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News

Expelled student to appeal ruling

By Allie Feras | February 8

A second-semester senior expelled from AU for discrimination, physical abuse and conduct that endangers others will be submitting an appeal to the Judicial Affairs and Mediation Services and is considering suing the university. Rick Kamdar, formerly a senior in the Kogod School of Business, was expelled for an incident that occurred Nov.

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Author recounts his religious conversions

By Tomer Konowiecki | February 8

It is unlikely to find a Jewish-born American working for a radical Islamic charity group that supports terrorism. While discussing his new book, "My Year Inside Radical Islam," Daveed Gartenstein-Ross said he falls into that improbable category. Gartenstein-Ross spoke at the bookstore Politics and Prose last Sunday.

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AU Catholic priest leaves for new post in Maryland

By Kaitlyn Houston | February 8

Father Zygmunt Kurzawinksi, a priest serving AU's Catholic community, left AU to take another post in Maryland. Kurzawinski announced his reassignment, effective immediately, at Mass on Jan. 28. "Father Zygmunt's sudden departure is shocking to all of us in the Catholic community, but we most certainly understand the importance of his vocation," Danielle Imhoff, president of AU's Catholic Students Association, said.

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Campus brief: Library penny drive raises $500

By Kyra Smerkanich | February 8

The Friends of the American University Library completed its penny drive fund-raiser in December, collecting over 1,300 feet in pennies, according to a Friends of the AU Library press release. The drive asked teams of students, faculty and staff to donate spare change in an effort to buy more books for the library, according to the press release.

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Metro brief: Four students charged in Wilson High gym fight

By Jimm Phillips | February 5

Four students are facing charges after a gym teacher was injured in a fight at Tenleytown's Woodrow Wilson Senior High School Thursday, according to The Washington Post. Approximately 15 people were involved in the fight, which happened during a lunchtime basketball game in the school's gym.

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Some politicians banned from Pa. college

By Elizabeth Royall | February 5

The president of Duquesne University banned Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz, and Barack Obama, D-Ill., as well as Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., from speaking at its law school commencement ceremony, sparking a student-initiated petition. Students at AU expressed mixed reactions about the speakers not being offered speaking invitations.

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AU helps first private college open in Nigeria

By Kaylor Garcia | February 5

The American University of Nigeria-ABTI, or AAUN, will be the first university in sub-Saharan Africa styled after American universities, partially because of the efforts of AU faculty members who have been working with Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar to create the university for the past four years.

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Interns compete for summer jobs

By Jewel Edwards | February 5

Over 25,000 people from across the nation come to the District each summer to intern, according to the Heather Ball, an internship adviser in the Career Center. The large number of hopefuls increases competition for the same internship positions with some of the nation's top companies and agencies.

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Campus briefs

February 5

Undergraduate Senate confirms three positions The Undergraduate Senate confirmed the appointments of two new senators and a new deputy director of design for the Student Government on Sunday. Sarah Weinstein, a freshman in the School of International Studies, filled the vacant Class of 2010 seat, and Adrian Ghisoiu, a senior in the School of Public Affairs, filled the vacant Class of 2007 seat.

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Competition features modular dorm rooms

By Alyssa Geisler | February 5

Nothing will keep dirty dishes and clothes from littering a typical dorm room, but a competition held by the Association of College and University Housing Officials-International last week focused on what changes will be made in the future to improve college housing, just as some new housing options are coming to AU.

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Students "don't trust" Health Center

By Ali Goldstein | February 5

Frustrated by the Student Health Center's inconvenient hours and less than extensive care, some AU students said they are now seeking health care elsewhere. Caroline Basile's frustration with the Health Center peaked when she ended up in the hospital a month after being told by a Health Center official, "take these [pills] and you'll be fine.

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Shuttle program to be permanent following pilot

By Courtney Albon | February 5

The Student Government and Transportation Services have made the changes to American University's shuttle system permanent following the completion of their pilot program. To reduce wait time, minimize fuel emissions and cut down on crowding, shuttle drivers are to run continuously between stops rather than wait for students who are running to catch the shuttle, according to Student Government President Ashley Mushnick.

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FBI to determine if attacks on S.C. Palestinians are hate crimes

By Dyane Jean Francois Fils | February 5

The FBI is investigating an alleged hate crime against three Palestinian students Jan. 20 at Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C., according to The Washington Post. Palestinian students at AU said they have suffered from anti-Palestinian sentiment on campus as well.

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DNC draws '08 presidential hopefuls

By Ali Goldstein | February 5

Presidential hopefuls called for a serious debate on Iraq and universal health care at the Democratic National Committee's winter meeting in the packed ballroom of the Washington Hilton Friday. AU students who attended the event said they found the speeches inspiring.

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Zoo says panda cub contract may be extended

By Brian Kalish | February 5

The National Zoo is attempting to negotiate a deal with the government of China to keep baby panda, Tai Shan, at the zoo past his lease expiration date this summer, but AU students have mixed reactions on whether he should stay. Under the current panda loan agreement between the governments of China and the United States, a panda cub must return to China around its second birthday, according to Pepper Long, a zoo spokesperson, as quoted on Washington's WTOP News.

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National brief: Storm outbreak leaves at least 19 dead in Florida

By Jimm Phillips | February 5

At least 19 people died during what has been designated as the second-deadliest severe storm outbreak in Florida state history, according to The Associated Press. The storm system, which swept through central Florida early Friday morning, concentrated most of its destruction along a 40-mile-long track through Lake, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia Counties, according to the AP.

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Metro calendar

By Rebecca Kern | February 5

Monday, Feb. 5 U.S. Ambassador Cameron Hoon, chief of mission, Sudan 6:30-8:30 p.m. University Club of Washington, D.C., 135 16th St. N.W. Metro: Farragut West (blue and orange lines) or Farragut North (red line) Ambassador Hoon will speak about the ongoing situation in Sudan.

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