Author Katie Barry

• Sens. Ashlee Downing '08 and Kaitlyn Phelps '08 were absent. • There was a consensus that the FUSA induction dinner preceding the meeting was "delicious." • Sen. Megan Crowley '07 made a "friendly amendment" to the previous meeting's minutes, requesting that periods, not question marks, be added to certain sentences.

According to a recent GW-Battleground study released by George Washington University, 63 percent of young adults are paying "a lot" or "some" attention to the upcoming midterm elections. But do any of these young adults attend Fairfield? The characterization of Fairfield students as politically apathetic has long plagued the student body, but politics professor Jocelyn Boryczka disagrees with the stereotype.

High school students are breathing easier as more universities nationwide adopt standardized test-optional policies. That's right, no SAT. But according to Director of Admissions Karen Pellegrino, Fairfield is not following suit. "Standardized tests are considered in light of the students' academic record from high school and are never looked at in a vacuum," said Pellegrino.

Fairfield uses its high number of students receiving Fulbright Scholarships to laud its academic success, but are we really as accomplished as we think?

• Senators Gomes, Kramer, Downing, Miller, Crowley, and Phelps were absent. Senator Nizer sent a proxy. • FUSA members spent Sunday, Oct. 1 at a leadership council learning how to govern effectively. On that note, FUSA Vice President Megan McConville '08 reminded the Senate, "we represent all of the student body - 73.

• Sen. Erin Hanafin '07, Sen. Joao Gomes '07 and Senate Proxy Katie Phelps '08 were absent. • Christy Ruckert '07 served as a proxy for Sen. Janet Reinhardt '07. • Sen. Steve Ligouri '09, head of the Academics Committee, said that his branch was focusing on academic freedom.

A war is going on in this country, a struggle between those who embrace American traditionalist values and secular progressives, according to Bill O'Reilly, host of Fox News Channel's The O'Reilly Factor.

It would be an incredible understatement to say that the University's new no-keg policy has generated more interest on campus than the up-coming congressional elections. Ask a student how much beer he's legally allowed to have in his townhouse, and he'll immediate spout out "167 cans," but ask him to do so much as name four people who are running for office this fall in Connecticut, and he won't have a chance.

I set up this war, a culture war, O'Reilly told a sold-out audience at the Quick Center on Sunday afternoon, while promoting his new book, Culture Warrior, out September 25.