The Red and Black

How does an extra $33 million sound?

That's how much contributions to the UGA Foundation have gone up since University President Michael Adams took office - and it sounds great to us.

The UGA Foundation, the private fundraising arm of the University, helps pay for everything from new buildings to scholarships. When Adams took office last September, he promised to make fundraising a top priority. Since then, Foundation contributions have tripled. It's a promise that's become reality, and every student and faculty member here will benefit.

Adams has served his students well in other ways, too, often going against the grain in state politics. He reaffirmed the University's commitment to considering race in admissions, emphasizing the importance of diversity even as race-based admissions took a beating in Atlanta.

The president also defended the University's high standards when many in Georgia called for the school to admit more in-state freshmen, lowering the bar and denying admission to many qualified out-of-state applicants.

But perhaps the best thing about Adams is his responsiveness to student concerns.

He spoke out about underage drinking when three University freshmen were sent to the hospital for alcohol poisoning last fall. He initiated this school's first Greek housing summit, the first step in restoring run-down houses on University property.

And yesterday, Adams told The Red & Black that students are right in complaining about unsafe, inconvenient construction on campus.

Thanks for listening, Mr. Adams. We're looking forward to even higher admission standards and a more diverse student body. Keep us posted on the state issues that could affect our educations most. And have a great year.

Managing the thousands of pedestrians and cars on campus has always been a challenge. But with 800 more students this year, the crowding on major campus thoroughfares is more dangerous now than ever.

Which is why the University police must do a better job enforcing speeding on Lumpkin and Baldwin streets - and construction on roads and sidewalks must be completed soon.

SGA members have asked the police in writing to step up enforcement or direct traffic at the busiest times of day, but nothing has been done.

This week's safety campaign is a good start, but without an increased police presence on busy roads, those roads won't be safe for pedestrians.

The police must go after speeders and stop-and-stand violators. We can look both ways, but it's up to the police to monitor what's coming at us.

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