Mid-December means hanging lights, decorating the tree and going to holiday parties. For college students, mid-December means another thing: final papers and exams. But it doesn’t have to be so stressful. WUSTL staff psychologist Brent Beam, PhD, says self-care and skillful studying are essential and offers tips on how to stay stress-free this week. FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/21638.aspx

Innovative research at the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center is under way thanks to a $7.5 million grant from Emerson and AT&T. Emerson’s Charitable Trust and the AT&T Foundation are contributing $5 million and $2.5 million, respectively. This commitment will generate an additional $15 million through matching support from the School of Medicine, BJC HealthCare and the Siteman Cancer Center. FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/21625.aspx

Robert Wiltenburg, PhD (right), dean of University College, speaks with Alicia Mack at University College Preview Night Dec. 9 in Holmes Lounge. University College — the adult, evening and continuing education division in Arts & Sciences — hosted the evening to provide community members with information about UCollege classes, programs, admissions requirements and financial aid. FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/21637.aspx

Cheryl Block, JD, federal budget and tax expert and professor of law, weighs in on tax cut extensions being considered in Congress this month. “We want it all,” Block says, “low tax rates, government spending on the programs we prefer, and ideally — a balanced budget. Perhaps not surprisingly, the desire for prudent budgets increasingly loses out to the first two demands.” FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/21643.aspx

• 5 p.m. First Annual Children’s Art Exhibit Reception. Meet artists and their families from WUSTL’s Children’s Sustainability Art Contest. Farrell Learning and Teacher Center Atrium, 520 S. Euclid Ave., where artwork is on display through Friday, Dec. 17. Winning artwork will be on display on the Danforth Campus from Monday, Dec. 20, through the end of the year in the Brauer Hall lobby.

• Campus2Home shuttle expanded hours. The Campus2Home shuttles are now operating under expanded hours, 6 p.m.-4 a.m., seven days a week. Previously, the shuttle operated from 7 p.m.-2:30 a.m. The shuttle provides a safe ride home from the Danforth Campus for those living in four designated areas off campus: Skinker-DeBaliviere, Loop South, north of The Loop and just south of the Danforth Campus.

• Women’s basketball improves to 7-1. The No. 6 women’s basketball team improved to 7-1 following home victories over Central College (Iowa) 81-47 Dec. 10 and Loras College 69-49 Dec. 11. The team concludes its first semester of competition at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at Webster University.