I knew this day would come: my last issue of the Setonian. My last chance to make a statement in the campus newspaper; my last chance to inspire change or challenge folks to think; my last chance to make someone angry. It seems like just last week when I was slipping my first comic under the doors of the third floor Maura Hall Publications Office. But now it’s time for me to put on that cap and gown and schlep my way down the aisle.

Before I do, I feel as if I should apologize, specifically to the fine people on the first floor of the Administration Building. The employees of the student accounts, financial aid, registrar, and admissions offices have been under a barrage of editorial attacks for the three years that I’ve been writing this column - even longer if you count my cartoons. Sure I’ve chided other areas of campus life, like Griffin’s Cove, residence life, and the athletic department, but none have taken a beating like the folks on first Admin.

Seton Hill University’s (SHU) new focus on students attending conferences is fabulous. Students who are interested in spelunking through the world of extended-Academia in large hotel ballrooms are now able to do so, provided they can write up a proposal and get admitted into the conference.

I recently had the opportunity to attend the Conference on College Composition and Communication (4C’s) in New York City with another student, a SHU graduate, and a SHU professor.

When it comes time for commencement this semester, the students of St. Vincent College (SVC) will be having a much different experience than us Setonians.

Our commencement should go off without any problems or hoopla, just as it always has. SVC’s will have helicopters, Secret Service agents, and background checks. This comes with the territory when you have the President of the United States as your commencement speaker.

It’s true, SVC managed to book President George W. Bush as their ‘07 commencement speaker. Doing so has brought a good deal of controversy and protest within the campus; a student I talked to (who asked to remain anonymous) said that some students are upset that the date of graduation had to be moved - sorry, the leader of the free world has a tight schedule. Others are just angry because it’s President Bush.
I say that these students should consider themselves lucky! They will have the most important leader in the world giving them advice and encouragement.

For the past few months, and especially over Christmas break, I have been continually doing double-takes each time I walk into a familiar coffee shop. When I frequent a café enough, I know exactly how much money I need to carry with me in order to get a medium cup of coffee to sate my growing, yet pleasant, addiction; however, I am rapidly discovering that the price of a cup of coffee, both at my local independent coffee shops as well as chains like Panera Bread, is going up. Of course, I politely ask why this is happening (in the same style as a young child asking his parents about death). The answer I get is one I should have expected, one I warned folks about, and now one I have to live with: the minimum wage has been increased.

When giving a tour to prospective students, avoid the elevator in the Administration Building. Sure Seton Hill University (SHU) has some problems with vandalism and ruckus from time to time, but nothing would turn off a visiting family more than the languid pace of our feeble elevator. It’s an embarrassment to the school.

Old Yeller, as I refer to it, is quite possibly the slowest, most obtuse elevator I’ve ever entered. After checking the manufacturer’s paperwork, I wasn’t surprised to see that it was actually built before the Egyptians invented the concept of “time.” Back then, it didn’t matter that calling the elevator could turn into a 15-minute ordeal, because people were never late. Unfortunately, us modern folk are much smarter than the Egyptians and we have watches...so don’t use the elevator.

This November 7, we will see the conclusion to one of the greatest political battles in Pennsylvanian history. We, as commonwealthers, have the honor of taking part in this battle between good and lackluster; between leader and follower; between Sen. Rick Santorum and Bobby Casey Jr. For some out there, it’s easy to write off Santorum, a conservative Catholic from Penn Hills. But before you do, you must realize what’s at stake.

If there was ever a time in modern American politics that it was important to vote for someone, this is it. America is at a turning point as it faces new challenges abroad and at home. While you could certainly be a lemming, hop in line, and join the “anyone-but-Santorum” bandwagon, you must realize the kind of senator you would get... and more importantly, the kind of senator you would lose.

As an incoming freshman, emerging from the comforting womb of high school, you are given one task that will prove if you are a responsible human being: make your identification card last until you graduate.

You sit down in the Registrar’s Office and they snap a picture that will look nothing like you in a week. Get ready because you’ll be carrying this card with you for the next four to six years.