Former TCU baseball player Shelby Ford said his sole reason for leaving TCU after his freshman season was the switch to a new conference, plain and simple."I just didn't want to play in the Mountain West," Ford said. "It's never been known as a baseball conference."

Ford said the Big 12 Conference and Oklahoma State, his new school, suit him much better.

"I've always followed the Big 12," Ford said. "I used to play in showcases at Oklahoma State when I was 16 years old."

One TCU faculty member is setting the bar on how faculty can use career development in the classroom by incorporating the devices offered by University Career Services.Sociology instructor Keith Whitworth features Career Services in his classroom settings and encourages students to take advantage of all Career Services has to offer.

Career Services assists students in developing their careers, and Whitworth takes the initiative to introduce younger students to the program.

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.

The 5th Annual Rockwall Sprint Triathalon on Sunday featured 14 faculty, staff and students from TCU.Trey Morrison, assistant director of fitness and wellness at the University Recreation Center, said the 14 participants represented the Rec Center, Student Development Services and the swim team.

Ten Horned Frogs placed and seven had Top 10 finishes.

Mary Ellen Miliam, associate director at the Rec Center, said a mass e-mail was sent out inviting faculty and staff to participate in the event.