Now that frosh week is up and running, those of you new to this campus—particularly the class of 2008—have undoubtedly had a chance to give it a feel. Maybe you love your frosh leaders and dream of one day participating in the same way, or maybe you’ve met your soul mate in your frosh group or a new best friend. Then again, maybe you haven’t.

I know I’m not the first to say it, but welcome to Queen’s, frosh! How do you feel? Don’t worry, you can answer me later.
My name is Bri, I’m a fourth year Drama major, and I am honoured to be one of the people entrusted with the task of welcoming you to the Queen’s family.

I didn’t want to go to Queen’s. My parents had both gone there, my sister and my cousin are there currently, and my boyfriend had been raised knowing he was going to Queen’s. I wanted to be different.

It’s a new day for me and my keeper.
That’s right folks—I have joined the ranks of women who have found a new solution to the period challenge. Women, listen up. Men, you should listen too, because at some point in your life some female friend of yours is going to talk about the discomforts of menstruation.

It is Tuesday, May 11, 2004. I have finished my fourth and final year at Queen’s and at this very moment, I still don’t know what I’m going to be doing with the rest of my life.

It ain’t easy to be a country girl sometimes. I’m from Watford, a little community in southwestern Ontario fettered by neither stoplight nor strip mall. My high school had fewer than 300 students and my teenage social life consisted of crop tours and shed parties.

The end is in sight. The countdown clock is ticking loudly. Spring, albeit with a detour or two, is finally here. Just as we have the least time to enjoy it, Kingston becomes beautiful. For those of us about to be certified, the uncertainty of the unknown looms, even for those confident in their future plans for work, school or gallivanting.

Lately I’ve been thinking about all of the support staff that makes this University run smoothly. Professors receive recognition and respect, but what about everyone else?

One year ago, Stockwell Day was on top of the world. He had just been elected leader of the re-born Canadian Reform/ Alliance party, was riding high in the polls, and things looked bright for the future of the Alliance. What a difference a year makes.

The question still stands. Why march? In the past few weeks Pride Parades have been held in various cities, including Kingston.

For current Queen’s students, and staff, convocation is a time to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates and to wish them well as they embark on a new stage in their lives.

Yes, tobacco is harmful, but that doesn’t give legislators an excuse to get tunnel vision and lose sight of the big picture; and it doesn’t give the general public the right to take conclusions on faith.