By now, you may have seen or heard of people taking advantage of the Student Government’s bike lending program. The program allows any student a free, six-hour bike rental, complete with all the needed gear. A helmet, lock and saddlebag are included with the rental.

In 2001, Republicans were on an electoral high. After crafting a shrewd GOP victory in both the presidential and legislative elections, Karl Rove made the now infamous promise of delivering a permanent Republican majority. Had someone reminded Rove of Albert Einstein’s description of politics as a swinging pendulum, he might have tempered his guarantee. Sure enough, a mere five years later, Democrats overtook both the House and the Senate.

Over the last year, my roommate and I have embarked on a crusade to run to the farthest reaches of the metro area. We began with modest adventures of four to five miles. With Forrest Gump-like zeal, we decided to run some more ­— and more, and more, and more. Last Monday night, we journeyed east through the city and into other parts of Maryland. Our destination was FedEx Field in Landover,  nearly 14 miles from campus. Along those many miles, I was reminded of the depth of this city’s poverty and urban decay. While the discouraging sights of that run will remain with me for a long time, there’s hope for a better future.

Your letters to the editor.

More of your Eagle rants!

In “Men’s soccer falls 1-0 in PL Championship” published on Nov. 16, The Eagle incorrectly reported that red shirt senior Cooper Bryant was ejected for spitting in an official’s face. In fact, according to a report from the Patriot League, he was ejected for using abusive language towards an official. Bryant violated a different subsection of the same rule; instead of rule 12.15.4 it was rule 12.15.7.

In “Panel highlights shortfalls of DCPS,” published Nov. 12 The Eagle incorrectly identified a speaker as Sean Peterson. In fact, his name is John Peterson.

The Eagle regrets these errors.

This university’s parking policy is preposterous. The rules are ridiculous and vague. It’s especially unfortunate, considering the consequences for breaking the rules are serious and appealing these consequences is challenging. Something must be done — and the first step is for everyone to understand the lunacy of the status quo.

A recent look at the AUSG Web site has revealed its content and updates to be neglected. While current SG President Andy MacCracken posts informative updates somewhat regularly — about once a month — those filling other positions rarely, if ever, follow suit.

Why are we installing a Feminist Resource Center? Oops! I mean — Women’s Resource Center?

In 2006, the New York Times declared that female dominance of men in universities was “the new gender divide.” About 60 percent of U.S. college students are female, and that number is even more staggering at AU, where about two-thirds of our students are women.

Many of us have had a good laugh listening to the ravings of talk show hosts Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity and Bill O’Reilly. Their zany crusades against President Barack Obama have constituted nothing more than rumors and innuendo. The more extreme opponents of Barack Obama have also made themselves open to ridicule, accusing the president of being a foreign-born Nazi, communist and Islamic terrorist who seeks to destroy freedom, liberty and America itself.

I was sorely disappointed in The Eagle’s “AU’s Busiest Student” competition. Why is this something that even needs to be featured?

More of your Eagle rants!

Most students have never heard of the College Level Examination Program. But every student should know about them. CLEP tests are exams administered by College Board that allow access to an accelerated education at a lower price. Students can take them in high school or at the college level. Many colleges, including AU, accept some of these tests as replacements for courses. Students can pay $72 to take a CLEP test in, say, general chemistry, prove proficiency in the subject and forego a grueling, semester-long classroom experience. As The Eagle reports, students can save an average of $3,372 per course. How’s that for a bargain?

America used to be a society of admirers. We used to look up to athletes, actors, politicians, writers and artists. They used to be given great respect. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. We have fallen into a vicious — I think detrimental — cycle wherein we systemically destroy famous people to make ourselves feel better. It is a sad side effect of our culture today that this is scarcely mentioned by those who suffer from it, because of how well off they really are. So let me, a college student with thousands of dollars of debt, say it for them.

Life is good inside the AU bubble. We have our own idyllic world here in the suburbs of D.C., secluded from the hustle and bustle of the city and yet close enough to still be a part of it. Just walking onto the quad before an early morning class is enough to make any student realize what an oasis we have here.  To be able to have an arboretum as our campus is an incredible privilege. However, it has become clear that far too many students do not recognize this.