Pass

During its meeting on Wednesday, ASUA passed a resolution against four separate bills in the Arizona Legislature that would each allow students or faculty to carry concealed weapons on campus.

The legislation would also prevent Arizona universities from prohibiting concealed carry on their own campuses.

What that legislation fails to address is that higher education campuses like the UA’s have enough to be concerned about without wondering who’s carrying what in secret.

It’s best for students to allow the University of Arizona Police Department to do its job, and for students to focus on why they’re here: Education.

Pass to ASUA for taking a stand for the constituents they’re supposed to serve. Now if only they’d figure out that whole “”Arts and Culture”” Festival thing.

Pass

A dozen victims of the Jan. 8 shooting were honored on Thursday at a Red Cross ceremony.

The 2011 Red Cross Real Heroes Awards was combined with the American Red Cross’ annual fundraising event. More than 500 people attended the luncheon at Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa to honor the survivors for their bravery and selflessness in the shooting’s aftermath.

For continuing to be a kind and supportive community, even after life has returned to normal and the national media have gone, a pass to Tucson and the Red Cross.

Fail

It was announced at Thursday’s meeting of the Arizona Board of Regents that, by 2020, 31 percent of undergraduate enrollment at Arizona universities will be made up of out-of-state students, and 28 percent of education revenue will come from them. Tuition for out-of-state students will rise, though it will remain below out-of-state tuition at most comparable universities.

We don’t live in a world where education is free. Unfortunately, sometimes it has to be treated like a business. But students should hope that university decision-makers don’t look at them and just see dollar signs.

The regents, and university leaders, should have the best interests of all students (not just the ones from Arizona) in mind.

A fail to the regents, who need to remember that students aren’t just sources of revenue.

Fail

During a speech to the D.C. chapter of the conservative Federal society, Sen. Jim DeMint, a Republican from South Carolina said, “”This whole idea that the president is the leader of our country is a mistake.”” Um, what?

DeMint, whose speech also covered national debt, the 2012 election and the repeal of health care reform, claimed, “”Leadership starts in the homes of communities, in businesses, in churches. I’ve lived in a community and I know where the leaders are and it’s not in Washington.””

DeMint’s argument is flawed for one simple reason: High school government class. Barack Obama is the president of the United States. Period. As much as you disagree with his politics and policies, he doesn’t just stop being the president because you say so. For pandering to rightwing extremists and ignoring simple government course curriculums, a fail to Jim DeMint.

— Editorials are determined by the Daily Wildcat editorial board and written by one of its members. They are Kristina Bui, Ken Contrata, Michelle A. Monroe and Heather Price-Wright. They can be reached at letters@wildcat.arizona.edu.