SG proposes senate, executive reform

By REBECCA KERN

A series of proposed amendments to the Student Government Constitution would make the SG comptroller and secretary appointed positions. The Undergraduate Senate held its first reading yesterday of the Commission on Reform's proposed amendments to the constitution, which the commission claims would improve the executive branch's efficiency and reduce the size of the senate. (continue reading)

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U.S. dollar weak; students go for broke abroad

Food, travel and housing among rising costs

By MARISA KENDALL

The falling value of the U.S. dollar against other currencies has made it increasingly expensive for AU students to study abroad. Europe is currently the most expensive region for American students to visit; the exchange rate in countries that use the euro is now . (continue reading)

SIS building architects promote green design

By Laraine Weschler

The key to responsible building is not lessening the negative impact, but making sure people and the environment benefit from the project, said Simon Nicholson, an instructor in the School of International Service who is on the building committee for the school's new building, during a panel discussion Thursday. (continue reading)

New Kogod major mixes business, music

By Jen Calantone

The Kogod School of Business unveiled a new degree program March 31 that will allow for students to follow a career path into the music business, according to Jesse Boeding, director of undergraduate programs in Kogod. After meeting with administrators from both Kogod and the College of Arts and Sciences, the accredited business and music programs combined into one curriculum - the Bachelor of Science in Business and Music - that will allow a student to graduate in four years, study abroad and have internships, Boeding said. (continue reading)

AU to switch e-mail to Google

By Allie Feras

The Office of Information Technology will move all AU e-mail accounts to Google before New Student Orientations begin in June, according to Chief Information Officer Dave Swartz. The change will give students access to Gmail, Google Talk, Google Calendar and Google Docs - applications that the current LotusNotes system does not support, Swartz said. (continue reading)

Pope to speak at Nationals Park, CUA

By SANDRA FLORES

Forty AU students who contacted the Rev. David John Paul Mott, AU's Catholic chaplain, will attend Pope Benedict XVI's April 17 Mass at Nationals Park. Benedict will also address Catholic educators and the Catholic University of America the same day. Both events are "invitation only," and people will need to have papal tickets that dioceses distributed among local parishes upon request, according to Zenit, a nonprofit news agency that reports on the Catholic Church. (continue reading)

Briefs

METRO WMATA considers new ad options Engineers at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority are mulling over the addition of new, interactive advertisements in D.C.'s stations and trains in a struggle for much-needed revenue dollars, The Washington Post reported Sunday. (continue reading)

SG Arts Council launches with spring festival

By Ethan Klapper

The Student Government's Arts Council worked with various on-campus arts organizations to create their launch event, the Spring Arts Festival, which they held last week. The week's events included everything from a Department of Performing Arts production to choral performances and a networking opportunity with a Warner Brothers talent agent. (continue reading)

Class launches campaign for HPV awareness

By Rachel Trainer

People should be able to speak out openly about sexually transmitted infections without the current stigma that is associated with them, according Giovanna Chesler, a School of Communication professor who helped create a Web site where people who have contracted STIs can submit their stories. (continue reading)