CHEERS to the Office of the Registrar for integrating URAccess into Blackboard. The integration of this service is a huge step toward making Blackboard a hub for all student activity.

JEERS to Dining Services for taking away half the menu options at the Meliora. The Mel is the only dining venue that offers sit-down-style eating and it is a service that students value. Monthly dinner nights are not an adequate substitute. JEERS again for still not having a hot gluten-free option in Hillside Caf. While the paninis are a great addition and Dining has obviously made attempts at finding a solution for students with dietary special needs, the fact remains that there is no tangible result of its efforts.

CHEERS to Parking and Transportation for expanding the shuttle system to better fit the needs of University employees and students and for making plans to further increase the frequency of Red Line shuttles. CHEERS again for providing a more reliable service this semester.

JEERS to UR Facilities for not taking note of recommendations from the Students’ Association Projects and Services Committee on where bike racks should be placed. While new bike racks are a valuable addition, locations on campus, such as outside the IT Center, still lack the requisite amount of rack space for such a highly trafficked area. Additionally, three bike racks behind Wilson Commons are still yet to be placed in their requested locations.

CHEERS to the Eastman School of Music for the Kodak Hall remodeling that was completed this semester the result is an aesthically improved venue.

JEERS to University Information Technology for not following through on the promise to have the new Common Club Connection Web site updated. It is far past the anticipated launch date and still the Hive is not fully updated. JEERS for also still not having wireless in all undergraduate dorms at this point, this is simply unacceptable.The



Whatever happened to the dormitories of yesteryear?

Two images come to mind: One is of cinder block-walled rooms hidden behind brutalist edifices, and the other is of air-conditioned suites bathed in natural light.

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. 

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.