Keep on reading

Credit cards, H1N1 flu, green initiatives on campus and a creep who breaks into houses to watch young women as they sleep … there was no shortage of news for Dalnews writers to report on last year .

Looking back at 2009, here are the 10 most read stories on Dalnews:

1. Dalhousie’s decision to save money by canceling the use of credit cards had a lot of interest. To cope with the questions that were flooding in, Dalnews posted a Q&A on the controversial issue. See story: Credit card Q&A (updated July 9).
2. In the fall of 2009, people in Halifax’s south-end neighbourhoods were on edge with the “sleep watcher” at large. See story: Lock your doors.
3. This story announced Dalhousie’s decision to cancel the use of credit cards to pay tuition or residence fees. See story: A million dollars in savings.
4. Although H1N1 hit the campus in the fall, the first cases were being reported in early summer. See story: H1N1 update.
5. Dal students work together to bring Death Cab for Cutie to campus. See story: Death Cab for campus.
6. Who are the professors that inspire you in your teaching? See story: Passion for teaching.
7. Billionaire Seymour Schulich writes a $20-million cheque to Dalhousie. See story: Introducing the Schulich School of Law.
8. Dal grad Michelle SaintOnge is invited to appear on the Martha Stewart Show. See story: On her way.
9. A young woman who decides to sell her virginity online talks to students in Marina Adshade’s class, The Economics of Sex and Love, about her provocative way of raising money to pay for tuition. See story: ‘It’s business to me.’
10. An innovative new building technique is used in the construction of Dalhousie’s new academic building on Coburg Road. See story: Building better with bubbles.

Dalnews encourages reader feedback and dialogue on stories with its comment feature. From bottled water to parking and helmets at the rink, here are the top five most commented-on stories and discussions of 2009.

1. Following the University of Winnipeg’s decision to ban bottled water on campus, Dalnews asked if Dalhousie should do the same. Then, professor Graham Gagnon waded into the issue, which attracted another flurry of comments.
2. Credit cards again! Dalhousie decides to save money by canceling credits cards to pay for tuition and residence fees sparked a lot of questions and comments on the issue. 
3. If there’s one topic people at Dal like to talk about, it’s the parking situation. 
4. Memorial Arena becomes the first rink in Nova Scotia to make helmets mandatory at public skates. The issue raises a snowstorm of controversy, with some readers applauding the decision, and others saying the safety measure goes too far.
5. How do we make our city streets safe for drivers and cyclists alike? Sustainability issues, such as cycling, in general generate a lot of interest at Dalhousie.

So, let’s begin a new discussion. What kinds of stories would you like to see covered by Dalnews? More stories about student achievement? Cutting-edge research? Campus issues? What do you like about Dalnews? What don't you like?

And, if this discussion sparks a specific story idea, let us know. You can e-mail the editor with your suggestions at marilyn.smulders@dal.ca.