News

News

Campus brief

January 15

The Peace Corps ranked AU third on its list of medium-sized schools with the most Peace Corps volunteers, according to an AU press release. Over the years, the number of Peace Corps volunteers from AU has increased. AU ranked 12th in 2006 and came in seventh in last year's ranking, according to the press release.

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News

AU offers new tutorial program

By Katie Litvin | January 15

AU students and faculty are now able to access thousands of online tutorials on software through Lynda, a Web-based training library for software, at on-campus computer labs or from their personal computers. The program works much like an e-mail application, according to Kelly Donnellan, the manager of AU's New Media Center.

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News

Police blotter

January 15

Jan. 2 While on routine patrol, an officer observed graffiti on the west wall of the Dunblane House, adjacent to Warren Street. The officer notified Facilities Management to remove the graffiti. Jan. 6 A university laptop computer was stolen from an employee's office in the Beeghly Chemistry building.

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Fight breaks out in MGC

By Ethan Klapper | January 15

A fight broke out Saturday night in Mary Graydon Center at a Kappa Alpha Psi fundraiser. Public Safety, the Metropolitan Police Department and the D.C. Fire Department responded shortly after midnight Sunday. The disturbance was caused because of overcapacity in the Tavern.

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News

Ask AU: What are you doing for Inauguration weekend?

By Lindsey Anderson and Tamar Hallerman | January 15

"Providing my roommate can get me out of bed in the morning, she's going to, well we're going to-there's four of us-me, my roommate, my boyfriend and his roommate, we're all going to trek down to the Mall, leaving campus around four if not earlier to attempt to get spots on the parade route.

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News

Metro brief

January 15

The National Zoo needs more bamboo for its pandas, officials announced yesterday. The zoo harvested less bamboo this year than the 75,000 pounds it usually grows, according to The Washington Post. The zoo is now looking for homeowners who have an acre or more of property with overgrown bamboo and would like the bamboo removed, the Post reported.

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News

Campus calendar

January 15

Thursday, Jan. 15 GLBTA Spring Mixer 7-9 p.m. WHERE: Mary Graydon Center, rooms 203-205 INFO: AU's GLBTA club invites students to learn about the organization and meet new students. CONTACT: For more information, e-mail Jeremy Koss at jkoss@american.edu. Friday, Jan.

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News

International brief

January 15

Five Somali pirates died Saturday when the ship they hijacked overturned, the Associated Press reported. The ship capsized a day after the five pirates received their part of the $3 million ransom, according to the AP. In November, the pirates hijacked a Saudi Arabian oil supertanker, which held $100 million-worth of oil, along with a Ukrainian ship that carried military tanks, according to the AP.

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Prospective students interview via webcam

By Clint Rice | January 15

High school students who apply to Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., have the opportunity to sit down in their own homes and try out what could become the new trend in college admissions - webcam interviews. The university began offering webcam interviews to early decision applicants last fall and opened it up to other applicants on Dec.

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Residents plan for extra guests

By Rachel Lynne Smith | January 15

With inauguration weekend coming up, some AU students planned to make extra money by renting out their dorm rooms to tourists staying in D.C. this week. Other students are having friends stay in their rooms for the weekend and are excited to share the inauguration experience with them.

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News

South side residents receive study incentives

By Anna Tuman | January 15

This week, Housing and Dining Programs started up Study Bucks, a new program that attempts to encourage South side residents to study more, according to Paul Brown, the program's coordinator and assistant director of Residence Life. "Study Bucks has two main goals," Brown said.

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National brief

January 15

The top bid for a college student's virginity has reached $3.7 million, according to CNN.com. Natalie Dylan, 22, is auctioning off her virginity to pay for graduate school, where she is currently studying for a career in marriage and family therapy, CNN reported.

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Site rewards students

By Marisa Kendall | January 15

AU students could use the As they earn in class for more than just obtaining a choice job after graduation with the introduction of a new Web site that pays users for getting good grades in school. After registering with GradeFund.com, students use the site to invite relatives and acquaintances to sponsor their academic achievements, according to Stephanie Stein, a GradeFund executive.

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Campus preps for Jan. 20

By Tamar Hallerman | January 15

While the prospect of massive crowds and bottlenecked public transportation looms over the heads of D.C.'s event coordinators in connection with the Inauguration, many of AU's departments have implemented new programs to maintain order on campus during the four-day weekend.

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Late last call raises AU admin concerns

By Alyssa Wolice | January 15

AU has increased efforts to ensure that students make safe decisions concerning alcohol consumption during the presidential inauguration festivities in response to the D.C. Council's decision to extend the hours of operation for more than 200 D.C. bars. Dean of Students Robert Hradsky sent a letter to the parents of AU students before the start of the semester that advised them to talk with their students about making responsible choices regarding alcohol use.

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News

Campus calendar

December 4

Thursday, Dec. 4 Opera - "Tell Me about That" Noon WHERE: Battelle-Tompkins Atrium INFO: Undergraduate and graduate students will perform a semi-staged aria as part of the AU Music Program's Atrium Series. CONTACT: For more information, visit www.american.

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News

Police blotter

December 4

Nov. 18 An officer noticed a stun gun and pepper spray in a student's handbag while conducting a bag check for a high profile event in the Ward Circle Building. The officer confiscated the items. Nov. 20 A student reported receiving numerous harassing text messages and e-mails from his former girlfriend.

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