What the Heck?

TSU stands for "TrekSmut University". It is the invention of ASCEM(L) denizen Jen Chapman, but anyone is welcome to play along. TSU is a virtual institution of higher learning dedicated to the study of TrekSmut in all its forms. In other words, TSU is a virtual community wherein the denizens of ASCEM(L) can hang out and get to know one another's screen personae. TSU is not a clique or a country club. Instead it is an organic community that only works because so many people have added their own unique ideas to the mix.

How to Get Involved

Write a TSU post. It's really that simple. Don't know what to write about? Any aspect of TrekSmut that you think needs to be studied is a potential TSU department. You want to set up a Department of Non-Recurring Characters with yourself as Department Chair? Feel free. You want to be the head of the groundskeepers and devote your time to writing up descriptions of rude topiary? Feel free. You want to write about your parents visiting TSU? You want to write about a day in the life of an average student (undergrad/grad) or professor? Be our guest...

The Spirit of TSU

It is your community. However, there are a couple of things that we'd like everyone to keep in mind. If you pick on someone in a TSU post, do so in a nice, joking way, not a hurtful, flaming one. We'd like to avoid the politics that plague "real" academic settings. We'd like everyone to feel comfortable and at home here. And we'd like to see everyone having fun.

How to Get Hold of Old Posts

(UPDATED)
TSU posts are archived at TrekSmut University. 2001 is currently being archived, 2000 is complete, 1999 is complete, 1998 is mostly there.

About that Motto

"Ex Astris, Amor" is the democratically chosen motto of TSU and is Latin for "from the stars, love" or perhaps "love is from the stars". This is a summary of the vote conducted by Judith Gran:

First Place  -  "Ex Astris, Amor" (or "From The Stars, Love")
Second Place  -  "Better Living Through TrekSmut"
Third Place  -  "Ars Gratia Cupidite" (or "Art For Sex's Sake")

Honorable Mentions  -  "Make Love, Not Latinum" (or "Amorem Non Latinum Fac"),
    "Scribere Est Amare" (or "To Write Is To Love") and
    "There Are Always... Possibilities"

Dishonorable Mention (yo Jen!)  -  "Paramount Bites Musky Butt Funk"

Thanks to everyone who voted and to Judith for polling the votes.

Who's Who in TSU

There's still room for more people at TSU, but we ask that you don't fill the post of someone already appointed.

TSU also has a wide variety of entertainments, both on and off campus. Introductions to a rowdy audience may be made at Vortex Hole Coffee House and Blues Society, courtesy of Greywolf, who gave us the directions.

The TSU T-Shirt

The TSU T-shirt is light grey, 99% cotton printed in royal blue. Greywolf's design - the college seal and "TSU" in large collegiate letters - is on the front. It is very finely detailed and looks both respectable and Trekkish (it was a big hit at the "Shore Leave" convention). The shirts are available in M, L, XL and XXL sizes, and the cost is $7 (that's what it cost to have them made) plus postage... Postage costs are as follows:

• US and Canada (first class)  -  $2.16
• UK and Western Europe  -  $4.68
• Africa  -  $5.48
• Australia and East Asia  -  $5.95

If you live somewhere other than the above, e-mail me for the correct postage. Also, if you need a size that is different from the above, let me know and Judith will have it made up after the present run is gone. To order, send a check or money order to:

Judith Gran
2014 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA

Judith will endeavor to mail the shirt to you promptly. Isn't she nice?

The School Song, "Oh TSU!"

This is another humorful outpouring from the mind of Robin Lawrie, and may be sung to the tune of "Danny Boy" (strictly speaking, Percy Grainger's "Londonderry Air"):

Oh TSU; the subs, the subs are calling,
So grab a whip, and keep those guys in line.
It will not do, to wear the leathers in the mist,
But rubberwear looks good in rain or shine.

On TSU, Home Depot trucks parked in our drive,
On TSU, we've angst and smut and beer.
On TSU, you'll never walk a lonely path,
On TSU, a Mary Sue will walk with you.

Oh TSU; the wolf, the wolf is howling.
The car door slammed, and caught his tail again,
But Spock and Kirk, will kiss his boo boo better -
"Don't stop there!" our Greywolf doth command.

On TSU, the jello never fails to set,
On TSU, we buy it by the ton.
On TSU, we make the world a happy place.
On TSU, a bottom's work is never done.

(Posted by kind permission of Robin.)