A new program supporting the research of women-related and gender-related issues opens its doors to campus and the community today. Religion professor Claudia Camp said she thinks the Institute on Women and Gender will be an asset to the university.

"I think (the institute) will benefit TCU in terms of national recognition," Camp said. "It creates a structure where students and faculty can work together to do research."

TCU is now offering a Spanish in the Workplace series that teaches faculty and staff to speak Spanish in their everyday working environment.The Staff Assembly and Human Resources are co-sponsoring two eight-week series of classes by Command Spanish, the largest provider of workplace Spanish in the nation, said Julie Lovett, assistant director of extended education.

Lovett, who brought the program to TCU, said her main goals for the program are to bridge the communication gaps in the workplace and also between staff and the community.

The Faculty Senate is working on eliminating the number of at-large representatives in an effort to gain equal membership of senators from various departments.The function of the Senate may not be directly linked to the numbers, but equal representation is key to how the American Congress works. This method should be used at the university level.

Rhode Island, the smallest state, and Texas both have just two members in the Senate. Equality is reached, and levying for certain views is determined by group decisions.

People from various churches came together Wednesday night to promote peace and unity between denominations in Fort Worth.The Unity Dinner, held in the University Christian Church, concluded a week of prayer for Christian unity.

Suzanne Castle-Rolen, associate minister for college ministries, said the Unity Dinner was the finale of a weeklong international event that encouraged unity between churches in Fort Worth.

The event is held in various places around the world annually, but it is making its return to Fort Worth.

The avian flu may be flocking to the United States, and officials are developing a plan to ensure the safety of the TCU community.TCU has taken action by researching and consulting with health officials...

Nearly six months have passed, and the women's tennis team is still without a permanent fixture at the head coaching position, but the players have accepted their interim coach en route to a national rank.Jefferson Hammond took over the women's program in August, following the resignation of Joey Rive, the former head coach of the men's program. Hammond assisted Dave Borelli for two years in the women's program before Borelli moved to the helm of the men's team.

Whether you're new to Cowtown or have lived here since birth, the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo will stimulate all your senses and is money well-spent.The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, celebrating its 111th year, is family-orientated, which makes it a great place for kids and adults to have fun. It also was the first livestock show to feature sheep, llamas and cattle raised, groomed and shown by junior leagues and children who live in the area. This year, more than 24,000 livestock are competing at the show.



Plenty to do at the rodeo

Last Thursday, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill to reform ethics and lobbying legislation in order to ease voters' frustrations with corruption on Capitol Hill.The Democrat-initiated bill, passed 96-2, will force senators to abandon gifts, free travel and other benefits they may receive from lobbyists, according to the Associated Press. The bill will also make senators "more accountable for the pet projects they insert into bills."

At-large members of the Faculty Senate are being phased out over the next three years to create a more proportionate representation among colleges, the Faculty Senate chair said.Chair Suzy Lockwood said Faculty Senate members wanted to make sure the colleges are equally represented. At-large members are elected to represent the entire faculty but are often influenced by their specific college, Lockwood said.

Horses bucking, bulls raging, vicarious thrills. Surprisingly, the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo has never been more entertaining.

The first event of the night was a contest to see which rider could ride the longest and withstand the force of the horse's bucks and kicks. One of the horses ran so close to our gated seats in the front row that flecks of dirt fell on our clothes brought on from the horse's hooves. Afterward, other cowboys would gallop alongside the bucking horse, grip the strap and release the buckle to free the mount.

Hot dogs! Hot dogs! Get your hot dogs!TCU Dining Services is waiting for approval from the university to install a hot dog cart on campus.

About 15 students comprised the Dining Committee that proposed the idea for the cart last semester, said Rick Flores, general manager of Dining Services. If the cart is approved, students will be able to buy hot dogs on campus using their student ID cards.

"It would be an easy way to grab a bite to eat," said Katie McCann, Dining Committee chair.