Author Megan Roby

Jamaica. Just the word brings up images of white sandy beaches, clear blue water, luxurious hotels and beautiful people in bathing suits. This Jamaica, the one that many of us may have experienced or would like to, does exist. But the beauty of Jamaica is offset by the harsh reality faced by 2.

For as long as I can remember, my mother has been nagging me about the importance of manners. As a child, I was constantly told to always say "please" and "thank you." I was taught the way to make a good first impression the importance of appearing presentable in important situations.

For those of us blessed with an off-white skin tone, a trip to some vacation hot spot is terrifying at best. Why go south, where the sun is closer and the rays are stronger? After all, my last journey to the equator was a difficult experience, ask Cmdr. Chris Huff '04 of the HMS Surprise.

by Megan Roby Are your shelves lined with novels, textbooks, DVDs and CDs about your favorite subject matter? If so, the DiMenna-Nyselius Library is currently sponsoring a competition you may be interested in. This March the library will host the fifth annual Bibliophiles' Award.

Bridget Takacs '07 sat down to her computer on the evening of Feb. 2 to write a paper. Suddenly, a piercing noise filled the air. Realizing the noise was a fire alarm, she quickly left the building, waiting to be allowed back. "I was confused and unsure of what was going on," Takacs said.

The environmental issues plaguing the apartment complex which created a substantial mold problem last summer led the university to recently install new equipment on the roof. The equipment, installed over winter break, consisted of dehumidification units and new air handlers.

The Irish Society, a new club on campus, will present the Irish expatriates band Black 47 at the Levee Thursday night. Co-sponsoring the event with IRHG and UNITE, this is likely to be the largest event in the young club's life. "We have held one meeting, which included a performance by Carmac [a traditional Irish song band] and we had about 70 people show up.

As if driving around trying to avoid ice and snow in the winter at Fairfield isn't difficult enough, students now have a new obstacle to avoid, Fairfield Prep parents. The flow of Prep parents on campus is not a new phenomenon, but their location on "Prep alley" (the road between the Prep and the Quick Recreation Complex) is a change this semester, with the opening of the new gym complex this past fall.