Congratulations to the women's basketball team for another fantastic season. The Falcon women advanced to the national championship game of the NCAA Division II tournament, finishing behind the 2004-2005 national champions, Washburn University. The women's season record was good enough to put The Falcons in the No. 2 spot in the final USA Today/ESPN coach's poll for Division II.

The women's basketball team has been improving on itself season by season. In 2003, the Falcons finished No. 8 nationally; last year they moved up five spots to No. 3; this year they claimed the No. 2 spot in the nation. Next year the sky is the limit.

SPU's urban setting should be considered when students go out

It is very easy to feel safe at SPU, and, for the most part, we are. We have a decent security force on campus with continuous surveillance and patrols. However, this does not take away the fact that we are in an urban environment and therefore the dangers involved in any urban setting still exist. Anytime you leave SPU, whether walking along the canal or going to 7-11, you are no longer in the safe bubble of our campus. This is a reality that should be noted especially at night. Unfortunately, there is a risk being taken when wandering around in the evening, and the risk increases if you are alone. But even a group of two or three cannot be enough as the recent muggings near 7-11 last week demonstrate. In the past, SPU has had to deal with numerous criminal activities in the surrounding community. As recent as 2001, there was a rapist roaming the Queen Anne and Magnolia areas. In 2002, there was an exhibitionist and peeping Tom. With the recent muggings and car break-ins, we must remember where we are. These incidents shouldn't be paralyzing, but they definitely must not be overlooked. These are real dangers, and we as a community need to be intentional and aware when we step out. For some of us, urban life is nothing new, and for others it is an adjustment. Either way, it affects us all. For safety tips please go to www.cityofseattle.net/police/prevention