The Faculty Senate is looking into whether undergraduate students grading other undergraduates' work is a concern at the university after an online survey generated mixed feelings from faculty members, a Faculty Senate official said.

Keith Whitworth, Faculty Senate secretary, said Robert Garnett Jr., associate professor in economics, sent him an e-mail expressing this concern. The concern was then brought to the Faculty Senate open forum at the October meeting, he said.

The open forum allowed for a five-minute discussion on the issue, Whitworth said.

The university is providing transfer students with opportunities to get connected with the campus community, a campus official said, although a national survey shows transfers often fall through the cracks.

The National Survey of Student Engagement stated that transfer students reported less interaction with faculty, a less-supportive campus environment, less "active and collaborative learning," and fewer "enriching educational experiences."

But Rachael Taber, senior nursing major and transfer student, said she was happy with her transfer experience.

Cheers to the university for adding new majors and minors and continuing to give students more choices. In the immortal words of "Schoolhouse Rock," "Knowledge is power!"

Jeers to the new meal plan. The administration failed to listen to student concerns from the conception of the plan. Now the lack of flexibility of the plan has robbed previously popular Pond Street Grill of business and students of options.

When I was asked to think back on my time here at TCU and the roller coaster of studying, partying, eating, meeting new people, bad decisions, new friends, losing friends, growing, changing, massive student...

The university endowment lost about 17 percent of its market value this year soon after the financial crisis gained momentum in June, according to the chief investment officer.

James Hille, chief investment officer, said he told the Board of Trustees investment committee that from January to the end of October the endowment went from $1.2 billion to about $1 billion. Hille said the figure isn't exact, but said the loss is about $200 million.

When I sat down to write my senior column, I immediately thought I'd be writing a sentimental piece about how much I've learned at TCU and about how much I have changed. I imagined I would look back and laugh at myself as a wide-eyed freshman who sat down in the wrong classroom on the first day of school.

But I did that my sophomore and junior years, too.

I'm still nervous about studying for finals, I still vow after every test that I will never procrastinate again and I still get lost in Sid Richardson.

For the past few years, December graduation rates have increased. Later this month, more than 800 students will receive their degrees, a university official said.

Kristi Harrison, manager for academic progress, said 885 students will receive their degrees during this month's commencement ceremony. This number includes students who finished their degree requirements this past summer and students who completed their degree requirements during this semester.

Gary Patterson's Christmas has come early.

"What (the NCAA) needs to do is put us with somebody ranked," head coach Gary Patterson said after TCU's last game against Air Force Academy. "Put a Boise State with one of our teams in some bowl game if they want a little publicity if Boise doesn't go to a BCS game."

Patterson said he is looking forward to facing the Broncos.