I like it. One thing I am worried about, too, is the width on small screens.
I looked at it in 800x600 and I only got half of the left column (when scrolled all the way to the right). Have you considered putting in a resolution detection script for the site? If its 800x600 you could cut off the right column. Keep in mind tha tthe 8% that used 800x600 might be a completely different audience. But you ARE dealing with college students, typically tech aware kids so they'll likely have good resolutions.
You also mentioned AJAX. Do some research on that as, last I heard, its bad mojo for SEO.
Finally, I think youd benefit from cutting the gigantormous top banner down a little and creating a little larger logo on the left that way you get some branability going. If your sites going to be THAT awesome youll need more than just a simple text non-logo at the top.
In the words of the crazy Irish guy from Euro trip... 'PRETTY DAMN GOOD'
PS - I studed from the American Pageant back in HS. Its a shitty book. Heavy motherfucker, too.