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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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UNC applicants receive mistaken acceptance letter

By Jen Calantone | February 5

An error in the admissions office on Jan. 25 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill led over 2,700 prospective students to falsely believe that they had been accepted to the university. Lisa Katz, a spokesperson for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said prospective students were very understanding about the error.

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Panel presents international view of cultural differences

By Mishri Someshwar | February 5

Although it costs Anisa Ismail $1,000 and takes her 36 hours to get from Washington, D.C., to her hometown of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, she said the destination is worth the trip. "I love the fact that I can walk out of my house without wearing a jacket or boots," Ismail, a senior in the School of International Service, said, referring to clothes necessary to wear in the Malaysian climate.

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NCOR funding not altered, grievances raised

By Kaylor Garcia | February 1

The American University Club Council will not change its funding for the National Conference on Organized Resistance, which will take place over spring break. The Residence Hall Association discussed the controversy over the university funding received by NCOR in a public meeting yesterday.

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National brief: Brandy sued for $50 million in wrongful death case

By Jimm Phillips | February 1

The parents of a woman who was killed in a crash involving actress-singer Brandy asked for $50 million in damages in a wrongful death suit against the artist on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press. The suit, which was filed on behalf of Aboudihaj Ahmed and Labridi Zohra in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleged that Brandy was driving recklessly on Dec.

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GW Presidential Search Timeline

February 1

April 4, 2006 George Washington University President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg announces he will retire at the end of July 2007 after 19 years in office. Late April The board of trustees conducts a series of town hall meetings with parents, alumni, staff, students and Foggy Bottom residents during the following months to gain additional input in the search process.

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Prez search not comparable with GWU's timeline

By Jimm Phillips | February 1

The time line used by George Washington University during its recent presidential search should not be compared to the one American University is using in its own search, according to Presidential Chief of Staff David Taylor. "I think each institution has different needs and different goals," he said.

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Limited voting rights restored to D.C. delegate

By Howard Perlman | February 1

AU students and professors have mixed reviews on the future of District congressional voting rights after Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., and other non-state representatives in the House of Representatives Thursday regained a voting right they lost in 1995.

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Al-Jazeera journalist urges students to view other media

By Brian Kalish | February 1

More people across the world trust Al-Jazeera than Western press, said Josh Rushing, star of the documentary "Control Room" and a correspondent for Al-Jazeera English, during a speech in Mary Graydon Center Tuesday. "It's critical to understand that there are different perspectives about how the world works," said Bill Gentile, a professor in the School of Communication, whose class hosted Rushing.

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