“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5

The dorm experience is like the first day of kindergarten. Immersed in a community of close ties and acquaintances, a resident hall is a students’ second home.

Choosing on-campus living is a good decision. New dorm construction should be encouraged and expanded. It is essential to building social networks the college experience is about — regardless of whatever students encounter during a stay.

Students can be the most difficult of constituents.

Often they show indifference during elections and later demand representation on campus issues — tuition, course offerings and parking, to name a few.

It is difficult to represent a student body, but each year a handful of people spend months for the chance to do so.

Monday marked the first day of filing for student body president and vice president. If the last few years are any indication, this spring’s ASG campaigns will be chock full of surprises.

Texas State is trying to make a name for itself through athletics – an attempt to move into FBS.

The athletic department’s recent actions, however, have not helped the cause.

The athletics department opted to restrict the station’s broadcasting of crucial road games for the Bobcat baseball team according to a Feb. 15 KTSW sports blog post. These contests included the team’s season opener against Houston, a three-game series against Baylor, Western Kentucky and Texas A&M, one against Texas Christian and another against Texas Tech.

I applaud The University Star for taking an interest in this year’s gubernatorial race because the outcome could greatly change how our university conducts its affairs.

After reading the Feb. 16 endorsement of incumbent Governor Rick Perry over Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison for the Republican primary, I feel compelled to offer a rebuttal.

County Judge Liz Sumter has had a remarkably effective first term.

She pushed to improve the county government’s transparency and accessibility. The Commissioners’ Court now posts agendas, the budget and even bills the county owes online. She initiated regular public forums in each community to allow the court to get input on a variety of county issues.

I cannot recall another county judge who has shown a similar commitment to listening and responding to local concerns in 24 years of residing in Hays County.

While trying to get the student body’s opinion on the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act, I noticed a blaring consensus most people had no clue what I was talking about.

I found it curious that hardly anyone I asked on campus was aware of the problem concerning the unemployment effect on college students.

Hold on Texas State, we are embarking on a brave new world. Going to class these days is frighteningly similar to boarding an ultramodern spacecraft.

Texas State students should be familiar with the ID scanners at the entrance of the Alkek Library, LBJ Student Center and Centennial Hall teaching theaters. The concept is simple. Students scan in when they enter class and scan out when they exit. These scanning rituals are for the purpose of keeping attendance.

For whatever reason, students have much more to do on campus after 5 p.m. than one might assume.

The university announced last year the Alkek Library would be open until 3 a.m.

The demand for increased night classes is evident by the amount of available course sections this semester. In addition, given that not many buses run after 5 p.m., students often drive and park in faculty parking lots closer to their destination. Depending on how events turn out in the next Faculty Senate meeting, those spaces might not be available to students when they return from Spring Break.

I was saddened to hear about the administration’s decision to shut down the Texas State Intensive English Program. Having worked as their instructor for five years, I can attest to the importance of the program, and the genuine contribution it makes to the university. Further, the knowledge, experience and support I received from my colleagues in the program I count among the most valuable contributions ever made to both my personal and professional life.