Spring quarter has started, Mustangs! Your first week is just about over! But don’t give up yet. As it turns out, the school you’re going to isn’t that bad. In fact, one could even say it’s fairly decent. It would have to be to be ranked 12th in the nation among public universities on a list of colleges with the best “return on investment”—in other words, the amount of money put into tuition versus how much you later earn. When private universities are also added to the mix, Poly still ranks a nice 62nd on the list, and 76th when it comes to out-of-state tuition. The list, which was compiled by the website Payscale, can be found at payscale.com/college-educaton-value. I’d highly suggest that Cuesta students also take a close look at this list, as it may give them an even clearer idea of which college would be good for them. Let’s just not have anyone forget that merely going to a good college isn’t enough if you don’t put in any effort!

What’s that sound? Is it a courtyard of readers groaning at my giving them a lecture they’ve heard before? Why, no! I do believe it’s the powerful bellow of the Forbes Pipe Organ! If you haven’t had the opportunity to enjoy the Christopher Cohan Performing Arts Center’s beautiful (and expensive) pipe organ before, don’t miss this new opportunity to do so. On Friday, Jan. 25, at 8 p.m., concert organist Herndon Spillman will perform a recital of music from France. From Jehan Alain to Duruflé, this Louisiana State University organ program coordinator promises a wonderful evening for attendees. Student and adult tickets fall in the range of $17 to $33 and may be purchased ahead of time at the ticket office window or calpolyarts.org.

Speaking of music, Craig Russell, Cal Poly music professor and author, will discuss his new book From Serra to Sancho: Music and Pageantry in the California Missions on Friday, Jan. 25, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Cal Poly Kennedy Library, Room 111H. The book concerns itself with the historical, cultural, and stylistic aspects of California mission music during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. More event information, and a readable excerpt of the book, can be found online at lib.calpoly.edu/authors/craigrussell. We have a mission downtown, by the way, for those who are interested in seeing some of the stuff in person after reading. Funny how these things work out.

Intern Chris White-Sanborn would go back to sleep, but after pleading sanctuary he’s had to deal with acoustified snoring. Send messages over the wall by bird to [email protected].