There are certain topics many prefer not to talk about or to even think about. These topics might include racism, sexism or homosexuality.

But college is about stretching minds and challenging the status quo of the culture in which students were raised. It is about asking the difficult questions and having the courage to develop opinions through critical thinking.

This takes courage for sure, but it's necessary and enriching.

The study abroad experience is nothing new to TCU students. One area our university excels in is in providing ample opportunities for students, resulting in one in three TCU students making a trip abroad...

The university has partnered with three independent media outlets to publicize campus news and information, an official for the Center for Instructional Services said.

Jess Price, media producer for CIS, said the university has officially adopted Web sites with YouTube, Twitter and iTunes U to keep people connected to the school.

Twitter is a free social networking and blogging site.

Price said people can go to the Web site to sign up to receive university news either through the Web site or through their cell phones.

For senior communication studies major Floyd Hernandez, a Pell Grant made a TCU education a reality.

Without it, he said, he probably wouldn't be here.

Bush administration officials warned Congress the most important federal aid program, Pell Grants, may need up to $6 billion in additional taxpayer funds next year due to the record numbers of college students seeking federal financial aid, The New York Times reported last week.

This has Hernandez and others worried.

In the world of prestigious academic scholarships, top performing students are competing with other top performers for these few coveted awards. Students like Justin Brown, a senior music, political science...

With the opening of Brown-Lupton University Union and the introduction of Frog Bucks, Pond Street Grill's business could be slow enough to merit its closure, a dining employee said.

Ernest White, supervisor at Pond Street Grill, said he is not sure what the future of Pond Street will be.

"I don't know," White said, "I really don't know. That's out of my hands.

"It's up to the school on what they want to do. I'd really hate to see it go. It's a good place."