Legal News

Campus brief: No summer break for campus construction

As the Katzen Arts Center nears completion, AU prepares to tackle other major campus projects, including a new School of International Service building and the School of Communication's move from Mary Graydon Center to the McKinley building. While Katzen will open this fall, the SIS building is still only a concept.

Latest 'Batman' goes behind the mask

"Batman Begins" Directed by Christopher Nolan With Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Katie Holmes PG-13 A- The Dark Knight returns. Eight years after the movie franchise seemingly gasped its last breath with director Joel Shumacher at the helm, Batman has been rebooted into a new series that delves more into the character's roots than CGI.

Is activism the answer?

On my way to Subway the other day, the rants and raves of a multitude of protesters emanated from Farragut Square Park, but one in particular caught my ear. I looked up to see a sandal-clad, pony tail-haired, ripped cargo shorts-sporting hippie kid appearing from an alleyway.

New security aims to keep viruses off network

A new virus protection system is being implemented to prevent infected computers from logging onto AU's network, EagleNet, and to remind users to regularly update their virus protection software. The introduction of the software is a response to high rates of infection among computers on the AU network, which have mostly affected students.

Staff editorial: AU continues upward climb

In the past, when we told people we go to AU, they'd say, "Oh. Where's that?" But with the school's steady improvements, people are starting to respond instead with, "Oh, I hear that's a good school." Some students complain that President Benjamin Ladner, who received the second highest salary of any D.

Library coffee kiosk coming soon

Bender Library's new coffee kiosk will be finished by the beginning of July, according to Diana Vogelsong, associate university librarian at AU. The Mud Box, given its quirky moniker by a student who won a naming contest last spring, is one of many projects the library has been working on for the next academic year.

Fourth of July: Only in D.C.

Ah, summer in the District. Between diving headfirst into internships and classes, it's easy to forget that D.C.'s long, lazy days and temperate, starry nights are punctuated with a fabulous slate of fun (and free!) events. Make the most of your time in the nation's capital by grabbing some shades, hopping on the Metro and jumping right in! Things to know: The National Mall is most accessible from the Smithsonian Metro stop located on the Red/Orange/Blue lines.

Campus brief: School of Communication class examines social change

Students in a new School of Communication class covered the impact a new baseball stadium will have on Southeast D.C. through an array of techniques, from a documentary to public service announcements. The goal of the class, Communication and Social Change, was to explore the effect of the proposed $585 million stadium on all residents using a variety of media, according to the course's professor, Charlene Gilbert.

Comics

Campus brief: SG rolls out new Web site for fall

The Student Government's new Web site will include opinion forums and regularly updated content when it is completed in time for the beginning of Welcome Week. The new system will make it easier to get news, events and pictures on the site. SG directors will be able to add content themselves, instead of filing an update request with the webmaster, according to Ben Murray, the SG's director of information technology.

Sacrifice for the love of the game

In Washington, double-speak and controlling the message is the name of the game. It's true when it comes to politics, but do college athletes do the same thing? Apparently they do. I was in the crowd of reporters at the Charlotte Bobcats training who were grilling Duke basketball player Shavlik Randolph about why the underperforming, often-injured "big white stiff" was considering the NBA draft.

Out of context

"Drunk people probably shouldn't take showers, because they could drown." - Anonymous tip dispensed at a Saturday evening get-together In the hallowed halls of Mary Graydon, a random young vagrant has put a whole new spin on the phrase "lazy days of summer.

Nationals adjusting well to new home in the District

Their best player is an over-the-hill third baseman who runs slower than molasses in winter. Their best hitter is a problem child who was left off the postseason roster last year because he was such trouble. Their best pitcher is a Cuban defector who won a World Series MVP almost a decade ago.

AU to examine Ladner's alleged misuse of funds

Updated 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9 The SG released a statement Friday saying it "eagerly awaits the findings of this investigation" by the Board of Trustees into President Benjamin Ladner's alleged use of university money to fund European vacations, a personal French chef, presents for his children and other personal expenses. "The Student Government wholeheartedly supports the Board of Trustees investigation into this matter and will cooperate in any way possible," according to today's announcement.

Patriot League changes schedule for more basketball coverage

In a move that will allow the Patriot League to gain more national attention, the Patriot League's Council of Presidents, headed by AU President Dr. Benjamin Ladner, decided to change the PL's Friday-Sunday basketball schedule to a Wednesday-Saturday one effective this coming winter.

Summer in the city doesn't mean BBQ is dead

Friends. Music. Merriment. Cold drinks. Golden sunlight. What would summer be without a mid-afternoon outdoor barbeque? But, how on Earth is it possible to enjoy this summer staple while spending the mid-year months in D.C.? Well, my friends, where there's a will, there's always a way.

New program fosters sense of dorm community

After years of planning as part of President Ben Ladner's 15-Point Plan to improve the school, AU will begin its University College program for freshmen this fall. The program will feature seven four-credit pilot classes that will be available for General Education requirements.