Regents could extend Olson contract through 2011

The Arizona Board of Regents will vote tomorrow on a two-year extension for Arizona men’s basketball head coach Lute Olson, according to the regents’ agenda.

Olson’s current contract, through which he makes up to $1.1 million per year with incentives, runs through 2009. If the extension is approved, Olson will be 76 years old when the contract runs out April 30, 2011.

“”He deserves it,”” assistant coach Josh Pastner said. “”He deserves to coach as long as he wants to coach.””

The Hall of Fame coach, now in his 23rd season at the UA, previously extended his contract in 2004, when he signed a five-year extension.

Olson currently makes $400,000 in base salary plus $300,000 in related compensation. He can also earn up to $355,000 in incentives.

Olson has amassed a record of 567-175 at Arizona and a 759-267 record overall.

Graduate students hosts two-day Mideast forum

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Graduate Student Association is holding a graduate student forum today and tomorrow.

The forum “”Traditions and Interpretations of the Middle East and North Africa”” will be open to the public in the Center for Middle East Studies on the fourth floor of the Marshall building.

The three presentations today begin at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. respectively. Tomorrow’s presentations begin at 9:15 p.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. in Room 490.

The keynote speaker is Abdullahi Gallab, an Arizona State University professor. Gallab will speak on the topic “”Whose Sudan is it? Islamists and the state”” at 6 p.m. tomorrow in the Modern Languages building, Room 310.