Alpha Phi Alpha will crown its ninth Ms. Black and Gold - the recipient of $1,000 in scholarship money - at the annual pageant today.This evening in the Student Center ballroom, Alpha Phi Alpha will judge eight contestants to see who is eligible to hold the crown and title of Ms. Black and Gold.

The ninth annual Ms. Black and Gold pageant serves to promote scholarship in the community, said Gary Briggs, a sophomore political science major and member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. He said scholarship is one of the major aims of the organization.

The Society of Sustainability, a new professor- and student-created organization, is being denied status as a recognized university organization because it seemed too similar to other organizations on campus, said the club's faculty adviser.Professor of sociology Keith Whitworth said the club will educate students on sustainability - which involves economic development, environmental stewardship and social justice - and will serve as a central hub for all sustainability issues and organizations on campus.

"I'm through with standing in line to clubs we'll never get in. It's like the bottom of the ninth, and I'm never gonna win..."The song comes on the radio, and I cringe as I reach to change the station. This song, "Rockstar," by Nickelback, is more than I can handle. Whether meant to be taken seriously or not, it reveals some truth about our society. A sad truth.

"I want a brand new house on an episode of Cribs, and a bathroom I can play baseball in..."

Materialism permeates American culture. I've gotten caught up in it. We all have.

The spring 2008 editor-in-chief and advertising manager for the Daily Skiff were announced at the Student Publications Committee meeting Friday, and both said they plan to make changes to the online edition of the publication next semester.Andrew Chavez, a senior news-editorial journalism major, was selected as editor-in-chief, and Erica Savage, a senior advertising/public relations major, will be the Skiff's new advertising manager.

A fraction of a percent separates the two remaining Student Government Association presidential candidates heading into Thursday's run-off election.Out of 2,131 votes cast for president, there was a .32 percent difference - seven votes - dividing Nate Arnold and Thomas Pressly. None of the three candidates received a majority, said Kim Appel, SGA adviser.

"The fact that only seven votes separated us shows that the students had a lot of energy," said Arnold, a junior marketing major.

A recent study by the Center for Academic Integrity at Duke University found that on most college campuses, more than 75 percent of students admit to some form of cheating.I don't know about you, but I think that number is huge.

But what constitutes cheating? Most students think that cheating is just copying other students' answers on tests or buying pre-written essays.

But that is just a fraction of what cheating is.

The campus radio station is installing new devices to ensure the safety of its staff, after threatening phone calls forced the station to be evacuated two weeks ago.On Oct. 23, a man called and threatened to come to the station, KTCU FM 88.7 "The Choice," after he made complaints about the music and said racial slurs about a disc jockey. Following the threat, students were evacuated from the station located in Moudy Building South.

At 5-5, the Frogs' bowl hopes remain uncertain, but a 2-8 opponent could make things a little clearer Saturday.As TCU welcomes UNLV to Amon Carter Stadium on Saturday, improved play from the quarterback position and not allowing a game-breaking play on defense will be pivotal if the Frogs want win No. 6.

Here are the probable starters for Saturday's matchup between TCU and UNLV.



QUARTERBACK

TCU: Andy Dalton, redshirt freshman

UNLV: Travis Dixon, freshman

Advantage: Even

Relatively empty stands are proof the TCU men's basketball program has received little support from the student body - until now.The Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity showed pride in the team by camping out in front of Daniel-Meyer Coliseum before the Frogs faced Rice on Tuesday night.

This outward display of school spirit should encourage other students to follow suit.

Forward Kevin Langford, a junior sociology major, said the support gives the team motivation and it would be even better to have more people involved.

It might be a final farewell for the senior football players, but head coach Gary Patterson said he is focused on what he calls a "two-game season."At Tuesday's media luncheon, Patterson said Saturday's final regular season home game against the UNLV Runnin' Rebels marks a must-win situation for his team. Though teams only need six wins to become eligible for a bowl invitation, Patterson said he believes the team, which sits with a 5-5 record, needs to win its remaining games against UNLV and San Diego State University to earn a bowl bid.