Good Idea: Bad Idea

Landscaping:
Nickolas Seibel (Arizona Daily Wildcat's Chief editor) suggests we pitch in and beautify our campus. Unfortunately, he doesn't take into account the overall cost of electricity, plant purchasing and water that it takes to keep U of A the green oasis surrounded by desert that it is. Rather than take this opportunity to suggest that U of A go sustainable (by xeroscaping, for example) he complains about the unwillingness of groups to pitch in and work.

This is just another example of well-intentioned ideas that simply will not work. Eye on the prize, people! A little brown grass and a few dry fountains are hardly worth complaining over when the U of A is closing whole departments and laying off hundreds of employees.

http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2009/02/18/News/Lets-Bear.Down.For.Arizona-3635619.shtml

Student fees:
In a much better effort at criticism, this article questions the amount of fees students will be asked to pay. Keep in mind what the article does not mention: The library has suggested that it may need to raise fees by over $100 next year just to keep the doors open and books on the shelves. Unlike tuition, fees can be raised without the ABOR's approval, making them a tempting source of funding in this budget crisis. It's extremely important to remember, however, that unlike tuition, fees are out-of-pocket for graduate students, and are not covered by tuition reimbursement. Increased fees are equivalent to a pay cut if you're a GAT or RA.
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2009/02/18/Opinions/Editorial-3635592.shtml

Tax credits:
Education tax credits are one of the very few ways we can determine where our tax dollars are spent. These might also get the ax:
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/110355.php