After The Daily Helmsman revealed the existence of prostitution on campus last week, The University of Memphis went into action to fix the problem. "The hole in the bathroom was patched up the next day," said Bruce Harber, director of police services. "The graffiti was also removed by noon.

Fifteen dollars can get you a lot at The University Center. You can shoot pool with a friend for three hours at the Side Pocket game room, or you can drop your pants and receive oral sex from a stranger in the bathroom. The black Sharpie written messages on the walls of the second and third floor men's bathrooms tell the story.

Few colleges, and none in this area, offer a Ph.D. in urban affairs and public policy, but The University of Memphis may soon fill that void. For students interested in city management and development, the doctoral program would give them extra research skills and better prepare them for future jobs, according to Stan Hyland, urban affairs professor.

First-hand accounts of hundreds of World War II veterans in the Mid-South will forever be preserved as part of the new Veterans Oral History Project at The University of Memphis. The goal is to permanently record tales and perspectives from surviving war veterans, according to Charles Crawford, director of the Oral History Research Office.

The University of Memphis family experienced a tragic loss early Monday morning. Tom Crafton, associate vice president and deputy CIO in the Information Technology Division, died unexpectedly Monday during a vacation. He was 58 years old. Crafton came to The U of M in 2004 but quickly established a notable reputation with his co-workers.

For any student at The University of Memphis, deadlines become almost second nature. But the federal government's July 1 deadline for an almost 2 percent interest rate increase may be more costly than any class deadline. The federal government adjusts student loan interest rates every July, and the rush to consolidate loans under a lower interest rate is on for many U of M students.

It's not often a basketball player goes from the NBA Development League to partying on Miami Beach with the NBA champions, but former Tiger star and seven-footer Earl Barron has done just that. Barron, signed as a free agent by the Heat in 2005, was a reserve player for Miami this season as they rebounded from a 2-0 series deficit against the Dallas Mavericks to claim their first NBA championship.

It is the expense that may concern University of Memphis students more than the rising cost of tuition, student loan fees or book costs. Gas. It is the three-letter word that has spelled out financial doom for many commuting students to The U of M. With gas costs nearly tripling in the past decade, the cost of driving has become a big topic not only in the minds of students but in the political realm as well.

Space has been labeled the final frontier, but the days of rapid spending on NASA projects and space exploration are slowly going away. A recent report from the National Research Council noted that the 2007 budget will be insufficient in order to maintain its current needs.

Cotton, fried catfish and folklore were all on the menu at the "Delta, Everything Southern Symposium" that was held by the friends of the library on campus June 29. The list of speakers ranged from cotton barons to catholic priests to musical scholars all sharing their knowledge about the Mississippi Delta.

There may be no greater sound for University of Memphis music students than the sound of victory. Thanks to the work of five U of M recording industry students, The U of M's music recording program is now in the spotlight of the entire nation. Shure Incorporated announced June 22 that The U of M had been selected as the top participant in the companies annual Fantastic Scholastic Recording Competition.

With the heat and humidity that comes with Memphis summers, there are other things to look forward to rather then just the dreary, hot days. Summertime is a chance to relax, grill out with friends and find ways to stay cool during the dog days of summer.