At the Dec. 2003 University of Calgary Board of Governors meeting, the Students' Union and Graduate Students' Association successfully proposed they be given $1 million in 'quality enhancement' money so students would see benefits in the face of continued tuition increases. In 2004, the initiative continued and the SU and GSA were given $1,645,880. The GSA, having 17 per cent of the total students, were allocated that percentage of the money, with the SU getting the rest.

After a slow start to 2006--losing four games in a row, including a game where they gave up five short-handed goals--the Dinos men's hockey team desperately needed a win. Fortunately, thanks to "monster performances," as TSN's Pierre McGuire would put it, by Alex Lalonde and Brett O'Malley, the team finally found the win column Jan. 27-28 hosting the University of Manitoba Bisons at Father David Bauer Arena.

Taking the bus could get a whole lot cheaper for some nursing students this spring and summer.

If a Students' Union proposal is approved by Calgary Transit, students in the fast-track nursing program will have their U-Pass extended to include the spring and summer semesters. According to SU vice-president academic Paige Forsyth, this could save hundreds of dollars for undergraduate nursing students who attend classes or work in unpaid clinical placements for two years straight.

Students have been given another voice, although professors may not like what's being said.

When the Universal Student Ratings of Instruction moved online last semester the response rate plummeted to less than 35 per cent. With such low usage, some students are looking elsewhere for information on which professors to choose.

An anonymous donor has stepped up to pledge support for the relocation of CJSW, prompting hope that construction may resume on the station's new space.

"A private donor has moved forward where he or she's in a position to help CJSW financially," said Students' Union vice-president operations and finance Joel Lockwood, noting the help would not be a donation, but rather a loan for the station. "It's a big surprise. It's definitely positive."

Editor, the Gauntlet:

Weekly, I continue to read about the ongoing pro-life/pro-choice debate, and I believe we are missing the point.

"The point" is not about being pro-life or pro-choice. It is not about whether women have the right to choose what happens to their bodies, nor is about protecting the sanctity of human life: the issue goes deeper than being right or rallying around a cause.

Dear Bush Administration,

[Re: Palestinian Election]

We are writing first to express our gratitude for the actions taken throughout your ruling terms to the end of promoting democracy in the Middle East. We feel that, had it not been for your actions in recent years, we would have neither the hatred necessary to institutionally legitimize our goals, nor would the burgeoning Middle-Eastern democratic scene have the respect it needs to make us a force to be reckoned with on a global scale.

The Dinos men's volleyball team's coming out party was held in the Jack Simpson Gymnasium Jan. 27-28. While it's unfortunate it came around so late in the season, the squad is happy it finally happened.

"It just proves my theory," beamed head coach Greg Ryan. "We finally have a healthy setter, we were more consistent in assists--it has a direct effect on our kill percentage."

The Dinos women's hockey team has not exactly had the hottest streak of wins this year. In fact, it has been somewhat of another disappointing year. However, things are beginning to look up like tourists beneath an erupting volcano.

Our ladies met the Mount Royal College Cougars Fri., Jan. 27. They proved to their doubtful fans that, though playoff hopes have been demolished, they definitely have something left in them.

Live 8 stand aside, there's a new kid in town.

The University of Calgary Rotaract club and Engineers Without Borders are hosting a battle of bands fundraiser Wed., Feb. 8 at The Whisky Nightclub. The show will feature local rockers Life like Cobra, Clockwork 7, Supernal, Remote Kid and the Villains.