We can attract a better faculty now. Those coming out of graduate school looking for jobs but who may be thinking of having children will be attracted to this place. FIU is the first university in the state to agree to such a policy. It's maybe the best policy in the country.

The new contract allows them to speak freely on all matters of university governance without the fear for their job. If you go downtown and march against the war in Iraq, the university can't fire you.

We hope now we've re-established the sense of cooperation that has always prevailed here.

It was nice for everyone to get together and just talk. We get so busy with school and jobs that we don't get time to keep in contact with our friends. On Wednesday night, I got to catch up on much-needed talks with my friends and find out what has been going on in their lives.

The jobs number was fuzzy, even though on balance it helped to perk up the market, ... Based on that number, the market is now factoring in that the economy is not weak enough for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates in its Sept. 24 meeting.

I'd never change jobs. I have one year till I can retire, at 30 years, but I won't retire.