Universities' priority should be Îfuture leaders of America'

I'm writing in regards to Jessica Lee's take on how public universities should not choose its students solely on quality for Wednesday's Issue of the Week. Are you kidding me? Why should a hardworking individual have his place stolen by another student chosen solely because of the color of his skin? Sure there are some "rich white kids" that have been fortunate enough to live in nicer areas, but why should they be punished for the hard work their parents or grandparents put forth so that they are in the position that they are now? And who is to say that they don't have the same, if not greater desire to attend college as someone less fortunate? Is there a difference between the quality of schooling in the inner cities and the suburbs? Yes, but the opportunity to excel in both situations exists. [Read article]

Pike is in trouble. And every indication is that its troubles are rightfully earned.

The fraternity, formally known as Pi Kappa Alpha, had been on probation since Feb. 20, 2001. More recently, Pike's recognition was withdrawn for an alcohol violation earlier last semester.

Last week, Pike announced plans to appeal the decision to the University Hearing Board. But granting that appeal would be a mistake. [Read article]

Editors' Note: This column is the first of a series of commentaries highlighting the experiences of an international exchange student in Israel.

"What? You're crazy! You know that, right?" This was the common first reaction when I told friends I would be leaving Tucson to study for a semester in Tel Aviv, a city targeted by a suicide bomber only one week before I arrived, and a place many believe can be seen by the sights of any weapons that Saddam Hussein may deploy in the pending U.S. war with Iraq. So what the hell am I doing here? What made me decide to come here, at this time, and type papers from a bomb shelter converted into a computer lab, rather than the "safe" confines of the Integrated Learning Center? This is exactly what the young El Al Israel Airlines security officer was determined to find out as I approached the ticket counter in New York. [Read article]

It was a typical lead-up to the Super Bowl this year, chock-full of macho posturing and chest-beating ad nauseam. There's just one big difference this time around, though ÷ the game is over, but the tough-guy bluster shows no signs of abating. That's because it comes not from pumped-up professional athletes, but from our own government. And while the rhetoric may sound the same, the stakes in this war of words are far, far higher than a Super Bowl trophy. [Read article]