Graffiti artists need not apply, but the Faculty of Law is looking for something to put on the exterior facade of its new building. The design of the Nahum Gelber Law Library, scheduled to open later this year, calls for an inscription on the wall and the search for a suitable quotation is under way.

If you've ever wanted to have your words set in stone, now is your chance. The Faculty has launched a contest to find the perfect pithy passage to inscribe. The competition is open to all members of the McGill community and supporters of the library.

In addition to the honour of having his or her submission preserved for posterity, the winner will be awarded a getaway for two at the Hotel Inter-Continental.

The rules say entries should not exceed 50 words, and must be in one of the official or classical languages. One important stipulation -- absolutely no lawyer jokes, whatever the language.

Entries should be mailed to the Library Inscription Competition, c/o Office of the Dean, Faculty of Law, 3644 Peel Street, Montreal H3A 1W9, or faxed to 398-4659. The deadline is Friday, March 13.

McGill's Debating Union has a lot to be proud of. Sure, they have a history of great performances in debating competitions, but members are also building an outstanding reputation of another kind.

Last weekend the club hosted the North American Championships, and tournament participants began raving by e-mail as soon as they got back home. "Spectacular style!" said one. "Thank you to everyone at McGill for putting your lives on hold to deliver such an amazing weekend for all of us," wrote another.

Tournament coordinators were Jamie Cowan and Jamie Springer, who have debated and organized together since arriving at McGill four years ago.

"I found the club at Activities Night shortly after I arrived, and I've been involved ever since," says Springer, a political science student. "It's a club which, more than any other in Canada I would say, encourages students from all disciplines to join."

Physiology student Saeed Teemi was another of the 50 or so club members who worked to make the event a success. One of his responsibilities was creation of the impressive web site where entrants could register and get detailed information about accommodation, transportation and schedules.

The host school can't enter the competition, but Teemi says nobody minds. "The idea is to give everyone as good an experience as you can. And to give everyone a good picture of McGill."

One decision by organizers was unanimously hailed as "classy." Instead of awarding trophies to individual and team winners, the $1,000 or so usually spent on hardware was donated to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to help victims of the ice storm.

If you love swimming but are tired of doing lonely laps, consider joining MUMS, the McGill University Masters Swim club. The club offers coaching and competition, as well as a little post-practice socializing, usually on Friday evenings.

It's a pretty friendly and democratic group, according to social work professor Eric Shragge. "We welcome everyone from the McGill community. We have all age groups and a variety of levels of ability. If you don't know how to swim, this really isn't the place to learn, but we do provide the opportunity to improve your technique and get a great workout."

Practices are held at the Currie pool on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. If you're a morning person, you can swim from 6:30 to 8 am, or if you like a lift at the end of the day, sessions also take place between 7:30 and 9 in the evening.

All you have to do to join is turn up at one of the practices with bathing suit, cap and goggles and be prepared to swim. The cost for the remainder of this year (to mid-August) is $80, which covers the cost of coaching. All non-students must also purchase a Currie Gym membership.

For more information, contact Eric Shragge at 483-0955 or Marina Olivares at 481-2595.