When the mayor of a city surveys the damage and sees the death toll following a powerful hurricane, it is completely understandable when he says, "This is our tsunami." We can completely understand a reporter putting this quote into a story. Hearing at least 55 people are dead is going to warrant a strong emotional reaction, and the reporter has a right - if not an obligation - to show the reaction of an elected official in the face of tragedy.

However, the media have crossed the line by using the victims' emotional reactions to sell papers.

The start of the school year means new clothes, new classes, new friends and a new system of representation in the Student Government Association.Students are no longer represented in the House of Student Representatives by where they live, rather by class, school and college.

There are 56 seats in the House. Each class gets two representatives, while the number of representatives for the schools and colleges is proportionate to the number of students majoring in that program, said Sebastian Moleski, chairman of the Elections and Regulations Committee.

A university policy dictates that students only have five academic days, including the first day of classes, to add more classes to their schedule. Registrar Patrick Miller argues that this prevents the disruption of catching students up on a week's worth of work.

When students come into classes late "It is unfair to everyone," Miller said.

Unfortunately, the policy itself is unfair to all other students as well.

n front of a roaring, packed house, the Horned Frog volleyball team opened the regular season with a hard-fought three-games-to-one loss, 24-30, 30-23, 22-30 and 19-30, against the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday at the University Recreation Center.Veteran head coach Prentice Lewis emphasized making quicker adjustments as the key for her young team, which consists of 16 underclassman, including eight freshmen.

Head baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle agreed to a multi-year contract extension, athletics director Danny Morrison announced Saturday. Neither Schlossnagle nor Morrison would comment on specific terms of the new contract, but Schlossnagle, who has been at TCU for two years, said he is excited to have to opportunity to continue working with the program.

Morrison said he is excited about the future of the baseball team with Schlossnagle as head coach.

Would I pay less for a larger dorm room with most of the same amenities? Of course I would.I would love the opportunity to live in a lounge, like some students are doing now.

I could make do without a Micro-Fridge or sink if that's what it takes to save $500 in student loans. If I lived in a Brachman Hall lounge, I'd have a full-size refrigerator and kitchen. If students aren't allowed to have hot plates and toasters, however, I imagine an oven would make room inspections difficult.

Pet names. I hate them.As the reporters and editors of the Skiff found out this past Friday, I absolutely hate "pet names." Now, I don't expect everyone to call me by my name, and I don't mind much when people do call me by what many would consider a "pet name," but there are a few that just irk me to death.

I want everyone to take what I say here and personalize it to his or her own life. I think, and hope, you may find some truth in it.

There is a strong concern for the safety of students at TCU and otheruniversities around the country.It is easy to see why. Turn on any local news program when you wake up, take a lunch break, sit down...

Freshman minority enrollment has hit a record high this semester at 15.5 percent. University officials attribute the increase to the success of several new programs designed to attract students who are financially disadvantaged, such as the Community Scholars Program.The program, which began in 2000 as an integration into local area high schools, was designed for disadvantaged students who are first-generation Americans or college students.

"The Community Scholars Program is the jewel in the diversity crown here at TCU," said Ray Brown, dean of admissions.