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

Boston University

Regardless of whether either of the reforms currently being discussed are put into place, immigrants will continue to cross onto American soil in search of a better life. If passed, these reforms will acknowledge their existence and provide them with that better life.

People constantly look down on both legal and illegal immigrants as being of lesser value than Americans. But Americans must remember that this nation was built by many different immigrants from many different nations.

There is a reason the Statue of Liberty still stands at Ellis Island. The same idea must remain today ÷ all must be welcomed just as they were hundreds of years ago.

÷ "Immigrant plan a good one," from Boston University's Daily Free Press

North Carolina State University

President George W. Bush called on Congress to extend the Patriot Act in his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, to the applause of Republicans and to the chagrin of Democrats.

For the sake of academic integrity of university libraries, the Patriot Act should not be renewed, but if it is, any arbitrary access to libraries without search warrants should be left out and the historic privacy protections that libraries once enjoyed should be replaced.

There is no need to subject the citizens and patrons of the nation's libraries to the paranoid and intrusive tactics of the FBI. Let the Patriot Act die like it is supposed to in 2005.

÷ "John Ashcroft is reading about you," from North Carolina State University's Technician

Indiana University

Manned missions into space once more are recklessly wasteful with taxpayer resources, and will fade into the background ÷ never to be discussed again, until election time.

We are already deepening the deficit. Perhaps instead of proposing enormous, needless programs, the administration could center its goal around significantly cutting back spending and avoiding passing burdens onto future generations ÷ another promise Bush has made we would like to see him come through with.

÷ "Bush moons the nation," from Indiana University's Indiana Daily Student

University of Florida

When American history professors show the 1963 video of Alabama Gov. George Wallace blocking two black students' entrance to the University of Alabama, many wonder how such blatant hate and prejudice in a government official were tolerated. In 40 years, people may wonder the same thing about George W. Bush.

Bush and his supporters think legal marriage rights must be denied to gays and lesbians in order to "protect" marriage between a man and a woman.

The contention that increasing rights for same-sex couples somehow jeopardizes family values is unconvincing. It's hard to imagine how allowing gays and lesbians to see their partners in the

hospital threatens traditional marriage.

÷ "Benefits of marriage should be extended to all," from the University of Florida's Independent Florida Alligator

University of Alabama

Going into Monday's Iowa Democratic caucuses, we were all told Howard Dean was going to be the winner. Case closed. Don't even bother voting. Everyone's favorite wacky M.D. from Vermont has got it in the bag.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, Monday was an example of why they actually vote instead of leaving the elections up to pollsters, spinsters and various other "-sters."

For as long as we can remember, the polls said Dean. On Monday, the voters of Iowa said otherwise.

÷ "It's a horse race again," from the University of Alabama's Crimson White

West Virginia University

The morning-after pill, which has spurred debate since its debut, may be on its way to over-the-counter availability. As it should be.

By making the pill easily accessible, individuals (especially teenagers) could prevent unwanted pregnancies, which are all too common in the United States. It could also cut down on the number of traditional abortions.

Don't get us wrong ÷ we strongly believe preventive measures should be taken prior to sexual activity if women choose to not abstain. Condoms, birth control regimens and other methods are readily available and free at health clinics.

Ideally, most women would never have the need for the morning-after pill. But since all situations aren't ideal, a woman should be able to go to a drug store to get the pill.

÷ "Morning-after pill should be available over the counter," from West Virginia University's Daily Athenaeum

Northern Illinois University

President George W. Bush's State of the Union Address on Tuesday night barely touched the surface of what the people of the United States wanted to hear about ÷ the nation's debt. Bush said little about the deficit, which is the highest it has been in years. According to The New York Times, the debt the Bush administration has gotten the United States into is so high that it "threatens the financial stability of the global economy."

Don't worry, though. Bush plans to have that debt cut in half within five years ÷ at least that's what he said in his address. But, how can the president promise something like that when his term in office easily could be up next January? That's a hefty promise to make when Bush doesn't even know where he's going to be standing one year from now.

÷ "Bush's address leaves out national debt," from Northern Illinois University's Northern Star

Indiana University

Fall break isn't a flippant desire for a few days off from school. We're not whiny students trying to escape class. We're not asking for Labor Day or a longer winter vacation (although we wouldn't argue against either).

Fall break is a strategic university decision to transform lethargy into liveliness. It's the only cure for a sick student body ÷ the only sustenance for a weary campus.

Fall break is all about economics. If we want to sacrifice a few days in October, we have to give a few more days at the end of the semester.

It's a massive trade-off ÷ one we're willing to accept.

÷ "Martin Luther King Jr. Day needs a fall counterpart," from Indiana University's Indiana Daily Student