If the Legislature approves the governor's proposal on community colleges, we could kick off a cohort of students on our west campus this fall.

That's what a community college is for, is to give access to all students. Give them a first chance, if not a second chance.

I think some of the students will be ones who want to pursue professional technical education and get a two-year associate degree. Some may be students who applied to Boise State and couldn't get in. We turned away 800 last fall.

In Auburn, the Italian community is small but very enthusiastic, and many students enroll every term in our Italian classes, displaying an uneatable desire to learn the Italian language and culture.

There are links that the students are working on. The point is to bring them together in a community where they are seriously involved in the arts.

There's no question this has been a rallying point for students and the community. We were packed at the Bloomington South game (on Jan. 14), and we've had tremendous support at our last four games on the road. It's become a real sixth man for our team.