The protagonist of "Butterflies Are Free," Theatre TCU's new production, has a lot in common with students, the play's director said.

"It's about overcoming challenges we all face as college students, like what love is and how to make it on your own and take care of yourself," student director Preston Swincher said. Swincher is a senior seeking double degrees in musical theatre and entrepreneurial management.

Even though much of the world has gone digital, students still prefer the printed textbook, a sociology professor said.Keith Whitworth, instructor of sociology, said e-textbooks - textbooks that can be...

I sat in disbelief Sunday evening of what had just happened. Monday morning I began rationalizing.

Maybe this is the adversity the Cowboys needed to check their egos. Maybe it is time to deal for a wideout that will help Terrell Owens play through the problems he's obviously having. Maybe it's time to threaten benching Tony Romo if he doesn't fix his lackluster, turnover-filled performances. Well maybe not; the loss should be enough to jar these guys into action and Romo needs to be on the field, even if he is showing gaping holes in his leadership abilities.

In the recent credit market fiasco plaguing our nation and world economy, there exists macroeconomic and microeconomic fault. The most publicized facet of our problems is what went wrong on a macroeconomic...

Defense doesn't normally come to mind when one thinks of Brigham Young University, but this year TCU is not the only team with an imposing defense.

In addition to all-American candidate Max Hall leading the potent offensive attack, the Cougars have the novelty of a top defense. BYU ranks No. 2 nationally in scoring defense, allowing a paltry 10.2 points per game, including back-to-back shutouts of University of California-Los Angeles and Wyoming. It would be unfair to classify either of those teams as offensive juggernauts.

A new Web site has added to concerns of academic integrity and creativity.

Knetwit.com, one of many sites that allow students to exchange study materials and papers, provides payment for those who contribute to the Web site's database.

Dean "Tyler" Jenks and Benjamin Wald, who came up with the concept, say they wanted to provide a knowledge-sharing platform to assist in students' academic endeavors - definitely a commendable intention.

But cutting corners isn't part of the formula for academic enrichment.

The sociology, criminal justice and anthropology department is integrating a new study abroad program starting summer 2009 headed by professors Patrick Kinkade, chairman of the sociology, criminal justice and anthropology department and Keith Whitworth, professor of sociology.

During the two-week trip students will travel to Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, the Japanese Alps and more, Kinkade said.

Taking a stroll outside always gets me really excited. I love going for walks, but why is it that I feel guilty for walking on the grass? Even going from class to class, it is as if I am breaking a strict social code by making my way across campus via green patches.

Lately, as in my whole life, I have noticed the people staying on the sidewalk. OK, walkways are paved with the intent of pedestrian use, but why not stray from the norm on occasion or make a new habit?

A new Web site that pays students for their class notes, exams and papers has university professors and administrators turning to their own technology to prevent plagiarism issues.

Knetwit.com, which launched in September, is one of many sites that provides the public access to other students' study materials. The Web site was created by fraternity brothers Dean "Tyler" Jenks and Benjamin Wald. Both in their early 20s, they have since dropped out of Babson College in Massachusetts to focus on making Knetwit a success.