AU Abroad: A closer look

Special report

By Kate Naseef

Emily Goldberg faced many of the expected cultural challenges while studying abroad in Israel. However, some of her other problems could have been avoided by better information and more responsive communication from AU Abroad, she said. One miscommunication involved a $650 housing payment that Goldberg, a senior in the School of International Service, found out she owed Hebrew University once she was already in Jerusalem. (continue reading)

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AU GOP brings Paul to fundraise

AU CRs seek other funds

By Kim Selman

A libertarian-leaning Republican presidential candidate from Texas may turn out to be the College Republicans' best fundraiser of the fall term. It cost $10 per person to hear Rep. Ron Paul speak at one of the AU College Republicans' biggest fundraisers of the semester Wednesday evening. (continue reading)

AU GOP brings Paul to fundraise

GOP presidential hopeful advocates small government

By Anthony Jaffee

Presidential hopeful Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, advocated the virtues of what he called a "free society" during an event hosted by the AU College Republicans Wednesday night. AU CR SPEAKERS SPEAKERS THUS FAR: Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform Former U. (continue reading)

Public Safety reaction tested

By Kim Selman

Public Safety and several campus organizations tested the response times of AU Public Safety officials to activated student emergency mechanism during a one-and-a-half-week span in mid-September. Officers responded to five blue light system tests and one red telephone test at varying locations and times during a one-and-a-half-week period, according to Student Government Chief of Staff Joe Pavel. (continue reading)

Carter says Darfur not genocide

Elders group: Top concerns oil, elections

By Tony Romm

Although rebel militants have killed nearly 200,000 black Darfurians, the conflict in Sudan is by no means genocide, former President Jimmy Carter told the AU community Wednesday. "That's an atrocity that's only been demonstrated two times in my lifetime," Carter told approximately 200 audience members. (continue reading)

D.C. taxis to switch to meter system

By Laraine Weschler

D.C. taxis will be switching from a zone system to a time-and-distance meter system to calculate fares, according to a press release from Mayor Adrian Fenty's office. Specifics of the switch, including rates and a date for the switch, have not yet been decided. (continue reading)

Security improved with troop increase, Iraqi spokesman says

By Christopher Cottrell

Iraq has seen security improvements, and President Bush's decision to increase the number of U.S. ground forces in the country was a major factor in this progress, said Ali al-Dabbagh, official government spokesman for Iraq, during a speech in the Katzen Arts Center Tuesday. (continue reading)

Police blotter

Wednesday, Oct. 17 Two nonaffiliates were barred from the university for unauthorized filming in the tunnel area. A woman was screaming obscenities in the library at the Washington College of Law, a WCL security guard reported. A resident assistant reported a marijuana drug violation in Letts Hall. (continue reading)

Campus calendar

Thursday, Oct. 25 Purple Thursday for Domestic Violence Awareness 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. WHERE: Main Quad INFO: Wear purple to support domestic violence awareness. The Clothesline Project will be sponsoring a shirt-making session, which will run from 3-5 p.m. CONTACT: For more information, visit www. (continue reading)

Campus brief

Communication professor receives achievement award

The D.C. chapter of the International Television Association gave the Distinguished Achievement Award on Saturday to John Douglass, an associate professor and director of the film and media arts division of the School of Communication. The ceremony took place at the National Press Club during the 2007 Peer Awards ceremony, according to the press release. (continue reading)

Metro brief

'Polar bears' protest, arrested on Capitol Hill

U.S. Capitol Police Monday morning arrested dozens of protesters when they blocked the streets and entrances outside congressional buildings on Capitol Hill, CNN.com reported. Among those protesting and arrested were global warming demonstrators wearing polar bear costumes who danced in front of the Cannon House Building, The Washington Post reported. (continue reading)

National brief

Oral Roberts says 'devil' won't steal school

Televangelist Oral Roberts visited Monday for the first time in three years the university named for him in Tulsa, Okla., and responded to allegations against his son, the school president, by saying, "the devil is not going to steal ORU," TulsaWorld.com, the online version of a Tulsa newspaper, reported. (continue reading)

International brief

Impoverished Colombian man wears iron mask in protest

A Colombian artisan sewed his mouth shut, put on an iron mask and bound himself in chains last week in protest after he and his family were refused entry into their apartment by their landlord last month, according to Caracol Radio, a Colombian news station. (continue reading)

College teams build solar-powered homes on Mall

International competition showcases new energies

By Kaylor Garcia

From Oct. 12 to Oct. 20, the National Mall turned into what the neighborhoods of the future may look like. The Department of Energy's third annual Solar Decathlon featured homes submitted by 20 universities from around the world. Each 800-square foot home incorporated the latest technology trying to create the most energy-efficient homes. (continue reading)

AU seeks 2 top-level admins

By Jimm Phillips

The university is in the beginning stages of searches for a permanent provost and a new vice president for development, President Neil Kerwin announced Oct. 15 in an e-mail to the AU community. The university decided to delay searches for both positions until the board completed the now-concluded presidential search, according to presidential Chief of Staff David Taylor. (continue reading)