Welcome to the new semester! My name is Mariah and I'll be your tourguide. We'll be stopping at a modest gathering called the Inauguration,so keep your eyes peeled. And of course, there will be somelollygagging in that month of love: February.

It's a strangetime to be in college these days. The sad and sorry state of theeconomy makes discovering the juncture of school and real life less ofa side project and more of a pressing need before graduation sneaks upon you. On the other hand, there's never been a time with as manyopportunities to make changes or get informed.

So in betweenmoving back in and perusing www.half.com for textbooks to avoid thegauging prices of your campus bookstore, make sure to check out twoevents of note this week. On Thursday, January 15, the University ofVermont Student Labor Action Project along with members of the Student,Staff, and Faculty Together Coalition have organized a moratorium onUVM's proposed budget cuts that may include lay offs and salaryfreezes. Back in December, What's Good reported that UVMPresident Fogel would be evaluating which positions would be cut toreduce the $22 million budget deficit come mid-January. Well, as thewalrus would say, the time has come. The moratorium on the UVM budgetcuts will take place from 6:30 to 8 pm in the Sugar Maple Ballroom (4thfloor of the Davis Center) and will discuss how the quality ofeducation UVM students receive will be affected by these cuts.

Then,on Friday, all of Burlington is welcome to Talk Sex with Sue Johanson.The Canadian sex educator, registered nurse, and grandmother will bespeaking to a likely packed house at 8 pm in the Sugar Maple Ballroom.Tickets are $5 for UVM students and $15 for community members. Bringyour burning questions!

Here's a video preview.

But have no fear, if the frigid, Siberian weather or simply previous engagements keep you away, What's Good will fill you in. That is, after all, what we're good for...