The Irwin Academic Services Center at the University of Illinois is outfitted with computer labs and classrooms; staffed with tutors, counselors and learning specialists; furnished with oversized leather chairs and Oriental rugs – and off-limits to 99 percent of the student body. To get help with course work in this Tudor-style former fraternity house, which cost $6 million to adapt as a tutoring facility, a student must run track, shoot basketballs, battle the Fighting Illini’s gridiron opponents or participate in another sport. Universities across the nation are offering even more spectacular tutoring centers for student athletes, which have become a recruiting device for coaches. Louisiana State’s facility cost $15 million; at Texas A&M University, $27 million.

The UNF women’s volleyball team lost to Lipscomb University 3-0 (16-25, 25-27, 17-25) Oct. 25 after failing to force a tie in the second set. Although UNF went down in three sets, the second set featured 10 ties and three lead changes. “The second set was really good,” UNF head coach Kevin Campbell said. “Marshay [Greenlee] stepped up in the set – not only with her hitting, but also with the energy she brought. Kaley [Read] had a very solid match. Our struggle right now is being able to close out the crucial point after being on the cusp of a win.”

Dear Editor, I’ll keep this short and sweet though this is something I know I and many other UNF students feel so strongly about. It is very obvious which party the majority of students on campus are voting for in the upcoming election. I feel some students – not all – support one side for the wrong reasons and lack of information. I would like to throw out a few points to kick-start everyone’s thinking about why they support their chosen side.

Name                            Votes Jessica Amick                 1,077 John Hodges                  1,070 Priscilla Perez                1,066 Katelin...

Dear Editor, In her student opinion titled "Obama's platform threatens U.S. foundations," Arielle Schneider writes Sen. Barack Obama is running on a platform "rife with socialist policies." Her solution to our current fiscal problems: Sen. John McCain, a man who "truly gets economics." Earlier this month, McCain – and Obama for that matter – voted to approve the $700 billion bailout. Then McCain pitched a $300 billion plan Oct. 8 to help struggling homeowners. In only eight days, McCain has managed to spend $1 trillion. Is this a man who truly advocates "limited government?"

Four sophomores on the UNF volleyball team helped lead the way Oct. 10 to a 3-1 upset against Stetson University. UNF won 25-16, 23-25, 25-18, 25-20 and recorded its most accurate hitting percentage since its Sept. 12 game against Kennesaw State University with a .200 hitting percentage. UNF (8-7, 6-3 A-Sun) was backed by sophomore setter Madie Belvin’s season-high of 59 assists and 16 digs, and sophomore defensive specialist Chelsea Rabe’s 11 digs.

As November draws nearer – when I’ll vote for the first time – I realize how important my one vote might be. Let me be frank. If we as citizens of the U.S. desire economic security, limited government involvement in our lives, fewer abortions, stricter laws on crime, lower taxes and a capitalist system, our presidential candidate for 2008 is Sen. John McCain. While Barack Obama is persuasive and charismatic, he is running on a platform rife with socialist policies that seek to destroy two reasons America is so great – its Godly heritage and its capitalist system.

The UNF volleyball team defeated Atlantic Sun Conference rival Campbell University with help from sophomore middle blocker Kaley Read’s fifth double-double of the season. Read finished with a match-high 23 kills and a career-high 24 digs to lead the Ospreys to victory. The Ospreys won 3-1 (25-21, 27-25, 21-25, 26-24) to the Camels Oct. 4.

The UNF volleyball team let a 2-0 match lead against Lipscomb University slide away for its first loss at home this season. The Ospreys lost 3-2 (25-20, 25-22, 14-25, 15-25, 8-15) to the Bisons Sept. 26. UNF (6-5, 4-2 A-Sun) hit .237 through the first two sets and kept Lipscomb (7-6, 5-0 A-Sun) to a .136 clip. Lipscomb improved to hit .338 in the final three sets.

A new hot dog stand opened on campus eight months after the departure of Miracle Kate’s, which university officials said was due to a conflict of contract issues. Owned and operated by the Mayes family, the new stand also operates the concession stand at the UNF Arena. Miracle Kate’s stopped serving in January after Chartwells presented the mom and pop stand with a new contract, stating Miracle Kate’s had to serve one less day a week and could be asked to leave at any time, owner Mary Yeoman said.