Many seniors anxiously look forward to cooking, cleaning and rent as marks of adulthood and hope to live off-campus in their last Grinnell year. Usually, some seniors have these hopes unfulfilled by being denied approval to live off campus. But over the last two years, administrators have allowed more students to live off campus, hoping that those seniors left on campus will be more satisfied and that less-crowded dorms will provide greater flexibility in moving students, should the need arise.

Karen Gados '08 spent last Friday and Saturday at the 2008 Student Peace Conference at the University of Notre Dame. The annual conference aims to bring together undergraduate and graduate students to engage in an interdisciplinary education program aimed toward bringing about international peace.

Grinnell College is often lauded for its tremendous endowment which enables the school to bring a multitude of speakers, shows and other events to campus. But while the college's financial resources are extensive, gaining access to them is not always easy. Allie Kossoy '08 learned this the hard way in trying to raise money to bring renowned doctor and motivational speaker Patch Adams to campus.

With his signature Big Boy banks and autographed sports memorabilia, Houston Dougharty begins his adventure as the Vice President of Student Affairs.

A new group created by members of SGA and the Voice Box intends to create a wiki, which will allow Grinnellians to share information about Grinnell traditions, student groups and more. Group organizer Harry Krejsa '10 said the site would hopefully be ready within a few weeks.

After a summer full of the usual movie sequels, Grinnell students will return to campus next fall just in time for another familiar rerun: Danny Carroll versus Eric Palmer in Grinnell's House District 75. The third act's twist to keep things interesting? This time, Carroll, a Republican who filled the seat for twelve years, will be the challenger and not the incumbent.

Last Tuesday, Carlos Lu '10 tied for third at the Simpson College Spring Invitational. The weekend before, Pete Kieselbach '10 shot a 149 over a two-day meet to finish in eighth. The Grinnell Men's Golf team has been practicing hard and stepping up their game to unexpected heights.

A Cardinals fan and a Cubs fan face off about their sports rivalry. Pick who wins.

This past weekend, the school saw an influx of capes, foam swords and mock amputations as battles raged on Mac Field. A yearly convention of Grinnell students, alumni, and members from other realms swarmed Grinnell as the college played host to Dagorhir's (Dag) Field Day. "Field day is just an excuse to invite a bunch of people down, so we can get together and fight big battles." said Hugh Potter '10.

Suited up in green and black striped jerseys, the Grinnell Griffins Rugby team hit the pitch this past Sunday. The Griffins hold a unique niche in the Grinnell athletics world, as players hail from both the college and the town. Even falling to rivals River City 17-12, the Griffins are a team of passion and tradition with a colorful history, propelled by intensity and heart.

As cross-country runner Charlie Knuth '08 crossed the finish line, he had finished and won yet another race. But this race wouldn't win a conference championship. It wouldn't be mentioned on the college website. It raised money for hungry families and brought the town of Grinnell and the college closer together.

When most people think of female friendships, the first images that come to mind consist of pillow fights, gossip, cell phone conversations, and multiple viewings of Mean Girls. For seniors Sofia Becker and Brianne Benness, being friends revolves around a more unusual activity: water polo. Benness and Becker, who are roommates, are the senior stars of Grinnell's club team.

Though struggling through indoor practices and poor game conditions, the baseball team has already managed to get 20 games under their belt, with a 12-8 record, the Pioneers are well-positioned to finish near the top in conference this year.

Many students find that college offers a chance to escape the families that they have grown to love, hate or feel some combination thereof. Siblings in particular find that the desire to cultivate different personalities leads to attending different colleges. For at least 19 sets of Grinnell siblings, however, the allure of Grinnell transcends and often improves any sour relationship.

Over the last 23 years, countries have changed names, the Cold War has ended and the landscape of Grinnell has been altered. One thing, however, has remained constant--Wayne Moyer's consistent leadership of the Rosenfield Program in Public Affairs, International Relations and Human Rights.

Sarah Purcell '92, History, will be taking over the Rosenfield Public Affairs Program beginning next year. She first became involved as a student. "I became a member of the Rosenfield Committee when I was a Junior," said Purcell, who could only be reached by e-mail. "I was very involved for the last two years of college in all the program's activities."

The more athletically-inclined readers may know that many of Grinnell's sports teams are known by names other than the quasi-colonialist "pioneers." The Purple Roos, the Black Sheep, the Mad Dogs; these multi-colored and intimidating animals strike fear in the hearts of Grinnell's foes. In hopes of joining these illustrious ranks, the softball team also recently adopted an alternative moniker. Mishearing "Pioneers," Captain Emily Stewart accidentally nicknamed us the "Pie Eaters."

Have you recently found yourself strolling about campus without the need to wear clothing that makes you resemble the marshmallow man? Do you dorkily get a kick out the fact that you can now exercise your mental protractor to find the most direct route from your dorm to the dining hall across the snowless grass?

Last week we ran an article reporting that the Grinnell Police Department had issued an arrest warrant for a Grinnell student and in so doing published the name of that student. Since then, many of us have been asked and even challenged about our decision to print the name of the person in question.

Isolation has always been a big draw in movies, be it on a deserted island like in Cast Away or in a haunted hotel like in The Shining. What I Am Legend examines is what happens when this isolation is manmade and urban.

At first, the images in The Russian Ending seem shocking and violent: volcanic eruptions and dark clouds of pollution mingle with photographs of funerals and bomb-damaged homes. Upon further exploration, however, the images prove to be more than just simple statements of tragedy; they take on a complex, ironic tone that engages and challenges the viewer.

The Egan Early Music Room was dark, and the walls vibrated with voices, percussion and guitar. A professor and 14 students were in the room, and everyone was singing, dancing or playing an instrument. Latin American Ensemble's Thursday night rehearsal was well under way and only halfway done. But next year, the ensemble's practice time will be cut in half, making practices like this one impossible. The ensemble, a one-credit course, began in 2001 as part of a tenure-track full-time position in Latin American Studies, but the professor in that position left four years ago.

BREAKFAST! In honor of the many glorious mornings I've woken up with nine other Grinnellians on Alternative Break trips and started the day commensally around a camping stove, this week's recipe is dedicated to that deity of breakfast foods--oatmeal.