Legal News

Universities introduce controversial policies

Controversial student conduct and search policies at the University of Rhode Island and George Washington University have some students up in arms, but the administrations in each school are warning against overreactions and have defended their policies. The University of Rhode Island introduced three new changes to their student conduct code and search and seizure policies in January of 2006.

Dole discusses life after politics

Although Americans are eager to bring U.S. troops home, pulling out of Iraq now would be a disaster, former Senate Majority Leader and presidential candidate Robert Dole said in a speech at Bender Arena Saturday. "If I have learned one thing in the last 60 years, it is that freedom is fragile and it must be protected by every generation," Dole said.

Metro brief: UVA profs choose to opt out of honors system

Some University of Virginia professors chose to opt out of the school's honor system in light of recent cases of cheating. In bypassing the system, the professors could violate UVA's policies or federal law, said The Cavalier Daily, the university's student newspaper.

Editorial cartoon

Not just an 'amazing' coat

There is something wonderful about a family-friendly feel-good musical. "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," a biblical tale told through the beautiful and catchy songs of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, is one of the most popular shows of the genre.

Sports briefs

Field hockey escapes Worcester still unbeaten Irene Schickhardt's overtime heroics kept the AU women's field hockey team undefeated, as the No. 5 Eagles (15-0, 3-0 Patriot League) defeated Holy Cross, 3-2 Saturday. Schickhardt, a freshman, scored an unassisted goal with just four minutes left to send the game into overtime.

National brief: Hurricane season breaks records

Tropical Storm Alpha formed Saturday in the Caribbean, which sets a record for the most named storms in an Atlantic hurricane season, The Washington Post reported. The storm marks the first time that meteorologists have had to turn to the Greek alphabet for storm names.

Universities' drug policy

Schools like the University of Rhode Island have begun cracking down on drug violations on campus. Employees in residence halls will have greater ability to inspect dorm rooms, though most of any recovered evidence would be inadmissible in court. URI is largely trying to shake its image as a party school, but its methods seem extreme.

Derby Days raises $1,400 for charity

Sigma Chi's annual charity event, Derby Days, ended Saturday, after raising an estimated $1,400 for the Children's Miracle Network, a series of hospitals designed to provide free or compensated health care to children across North America. Derby Days, a Sigma Chi event held nationwide, is centered on a weeklong competition, with teams of five members competing and participating in events scheduled throughout the week.

The hit list

1. District Spooktacular Halloween's a-comin', kids. Pay your respects to the District's haunts before donning a ridiculous costume and trying to blend in with the local trick-or-treating crowd (ages 4-12) by attending one of these Halloween-appropriate walking tours.

Ladner accepts $3.7 million settlement from board

Former AU President Benjamin Ladner accepted a $950,000 settlement payment from the university today, along with a deferred compensation package, which includes a life insurance policy of close to $1 million and about $1.75 million dollars from retirement accounts.

Letters to the editor

Dear Editor, I'd like to make some clarifications in the debate over the banning of military recruiters from American University.ÿ Firstly, there is a distinct difference between active-duty recruiters dispatched by the various branches of the military who promote enlistment in the military and student-organized recruitment for ROTC programs.

Czeching in with Nohavica's folk

Known more for hockey pucks and beer, the Czech Republic is not the world's leading exporter of folk music to the United States. Perhaps it can be attributed to the fact that Czechs, as an ethnic group in America, are not as large or as united or as vocal, as, say, the Irish or Germans.

AU students attend Howard homecoming

Despite rainy weather, Howard University's homecoming on Saturday drew alumni, celebrities, fans and crowds of students, including a significant number of people from the AU community. The football game between Howard and North Carolina A&T and the post-game celebrations ended nine days of homecoming festivities held on the campus of the predominantly black 7,500-student university in Northwest D.

For field hockey, going south a good thing

Somewhere far away from here, on a city street in Santiago, Chile, a young girl walks with a field hockey stick, thinking about the sport she loves, and her future in it. In all likelihood, she doesn't see leaving the Santiago streets as part of that future.

Hundreds attend Katzen official opening

Amid tuxedos, live piano music, brilliant lights and displays of both the performing and visual arts, the Cyrus and Myrtle Katzen Arts Center was officially opened on Thursday night at the President's Circle Dinner. An estimated 900 benefactors, alumni, artists and friends and family of the Katzens attended the center's first big gala.

Board elects Abramson as new chair

The AU board of trustees reached an agreement late in the week which would give former President Benjamin Ladner the choice to accept a severance package worth between $3 million and $4 million, or be fired "for cause" and jeopardize the severance offer, a source close to the board told The Washington Post.