Thumbs: Rod, rankings, registration

Thumbs up to the City of Evanston for applying to host an ultra-high speed Internet network built by Google.

If Evanston is selected to participate in the network, users will have faster download speed. The city's efforts indicate an interest in giving more people access to high-speed Internet. While Northwestern might not directly benefit from the project, increasing Internet access in the city could enhance the exchange of information between Evanston and the NU campus.

Thumbs up to the College Democrats for bringing former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to speak March 2 at NU.

After speaking for 15 minutes, Blagojevich will answer questions from a faculty panel before the discussion is opened to students. While Blagojevich's track record may make him unpopular to some in the NU community, the opportunity for students to ask questions and share opinions is rare and valuable. Having access to a public official, especially one as controversial as Blagojevich, is a unique opportunity NU students should take advantage of.

Thumbs up to NU's School of Law for earning the No. 1 spot on The National Law Journal's report.

The School of Law has the highest percentage of students getting hired at the nation's largest law firms, according to the report. Last year, the School of Law was ranked fifth in the report. Coming in at No. 1 not only brings attention to the school's demanding programs and talented faculty, but it also indicates the school's commitment to improvement.

Thumbs up to the School of Continuing Studies for its new online degree programs.

The online programs will allow students to get both undergraduate and graduate degrees from the comfort of their own homes. With the new programs, adult learners will have the chance to further their education without disrupting their daily lives. It's a logical step to translate the rigor of NU academics to the digital world. The program will make NU relevant to a broader range of students while making it easier for users to reach high-level positions without inconvenience.

Thumbs up to the Housing Authority of Cook County for allowing residents of water damaged units to choose to stay in their apartments.

After initially asking some residents to leave a public housing development following water damage, the HACC changed its decision after 18 residents signed a petition. The HACC's change of heart prioritizes the residents' needs while demonstrating a dedication to responding to their requests.

Thumbs down to Spring Quarter classes filling up quickly, causing students to be blocked out of registering for some classes.

Students attempting to register this week faced full classes and waitlists particularly in the economics, art, Spanish and Portuguese departments. While students with declared majors and minors were accommodated during preregistration, others were unable to enroll in a number of courses. Registration should not be so tedious, frustrating and limiting. If students are handing over thousands of dollars in tuition, they should have the chance to take their choice of classes.