In his first visit to AU as president, Barack Obama laid out the framework for his idea of comprehensive immigration reform July 1 — including a pathway to citizenship as well as increased accountability — but did not announce any new policy initiatives.

About 250 invited guests filled the atrium of the new School of International Service building in its inaugural event to hear Obama’s nearly 40-minute-long speech. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, the Rev. Al Sharpton, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus filled the first few rows of the atrium. AU officials, professors and a small group of student leaders were also in attendance.

What is more characteristic of D.C. than cherry blossoms, Metro rides and the monuments? The Capitol Hill intern.

Vice President of Student Government Alex Prescott and Founders’ Week Director Jacque Martin defended their actions in regards to the protocol preceding the postponement of the Founders’ Day Dance at a meeting Sunday. Prescott also announced that the SG might take legal action against the venue where the dance would have occurred.

Many more students chose to study abroad in the spring than in the fall this academic year according to Senior Study Abroad Adviser Ethan Merritt.

The Founder’s Day Ball originally scheduled for Feb. 20 has been postponed due to snow, according to the Student Government.

Despite students missing a week of classes, Provost Scott Bass assured the campus community in an e-mail Wednesday that no changes to the academic calendar will be made at this time.

Adjunct Professor Robert Lehrman teaches speechwriting in the School of Communication. He worked as a speechwriter for many Democratic political figures, most notably former Vice President and presidential candidate Al Gore. Lehrman recently penned the book “The Political Speechwriter’s Companion.” He also wrote a State of the Union response in 1989 when George H.W. Bush was president.

Over winter break, on-campus residents received an e-mail from Executive Director of Housing and Dining Programs Chris Moody revealing changes to AU’s housing options. Upperclassmen will participate in a lottery to obtain on-campus housing for the fall.  Honors and University College students will see changes to their protocol as well.

A new academic planning site combining AU’s course catalog and student input will aid users in selecting future courses, according to Student Government President Andy MacCracken.

MADRID — A few weeks ago, the air was getting crisper and the city’s few deciduous trees were starting to change color when I started feeling a familiar pang of yearning in the depths of my stomach. It uncontrollably arrives at random moments throughout my day: my mouth starts to water and the waistline of my jeans tightens. I’d promised myself to not let it get to me while abroad, but….cheeseburger season had undeniably arrived.

Don’t let her 4-foot-11-inch frame fool you. She’s a Galician beast. When she talks, the walls shake a little, the dog instantly quiets down and all other natural sound in the world is drowned out — you had better listen.

MADRID — As the days went by, I noticed everywhere my group went, any Americans within a four block radius would inevitably find us. I wondered what it was about my group that was attracting every Yankee this side of the Pyrenees.