News

AU reacts as Gustav prompts Gulf evacuation

AU students have mixed reactions about the impact of Hurricane Gustav. Gustav made landfall Monday near Cocodrie, La. as a Category 2 hurricane. The storm was a tropical depression as of Wednesday evening. The hurricane displaced 1.9 million people in Louisiana alone, stopped about 15 percent of oil refining in the Gulf Coast and left millions of dollars in damage, The Washington Post reported.

Ranking unlikely to affect admissions

Some in the AU community are skeptical of the direct impact that AU's recent ranking as most politically active school in the nation will have on future admissions. The Princeton Review, an education review service, released its annual lists of college rankings, with AU reclaiming the top spot as most politically active school in the country.

Campus Calendar

Metro brief

The rise in the D.C. area's crime rate is related to the rising influence of the Bloods and Crips in the area, according to The Washington Post. Police suspect the West Coast-originated gangs have contributed to recent homicides in Prince George's County.

Campus brief

Napster has terminated its contract with all colleges, including AU. In an e-mail to AU Housing and Dining Programs, Napster said it was ending its nationwide on campus program with all schools this year. Rick Treter, director of residence life for Housing and Dining, said AU's contract with Napster started in 2005.

Study in China increases

AU students are part of a rising number of U.S. students studying abroad in China. During the 2007-2008 school year, 54 AU students studied abroad in China as compared to 23 students during the 2003-2004 year. More than 10,000 U.S. students have signed up to study in the country this year, according to USA Today.

New movie sharing service receives mixed reviews

The AU community now has access to PenguinShare, a movie sharing service created by two college students. Daniel Turcza, a student at Yale University, and Mark Rosenberg, a student at Grinnell University, created PenguinShare, Inc., as a free service that allows college students to borrow and share DVDs from their own movie collections through an online database.

AU insurance lacks transgender coverage

In part two of this series, The Eagle examines transgender exclusion in AU's student health care plan, and the ways students are fighting to get those benefits covered. Atop Diversity Advocacy Director Jillian Rubino's desk rests a document that means the world to her and to countless other AU students.

Campus housing overbooked

Demand for on-campus housing is currently at its highest level in five years, causing AU to place more than half of the freshman class in temporary triples and to offer upperclassmen alternative living arrangements in a hotel and apartment complex. Enrollment has spiked in a number of programs, mainly because of the prospect of being in the nation's capital for the 2008 presidential election, said Chris Moody, executive director of Housing and Dining Programs.

Universities give freshmen free Apple products

The University of Maryland at College Park provided free iPod Touch mobile devices and iPhone 3Gs to select incoming freshman during their welcome week this year. While AU is not offering the products to freshmen, the university has incorporated new distance learning tools and multimedia safety procedures.

Campus Calendar

Thursday, Aug. 28 The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Ally Resource Center Fall Mixer 7:30 p.m. WHERE: Butler Board Room INFO: Watch the Democratic National Convention while grabbing free pizza, mingling and learning more about GLBTA campus resources.

College presidents urge conversation on alcohol

It is uncertain whether AU President Neil Kerwin will unite with 128 other college leaders in promoting the academic discussion about alcohol abuse on college campuses by signing the Amethyst Initiative. Kerwin is still sizing up the debate and trying to analyze the arguments and data connected to the Amethyst Initiative, according to David Taylor, Kerwin's chief of staff.

Metro brief

Prosecutors charge that a D.C. police officer falsely reported overtime and stole $178,611 from the District, The Washington Post reported Wednesday. Authorities claim Karin Coppens forged documents claiming to complete the MPD radar program's 40 hours of training.

Steps' show 'capitol'

The political satire troupe Capitol Steps poked fun at officials and candidates from all parts of the political spectrum Sunday at the kick-off event of the Kennedy Political Union's 40th anniversary lecture series. The Capitol Steps performed in the Woods-Brown Amphitheatre in front of an audience comprised of students, faculty and alumni.

International brief

Sudanese government forces attacked one of Darfur's largest refugee camps Monday, killing 12, according to The Washington Post's Express. The government contends forces were searching for smuggled weaponry when refugees opened fire, according to the Christian Science Monitor.

SIS opens doors for 50th year

The School of International Service celebrated its 50th anniversary on Friday by welcoming new students and professors at the school's opening ceremony. Students stood at the front steps of Kay Spiritual Life Center, while others crowded the aisles and doorways as Professor and former SIS president Paul Wapner greeted the group.

National brief

Federal official raided a factory in Laurel, Miss., Monday and detained 350 alleged illegal immigrants, The New York Times reported. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents surrounded the Howard Industries Inc. factory as part of larger crackdown on immigration across the country, according to The Times.