It's been a rough seven years and change since 9/11, hasn't it? Somehow, despite shooting innumerable brown people (just like the ones who flew planes into our nice buildings), terrorism has grown, anti-American sentiment has flourished and another Beatle has died (George, for my uncultured, music-hating readers).

Dear reader, usually I devote my column to all things bikes, but today I am compelled to use this space to discuss an issue that hits harder than a car door.

The portrayal of Boston University's School of Management and College of Communication in the article ('COM, SMG cut minors' services,' March 4), as well as in the accompanying staff editorial ('STAFF EDIT: More than a minor problem,' March 4), is unfair.

On Monday, Boston University Students enjoyed the university's first snow day in over four years (and no, that 'half snow day' on Valentine's Day two years ago didn't count, so please stop emailing us about it). We here at the 'ol Free Press wanted to know how the subjects of our news stories made the most of their snow day.

I wish a warm goodbye to all you lucky students heading to tropical, exotic locations this spring break. It must be nice to know that once you ace your midterms - I hope - you can break out the bikinis, Speedos, sunglasses, straw hats and SPF 30.

It amazes me sometimes that the large bulk of major taste-shifts in popular music come from media other than CD, vinyl or MP3. Feb. 9, 1964 - the Beatles appear for the first time on U.S. television on the 'Ed Sullivan Show,' causing the quantum shift in American music (effectively creating pop).

As Boston University students near the midpoint of the spring semester, their thoughts are turning to where they are going to find work this summer, or for seniors, what they are going to do career-wise.

President Barack Obama has shown a commitment to improving education in his presidency, talking it up in his address to the joint sessions of Congress as 'absolutely critical to our economic future.' This is exactly what Obama's strongest constituency, America's youth, wants to hear.

This weekend I went to Wesleyan University. It was my first visit to a 'small liberal arts school.' My general conclusions are that the town looked like something between a History Channel movie about Puritans and a Food Network special on the kitschiest breakfast nooks in the Northeast.

Former President George W. Bush is safely out of the White House, and civil libertarians everywhere can breathe a little bit easier. Today, it appears our Constitution, specifically the Bill of Rights, is safer, more secure and stronger.

I think it is irresponsible for a school to disregard a changing social environment. It's archaic and close-minded. It's also extremely shortsighted to even consider an 'increase in marijuana use' based upon the passage of Question 2 ('BUPD, ORL disagree on change in BU pot presence,' March 3).

Whenever there is a snowstorm in Boston, as there was Monday, city of Boston officials urge those who need to get around the city to use public transportation. Even when Mother Nature is not wreaking havoc on the daily commute, the T is the only method of transportation for many students and residents of Boston because owning a car in the city is pointless, and taking taxis gets too expensive.