The special events office was quiet yesterday, except for an occasional telephone call, and the only movement in White Building's main gym came from students in a badminton class swatting at shuttlecocks.

While Catholics spent last weekend trying to decide what to give up for Lent, a couple dozen men and women quietly began the process of reaffirming their religious beliefs here in State College.

Several thousand laboratory mice worth $20 each were infected with a contagious virus and destroyed earlier this month because they threatened two University research projects.

The Pepsi-sipping, Barnes & Noble-shopping members of the University will now be communicating via AT&T in a new and unique $10 million alliance with the American Telephone & Telegraph Co.

A downward trend in reported criminal offenses on campus last year has left University Police Services Supervisor Dwight Smith pleasantly surprised but cautiously optimistic.

As student government elections draw near, key positions are up for grabs and people are questioning who will fill them. But those questions will not be answered until after spring break when candidates can officially announce they are running for office.

In the beginning, there was dancer registration, a time when dancers who wanted to participate in the 1994 Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon could register. And it all started in 212 HUB on Jan. 17 when dancer packets were handed out.

At 7 a.m., most students aren't even thinking of waking up. But Terry Long's day has already begun. Long, an Office of Physical Plant electrician, has a day that stretches from 7 a.m. to about 3:30 p.m.

With spring break less than a month away, most students are dreaming about the perfect tan . . . while graduating seniors are dreaming about the perfect job.

Centre County Judge David Grine has denied a defense motion to suppress evidence in the murder trial of an Ohio truck driver.

A University student who learns to read a poem in Swahili or read a Japanese short story for course credit should be thankful for the opportunity, because not every university offers these courses.

Candace Riehl may attend the University's College of Medicine in two years -- but she will be relying on the U.S. Air Force for her tuition, books and spending money.

The format of the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Student Alliance's Straight Talks have always been designed to educate undergraduate students. But with their success has come the need to reach more people.

The four Executive Student Action Council members attending last night's meeting did not get to sit down or take off their coats before being informed that they would not be meeting this week or any other week for at least the next month.

The NCAA is investigating whether the University has been violating an extra-benefits policy, despite Athletic Director Tim Curley's statement that the University is in "compliance" with NCAA regulations.

There must be a jinx. There is no other way to explain it.

There is no other way to explain Ohio State Coach Randy Ayers falling on the ice outside St. John Arena. Diagnosis: An injured leg and a pair of crutches.

The men's volleyball team knew that its match last night against Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association rival New Jersey Institute of Technology was going to be an easy win.

The labels placed on the U.S. Alpine ski team during the past decade have been negative. Criticisms about America's team have surfaced this entire winter season, with even the publication Sports Illustrated recently calling U.S. skiing "woeful."

This weekend the No. 1 wrestling team in the nation will be in Rec Hall to tangle with the Lions.

Coach Rene Portland usually doesn't have company when she screams at basketball games. But when co-captain Helen Holloway suffered a severe laceration between two fingers on her left hand last Friday, breaking out her vocal cords was about all she could do.

Editorial Opinion: Cometh one, cometh all to the majestic hall of White

My Opinion: Dave Hollingsworth

• Nothing new
  
• Not obscene
  
• Why major?
  
• Offensive signs
  
  

Forget baseball caps. Though they still may be part of the uniform on college campuses, a less-conservative breed of hats has made its debut on the heads of the daring during this past spell of subfreezing temperatures.

Like many students, Spencer McNeill has his own style, and it can't be found in large retail stores. His relaxed, anything-goes look requires that he search small specialty stores for the latest in clothes, music and posters.

John Michael Montgomery's Kickin' It Up proves that as far as mainstream tastes go, sugar and schmaltz go hand-in-hand.

The Center for the Performing Arts is bringing a classic touch of music to the University with a production of the New York City Opera Company's Madama Butterfly.

Awaiting the judges' results, the cast of the University Resident Theatre Company's production of Dancing at Lughnasa is holding its breath in hopes it will be selected to perform at the American College Theater Festival XXIV.

In a war that knows no loyalties, justice can often be blinded. And in a war that often tears families apart, friendship can flower in the most unlikely places.

Imagine 48-straight hours in a mosh pit with no way out. Even the most devout of all punk-rockers would cringe at the thought of their black-and-blue bodies limping away after it was over.