Scholarly Sunrise

Today marks the official start to final exam week here, at Southern Methodist University. During exam week, students flock to Fondren, the main library on campus. Students flood each and every area of the library not occupied by books. During exam time, there exists no corner too creepy or nook too isolated for students to set up camp. This is shown by the surprising popularity of the dimly lit, musty smelling, and dust ridden west stacks. I know all this because I have established Fondren my second home for the duration of exams. In fact, I've already spent two consecutive nights in the library this week. Unlike the forementioned stack-dwellers, I prefer to study someplace with a window nearby. That being said, the fourth floor of Fondren is my study location of choice. The combination of being on the top floor and the floor-to-ceiling windows that occupy three out of the four walls leads to this area having wonderful views of both campus and downtown Dallas. How many students are blessed with the chance to study for final exams in a library with such spectacular views? Not too many. Even after the misery that ensues pulling an all-nighter, it is impossible not to appreciate the front row seat fourth floor Fondren provides for viewing the sun rise over the Dallas skyline. Exams are not enjoyable experiences. My word of wisdom is to appreciate all the small pleasure of the week, the ones that distract you from your misery, even if only momentarily!

Sophomore Residency Requirement

As I'm sure everyone in the SMU community is aware, the administration is in the middle of executing a plan involving many changes around campus. Due to the negative events of recent years past, the University has put lots of time and energy into improving our campus's environment and reputation. The primary effort was the formation of a Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention. Since its formation the Task Force has provided recommendations on programs, policies and issues related to alcohol and drug use. The Task Force calls "for a livelier campus community with more diverse activities, both during the day and in the evenings." The University believes that increasing the number of students living on campus will result in an increase in the activity level on campus. Currently, freshman are the only students required to live on campus; however, this is about to change. A decision has been made to mandate that all freshman and sophomores live on campus. Luckily, my class, the class of 2013, will not be affected by the implementation of this sophomore residency requirement. I am not a fan of living on campus and, to be honest, I'm not sure I could handle another year in a dorm! I support attempts to create a more lively campus environment; however, I am very glad to be free from the effects of this new rule.