Thumbs up NU draftees …

… Barry Cofield, Tim McGarigle and Zach Strief for being selected in last week’s NFL Draft. Cofield, a defensive tackle, was picked by the New York Giants in the fourth round with the 124th overall pick. The Giants, who went 11-5 in 2005, have a star-studded defensive line with Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. Cofield is figured to rotate in between those all-pro defensive ends. The Giants showed interest in Cofield’s defensive skills in the February NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis. Zach Strief was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round with the 210th overall pick. Strief, an offensive tackle, will have a chance to block for newly acquired quarterback Drew Brees and runningback Reggie Bush, who was picked as the second overall pick of the draft. The Saints finished 3-13 last season and ranked 20th in overall offense. Sean Payton, the Saints coach who also worked under Randy Walker for two years, is expected to give Strief a good shot at securing a spot in the starting line-up.

With the 221st overall pick, the St. Louis Rams picked Tim McGarigle, one of Northwestern’s best linebackers.

Thumbs down to Bill Clinton …

… for taking the soft drinks (or soda or pop or coke or whatever you call it) out of the vending machines at public schools. The William J. Clinton Foundation helped broker a deal with PepsiCo Inc., Coca-Cola Co., Cadbury Schweppes PLC and the American Beverage Association to eliminate all soft drinks from elementary and middle schools where only unsweetened juice, low-fat milk and water will be allowed. Diet soft drinks still will be sold in high schools, making this whole healthy mentality a little flawed, since diet soft drinks aren’t exactly chock full of nutrients.

Yes, obesity is a problem in this country, but taking soft drinks out of vending machines only addresses a symptom and is not a solution.

Clinton needs to find better things to do with his time. Like speaking at Northwestern.

Thumbs up to CCS and Slivka …

… for winning the first Green Cup. The contest, organized by SEED, put dorms in competition to see which could conserve the most water and energy over a two-week period. The residents of College of Cultural and Community Studies and Slivka Residential College will receive a free pizza and ice cream party, sponsored by Lou Malnati’s and Ben & Jerry’s.

Bringing speakers to lobby the administration is worthwhile, but as SEED has come to realize, real change, both at NU and with the environment, often occurs at the grassroots level. Encouraging conservation and – dare we say it – building community at the same time are commendable, as are SEED’s aspirations to make the competition a campuswide event. It would be ideal if students in the competing dorms will maintain the positive habits they learned. While refraining from doing laundry for two weeks isn’t preferable, it’s great to see students raising awareness and having fun with it.

Thumbs up to clickers …

… for preventing students from zoning out during lectures. The handheld devices allow students to answer professors’ questions electronically and, as a result, have increased class participation. The clickers work by sending an infrared signal to a central receiver that displays the responses on a screen. Professors say clickers help them tailor their lectures to students’ needs and make the classroom a more interactive environment. Students claim clickers bring entertainment and positive energy to the classroom.

While clickers are currently used primarily for calculus and engineering courses, the university intends to implement a campus-wide system to increase students’ and professors’ use of the devices. Imagine not being able to cat nap during lectures because you’re excited by the material. Clickers in the classroom make that kind of engagement likely.

Highs and Lows reflects the majority opinion of THE DAILY’s editorial board.