“It's easy to be sexy if you're 21 and have money.” Frank Durham, assistant professor of journalism and mass communication, suggesting that criteria used in studies that rank the best places to live in the country usually favor college towns over the competition (Iowa City Press-Citizen, April 21).

“Watching cartoons is the ultimate fantasy escape from reality.” Kembrew McLeod, assistant professor of communication studies, discussing why grown-ups love their cartoons—from The Simpsons to SpongeBob SquarePants (The Gazette, April 27).

“It's kind of a princess-and-the-pea issue.” David Wilder, associate professor of biomedical engineering, explaining recent research that studied the relationship between back alignment and sleeping comfort (The Des Moines Register, April 29).

“When you go through such [budget] shrinkage, you get to a point where more radical things have to occur.” Doug True, vice president for finance and university operations and treasurer, worrying about the possibility of more budget cuts even though the University already cut the equivalent of 48 full-time jobs (Omaha World Herald, May 6).

“Often, there was free tuition if you signed a pledge to teach after graduation, closer to home.” Christine Ogren, assistant professor of educational policy and leadership studies, discussing higher education pursuits in 19th-century Pennsylvania (NEPA News, May 6).

“Professional and managerial women who use [flexible hours] are penalized in their future wage growth.” Jennifer Glass, professor of sociology, breaking the news that mothers in the workforce continue to struggle to find an appropriate work-life balance (ABCNews.com, May 9).

“Read, read, read. If you want to get to where you want to be, you have to read.” Horace Porter, professor of African American world studies, speaking at a student assembly in his hometown (Columbus Ledger Enquirer, May 10).

“There has to be a better way. In my days, the consequences were not so severe. Society has changed a lot.” Judy Polumbaum, associate professor of journalism and mass communication, supporting a recommendation that University administration consider referring students caught with small amounts of marijuana to the campus judicial system, with a requirement that offenders attend drug-education programs (The Chronicle of Higher Education, May 16).

“We want to prevent the discovery of fake credentials in the future.” Judie Hermsen, assistant director of human resources, announcing that the University will use an on-line database to swiftly verify job candidates' credentials (Omaha World Herald, May 14).

“My friends, they say, 'Don't come back now. Just wait for a couple of months.'” Lin Wang, graduate research assistant in biomedical engineering, proceeding with his plans to return to China to get married despite the travel warnings related to severe acute respiratory syndrome (CNN.com, May 15).