The Goods

Cheaper textbooks, heavy price
It’s almost time to further curb your illegal downloading activity. An education bill recently introduced to Congress would, if passed, do several things: it would prevent exorbitant textbook prices as well as offering textbooks without the expensive CD-ROMs and workbooks not always required; it would inform universities of the changes made to new editions of textbooks, so instructors can decide whether to require new editions. That’s all fine and good, but the College Opportunity and Affordability Act also would require that schools deter illegal downloading and music sharing—or else lose all federal student-aid funding. Schools would have to provide an alternative to illegal downloading with subscription services such as Napster and Rhapsody. The bill, passed by the House of Representatives, is on the Senate table. Are the pros of this bill worth the cons?

Getting a lift
Ski and snowboard buffs know well the end of the season is rapidly approaching. Not to fear! Discounts are here! Adventure Outings at Chico State has $64 lift tickets for Northstar and Sierra at Tahoe resorts (that’s 10 bucks off the Northstar price and just one off Sierra—but it includes a $7 voucher for food or goodies). Another plus—they’ll get you to the front of the line. The office also has $34 weekend tickets for Mount Shasta, which is a $5 discount. So, time is running out, and now you have no excuse not to hit the slopes one last time.

Not your typical sorority girls
Delta Xi Phi Multicultural Sorority Inc. is looking for new female members. The group’s Web site touts the sorority as an “unbreakable sisterhood” that is recognized nationally and started in Chico in 1998. The group’s adviser is Nandi Crosby, a women’s studies and sociology professor who, according to the site (www.dxpchico.org), took the post because “I support diversity; I advocate sisterhood.” For more information, e-mail newmembered@dpxchico.org or call Ireri at 514-2198.

UC gets poor grades
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges recently gave the University of California system a poor grade with particular emphasis on the UC’s governing structures and administration. According to the report, the schools have recently experienced a decentralization of the governing branch, as well as important decisions being made by top executives rather than available for the Board of Regents review. If improvements are not made, the schools could lose accreditation, but apparently, UC officials have already moved to improve their administrative and executive systems. It’s a good thing California State University schools weren’t on the WASC’s bad list!