TCU's new equestrian team debuts September, but what exactly is an equestrian team, and what do they do?According to varsityequestrian.com, the sport of horseback riding was classified as an emerging sport by the National Collegiate Athletic Association in 1998. For the sport to reach full NCAA championship status, 40 Division I/II schools must adopt the sport.

As of 2005, only 21 universities had adopted the sport, according to the Web site.

Thanks to a $74,000 grant from TCU's Vision in Action a year ago, a new director has been named for the Center for Urban Education, said the dean of the School of Education.Jennifer Brooks, who was appointed director in June, said she is anxious to start work with the program.

"The overall goal is to develop urban educators for the next generation of students," Brooks said. "A lot of exciting things are coming" to the program.

Some incoming freshmen are not sure what to expect in their first semester, but advice from upperclassmen and alumni might help freshmen make the most of their college experiences.One common concern expressed by freshmen is time management.

Douglas Lynn, '04 TCU alumnus who was having lunch on campus, suggested choosing studying over a social event.

"There will always be another party or athletic event, and chances are, it will be bigger and better than the one you missed," Lynn said.

These days, football fans can't tell whether Matt Leinart is a businessman or a quarterback. Like many professional athletes, he has his sights set on green dollar bills instead of the green turf, disenchanting the fans who pay the GNP of a small country to see him throw and run - the same fans who pay him.This year's NFL draft exemplifies how the passion for a game has dissipated into a money-hoarding business deal: Leinart, the 10th pick in the draft, has held out for two weeks because he felt as though he deserved more money than those who were drafted before him.

Construction of the TCU indoor practice facility is set to commence on Sept. 5. "The multipurpose indoor practice facility will be about 336 feet long tip to tail, and about 92 feet wide," said Ross Bailey, director of operations and sports medicine.

Due to conflicts with the football practice schedule, the construction will not begin Sept. 1 as previously planned, Bailey said.

Lisa Albert, assistant director of communications, said the construction is part of a $100-million anonymous donation for campus construction.

"Accepted" is the latest movie to portray college lifestyle on the big screen, like "National Lampoon's Van Wilder" and "Animal House," but there is one thing this movie does different than other movies of its kind.It has heart and a truly genuine message about not making judgments based on appearances and not accepting rejection.

As the movie begins, you see Bartleby "B" Gaines (Justin Long) using his wit and charm to get through high school. But while most kids are receiving their acceptance letters to prestigious schools, Gaines receives multiple rejection letters.

I have been around alcohol my whole life.My dad's father (Grandpa) has owned a liquor store for as long as I can remember, and my mom's father (Pawpaw) is by far his best customer. Every time my family gets together, it's the perfect chance to try out a new wine or beer that my grandpa has just received in stock, or to install a new keg into my Pawpaw's fully functional and well-stocked bar.

From that information, you might assume that I am a heavy drinker and that I could get booze anytime I want it. But I am different.

TCU advertising and public relations students will soon have the opportunity to gain real world experience while contributing to Fort Worth's nonprofit organizations, said the director for the Schieffer School of Journalism.The journalism school's newest internship program, Real World Integrated Marketing Communications, was created with the goal of giving advertising/public relations students professional experience in a teaching environment, wrote Tommy Thomason, director of the Schieffer School of Journalism, in a overview of the program.

As Bob Dylan would say, "The times, they are a-changin'" for KTCU, a new station manager has signed on. Russell Scott, a 23-year veteran of commercial radio, began his work as station manager at KTCU 88.7 FM "The Choice" in mid-June.

Richard Allen, chairman of the radio-TV-film department, said Scott was the first person who came to mind when he was considering who the most qualified person for the position would be.

"He has the combination of the right attitude and the right experience," Allen said.

Due to the change in parking lots and the construction blocking streets on campus, numerous students and community members are receiving parking tickets.According to the TCU Police Department, about 400 parking tickets have been written on campus since Aug. 16.

TCU Police Chief Steve McGee said money from parking tickets goes back to the university, not to the police department, and that many of the tickets will be dismissed.

Although several hundred tickets have been issued, McGee said the number isn't unusual for the beginning of school.

In my four-plus years of college, I have heard a number of people make the argument that the legal drinking age should be lowered to 18. Their arguments generally go something like, "If 18 is the legal age to go to war for your country and to vote for your elected leaders, then why shouldn't you be able to drink a beer if you want to? I mean, after all, you are technically an adult at 18, so why shouldn't you be entitled to all of the same privileges and freedoms as a 21-year-old?" While these may be valid arguments, I think there is more to consider when it comes to the topic of alcohol.