We're back.
And you're back.
Back sitting in class, back speaking in front of classes or back behind the scenes making this OUMP run smoothly. That's One University, Many Places, not One University, Millions of People, though sometimes it might feel that way.
Especially on these first few days of school, when EVERYBODY goes to class.
If you're new here, trust us, just wait a few weeks and there won't be half as many people trying to run you down on the mall between classes. And on rainy days, you'll be lucky if you see anyone at all.
If you've been reading us for a while, then welcome back. We hope you keep coming to class, if only to read The State Press.
A lot happened while we were on a break. On Earth, the U.S. caught Saddam. In space, a NASA rover, with ASU equipment attached, landed on Mars. In Hollywood, Michael Jackson continued to be indescribably weird, and Britney got married, briefly.
On campus, the Lattie F. Coor Mediated Classroom Building opened. It's so pretty, we're jealous of any of you who have classes inside its glass, gibberish-etched walls.
And, Associated Students of ASU President Brandon Goad worked hard to convince members of the Board of Regents that a campus referendum on increased student fees to fund improvements to the Memorial Union and Student Recreation Complex is a good idea. The board will vote on the issue during its meetings here on Thursday and Friday.
Elsewhere on campus, ASU administrators tried to figure out how they would stretch Gov. Janet Napolitano's $23.4 million in budget recommendations to fit $54.2 million in needs. After the state Legislature makes its recommendation this week and it's reconciled with the governor's, the University could get even less money to put toward enrollment growth and new buildings.
And here, at The State Press, we rested. We rested our brains and our fingertips and tried to stay out of the basement newsroom we semi-affectionately call "The Dungeon."
It wasn't too hard to stay away, especially when we were told that the Dungeon was undergoing "asbestos removal." That's asbestos, as in known carcinogen, as in causes all kinds of cancer in people who are exposed to it. Yikes. We hope lawmakers can find some funding for new ASU buildings fast.
No matter why we rested, what matters is we're back. Back to bringing you the news, sports, entertainment, opinions and comics that you care about. Or at least care enough about to read during lecture classes.
So even though reading this means that you're probably back in class, be glad. Be glad that you're one day closer to graduation. Be glad that you attend class on such a diverse campus with so many interesting people.
And most of all, be glad that our lungs are still fighting the good fight against asbestos. We'll keep breathing, you keep reading.
