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Campus calendar

By Brian Kalish | January 18

Thursday, Jan. 18 Table Talk: "Race Progress: Truth or Illusion?" Noon-1:30 p.m. Kay Spiritual Life Center lounge Panelists will provide perspectives on the 1857 Dred Scott decision and the 1957 founding principles of the Southern Christian Leadership Council.

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National brief: Journalist's killer gets 65-year sentence

By Jimm Phillips | January 18

The man convicted of murdering New York Times journalist David E. Rosenbaum was sentenced to 65 years in prison last Friday in D.C. Superior Court, according to The Washington Post. The sentencing came several months after Percey Jordan, 43, was convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery of a senior citizen.

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Economic competition between Japan, China likely, panel says

By Courtney Albon | December 7

Growth in the Chinese economy could lead to future competition with Japan, but because of common interests and histories, both countries should approach trade as a triangular relationship with the United States, panelists said at a conference on Japanese foreign policy Tuesday night.

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Belly dancing promotes body image

By Kaylor Garcia | December 7

The Tavern thumped with excitement Tuesday night to the exotic sounds of Middle Eastern music during the Arabic Club's Belly Dancing event, designed to share Arab culture and reinforce the positive body image associated with belly dancing. Students in the Tavern for their regular meal were taken off guard by Mary Pappin, Arabic Club President and a junior in the School of International Service, welcoming everyone in Arabic.

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University to select firm to update Web site in effort to attract more prospective students, moderni

By Peggy Wu | December 7

The effort to revamp AU's Web site to improve the school's Web presence is progressing, according to David Taylor, AU's presidential chief of staff. According to a recent campus e-mail message from interim President Neil Kerwin, an investment in AU's Web presence comparable to other institutions will be made.

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Council says environment, religion related

By Bill Debaun | December 7

Panelists from four different faiths agreed Monday that the status of the global environment is one of humanity's most pressing concerns. Ambassador Akbar Ahmed moderated the interfaith panel, which was hosted by the Kennedy Political Union in conjunction with Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light.

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National brief: Senate overwhelmingly approves Gates' nomination for defense secretary

By Jimm Phillips | December 7

The U.S. Senate approved former CIA Director Robert Gates' nomination to be defense secretary yesterday by a 95-2 vote, according to the Associated Press. The vote came one day after the Armed Services Committee voted unanimously to send Gates' nomination to the Senate floor.

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Campus briefs

By Brian Kalish | December 7

Swartz named new chief tech officer David G. Swartz was recently named the new chief information technology officer at AU, according to an AU press release. Swartz, who will fill this previously vacant position, will begin work Jan. 3. He previously worked at George Washington University, where he was vice president and chief information officer.

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Fraternity fires prompt safety measures

By Amanda Glensky | December 7

Recent fraternity house fires at the University of Missouri in Columbia and Nebraska Wesleyan University emphasize the importance of fire safety on and around college campuses, and members of three AU fraternities said they realize the need for more fire awareness in their off-campus housing.

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Bond encourages student activism

By Bill Debaun | December 7

Julian Bond, chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, encouraged students to become involved in their worlds in a lecture on Monday co-sponsored by the Kennedy Political Union and the Eagle Endowment. "Engage yourself in the world around you, whether it's in your backyard, in your city, in your neighborhood, in your county, in your state, in your country or in the larger world because the world is crying out for people like you to lend a hand," Bond said while addressing students in the McDowell Formal Lounge.

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Metro brief: Former Johns Hopkins University provost chosen as next president of George Washington U

By Jimm Phillips | December 7

The George Washington University board of trustees chose Steven Knapp, the provost at Johns Hopkins University, as the institution's new president, according to The Washington Post. Knapp, 55, will replace outgoing President Stephen Trachtenberg, 68, on Aug.

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SG passes legislation to improve Health Center

By Elyse Franko | December 7

The AU Student Government passed legislation Sunday that aims to promote student awareness of Student Health Center patient rights, according to SG Senator Julie Mills, a co-sponsor of the legislation. The bill would allow students to request specific doctors when they make appointments, speak with the Health Center Director and make suggestions about Health Center practices, according to Mill.

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International brief: Iran blocks access to YouTube.com, other English language sites

By Jimm Phillips | December 7

Iran's government recently blocked access to video-sharing Web site YouTube.com along with several other Web sites, according to the Associated Press. The group Reporters Without Borders claimed the Iranian government blocked the site since around the beginning of December.

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Shuttle pilot program hits snags but continues

By Ali Goldstein | December 7

As the continuous shuttle pilot program draws to a close Dec. 18, the Student Government now waits for a report from the transportation department on the success of the program so they can begin addressing its challenges. Officially, signs advertising the continuous shuttle program are still up and the program is still running, according to Transportation Director Tony Newman.

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Mental health services lacking

By Rebecca Kern | December 7

Mike Evans has served in the U.S. Army, run for a seat in the House of Representatives and has been nominated to the Democratic National Committee's Veterans and Military Families Council by Howard Dean - all while coping with depression. But Evans, a senior in the Kogod School of Business, said it hasn't been easy, and universities - including AU - could do more to support students dealing with mental illness.

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Prof attendance policy undefined

By Stephen Tringali | December 7

John Renga, a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences, said two of his chemistry classes were canceled this semester simply because his professor didn't think chapter 13 in the course textbook was worth studying. "Don't show up for the next two classes," Renga said his professor announced one day.

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Universities strive to constantly improve technology

By Jimm Phillips | December 7

AU is continuing to improve its network and Internet connections in step with a recent statement from National Science Foundation that U.S. colleges and universities must improve their digital infrastructure in order to remain leaders in the fields of technology and higher education.

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