The presence of the Barnett Shale in the freshmen parking lot has taken some getting used to for students, but it has largely been considered a plus because of the positive impact it has on the local economy.

With the possible addition of an energy technology and management minor - emphasizing preparation for the petroleum industry - the Barnett Shale could take a new level of importance for students.

The minor could provide an upper hand for students interested in entering the petroleum profession, which now has a strong local and global presence.

The female body is the focus of a new course in the political science department.

Politics of the Body examines the image of the female gender and body in society and culture.

Each week, a different faculty member is scheduled to present a topic on the female gender in his or her area of expertise, according to the course syllabus. Students will hear speakers from TCU's seven colleges and the Brite Divinity School. In addition to a textbook, the faculty member will prepare packets that include articles and essays.

Deco Deli was closed Tuesday because of a flood caused by water leaking from the ceiling, the general manager of TCU Dining Services said.

The flood most likely occurred on Monday night or Tuesday morning, said Rick Flores, general manager at Dining Services. Unsure of the cause of the leak, Flores said it was most likely a water pipe eruption in Reed Hall.

On Jan. 20 at 12:30 a.m. the spelling of Edward Simmen's name was corrected.A joint program with Mexican school Universidad de Las Americas-Puebla, remains in limbo following the departure of UDLA's rector,...

Although the interior design program is growing in size, it recently started limiting the number of students allowed to graduate within the major in order to better use its resources, officials in the program said.

After three years of declining enrollment, down from 111 students in 2004-2005 to 100 in 2006-2007, the program has grown to 113 students this academic year, according to the TCU Fact Book.

Three hundred dollars, $700, $1,200.

Nope, not buying a laptop.

Just the cost of textbooks for a semester.

Each semester the prices for textbooks seem to increase, with students having to shell out extra hundreds of dollars on top of increasing tuition rates.

According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, textbook prices increased by 186 percent between December 1985 and December 2004, nearly tripling in price.