Washington University has earned recognition as a tree-friendly campus. The University was named a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. This distinction is given to campuses that meet five requirements, and currently more than 100 campuses nationwide have received the recognition.

Despite having a great time, though, I was surprised to find that there were quite a few things that I missed about Wash. U. while I adjusted to life at a new university in a new country. As someone who has, in his columns, frequently been critical of various aspects of Wash. U., my newfound perspective made me realize I owe it some words of gratitude as well.

The issue St. Louis recently reclaimed its spot as the most dangerous city in the United States, according to CQ press. Every year, the discussion comes down to one essential question: Can crime rankings truly capture a representative portrait of a city?

Popping the Wash. U. bubble

In their victories this weekend in the WU/Asics National Invitational, the top-ranked Washington University women’s volleyball team didn’t leave much room for suspense all weekend.

First off, I’d just like to welcome everyone back to school, and freshmen, welcome for the first time. Please save your social lives and general self-esteem and don’t take General Chemistry. (Note: I have never taken a chemistry class, or really any science class here, so do with that advice what you will.

Wash. U. backed out of a partnered event with Target Corp. after the retail powerhouse received heat for a donation it made to an organization backing a Minnesota gubernatorial candidate with a history of staunch opposition to gay rights.

On Monday night, senior Wyatt Crane spoke at a University City council meeting about the increasing frequency of the University City Police Department’s invocation of the newly-enacted zero-tolerance policy. Two days later, Crane was arrested outside of his Kingsbury Blvd. apartment after being issued a citation for noise from a gathering that he said he did not even attend.

It’s not common for a hip-hop sensation to address the Wash. U. student body. But on Monday afternoon, Grammy Award-winning rapper Common spoke to a packed Graham Chapel as part of the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium hosted by the Association of Black Students. Common opened with a rap tailored for Wash. U.: “Yeah, you know what? Yo, I came to rock you. I’m looking at my people out here at Wash. U.

An 8-0 drubbing at the beginning of a tournament might spoil the weekend for many softball teams. But the No. 15 Washington University Bears did not let their Friday loss to No. 8 Augustana College get them down. Wash. U. recorded only one hit and three errors in the defeat, but Saturday was a different story for the Bears, as they toppled Augustana 10-8 in nine innings and thrashed Fontbonne University 14-2 in five innings.