Legal News

Opinion

Letter to the editor: Prayers at commencement exclude more than atheists

By Executive Board and Senior Members of AU Rationalists and Atheists | April 20

In "Private prayer no problem for AU," The Eagle editorial board was conscientious enough to realize that any formal prayer at commencement will always exclude those of different religions and those of no religion. The board was also correct that private institutions are not bound by the same rules as public universities.

---

News

SG approves new budget

By Lindsey Anderson | April 20

The Undergraduate Senate approved the AU Student Government's $590,400 budget Sunday for the 2009-2010 academic year, increasing allocations to the Student Union Board, Founders Day and Women's Initiative. The bill raises the SUB budget to $170,750, compared to $165,750 this year.

---

News

AUTO oversight law passed

By Jen Calantone | April 20

The Undergraduate Senate held a five-hour-plus meeting Sunday, several hours of which were closed to anyone except the body's members, to discuss legal matters involving allegations of AUTO van misuse. The senate unanimously passed a bill that would require oversight of the AUTO program, which Student Government President Seth Cutter vetoed.

---

Opinion

Social justice doesn't override written contracts

April 20

We all appreciate the Community Action and Social Justice Coalition's attempt to get tuition remission for Aramark employees. Aramark employees at AU work very hard and clean up enough puke that free college for them could be a wonderful perk. With that said, Aramark employees are not AU employees and therefore get no benefits or paychecks through the university.

---

Opinion

Eagle Rants

April 20

There was a girl on the shuttle yesterday who literally took my breath away. She sat across from me wearing little tiny booty shorts. I'm sure she didn't go to AU. How about instead of spending university money making the sidewalks bigger for no apparent reason, let's spend some money getting box lunches that don't taste like shit.

---

Sports

Fresh start doesn't help the Nationals

By Justin Hall | April 20

The chirping birds, the popping leaves and the warming air mean only one thing: spring has returned and the Major League Baseball season has begun. For most fans across the country, this is a time of hope and optimism, to cheer on their teams as they begin a push towards the ultimate prize of a World Series championship.

---

News

District's 'Blue Line' channels '90s influences

By Hilary Leister | April 20

When Washingtonians hear the words "the blue line," they should no longer think of the Metrorail. Instead, they should picture Ross Jacobson, Ben Payes, Nick Scialli and Dave Chaletzky - the four members of The Blue Line, an up-and-coming local band that's been charming fans with their rocking rhythms, catchy lyrics and charismatic style.

---

News

Film showcases broadway casting

By Marivic Tagala | April 20

At some point in our young lives, we've all wanted to be on stage whether singing, dancing or acting. That's why so many viewers tune into "American Idol" or "So You Think You Can Dance" each week. We want to see these everyday people like ourselves achieve their dreams and practice their passions.

---

News

Sunny songs sizzle

By Jordan Coughenour | April 20

There's no more assured way to make yourself miserable than by playing The Beach Boys in the wintertime. There are certain songs, movies and even books that should be banished from your shelves or iPods during the snowy months of the year. Playing the classic strums and "oo-ee-oos" of "Good Vibrations" with anything more than shorts and a T-shirt on is the musical equivalent to the electric chair.

---

News

CASJ petitions for Aramark benefits

By Anna Tuman | April 20

AU's Community Action and Social Justice Coalition is petitioning to get fair benefits for Aramark, Bon Appetit and other subcontracted company workers at the university. "This campaign is something that we took upon ourselves after talking to the workers about their conditions," said Geoff Ramsey, a sophomore in the School of International Service and an organizer of CASJ's Solidarity With AU Workers Campaign.

---

Opinion

Two party dialogue creates true progress

By Jong Eun Lee | April 20

For two years I have had the privilege to write as an editorial columnist for The Eagle. As a blue dog Democrat, I have continuously strived to present my sincere, but also balanced, views on political issues. To some, my columns may have been too nuanced and lacking zeal for the Democratic Party line.

---

News

Alumna talks security

By Howie Perlman | April 20

President Obama's most significant homeland security challenges will involve fighting terrorists on the ground and protecting the United States from criminals who abuse digital technology, said Frances Townsend, an AU alumna who served as former President George W. Bush's homeland security advisor between 2004 and 2007, during a Kennedy Political Union event Wednesday.

---

News

Students walk for lupus

By Lindsey Anderson | April 20

Paper butterflies floated down Pennsylvania Avenue Saturday as participants in the third annual Walk for Lupus Now held their signs high and moved to the tune of Unk's "Walk it Out." Walkers paraded through the starting line's balloon arch and headed toward the Capitol.

---

Opinion

SG closes door on public scrutiny

April 20

The Student Government was busy, busy, busy Sunday as they unanimously passed a bill about AUTO oversight in response to allegations of misuse by AUTO Commissioner Zack Schwartz. Not that we know exactly what happened, because the Undergraduate Senate decided to hold most of the session behind closed doors, barring anyone - including SG President Seth Cutter and any Eagle reporter - from listening in.

---

News

'Informers' fails with sex, drugs, no plot

By Bryan Koenig | April 20

The most likely question any member of the audience misguided enough to watch "The Informers" is likely to have is, "Am I meant to take this seriously?" Between the globbed-on hair gel, pointless plot, disconnected acting and copious amounts of random sex, the most likely answer is a resounding "no." One would hope director Gregor Jordan actually intended for viewers to leave the theater with a headache and the knowledge that early '80s Los Angeles was full of omni-sexual, drug-fueled mannequins attempting to pass for really shoddy impersonations of human beings.

---

News

Riddick bridges genres

By Michael Conte | April 20

It's rare that movie-licensed games are competent, let alone innovative and better than the franchise they're based on. Such was the case in 2004 with the acclaimed shooter game "The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay." The game is now ported over with modern graphics to the current generation, even alongside a sequel and a multiplayer game with the new title "The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena.

---

News

Metro calendar

April 20

Monday, April 20 Lecture: "Broadway Up Close and Personal: Sheldon Harnick" 7 p.m. WHERE: John F. Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. N.W. METRO: Foggy Bottom-GWU (orange and blue lines) INFO: Tony Award-winning lyricist Sheldon Harnick will sit for an interview and perform his works live.

---