Among third tier peers this year

No "tier drop" puns in 2005, as SIUC reports the university has moved up to the third tier of universities in overall ranking -- between South Dakota State University and St. John's University (NYC) -- according to U.S. News and World Reports annual peer assessment of Best Colleges.

Needless to say, Chancellor Walter Wendler is tickled pink over the improvement . . . unless the coloration is related to the GloTell announcment -- or having to extend health benefits for same-sex partners (about which more later).