It's back to school after a little more than three weeks of winter break and CU is still kicking. I bet you didn't think that CU could function without your presence (I know that's what I used to think every time I had a break). Fortunately, life does go on for a campus, even when its 30,000 inhabitants have an extended break.

That's not to say there was a plethora of news while you got back to where you once belonged. These were pretty slow news weeks for CU. Sure, some CU researchers made a huge discovery about the earliest humans to inhabit Europe. Also, the CU men's basketball team continued to struggle against some traditionally better (and a few worse) opponents. But all in all, not a lot happened.

That's why it's great news that you are all back to keep the campus vibrant. And in just the last couple of days, you all sure have been making a quite of bit of noise.

The Colorado Daily reported today about one of the newest businesses to come to the hill. This new barbecue joint will take over the space on 13 th Street where Dairy Queen used to be. The question begs to be asked: Do CU students care enough about barbecue to frequent a barbecue restaurant on the Hill? Will they be able to get a liquor license from the city with the UHNA standing, seemingly, in the way?

Also, it was announced yesterday that CU became only the sixth university in the nation to have more than 2,000 volunteers to the Peace Corps. That's a lot of people, many of them recent gradates, who give service to their county in the name of internationalism.

And the Ward Churchill dismissal hearings were held last week. Of particular interest to students is an open letter from concerned academics that was published yesterday. You can read the text of that letter here.

I want to know what you think about the hearings. You can post your own story or blog about your feelings and opinions on the topic. You might even find your view in the next print edition of YourHub.com.

I'd actually like to comment a little bit about the coach search that is going on to find a replacement for Ricardo Patton.

The Longmont Times-Call reported today that, according to an article on CNNSI.com, the front runner for the head coaching vacancy is Mike Dunlap, former head coach for Metro State and current Denver Nuggets Assistant. It should be noted, however, that both Mike Bohn, Colorado AD, and the head of the search committee, said that they haven't ranked any candidates as of yet.

This could be spin (as we all know too well, they said a lot of the same things while they were eyeing Dan Hawkins from Boise State) but I'm inclined to think that there is more to it than Bohn and the committee are letting on. Of course, Dunlap had no comment either, according to the Times-Call.

Dunlap won two national championships while at Metro State and is considered one of the brightest up-and-coming coaches in college basketball.

Hiring Dunlap would be a good move by the university administration. Not only is he a proven winner, but he can recruit and attract some of the best players in the country to come to beautiful Boulder.

The men's basketball program is in serious need of a boost. Hiring Dunlap would be the first step in creating more buzz around the program. His current position with the Nuggets can only serve to make him a better judge of talent and more attuned to the development needs of his players.

What do you think? Let everyone know by posting a comment below or by posting your own blog about it.

Events

Now that you are back to school, take a break from the stressful first week of classes and get out and about.

-The CU Tango Club presents tango lessons every Friday at 7 p.m. in the Carlson Gymnasium. Women, don't leave your man at home. Bring him along and teach him how to do his thing on the dance floor. And men, you know there are single ladies at these things. What other type of incentive do you need? Admission is only $3. For more information, e-mail tango@colorado.edu.

-Also on Friday Jan. 19 is CU night at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo. You can meet other alumni, see Ralphie do his thing while you sing the fight song and enjoy the atmosphere of the old west. For more information or to buy discounted tickets, visit www.cu.edu/nwss.html.

-On Jan. 20, the Lady Buffs will take on Oklahoma at 7 p.m. at the Coors Events Center. Oklahoma is good but the Buffs have been streaking of late. McConnell-Miller seems to have this team going in the right direction. Tickets are free for students and $11.50-$17.50 for others.

-Lulumeon Athletica represents womenkind with LunaFest, films by, for and about women at 7 and 9 p.m. Jan. 19 at the Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St. These unique films highlight women as leaders in society, illustrated through nine films by women filmmakers. The films range from animated shorts to fictional drama, and cover topics such as women's health, body image, spirituality, relationships, cultural diversity, and breaking barriers. The event will benefit The Breast Cancer Fund and The Women's Wilderness Institute. For more information, or for tickets, call 303-444-SEAT.

-The Boulder Library Foundation presents JACKS, a film about Jackie Kennedy after President Kennedy was assassinated, at 2 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Boulder Public Library, 1000 Canyon Blvd. The show is free. For more information, visit www.boulder.lib.co.us.

-Finally, Sambadende will be performing at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at Rhumba's Restaurant, 950 Pearl St. They play a big, big mix of Brazilian and other music to shake your groove thing to. Admission is free. For more information, call 303-442-7771.

Hope you are having a productive first week of classes. Don't get overwhelmed yet; it's only two days in to the new semester.