For example, the savory choco-tacos at Sundry, a six-kegger party on the Mag Quad sponsored by SEAC (save the cans!) and the ability to cash in sports ticket coupons at Hanes Mall should not go without a gleeful mention.

Of course, not everything can be praiseworthy.

Criticism goes to Student Government for not properly publicizing pertinent events, as manifested in the lack of promotion surrounding the student trustee elections and town hall meetings. Juniors Ryan Ramsey and Jonathan Willingham made increasing SG publicity and presence on campus part of their platforms. They should not forget their campaign promises.

The mention of the student trustee brings up another thorn in the year. The status quo surrounding the election is unacceptable. A yes or no vote of confidence is not a true election, and students deserve the right to choose their representative, their voice, to the board of trustees.

Another area for improvement is the communication between Facilities Management and other university departments. The Oct. 24-25 asbestos scare in Tribble Hall is a good example of poor communication. Students, faculty and staff should have been informed that asbestos removal would be going on while they were in the building. However, Facilities Management deserves credit for its quick response time, especially with crises such as the steam pipes in Davis.

And finally, a boo and hiss go out to the new Miller Center for its lack of services to those who are not student athletes. The space was not originally designed as a student workout and thus does not reflect student needs. The absence of locker rooms and the unisex bathroom located in a corner of the free-weight room are most definitely not conducive to a comfortable environment for students.

Of course, the year brought us much more positive than it did negative.

One positive trend of the last year is the university's increased national profile. One of the greatest boosts in image and morale came from Head Basketball Coach Skip Prosser and his philosophy that the team belonged to students. Reinstating Midnight Madness and changing ticket distribution are two examples of his contribution to a better basketball image both on and off campus. A winning season didn't hurt either.

His initiatives should be a model for the administration on how to transform the campus into something in which students feel pride and ownership.

The School of Medicine carries our university's name, and its impressive leaps and bounds in prominent programs has certainly contributed to an increase in national prestige. The joint biomedical engineering program with Virginia Polytechnic Institute, innovative research and the upcoming minority health center will boost its academic program, allow the School of Medicine to reach out to the community and bring national attention the university.

University prestige also received a boost with the visit of Cornel West, the renowned African-Studies professor and activist. Sen. John McCain will again bring national attention when he delivers the commencement address next month. Award-winning acrtivist and speaker Jonathan Kozol, presidential biographer Doris Kearns Goodwin and CEO Michael Dell are a few other notable guests the university attracted.

But perhaps the single event that most deserves praise is the student-initiated Year of Unity and Hope. When Sept. 11 devastated the nation, students replied by organizing their own theme year, months after the university announced that there would be none for 2001-2002. A need was present and students reacted.

With aid from the university, the theme year brought speakers and guests from around the country and provided an outlet through which students could express their concerns, anger and frustration resulting from the terrorist cloud that still hangs over the nation. Students did an excellent job with the Year of Unity and Hope and should continue to be highly involved in the design and planning of future theme years.

The Year of Unity and Hope is indicative of another positive trend witnessed on campus, that of increased student activism. Though the undergraduate students have a reputation for apathy, there are a number of instances that lead us to question just how inactive we really are.

Student activism was witnessed in the production of the Vagina Monologues on campus when women joined together in a fundraiser to prevent violence against women and promote sexual empowerment. It was also present when students fought against the Gym Jam policy and successfully pressed the administration to achieve a better solution. Additionally, relief efforts such as Homerun and spring break service trips offer continued opportunities to get involved in activities beyond the campus borders.