The best in last week's editorials from college campuses across the nation

North Carolina State University

Part of the requirements for FDA approval is to make sure normal, reasonable consumers can regulate their use of the drug. Limit the doses of the pill sold to a person and regulation is under control. Ultimately, the pill is for emergencies and not for normal birth control uses, because it does introduce a high dose of estrogen into the female body. If a woman needs it over the weekend, when Student Health Services is closed, it should be available because the next alternative a woman has is abortion. Which begs the question: Which is more convenient: a condom, a pill or a doctor's visit?

- "Uh-oh, time to go to Plan B" from North Carolina State's Technician

The University of Virginia

Most importantly, despite what the Cardinal Newman Society claims, "The Vagina Monologues" does indeed contribute to the well-being of women around the world. V-Day, the violence prevention organization that evolved from Ensler's play, arranges thousands of performances of "The Vagina Monologues" in conjunction with other charitable events every year, an effort that raised $4 million in 2003. The group's anti-violence mission hopes to end the horrifying conditions that many women face in other nations, from sexual slavery to genital mutilation.

At best, the Cardinal Newman Society's movement represents a prudish notion of sexuality. At worst, it represents a blind and thoughtless attempt to shield students from a fact of humanity at the expense of their free choice, their activism and their intellectual and, yes, sexual development.

- "The vagina dialogue" from the University of Virginia's Cavalier Daily

Colorado State University

Today's font-page package talks about All-University Core Curriculum. You know, those required classes - beloved speech, natural sciences and everyone's favorite, freshman composition. But no matter how much you might think these classes are a waste of time, they might help you more than you know or are willing to admit.

Without the university requiring AUCC classes, CSU would simply become a trade school. Students come here to get well-rounded education - as clichŽ as that sounds, it's true. CSU, and any respectable institution of higher education, has a responsibility to its students to provide core classes promoting the learning of all disciplines.

- "There is something to be learned in required classes" from Colorado State University's Rocky Mountain Collegian

Clemson University

Lowering standards or choosing someone based on his race simply perpetuates the difficulties in race relations that people are working so hard to overcome. Admitting a minority student (or any other) who is not qualified will only hurt worse when he fails to succeed at a college where he doesn't belong. The issue of affirmative action in education is crucial because in international society, the leaders we are training must know how to deal with other cultures; however, this doesn't mean that any means justifies the end of diversity at a university.

- "Affirmative action needs right place at colleges" from Clemson University's The Tiger

The University of California at Los Angeles

Political scientists will argue for years about exactly why Dean fell apart, but one thing is clear: He was successful in mobilizing voters historically apathetic toward the political process. In a time when big business and special interest groups seem to have a stranglehold on the political process, Dean offered a simple message, promising to "take back" the country.

He opposed the war more clearly than any other leading candidate and helped focus the Democratic debate on important issues like health care and the creation of jobs.

He also used the Internet in a way no presidential candidate has before. He used it to organize his supporters with a "blog" and an online fundraising Web site, which helped generate an immense grassroots support base that made the election actually seem democratic.

- "Dean's political impact must be remembered" from UCLA's Daily Bruin

Boston University

Gay and lesbian couples deserve to be allowed to marry in all cities and states across the country, but San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom hurt that cause and trampled on the rule of law everywhere Thursday by organizing an act in blatant disregard for California law - he arranged for a lesbian couple, and later 15 other same-sex couples, to be officially married in City Hall. Gay marriages are prohibited in the state of California, and Newsom's actions are troublesome.

The couple has every right to disagree with what is an unjust law, but it is inappropriate for a city's highest elected official to use his legal powers to help others break the law.

- "Calif. mayor went too far" from Boston University's The Daily Free Press

The University of Oklahoma

Studying abroad is also your chance to share the best parts of American culture with other people. Technology is connecting the world more and more every day, making it essential to understand other cultures.

Sharing experiences leads to mutual appreciation of cultures - or, at least, understanding. Understanding leads to tolerance and acceptance. When one person accepts the people of another culture and sympathizes with their concerns, that person is much less likely to hold hatred or prejudice toward those people.

Now is the best chance to go.

- "Go west, young student" from the University of Oklahoma's Oklahoma Daily

The University of Kentucky

Who will blame the candidates if they don't waste time talking about issues that will be moot when it comes time to vote? Why talk about college issues when most college students don't vote?

This feeds into the ugly cycle. Students don't vote, so candidates push student issues to the bottom of the list, so students don't care and don't vote.

The solution isn't complicated. Vote. Lack of education shouldn't be an excuse.

- "When students don't vote, politicians don't care" from the University of Kentucky's Kentucky Kernel

Marshall University

It's kind of frightening to think that Disney will soon own the copyright to "Mnah, Mnah" and "It's Not Easy Being Green." They'll get the royalties for Gonzo the Great, every time he chases Camilla the chicken, and lets not forget the reruns of "Pigs In Space!" and the episode where the Koosbanian creatures participate in the famous mating ritual known as the "Galley Oh Hoop-Hoop."

Jim Henson was a comic genius and one of the few who ever seemed to be a genuinely nice guy. We're sad to see that Michael Eisner is going to have a few more characters to collect money from when Disney already has so much. It strikes another blow at infodiversity and lines Eisner's wallet with a few extra bills.

- "Disney purchase of Muppets unfortunate" from Marshall University's The Parthenon