For the first time in a long time, The Eagle actually did something all everyone seemed to like. Our top headline for the Feb. 1 issue "Frat faces IFC allegations" struck a chord with the AU community, propelling our online readership to heights not seen since the Handverger impeachment trial of '09. Not only that, but by 3 p.m. Monday all copies of The Eagle were gone from the Mary Graydon Center, forcing Eagle staffers to refill the stands with papers from less visited areas. Reports have it that the library ran out sometime Tuesday. The fraternity story was so popular that it beat out both Eagle Rants and Alex Knepper's latest column for most-read story, garnering nearly 800 unique views in only two days. Rants trailed with 426 views and Knepper rounded out the top three with approximately 400 unique views.
So just to review here, a story about a fraternity possibly facing sanctions for vulgar T-shirts was about three times as popular as a story about a possible mustard gas cache on AU property ("Unearthed jugs might point to larger arms cache" - 234 unique views) and about eight times as popular as a story about the tragic consequences of the earthquake in Haiti on a School of Public Affairs program ("SPA program in Haiti suffers serious loss" - 67 unique views). Just sayin'.
In less self-congratulatory news, Both Mayor Adrian Fenty and D.C. School's Chancellor Michelle Rhee have seen their approval ratings plummet in the last few years. Forty-nine percent of D.C. residents now disapprove of the mayor, up from 21 percent two years ago. Rhee enjoyed a 59 percent approval rating two years ago. That number has now slipped to 43 percent. Curiously, District residents are happier than they have been in the last 20 years with city services and public schools. Over half say the city is heading in the "right direction." D.C. Council member and former campaign chairman for Fenty's campaign may have put it best, albeit a bit Stalinisticly - "You've got to break eggs to make an omelet."
Ok, so back to Eagle news. We are hoping to roll out some new, improved, revamped and visually appealing blogs. For those in the know, think the Georgetown Voice's "Vox Populi" blog or The Hoya's "Saxaspeaks." We're in the process of recruiting writers who would like to take a more, ahem, alternative view on events on campus. If you think you have a good grasp on news at AU e-mail news@theeagleonline.com or sparnass@theeagleonline.com. Liking The Eagle is most definitely NOT a prerequisite. In fact, we'd prefer it if you didn't.
What have you done for me lately?
Well ... nothing it seems. Not one group e-mailed The Eagle with things that they have done in the last few weeks. So, AU students, rest assured that all that money you are forced to contribute to the AU Club Council and Student Activities is being wasted on intra-club pizza parties. This means two things: One, you should demand your money back and two, you should join a club so you can get some free pizza. I think Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., was here yesterday for College Dems, but no one told us so we're going to assume it never happened.
For those wondering, the quick take gets around 100 to 150 unique views each Thursday.
-CHARLIE SZOLD
