The Free Word on CampusEstablished in 1946

Rapper draws cops, but few fans
By Matt Chayes
Less than a third of the West Gym was filled Sunday night as bestselling rapper 50 Cent performed to very strict security, which is why, the Student Association says, only 1,100 out of nearly 3,000 tickets were sold.

Cuts to music adjuncts could wipe out troupes
By Andrea Boyarsky
With the upcoming 18-percent budget cut, academic departments next semester will have fewer adjunct teachers. The music department, which relies heavily on adjuncts, will be hit hard by this decision.

A cappella group wins 1st place at national contest in New York
By Nicole Flatow
Binghamton University can now boast that it is home to the nation's best a cappella group.

WHO says SARS outbreak has peaked
The Washington Post

Bush says U.S. will stand with Iraqis
Newsday

Looters of Iraqi museum were experts, say officials
Newsday

Evan Kestenbaum/Assistant Photo Editor
50 Cent performed to a modest crowd last Sunday in the West Gym.

Adam Petela/Photo Editor
Picnickers catch some sun in the grass while jamming to Sunday's Picnic in the Park Entertainment at Recreation Park.
Students and community members waited as long as 2 1/2 hours to get to the front of the grill line. The Senior Class council sold Senior mugs and T-shirts reading "Binghamton University, now what?"
For many seniors, this was a culminating event, and one of the last chances for students to gather before graduation.
This is Picnic in the Park's fifth year running.
The Carousel was open all day, but more students chose to sun themselves or play frisbee or catch.

Another Champion
By Brien Shanahan
Led by the conference's Most Outstanding Player, sophomore Akshay Rao, the Binghamton University men's tennis team defeated Stony Brook University, 4-3, at the Connecticut Tennis Center in New Haven this weekend for the school's first America East Men's Tennis Championship.

Bearcats take second place
By Mark Rubin
The Binghamton University women's tennis team came away from the America East Conference tournament with second-place honors.

B-Sens sizzle in playoffs
By Brian Wachsman
The road to any championship is often paved with adversity. And although the Binghamton Senators have a long way to go before they can parade the Calder Cup around Broome County, they've already provided enough heroics to make their fans believe.

EDITORIAL
Unity, Identity, Excellence

OP/ED
College proves a time to learn important life lessons
By Adam D. Perry

Gender battles benefit no one
By Taryn Fears

Graduation brings back memories of good times
By Nicole Flatow