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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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College Democrats suspended for mishandling club finances

By Kendra Garstka and Kyra Smerkanich | February 1

Student Activities suspended AU's chapter of the College Democrats last Thursday for failing to adequately deposit and keep track of money earned through fund raising last semester, according to College Democrats president Matt Kent. According to Kent, Student Activities Director Karen Gerlach told the College Democrats they will not receive their $1,750 second-semester allocation of AU Club Council funds, but Kent said they will still function as a club.

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Campus calendar

By Brian Kalish | February 1

Thursday Feb. 1 "Making Your Documentary Matter 2007" 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Katzen Arts Center, Abramson Family Recital Hall The Center for Social Media's third annual conference, open to documentary filmmakers, non-profit communications directors, funders and students, will focus on how to craft a powerful communications tool for social change.

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Campus brief: Eco-Sense week of action to raise awareness concerning climate change

By Kyra Smerkanich | February 1

In a joint effort with Campus Climate Challenge, a North American organization of colleges that promote environmental groups, Eco-Sense will hold a week of action to inform students of important environmental issues, according to a club press release. "At American University, we have already held a successful student referendum to move the university towards wind-generated energy," Eco-Sense President Claire Roby, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, said in the press release.

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U.S. colleges changing image to attract more male students

By Allie Feras | February 1

Women outnumber men in enrollment at many top universities, leading some schools to change their images to attract more men, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education. But AU administrators said they see no problem with women making up a majority of the university student body, according to Acting Director of Admissions Cristan Trahey.

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AU Presidential Search Timeline

By Jimm Phillips | February 1

Oct. 10, 2005 The board of trustees fires President Benjamin Ladner following an investigation into his alleged misuse of university funds. Then-Provost Neil Kerwin is named acting university president. July 10, 2006 The board of trustees announces in a press release that it will formally begin the search for a "permanent president" in September.

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Decline in federal funding leads to alternate student employment

By Peggy Wu | February 1

As federal work-study funds decline, many students across the country and at AU opt to work part-time. Federal work-study funds have decreased by $9.9 million this academic year, bringing the total amount to $980.4 million, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education.

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Metro brief: Police officers allegedly allowed protesters to vandalize Capitol Building

By Jimm Phillips | February 1

U.S. Capitol police allegedly allowed protesters to spray-paint graffiti on a portion of the Capitol Building's west steps during Saturday's anti-war rally, according to The Hill and NBC4.com. Approximately 300 protesters spray-painted anarchist symbols on a portion of the steps after U.

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