Demand for on-campus housing is currently at its highest level in five years, causing AU to place more than half of the freshman class in temporary triples and to offer upperclassmen alternative living arrangements in a hotel and apartment complex.

Enrollment has spiked in a number of programs, mainly because of the prospect of being in the nation’s capital for the 2008 presidential election, said Chris Moody, executive director of Housing and Dining Programs.

The University of Maryland at College Park provided free iPod Touch mobile devices and iPhone 3Gs to select incoming freshman during their welcome week this year. While AU is not offering the products to freshmen, the university has incorporated new distance learning tools and multimedia safety procedures.

Thursday, Aug. 28 The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Ally Resource Center Fall Mixer 7:30 p.m. WHERE: Butler Board Room INFO: Watch the Democratic National Convention while grabbing free pizza, mingling and learning more about GLBTA campus resources.

Several AU students see flaws in the D.C. public schools plan to begin providing cash incentives to high-achieving students.

Starting in October, 14 middle schools in the D.C. area will reward high academic achievement by paying 3,000 students in grades six through eight up to $100 per month, D.

It is uncertain whether AU President Neil Kerwin will unite with 128 other college leaders in promoting the academic discussion about alcohol abuse on college campuses by signing the Amethyst Initiative.

Kerwin is still sizing up the debate and trying to analyze the arguments and data connected to the Amethyst Initiative, according to David Taylor, Kerwin’s chief of staff.

In this two part series, The Eagle examines two exclusions in student health care - the HPV vaccine and transgender health treatments - and the many ways students are fighting to get those benefits covered. To the almost 1,100 AU undergraduates who subscribe to university health insurance, the Student Health Center’s announcement earlier this summer that it was changing health care providers probably seemed routine.

The political satire troupe Capitol Steps poked fun at officials and candidates from all parts of the political spectrum Sunday at the kick-off event of the Kennedy Political Union’s 40th anniversary lecture series.

The Capitol Steps performed in the Woods-Brown Amphitheatre in front of an audience comprised of students, faculty and alumni.

Sudanese government forces attacked one of Darfur’s largest refugee camps Monday, killing 12, according to The Washington Post’s Express.

The government contends forces were searching for smuggled weaponry when refugees opened fire, according to the Christian Science Monitor.

Federal official raided a factory in Laurel, Miss., Monday and detained 350 alleged illegal immigrants, The New York Times reported.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents surrounded the Howard Industries Inc. factory as part of larger crackdown on immigration across the country, according to The Times.

Prosecutors charge that a D.C. police officer falsely reported overtime and stole $178,611 from the District, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.

Authorities claim Karin Coppens forged documents claiming to complete the MPD radar program’s 40 hours of training.

The AU community remembered Lucinda Peach, an associate professor in the School of International Service and College of Arts and Sciences, during a Buddhist-inspired memorial service in Kay Spiritual Center Wednesday.

Peach, 52, died July 25 due to complications from breast cancer treatments, The Eagle previously reported.

The Strategic Planning Committee is allowing two weeks for the campus community’s suggestions, following the release of its first draft of the university’s strategic plan on Monday.

The committee will revise the 40 points of the strategic plan based on input of the campus community, committee Chairman Bill DeLone said.

The School of International Service celebrated its 50th anniversary on Friday by welcoming new students and professors at the school’s opening ceremony.

Students stood at the front steps of Kay Spiritual Life Center, while others crowded the aisles and doorways as Professor and former SIS president Paul Wapner greeted the group.

AU, the University of Maryland at College Park, and other colleges across the country have begun the new academic year by debuting the use of new technologies, including social networking sites like Facebook and text messaging alerts, to notify students of emergencies on campus.