A few days before Thanksgiving, the University received the best news it could have gotten from the Commission of Presidential Debates. Not only was the University chosen to host a presidential debate, but the final presidential debate of 2008, the debate that will push undecided voters over the edge.

Phi Beta SigmaBlu Magic: One last party before finals Where: Hofstra USAWhen: Dec. 7 from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.Cost: $5 on campus$7 off campusAlpha Phi AlphaCelebrating 101 years of excellence: Alpha InformationalWhere: MPR West 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.FREE

After a brilliant first feature in 2005, "Thank You For Smoking" director Jason Reitman set the bar high for his second full-length film. When the first trailer for "Juno" was released, it was apparent he would meet those expectations. However, the first 15 minutes of the film make it seem that "Juno" is completely unoriginal and a big disappointment.

A young team is always an inexperienced team, but that same team is not necessarily a poor one, as was proven in the Pride men's basketball team hard fought loss to their conference rival, the Seahawks of UNC-Wilmington, 87-83. The men were a misplayed fast break and a more productive overtime period away from a win in a game that was, despite the loss, their best game of the year.

"I think it will have a negative effect because it kind of makes the university less accredited if students are allowed to take courses online. It makes it easier to access online information, people can cheat, and a professor is not teaching them. Plus, no one is watching them.

It's safe to say the acoustics in Hofstra USA are not perfect, but the intimacy of the shows make up for the reverberating noise. When Lupe Fiasco took the stage last Thursday night it should not have been a surprise that the sound would echo. His blaring beats are constructed in a manner that could not stop the building from rattling.

About the only thing the Jets accomplished on a warm afternoon in Miami on Sunday was avoiding the indignity of becoming the Dolphins' first victim this season. When the 40-13 victory was completed, the Jets improved to 3-9, with two of those victories coming against the 0-12 Dolphins.

In its final meeting of the semester, the Student Government Association (SGA) approved a new committee to discuss possible events surrounding the presidential debate coming to the University next fall and appointed the first freshman ever to its cabinet. Entitled "Issue Committee for Presidential Topics Two Thousand deb8," the group will coordinate with Sandra Johnson, the vice president for Student Affairs, and Anita Ellis, the director of the Office of Student Leadership and Activities, to plan symposia, activities and events specific to issues that will be discussed at the debate to take place on Oct.

Her path began here at the University, an alumna of the month honored for her selfless acts and advocacy in the community. Faced with hardships in life, Michele Lumia Iallonardi's fondest memory was graduating with honors in 1998 with a dual degree in elementary education and sociology.

The University is going to be home to the final 2008 Presidential Debate on October 15. Hofstra went through a series of processes to be accepted by the Commission on Presidential Debates, and now that the official decision has been made, many more plans are being put in action.

December 7Mahalo Happy Hour Mahalo Spa and Natural Organic Cafe927 Franklin Ave Garden City4 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.$35Call (516) 922-3494 December 11Holiday Spectacular The Dix Hills Center for the Performing Arts305 North Service Road7:30 p.m.$10.00Call (631) 378-2000 December 13Winter Solstice CelebrationThe Smithtown Public LibraryMain Street7 p.

Do you know where the word "Yankee" comes from? It's a combination of two common Dutch names, Jan and Kees. When the Dutch first colonized New York (then called New Amsterdam), the people of the Netherlands referred to the settlers as Jan-Kees and hence the term Yankee came into existence.