Back in 1994, a lot of people died in the African country of Rwanda. The story of the genocide, triggered by the death of then-President Juvenal Habyraimana among other factors like the increasing ethnic tension between Hutus and Tutsis, has since been dramatized in a popular film featuring Don Cheadle, who attended East High School in Denver, and portrayed in numerous books about the conflict.

During the time, many Western leaders refused to call that conflict a "genocide", due to the implications using that phrase would have for the United Nations model of intervention.

These actions led to the death of more than 800,000 Rwandans.

You'd like to think that people learn from their mistakes. The CU Board of Regents seems to have learned that slaughter by any other name is still slaughter.

On Dec. 5, The Board of Regents voted unanimously to divest CU's investments from companies that do business with the government of Sudan. This move was unexpected, as the original resolution that was to be considered by the board was not to even be discussed until January.

You see, many people see what is happening in the Darfur region of the Sudan as the same thing that happened in Rwanda in 1994. There have been facebook groups about it, displays on campus and just a general attempt to make the student body aware of the problems that are occuring in that country.

Apparently, the CU regents have listened to these concerns. It is sure to make many people on all of the CU campuses happy, but better than that, it sends a message to the world.

No matter what you might think of a university's role, it can still let you know how it feels by controlling its pocketbook.

The Colorado Daily has a story in today's edition about the vote, along with quotes from the discussion that took place between the Regents.

In other news, the Colorado Commission of Higher Education suggested Nov. 30 that CU raise tuition for next year's school year as much as 7 percent.

Tuition has increased steadily over the last few years at CU and it seems like even after the passage of Referendum C, the relief that students were seeking at the polls will have to wait for at least another year.

Obviously, most students are too happy about this, and luckily, The Campus Press has a story about it.

What do you think about either of these news stories? Do you think it is appropriate to divest from the already poor country of Sudan to send a message? What do you think about the imminent increase in tuition? You can post your own story about it or why not be like all the cool kids and start a blog?

Looking for something to do this weekend? Here's what's going on campus:

-On Friday morning from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Dec. 8, the Environmental Center will hold a campus sustainability roundtable. The discussion will update staff, students and the public on the progress of environmental issues and plans on campus. You can also listen to why it is that the campus loves environmentalism so much, ask questions about recycling or composting, get a new world view and have a little fun. To reserve your spot, e-mail ecenter@colorado.edu or call 303-492-8307.

-That evening at 7 p.m., Program Council and the Student Program Office will be screening the new Will Smith movie, The Pursuit of Happyness in Chemistry 140. I don't know about you, but just seeing Will Smith crack joke after joke about having nice pants is well worth the price of admission. Not to mention the fact that the little boy in the movie is his son. Tickets are free and can be picked up in UMC 401.

-The CU Men's basketball team will take on Colorado State at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Coors Events/Conference Center. Oh man, what can I say about this one? Last year, the Buffs lost a game to this CSU team that they should have won. But they are struggling of late and I can think of only one way the Buffs will pull this one out: if CU students outnumber CSU fans 10-1 and scream every single time the Rammies have the ball. Let's pack the CEC, folks. Tickets are $11.50-$33.50 and are available at www.cubuffs.com.

If you'd rather get off campus to spend your time, here are a few things you can do.

-On Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. Hazel Miller, a Colorado legend, will perform at Nissi's, 2675 N. Park Drive, in Lafayette. Nissi's, if you haven't been there, is a cool little concert venue that also serves dinner. Hazel Miller, obviously, is quite talented and a treat to watch perform. For more information, visit www.nissis.com.

-There will be an Aerial Dance student performance Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. at the Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St. The feats that these people perform are amazing and you can see it all for $3. For more information, visit www.thedairy.org.

-Finally, if you are bummed out that the College of Music's holiday show is sold out, you can attend the Ars Nova Singers' holiday show at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at the First United Methodist Church, 1421 Spruce St. Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for students and are available by visiting www.arsnovasingers.org.

-The Rocky Mountain News has a story about how a CU-designed experiment will be going up along with the night-launched shuttle tomorrow night.

-The Daily Camera has a column written by Neill Woelk about the demise of Ricardo Patton and the CU men's basketball program. (Registration required, but worth it for the column)

-And the Colorado Daily has an opinion piece about FCQ's. You know what I'm talking about. You don't? Well, go to class the last week of classes and you'll see. You'll see.

Have a great week of classes. Can you smell the end of the semester?