The men's and women's swimming programs have opened this season with hopes to rebound from a lackluster year in which the men finished fifth and the women seventh in the Mountain West Conference.

But this year they are battling a lack of senior experience and missing one of the key recruits for this year's team.

"This team is going to get better every meet during the season," said head coach Richard Sybesma. "It takes us all season to get in the type of shape we need to compete at the end of the year."

Bonnie Melhart found the perfect place to start TCU's new study abroad option on a recent trip to Brazil."When I went there, it seemed so perfect we stopped looking," said Melhart, associate provost of...

I saw a great little number on YouTube.com a few days ago by some influential celebrities attempting to use reverse psychology to get people to vote. The video was called "Don't Vote." It was effective.

I'm already a registered voter and although I believe my vote is merely a grain of sand, it's my piece of the beach. We can all agree if everyone thought cynically about his or her voice in the world, the system would collapse. So, thank you to all those positive people out there who acknowledge that although you don't really matter, it's important to let people know you exist.

The Christmas season seems to start earlier each year. Just the other weekend, I saw Christmas decorations for sale already at my local Home Depot.

Even singers are getting an early start, if Faith Hill's "Joy to the World", which was released Sept. 30, is any indication.

It's surprising because Hill's holiday output before now has been limited to the song "Where Are You Christmas" from the film version of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and a duet with Josh Groban on his own holiday album.

Dining Services is ushering in changes to the main campus dining areas in response to student requests, but other demands have gone unheeded.

Students can expect to see the return of old favorites in the form of a make-you-own-wok station in Market Square and a rolled sushi station in 1873. The recently installed frozen yogurt machine in Market Square has proved popular, prompting lines of students looking to satisfy their sweet tooth. In addition, new sandwich options have been added to the menu and more salad choices are in the works.

Sophomore quarterback Andy Dalton practiced Monday after he sat for the second straight game due to a knee injury, a 13-7 win at Colorado State.Monday's practice was not in full pads, but Dalton was participating...

The university admitted more students from its wait list this fall because of concern among students about being able to afford going to college, an admission official said.

Ray Brown, dean of admissions, said the university was short in its expected number of students deposited in April. By April 29, the university was about 140 deposits behind the previous year, Brown said. He said he believes the reason for this was concern about the economy.

The university admitted about 300 students from the wait list, about 200 of which enrolled, Brown said.

Chesapeake Energy has withdrawn its request for the City Council to review a high-impact gas well permit for a proposed well site on campus north of Amon Carter Stadium, a university official said.Tracy...

While many students used fall break to relax and get some much-needed rest, several athletes spent the weekend in action.

Football

The football team became bowl eligible by defeating Colorado State 13-7. Junior quarterback Marcus Jackson started his second straight game under center and this week rushed for 54 yards while throwing for 166. Joseph Turner rushed for 39 yards and scored the eventual game-winning touchdown with 6:52 left in the second quarter.

Swimming and Diving

This Thursday's game against No. 8 BYU is this year's "Pink Out" game, which gives TCU and the Susan G. Komen Foundation an opportunity to raise money for breast cancer patients.While this game is immensely...