Guns on campus

AUSTIN, Texas — A bill pending approval from the Texas state Legislature would allow licensed concealed gun carriers to tote their firearms on college campuses.

House Bill 1893, which has faced vocal opposition from the University of Texas (UT), recently underwent a public hearing where opinions from both sides of the gun debate were voiced.

Proponents of the legislation seek to avoid a “sitting duck” situation if a school shooting were to occur.

“Would you rather sit and just take shot for shot, or would you rather have a chance to fight back?” said Katie Kasprzak, a Texas State University graduate and spokesperson for Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, to the Associated Press.

UT graduate student John Woods attended Virginia Tech during the April 2007 massacre, which claimed the lives of 32 students, including his girlfriend.

“The idea that somebody could stop a school shooting with a gun is impossible,” Woods told the AP. “It’s reactive, not preventative.”

The bill is awaiting a decision from the Public Safety Committee. Six other states are deliberating similar legislation.

Facebook in class

BIRMINGHAM, England – Birmingham City University has designed the perfect degree for the college student consumed more by Facebook status updates than academia.

Simply fork over $6,275 to graduate with a master’s degree in social media. The one-year program will teach courses in Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, arming its graduates with such communication skills as creating a blog and constructing a social network.

“It’s not for freaks or IT geeks,” program developer Jon Hickman told The Daily Mail. “The tools learned on this course will be accessible to many people.”

Student Jamie Waterman views the situation differently.

“It’s of no interest to me whatsoever,” Waterman said. “Virtually all of the content of this course is so basic it can be self-taught.”

Colleges woo students in poor economy

In this uncertain financial era, sometimes colleges, rather than students, are more upset by rejection.

This spring, schools are taking extra measures to woo accepted students who don’t want their wallets to suffer at the cost of a private-school education.

At Santa Clara University in California, the president, provost and 400 alumni were recruited to call admitted students, persuading them to check the “yes” box on their acceptance letters.

Saint John’s University and the College of Saint Benedict have reportedly increased their budgets to fly in admitted students, according to USA Today.

Some families, taking the hint, are bartering for increased financial aid, asking colleges if they’ll meet an offer posed by another school.

However, while private schools vie for students in this dismal economic climate, public schools ­— the UW included — face enrollment cuts and tuition increases.

Reach columnist Rachel Solomon at news@dailyuw.com.