University Communications assisted with this coverage. 
The New York Times June 13, 2022
New tools can make our COVID immunity even stronger

The COVID situation, in terms of hospitalizations and deaths, is in a much better place now, but it is not the best science can do, and we must continue to advance against it, writes Deepta Bhattacharya, a University of Arizona professor of immunology, in this guest column.
Axios June 10, 2022
New study finds extreme, severe drought impacting the upper Colorado River basin in the second century

A new study identifies a second-century drought unmatched in severity by the current drought or previously identified droughts. The research finds that compared to the current 22-year drought in the Colorado River, with only 84% of the average water flow, the water flow during a 22-year period in the second century was much lower, just 68% of the average water flow. "Tree-ring records are sparse back to the second century," said Connie Woodhouse, a professor of geography and development at the University of Arizona and a study co-author. "However, this extreme drought event is also documented in paleoclimatic data from lakes, bogs and caves."
Inside Higher Ed June 10, 2022
Stronger together

The University of Arizona and 19 other top U.S. research universities today announced the formation of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities, dedicated to increasing opportunities for a population that has been historically underserved by higher education.
Arizona Daily Star June 9, 2022
Smarty Cats: UA athletes post second-highest spring-semester GPA in department history

University of Arizona athletes posted a 3.082 collective GPA last semester, the second-highest mark for a spring term in athletic department history, as is the athletes' cumulative career GPA of 3.224. More than 65% of all athletes carry GPAs of 3.0 or higher, and 41.4% have GPAs of 3.5 or higher. Arizona's women's golfers carried a record team GPA of 3.821 for the spring semester, the best among all Wildcats teams. The men's cross country team posted a 3.484 GPA, tops among men's teams.
The New York Times June 9, 2022
Mysteries linger about COVID's origins, WHO report says

An international team of scientists said Thursday they need more more Chinese data to confirm the source of the worldwide pandemic. University of Arizona professor ecology and evolutionary biology Michael Worobey, who co-authored two papers earlier this year that argued the pandemic originated with a bat-infected wild animal, such as a raccoon or dog, sold at a public market in Wuhan, said it was unfortunate that the WHO team did not look closely at the unpublished research. "I think if you read our pre-prints and understand the evidence," he said, "actually there's very strong evidence that the pandemic emerged through wildlife at the Huanan market."