Free food, drinks and face painting attracted crowds of students to the Frog Frenzy tailgate party at the Campus Commons on Saturday despite suggestions that the new tailgate policy would lower attendance at the party.

With radio favorites playing in the background, students mingled with friends and grabbed a quick bite at the party before making their way to the football stadium.

A couple of students who began line dancing soon turned into a group of about 30 in their purple Class of 2012 T-shirts.

The location

An international certificate program designed for students interested in gaining international or intercultural competency is accepting applications now, an officer for the Center for International Studies said.

The Certificate in International Studies program aims to prepare students for international jobs and becoming global citizens by guiding them through the program accomplishing three major components: knowledge, skills and interactive perspectives, said Tracy Williams, associate director for the Center for International Studies.

The Student Government Association's House of Representatives is starting its fall semester tonight with a slew of legislation.

"A Bill to Modify Campaign Rules"

Introduced by: Elections & Regulations Committee

This bill would more clearly define when a candidate could campaign for office, as well as runoff procedure and election days.

"A Bill to Clarify Standards for People Involved in Campaigns"

Introduced by: Elections & Regulations Committee

It's something students do everyday, but they usually don't stop to consider if it might kill them.

The safety of food was brought into question this summer with the much-publicized outbreak of salmonella across the country that lead to the deaths of at least two people.

Sodexo, the company in charge of Dining Services at TCU, knows how important it is to serve students safe food, said Legia Abato, marketing manager for Dining Services.

When I heard about John McCain's vice presidential pick, I smiled. I thought he was handing the Democrats the presidency on a golden plate. But as the week progressed and the polls came out, I was surprised to see that Sarah Palin is gaining ground with Republicans.

I suppose the initial wave of support she is riding is fueled both by her speech at the Republican convention and the subtle victimization she plays out so well. Why have a candidate with an actual resume when you can put your arm around your pregnant teenage daughter and look like a long-suffering everywoman?

One in every three TCU students studies abroad. The university just made it safer and easier for future Horned Frogs studying around the globe by providing emergency services overseas.

Tracy Williams, associate director for the Center of International Studies, TCU Abroad, told the Skiff that TCU signed a contract with International SOS, an international emergency service provider that will provide medical, personal, travel, legal and security assistance services for students. The story appeared in Friday's issue.

TCU is an active campus with its close-knit student body, multiple organizations and top-notch facilities. But I wonder how many students are active when it comes to using on-campus facilities.

I hadn't realized, until now, that a number of on-campus facilities go unnoticed by students. It struck me when a senior in my jogging class said she had never gone to the University Recreation Center.

When Sen. Barack Obama spoke last week at the 75,000 seated Invesco Field in Denver on the anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, it should come as no surprise that the speech was nothing more than a mere disappointment. The fireworks and speeches from admired senators and history-marking men like Sen. Ted Kennedy only set up the anticlimactic aftermath of the Democratic convention.

When Jeffrey Geider wanted to learn more about environmental conservation, he went deep in the heart of the Amazon.

Last month, the Institute of Ranch Management sent two of its faculty members, Geider and Kerry Cornelius, as well as associate provost of academic affairs Bonnie Melhart, to Brazil to visit with TCU alumni John and Kika Carter to learn about ranching practices that stress environmental conservation.

The soccer team hopes to improve its 2-0-1 record with a weekend trip to Arizona.

The team will battle Arizona State University in Tempe, at 7 p.m. today, then will pack up and head north to Flagstaff to play Northern Arizona University at 12:05 p.m. Sunday.

"It's always fun to get to see a different environment so I think the team will be enthused to get out and hit the road," said head coach Dan Abdalla.