As the 2012 Spring Registration period came to a close on Nov. 11, the newest students at Puget Sound confirmed their schedules.  Unfortunately for them, the most popular classes at the university had already closed on Nov. 4. Using detailed records of the last five semesters from the Office of the Registrar, The Trail has found the most sought-after classes offered at Puget Sound. Based on a list of classes with all spots filled at the end of the first day of the week-long registration period, the Science, Technology and...

Facilities and Residence Life staff are currently in the planning phase of constructing a new residence hall on campus. In early October, the University awarded the architectural contract to Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, the same firm that designed Weyerhaeuser Hall. The proposed building will house 100 to 125 students and will be geared towards accommodating upperclassmen. The projected site for the residence hall sits in the South quad parking lot area, between Regester and the new health sciences center. Many aspects of the project are still provisional while Facilities waits for...

The Board of Trustees convened for meetings on Oct. 28 and 29 to analyze the University’s progress as it reaches the halfway point of the Board’s 10-year plan.  The Business Meeting of the Board of Trustees on Friday covered a range of topics, including the past year’s record-breaking contributions to the annual fund as well as the approval of $1.5 million towards design and construction plans for a new residence hall.  While the year-to-year funds of the University grow, the most pressing issue of the meeting was the kickoff of...

University Facilities Services has drafting underway for multiple projects that will significantly expand and renovate the Student Union Building in the coming years. Current underclassmen will enjoy a servery with greater efficiency and a kitchen with more space for S.U.B. workers to cook food and wash dishes. The servery has struggled to meet the demands of the student population during peak hours in recent years, and the proposed changes seek to minimize lines especially during lunch and dinner. The projects are part of a larger effort to update the S.U.B.,...

Americans Elect, a group seeking to use the Internet to directly nominate a presidential candidate in 2012, is opening a chapter on the Puget Sound campus. With over 100 chapters in 35 states, the movement, which hopes to engage the youth vote at universities, grows with each passing day as the season of party primaries grows closer. “Our only goal is to put a directly nominated ticket on the ballot in 2012,” reads the website, AmericansElect.org, which also eschews affiliation with political parties, lobbies or special interests. As a dynamic,...

At the close of last semester, the ASUPS Budget Committee convened in an emergency meeting to reconsider allocating $14,000 to the Sailing Club for new racing boats.  The decision stirred controversy due to the sheer dollar amount of the investment, which is expected to benefit the 40-member club at a competitive level for the next eight years. The request passed both times it was presented to the Senate but was met with some opposition by both senators and students who joined the meeting to express their dissent. ASUPS Club Sports...