Plasma Provides More than Entertainment
PHOTO CREDITS, LEFT TO RIGHT: RYAN MILLER, LOGAN WEBSTER, RYAN MILLER. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION : ERIK NORTHFELL
Possible Tuition Increase by BRITTANY NIMS
Assistant News Editor
CHAD ARNOLD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Collecting nearly 3 million liters of plasma a year, BioLife Plasma Services gathers high quality plasma that is used for life-saving plasma-based therapies. Plasma is the yellow liquid of whole blood that helps circulate red and white bloods cells and platelets while being easily replenished by the body. The local Biolife is located on Millsap Rd, a short drive off North College.
The UA Board of Trustees will discuss Thursday and Friday a proposed increase in tuition and fees for the 2012 2013 school year for the entire UA system, said the director of communication for the University of Arkansas System. The proposed increase between 3 and 5 percent would fund measures such as retention and graduation as well as utility costs like facility maintenance, technology upgrades, increased employee benefit costs and increases in faculty salaries, according to a press release from the UA system. Increased student enrollment at all UA colleges and universities strained state funding, said Ben Beaumont, director of communication for the UA system.
“As enrollment grows, the state budget gets tight,” he said, “and the burden shifts to the students.” Through the years, state funding has decreased, he said. At the UA-Fayetteville, state funding accounts for 40 percent of education and general revenue, according to the press release. Tuition and fees account for the rest. Ten years ago, state funding used to be higher, Beaumont said. Between 2008-2009 and 2010-2011, four-year UA universities received 11 percent less per student in state appropriations. Board committees will meet Thursday, March 29 at 1 p.m. and Friday, March 30 at 8:30 a.m. at the University of Arkansas Systems office in Little Rock.
10th Biannual Human Library Begins Next Week by MATILDE BONIFAZ Staff Writer
International Students and Scholars and the University Libraries’ Diversity Committee will partner with Student Ombuds Services to sponsor the 10th biannual Human Library from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 5 and 6 at Holcombe Hall. The Human Library, formerly the Living Library,
functions much like to a regular library, except that students “rent” conversations with a variety of UA students, faculty and staff. The UA was one of the very first universities to host a Human Library, which runs every fall and spring. “The event began at the UA in Fall 2001 after a graduate assistant in the University Ombuds Office read an article about
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a similar event in Ms. Magazine,” said graduate assistant Jessica Pope. The Human Library has more than 30 “titles,” with subjects that include a transgender person, an atheist, a two-time cancer survivor, a person in a cross-cultural relationship and representatives from various countries. For volunteers, the event offers an opportunity to fulfill a diversity requirement for a class. For employees, the event counts as an hour toward a UA diversity certificate. Participants in the Professional Development Institute can also
receive credit toward their certificate. “My first time going to the Human Library was incredibly unforgettable. Even though I got to hear only one story, it was worth it. It is fascinating how much one can learn from someone else,” said Catalina Bonifaz, economics major. “For everyone, this is an opportunity to learn from and better understand one another and our cultures. With this event, we encourage our campus community to move towards awareness and intercultural communication. We emphasize
the importance of not judging a book by its cover,” Pope said. “It has been a joy to coordinate the event for the past two years. It has allowed me to meet wonderful people with amazing life experiences.” The library focuses on creating a comfortable, open environment that is conducive for sharing and developing increased cultural understanding, according to an online article. “Being able to connect people and then see them share their stories in an honest, even vulnerable, way is incredible. The Hu-
man Library is an opportunity to break down barriers in a safe, educational manner. This is an event that everyone should take part in at least once,” Pope said. “Reading a book is knowledgeable, yet the way you sit with these unique individuals one-on-one, as if it were a book, is irreplaceable. I am so happy the university gets to offer this type of opportunity,” said Caroline Smith, marketing major. Reading registration continues through March 30. reading appointments are required.