The closing ceremony in Beijing on Sunday marked the official end of the Olympic Games, but the legacy of the games will follow China for some time, manifested in the twisting steel of the Bird's Nest and, more importantly, the new global perception of the country.

My own perception of China has certainly changed. I knew China was an emerging economic powerhouse, but bicycles, rice paddies and little white stickers on cheap plastic toys were the first images that came to mind prior to the Olympic Games. Now, those pictures will be replaced by the Bird's Nest.

Inclusiveness and Intercultural Services will have two new assistant directors beginning next week to fill the post left vacant by Greg Trevino, who died in May from injuries suffered in an automobile accident, a university official said.

Darron Turner, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs, said Timeka Gordon will begin Tuesday, and April Brown will begin Wednesday.

"We got an opportunity for a second position, so we have two assistant directors," Turner said. "Some of the duties that he (Trevino) had were split into two areas."

TCU is hosting an inaugural student leadership summit starting today that will bring together student delegates from Mountain West Conference schools to discuss issues ranging from crisis management to greener campuses, summit organizers said.

The summit, which will take place today and Friday, is a result of a collaboration between TCU and the University of Utah, SGA president Thomas Pressly said.

Thank you Congress for trying to alleviate some of the pressure off of students' pocketbooks.

When the was passed in July, parents and students alike were able to release a big sigh of relief, seeing as the act exists to monitor college and university tuition increases.

Quarterbacks

The Horned Frogs will be led by sophomore quarterback Andy Dalton. Despite his 10 to 11 touchdown to interception ratio, Dalton only threw two interceptions over his last 96 pass attempts.

Junior Donald Porterie will be back under center for the Lobos. Porterie threw for 3,000 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, compared with just nine interceptions.

Advantage: New Mexico

Runningbacks

Praise Phelps. But let's not forget the rest.

Ask anyone to name one Olympian, and he or she will most likely talk about the world-record-breaking swimmer.

Michael Phelps is one of the most recognized Olympians of all time, thanks to his amazing winning streak - 14 gold medals, eight of which he won at the 2008 Beijing games. But what about other U.S. athletes who have made it big in this year's games?

All new construction on campus will be built to higher energy efficiency and sustainability standards under an agreement the chancellor signed along with a coalition of college and university leaders.

Under the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, which Chancellor Victor Boschini signed last spring, TCU has created a committee to oversee the implementation of eco-friendly construction and sustainable materials, headed by Provost Nowell Donovan and made up of other faculty and students.

Congress said "yes," and the president did too.

Legislators hope the College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2008 - passed in July - will make higher education more financially feasible for all, but university officials expressed reservations about certain aspects of the law.

"Overall, we're pleased. This legislation has been a long time coming," said Michael Scott, director of scholarships and financial aid. "But you're never going to please everyone."

In recent weeks, Americans received a much needed break at the pump. It's a relief to see gas prices go down because higher gas prices seem to bring out the worst in people. This summer, police arrested...

Now that the Olympics are over, I wonder to myself what I am going to watch when midnight rolls around. Without Michael Phelps swimming his way into the record books and high school girls jumping around...