The university's Institute for Environmental Studies and Oxford University's Environmental Change Institute in England have joined forces to change the world in an eco-friendly way. The two institutions are leading a research program in the development of wind power. One focus of the program is to address the impact of wind turbines on flying animals. TCU has never fallen short of making a difference in society and this is just another example of its dedication.

As the wintry chills set in, the multicolored lights brighten the city and the red kettles make their annual appearance on the sidewalks, pangs of poverty dig a little deeper in some homes. There is no question why the holidays are a time for giving. But this year, the economic crisis has caused some giving hands to hesitate, dwelling on the bank accounts and wallets that are a little bit tighter - a little bit emptier.

Despite the fact that religion plays an important role in the lives of Americans, everyone benefits from the separation of church and state that is afforded by the Constitution, a religion professor and a Christian agency representative told students at a discussion on religion and politics Wednesday.

Ron Flowers, emeritus professor of religion, and guest speaker Stephen Reeves, legislative counsel for the Christian Life Commission, spoke about the dangers of blending religion and politics in an intimate gathering of about a dozen students in Robert Carr Chapel.

Dining Services' initiative to change the meal plan should be applauded.

Pre-packaged food options including salads, sandwiches, fruit, cookies and drinks will now be available at Sub Connection, and changes in the way Pond Street Grill operates are in the works.

While it doesn't fully integrate Sub Connection into the "swipes" portion of the meal plan, it is a step in the right direction.

The Simply To-Go program will help students with busy schedules grab lunch and continue with their lives.

A new trend is sweeping across college campuses - the discontinuation of school yearbooks.

According to news reports, at least five colleges have announced the discontinuation of their yearbooks since the end of last year, including the University of North Texas and Purdue University, whose yearbook had been in publication for more than 100 years.

Despite the trend, The Horned Frog, TCU's yearbook, seems to be standing strong.

Students in Harris College of Nursing have more room to practice their technique thanks to the expansion of simulation labs and additional simulation manikins.

Mary Beth Walker, assistant director of simulation lab, said the Harris College has divided the simulation labs in order for nursing anesthesia students and undergraduate nursing students to have their own practice areas.

"A simulation manikin has working parts that will respond to a student's response to an underlying problem or a set of vital signs," Walker said.

Beginning next semester, students will have the option to use their meal plan swipes at Sub Connection in Smith Hall, a university official said Wednesday.

Craig Allen, director of Residential Services, said this change to the meal plan is the result of students voicing concerns about not being able to use their swipes at a dining location on the east side of campus.

"Students have told us, 'I'm on the other side of campus, how come I can't use the swipe at Sub Connection?'" Allen said.

The Horned Frogs' shooting woes continued Wednesday night as they fell to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, 62-50 at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum.

Despite a solid defensive effort, TCU made just 10 field goals for the entire game. Senior forward Langford led the Horned Frogs with 19 points. No other player scored in double digits for TCU. The team shot a woeful 15.8-percent from 3-point range, and did not make a 3-pointer in the first half.

The women's basketball team will continue its run through a gantlet of in-state opponents when it faces off against the University of Texas at Arlington at 6:30 p.m. tonight in Daniel-Meyer Coliseum.

Fresh off a big upset over No. 3 Maryland, the Lady Frogs still have plenty of room to improve, especially on the boards, head coach Jeff Mittie said.

"I think our rebounding was awful," Mittie said. "What we've seen on film is that there are some things I think that we can teach better."