Erin Szajta Class: 2006Sport: SwimmingMAJOR: Political Science

high school: Alden High School, Alden, N.Y.

ideal day off: Watching movies and catching up on sleep.

Favorite OTHER sport: GymnasticsFavorite food: Italianfavorite movie: “Big Fish” or “Billy Madison”Plans after college: Get a job.expectations for the season: To have an 11-0 meet record and to go under 55 seconds in the 100-yard freestyle.

Favorite athletic memory: Breaking the 800-yard free relay record at United Athletic Association Championships last season.Why Erin is the athlete of the Week: Erin swam on the winning 400-meter medley relay team. She also took first in the 100-yard freestyle and second in the 200-yard freestyle.

Matt Simon Class: 2006Sport: FootballMAJOR: Economics

high school: West Seneca West High School, Buffalo, N.Y.ideal day off: A full day of relaxation and be- ing lazy with no homework to worry about.

Favorite OTHER sport: BasketballFavorite food: Spaghetti and meatballsfavorite movie: “Gladiator”Plans after college: Graduate school and a banking/marketing job.expectations for the season: Win our last two games and finish the season 6-4.Favorite athletic memory: Making the game-winning tackle in double overtime in a high school football game.Why Matt is the athlete of the Week: Matt had three sacks for a total of 25 yards and 5 solo tackles in the 37-9 victory against the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.



America hates its children

I feel exhausted whenever I hear conservatives fall upon the mindlessly affective “think of the children” defense of their barbarous proposals for school curriculums and general social regressivism.

Conversations that matter: Nora Rubel’s hope of shaping future political discourse on Israel and Palestine

Interpreted by some as an anti-Israel and anti-Zionist series, Rubel emphasized that while the need to support a particular side passionately is understandable, it is crucial to be aware of what you are standing behind by exposing yourself to historical and present knowledge.

Christmas has gone too far

People should look to other cultures to learn the truth of the cliche that holidays are about more than just gifts.