The new year is always a time for new beginnings. Most people make some kind of resolution to quit something that is bad or start something that is good. Putting down that cigarette and finally ordering that gym pass; it's that time of year.

For those who are less ambitious, there is at least one constant as the calendar turns over. Whatever went wrong last year is over. And all the good things for this year have yet to come. That's one way to look at it -- for the optimist.

But here at University Park, it is the midpoint of the year, when many students become distracted by winter break, or by new classes and the general change in routine. It is a time when hard work that got the ball rolling on many changes to life here gets forgotten. Instead, it should be a time for everyone to pick up where they left off.

Last year, Penn State embarked on a mission to prove to the state that it should be funded more this year compared to the past trend due to the university's financial impact on the Commonwealth. The beginning was a study that showed that Penn State adds about $6 billion to Pennsylvania's economy.

That's wonderful. But that 2003 statistic will mean nothing in 2004 on its own.

Instead, it's time for both the administration and individual students to begin using this information to lobby the state legislature so the university does not again need to gouge students to make up for the fact that the state does not give Penn State enough money.

Also, preliminary figures suggest the number of reported sexual assaults may have dropped this past fall. Efforts by law enforcement and many other groups have been having some effect. But again, this is not enough, because the problem is not gone. Not even close.

More work needs to be done now so that when the next fall semester rolls around, no woman is becoming a victim of this crime.

The trial of local bar employees Christopher and Jason Rosengrant also ended as students were making that post-finals dash for highways leaving town.

Despite the fact that the courts decided that there is no one to blame, there is one indisputable fact remaining; something went horribly wrong.

As with all important policies in any community, how safety issues are handled in downtown establishments must stay a constant state of reevaluation so the death of Salvador Peter Serrano is never repeated.

The list goes on and on.

So yes, the new semester is a time for new beginnings. But as that process goes on, there is unfinished business that must be brought along for the ride.