A Pepsi and a Milky Way bar? Swipe it! A new calculus book? Swipe it! Thirty seven bottles of Pepto-Bismol and a copy of Ann Coulter's newest political book? Well, you get the picture.Today, seemingly anything that one could want on campus is available via the use of our student ID card. Cool? I guess.

An indoctrination into a system of plastic over cash that will one day launch our nation into a second Great Depression? You bet.

Five years ago during my 8th grade U.S. History course, I vividly remember watching two American Airlines flights violently crash into the World Trade Center on TV, sending cascading smoke and debris into the air.My dad is an American Airlines pilot who was flying to an unbeknownst destination on Sept. 11. With no possible way to contact him, 9/11 was initially more than a national catastrophe to me - it was a personal disaster. To me, going to war was originally a practical and well-founded idea.

The outcome of the plus/minus grading system could be determined soon, said a senator on the Faculty Senate Academic Excellence Committee.The proposal, which will allow professors to use a plus or a minus after a letter grade, must still pass before the University and Graduate councils later this month at a date and time still to be determined, said David Grant, a member of the Faculty Senate Academic Excellence Committee.

Parents attending this year's Family Weekend and football game against Big 12 opponent Texas Tech University have an opportunity that hasn't been available since 1984 - a sold out game at Amon Carter Stadium.Marc Jansing, a sophomore environmental science major, said his parents are excited to be a part of this year's events because "they didn't come last year and felt like they really missed out."

In addition to the game, Programming Council has planned family events throughout the weekend.

So you still want to go to Saturday's TCU/Texas Tech game? You may need some deep pockets.Tickets for the game at Amon Carter Stadium, which seats more than 44,000, have been sold out for three weeks, say university officials. But electronic ticket outlets like eBay and StubHub! have been offering 50-yard-line seats this week for as much as $300 each. A search Tuesday on StubHub!, a Web site that offers tickets for sporting events and concerts, displayed four tickets in Section V, Row 45 that were selling for $300 each.

TCU has taken an extra step toward making the treatment of all students more equal.As reported in the Skiff earlier this month, all students may now appeal alcohol citations to a committee comprised of five to eight students and a residential staff member. The students who serve on the committee are members of a 32-student board representing every dorm on campus with the exception of Brachman Hall, which had a lack of applicants.

Imagine growing-up in a town where cattle easily outnumber the city's population. Now imagine your town's name actually means a horse, especially a quiet, plodding horse for farm work or family use, according to dictionary.com.

If you are wondering what town this could possibly be, look no further than Dobbin, Texas, which is approximately 45 minutes north of The Woodlands.

Dobbin is the hometown of Dakota Gring, a junior finance and accounting major, who said she could not be happier about growing-up in a small town.

Job hunters who are not affiliated with TCU can no longer access job listings on FrogJobs, the University Career Services' online job database, UCS staff members said.FrogJobs, which lists full-time and part-time jobs both on and off campus, was updated over the summer, said Lynne VonRoeder, a graduate intern for UCS. Now, only TCU students and alumni can access it, she said.

"Non-TCU students were accessing it and not complying with the rules," VonRoeder said.

Residential Services is working to place recycling bins in Greek housing, a part of campus that currently does not have containers to place recycled items in, said the director of Residential Services. Recycling bins for paper, aluminum and plastic are located in the trash rooms of non-Greek residence halls, said Craig Allen, director of Residential Services.

Jenna Lewis, a chapter resident assistant for Pi Beta Phi, said Greek residents would probably use recycling bins if they were available.

The University Council approved changes in the number of credit hours that can be transferred in and the number of classes a student can take during the three-week session in May.The changes were approved in May and will be implemented before advising begins for the spring 2007 semester.

The University Council is made up of academic deans, elected and appointed representatives from each college and students, said Nowell Donovan, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.

Hispanic Heritage Month begins Friday, and TCU has several events planned, including a sand castle-building contest and a Latin jazz performance, as part of the nationwide celebration honoring the Hispanic culture. TCU prides itself on being a global, world-class university, and celebrating Hispanic Heritage month is just another way to promote the mission statement, said Greg Trevino, director of Inclusiveness and Intercultural Services.