Diversity as an abstract value is one thing. Emphasizing it at the expense of merit is quite another. Last month, the School of Engineering and Applied Science touted its recruitment of three female professors. Engineering Dean Eduardo Glandt even boasted that having "three female faculty is a record in our history," and said that he hoped "to sustain this in the future. (9 )

'Ok, people, we're going live, with simulated ammunition." So started my gun safety lesson last Wednesday at Philadelphia Archery & Gun Club in Southeast Philly. After last weeks's tragic crime, I was searching for anything that would make me feel safer on an increasingly dangerous campus. (12 )

I'm used to being the bearer of bad news. As a former ITA manager, I've delivered many copyright-violation notices to on-campus residents who were caught downloading and sharing copyrighted music and video. Most downloads do not result in lawsuits, but if the House of Representatives passes the College Opportunity and Affordability Act, colleges might lose eligibility for federal student financial aid if they fail to address illegal downloading on their campus networks.