Legal News

State Rep. sues Miami U of Ohio

A Miami University of Ohio policy that gives benefits to same-sex domestic partners has become the subject of a lawsuit, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education. Ohio State Rep. Thomas E. Brinkman Jr., R-Cincinnati, filed suit against the Oxford, Ohio-based public university, alleging that their employee benefits policy violates a recently adopted amendment to the state's constitution that defines marriage as "only a union between one man and one woman.

College merchandisers correct labor violations

A recent report released by a labor advocacy group indicated that health and safety issues topped the list of violations that occurred in factories producing college merchandise, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education. Twenty-eight companies, including three that produce AU merchandise, were included in the report released by the Fair Labor Association.

Endowment raises thousands from meal swipes

The Eagle Endowment for Public and Community Service, a grant program for AU students to put their community service ideas into action, had its annual meal swipe event in the Terrace Dining Room Wednesday to raise money for the program. "We ended up getting to our goal in an hour," said Mark Seaman, a senior in the School of Public Affairs and the executive director of the Eagle Endowment.

Fire alarm pullers could be expelled, RHA suggests

Residence Hall Association President Will Mount has authored and passed a resolution through RHA that would call for a "zero tolerance" policy toward AU students that pull fire alarms. The resolution calls for a swift and severe punishment of residents who have pulled alarms by expelling them from the university.

Big man on campus vs. the big Safeway spender

All in all, 2005 has been a great sports year, especially since the semester started in August. It's been so good, in fact, that I've put together a little award ceremony to honor it, as I hand out the First Annual Beanies. Man of the Year: Reggie Bush, Southrn California.

Students organize fair trade holiday sale

The Fair Trade Student Alliance held its annual holiday sale yesterday in the lobby of Mary Graydon Center, offering free trade goods from all over the world. The Fair Trade Student Alliance is trying to "increase awareness on campus about fair trade issues.

Editorial Cartoon

Will Haun's Iraq column missing the facts

In the article in The Eagle printed on Dec. 5, "Iraq: right war, right time," the author, Will Haun has some serious flaws in his argument. While I generally agree with Haun's argument that this is not the time to "cut and run," he mentions many points that either have nothing to do with Iraq, or of which the evidence is foggy at best.

Second-half troubles continue for women's hoops at Furman

The AU women's basketball team suffered a disappointing 61-48 defeat to Furman Tuesday night in Greenville, S.C. The loss drops AU to 2-5 about a month away from Patriot League play. The Eagles started well and took an 18-15 lead with eight minutes left in the first half after an Abby Lipskis layup.

Men's basketball gets elusive first win

After an embarrassing 0-6 start, the AU men's basketball team dominated Mount St. Mary's (1-5) Wednesday, 80-60, in its first home game of the season.ÿÿ Junior forward Brayden Billbe led AU (1-6) with 19 points and six rebounds, but a steady 4-to-1 assist-turnover ratio by freshman guard Derrick Mercer sealed the win.

Flying Spaghetti Monster mocks Christianity

Recently during a quiet dinner in TDR my train of thought was abruptly interrupted by a wonderfully tolerant American University student who decided that it would be clever to place flyers touting "Flying Spaghetti Monsterism" (FSM) on the tables around the cafeteria.

Nifty gifts straight from the internet

The Internet has everything. Thankfully everything includes holiday gifts for friends, family and people that you're obligated to give gifts to, even if you secretly hate them. This year, avoid the throngs of feverish teenagers and rabid moms at the mall and let the thought count from the privacy of a Web browser.

Police blotter

Thursday, Dec. 1 A student reported a woman was unconscious in the 4th floor Capital Hall women's restroom. Officers responded, but the woman refused medical treatment. An individual was yelling into a public phone in the Ward Circle Building, disturbing people in the area.

Bring old BB&T back now

Theoretically, changing the format of the BB&T Classic basketball tournament to feature a slate of teams from the D.C.-metro area was a good idea. In reality, it transformed the once nationally renowned tournament into a shell of itself, featuring two unentertaining and unwatchable games and a third game that would have been just as exciting as a stand-alone contest.

Campus calendar

Thursday, Dec. 8 Wish Eye New Through Dec. 10, 8 p.m., Katzen Arts Center Studio Theatre. Written by Caleen Sinnette Jennings and directed by Tim Reagan, this family show follows three college students who journey back in time to relive childhood fun with toys, family trips and favorite relatives.

Out of context

"Modern art makes me want to rock out!" -British band Art Brut in their tune, "Modern Art." So, apparently, sex happens in the dorms. Apparently, some AU students engage in sexual activities, right there in such close proximity to everyone else. Fine. We Eagle staffers will offer the benefit of the doubt.

National brief: Clothing company makes deal with Pittsburgh girls

Executives of Abercrombie and Fitch agreed to consider a proposal by a group of Pittsburgh girls called Allegheny County Girls as Grantmakers for a line of T-shirts that the girls believe would empower young women rather than demean them, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.