The often mentioned, rarely explained, avian influenza virus has spurred concern and preparation within the medical community and public health services. Now its potential to mutate has moved into the forefront. Many citizens assuage their fears of a viral pandemic with the belief that avian influenza will follow in the footsteps of its hubbub-inducing virus brother, SARS, and boil the conversation about the dangers of the virus down to unnecessary panic, but TCU officials are still preparing.

The TCU women's tennis team is taking a seven-game winning streak into the Mountain West Conference Tournament this week. The Frogs are scheduled to begin play Thursday in San Diego.Junior Ana Cetnik said the team is not planning to change much about its game plan in terms of preparing for the upcoming games.

Since TCU has already played against the teams competing in the MWC tournament, the Frogs have a good idea of the competition they are up against this week.

Head coach Dave Borelli said the team is focusing on trying to play better with each game.

Why did you choose to come to TCU from South Africa?I came to get an education. The tennis facilities were nice and the tennis team was really good. The coaches were also really nice.



Growing up in South Africa, who were your tennis role models?

Wayne Ferreira was one of the best South African tennis players. But that is also a reason why I came to the United States because the tennis in South Africa is going down. The competition is not that strong. There is a lot more competition and variety in America.

Members of the Gay Straight Alliance will be wearing gags and carrying bells without clappers, as well as carrying empty bags today as part of the National Day of Silence.National Day of Silence represents the silence faced by thousands of individuals throughout history who have been discriminated against based on their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, said Jessica Fleming, president of the GSA.

"This is a way of speaking out against the hate crimes that occur every day," Fleming said.

Consider where you are right now, what you did last night, and what lies in your future. Then stop and try to fully appreciate everything in life that you have because so many people only dream of our opportunities.As a TCU junior, I think it is horrific to see so many college students whining about their "sad" situations. Either they're "broke" and can't buy beer or they've been dumped by their boyfriends; boo hoo.

The leasing office for the GrandMarc at Westberry Place is the first business to move in to it's new home at 2855 West Bowie Street.Johanna Janovsky, business manager for the GrandMarc, said staff members have given about 50 tours to prospective tenants since arriving last week.

Currently, three apartments are available to tour, including the fully-furnished apartment No. 206, which costs about $820 a month, said Josh Austin, 23, a leasing consultant at the GrandMarc.

TCU's e-mail woes might not get any better this week.For marketing purposes, TCU administration provided the e-mail addresses of future junior and senior students to the Dallas-based firm in charge of promoting the GrandMarc at Westberry Place, said the project manager for the firm.

"The developer and the contractor work very closely with TCU," said Julie Ratcliff, project manager at kREED Company.

While most of the other TCU Greek councils' Web sites have an abundance of information, the Multicultural Greek Council Web site states, "Information coming soon," but this is all about to change with the hiring of a new program coordinator.Gaius George, a U.S. Virgin Islands native, was hired to advise the MGC and said he wants to see the organizations flourish.

"I want to get the MGC up and running to where it is self-maintaining," George said. "It is not my first go-around starting up a Greek council."

Parking in the center of campus will be gone after May 23, but several new parking lots on the outer parts of campus will offer alternatives, Don Mills, vice chancellor for Student Affairs, said Tuesday at a town hall meeting.Mills said TCU has been working with a parking consultant group, Walker Parking Consultants, to make changes to TCU's traffic patterns. Because of the construction of four residence halls and the new student union building, parking in the area of the quad, including the visitor and 30-minute lots, Colby Hall and Moncrief Hall will all be gone, he said.