Legal News

Private prayer no problem for AU

In the latest skirmish over the division between church and state, the University of Maryland, College Park's University Senate voted to nix the opening prayer during the coming graduation. The university's president, supposedly under outside pressure, overrode the decision and reinstated the prayer.

VT tragedy still hurts two years later

It's something that happens maybe once every month or two. I meet someone new, we shake hands, initiate polite small talk and they ask me where I'm from. When I tell them, 85 percent of the people nod courteously with no glint of recognition in their eyes.

Letter to the editor: AU publication censors student

When I chose to attend AU two years ago, I was happy to hear about how free-spirited the place seemed to be. I didn't imagine it as a place where there was such an overwhelmingly liberal, socialistic opinion that if you denounced the state, you'd be censored from university publications.

Caps hunt for Stanley Cup

The Washington Capitals' foe in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs is a familiar one; they will be facing the New York Rangers in a best-of-seven series. When this column appears Thursday, the first game will already be in the books. There is no telling what could happen in this series, as the Caps are still a relatively young team when it comes to the postseason.

Letter to the editor: Rep. Frank a terrible choice for SPA commencement address

To President Kerwin, I, like many of many colleagues who have spent some fabulous years at AU, am alarmed by the administration's selection of Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., for keynote speaker at this year's School of Public Affairs commencement ceremony. There are some who would say that Frank is a valid choice for this honor, pointing to his record of public service.

Campus brief

Julie Munro, a junior and environmental studies major in the College of Arts and Sciences, won a 2009 Morris K. Udall Scholarship. Munro is the current president and treasurer of AU's Eco-Sense club and a student representative for environmental issues to the University Council and AU Dining Services Project Team.

Campus calendar

Thursday, April 16 Lecture: "Minorities in the Media" 6-7:30 p.m. WHERE: School of International Service Lounge INFO: College of Arts and Sciences professor Bette Dickerson's Social Advocacy and Change class invites students to learn and discuss how minorities are represented in both film and television.

Police blotter

April 8 A community member reported a trash can had caught fire in the main quad. Public Safety extinguished the fire. The trash can was destroyed and Facilities Management was notified. No injuries were reported. April 9 A suspected drug violation by several individuals occurred outside of the Constitution Building.

MLB is off to a wild start

Sound the alarm! Fire the manager! The new stadium is cursed! Major League Baseball's first week has been a crazy one. The Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, and San Diego Padres all have better records than the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays.

Editorial cartoon

AU gathers for openness, understanding

AU men and women emphasized their refusal to be silent on issues involving violence and assault during Take Back the Night Tuesday. The evening started with a rally at 8 p.m. at Glover Gate. Participants then spent the night at Kay Spiritual Life Center telling personal stories and testimonials.

Letter to the editor: AU gives 'un-American' treatment to ROTC

Matt Bulger does not understand why the undergraduate senators opposed a bill to defy the ROTC program at AU, and the answer is quite simple: Bulger's voice is heard because former ROTC cadets defend it. Moreover, we should be reminded that part of the sacrifice that the Army and Air Force cadets give while being students at AU includes their obligation to refrain from expressing their opinion in uniform, while allowing other students to freely speak.

International brief

More than 260 people died as the result of an earthquake that devastated a mountainous region of Italy Monday, CNN.com reported. The quake's death toll was estimated to be at more than 260 as of Wednesday evening, CNN reported. The number is likely to rise as more bodies are found.

Campus calendar

Thursday, April 9 Ask A Veteran Forum 7-9 p.m. WHERE: Ward 1 INFO: AU student veterans will share stories and take questions from the audience during a panel on the current war, what it's like to serve and the transition back to civilian life. CONTACT: For more information, e-mail brandonkrapf@gmail.

Religious Right does not define GOP

Shortly before his death, "Mr. Conservative" Barry Goldwater told a reporter he often thinks of "these moneymaking ventures by fellows like Pat Robertson and others who are trying to take the Republican Party and make a religious organization out of it." "If that ever happens, kiss politics goodbye," he said.

Teen birth rate continues to rise

The national teenage birthrate has increased for the second year in a row following a previous 14-year trend of steady decreases. The rate at which unmarried women who gave birth rose by seven percent between 2006 and 2007, according to the Centers for Disease Control National Center for Health Statistics.

Letter to the editor: Students' negative views of Coke ignore the facts

I am writing to you as an AU alumna and as a proud member of the Coca-Cola family. I read your front-page article with heightened concern for the lack of balanced reporting of the issue at hand. Your citing of one Web site as the basis for your allegations begs for verification.