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“I consider this an exceptionally sensible idea.” Katherine Tachau, professor of history, approving of a move to give students a full-week break for Thanksgiving (Iowa City Gazette, Feb. 26).

“I think we're talking about skills one needs for a lifetime.” Monique DiCarlo, director of the Women's Resource and Action Center, emphasizing the benefits of a free financial-counseling clinic for students (Omaha World-Herald, March 4).

“I think it's too premature to be down in the dumps about news we haven't even gotten yet.” Charlotte Westerhaus, director of affirmative action, discussing the crossroads at which many universities find themselves as officials search for ways to maintain diversity in the future (Iowa City Press-Citizen, March 4).

“I represent a very nice example of someone who should know better, but, because of the pressure of having too much to do, I put it off.” Charles Platz, professor emeritus of pathology, acknowledging he waited too long to get checked and found out colorectal cancer had already spread to his liver by the time he was diagnosed eight years ago (Iowa City Gazette, March 5).

“The biggest thing for us has been inflation in the cost of everything—water, sewer, garbage, heat, food, and labor.” Maggie Van Oel, director of Residence Services, explaining why the cost of living in a UI residence hall is going up at least eight percent for the 2003-04 academic year (Iowa City Gazette, March 7).

“People think writing is easy. But it's extremely difficult work, a very hard, unforgiving discipline. It takes intense concentration.” Frank Conroy, F. Wendell Miller Professor of Creative Writing and director of the Iowa Writers' Workshop, offering insight about why it is not uncommon for writers to break down after finishing a book or to quit after writing just one (Erie Times News, March 9).

“This is a stunning find. It's just phenomenal.” Lea Vandervelde, professor of law, referring to recently discovered court documents untouched since the Civil War that include the stories and voices of slaves who attempted to use the court system to win their freedom (Los Angeles Times, March 18).

“All of the available data . . . suggest there have been no long-term effects from such oil fires in the past.” Gregory C. Gray, professor of epidemiology, speculating about whether war participants are likely to be in danger of having respiratory problems as a result of burning oil wells (Reuters Health, March 24).

“Kids in the pre-teen years should have their television time limited more to network news, which is a bit more ‘sanitized.' ” Scott Temple, associate professor (clinical) of psychiatry, advising parents they should mediate war TV coverage (ABCNews.com, March 25).