News

News

Metro briefs

By Jimm Phillips | November 30

Lincoln Memorial briefly closed over suspicious liquids Authorities determined that the "suspicious liquids" that closed the Lincoln Memorial for several hours Monday afternoon were not a threat, according to NBC4.com. The situation began when a visitor found a threatening note next to a traveler's coffee mug near the memorial's steps.

---

News

U.S. youth lack geographic knowledge

By Lina M. Lindahl | November 30

A National Geographic survey conducted in 2005 found that 37 percent of young Americans cannot find Iraq on a map, although U.S. troops have been stationed there since 2003. "These are sad results," said Helane Miller, Assistant Principal at Woodrow Wilson High School in D.

---

News

Campus briefs

By Brian Kalish | November 30

Academy elects SPA professor to help improve government efficiency Roger Durant, professor of public administration and policy in the School of Public Affairs, was recently elected to the National Academy of Public Administration's 2006 fellowship class, according to an AU press release.

---

News

Ladner among highest-paid college heads

By Jimm Phillips | November 30

AU's presidential compensation package was one of the highest among private U.S. colleges and universities in the 2004-2005 school year, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education. According to a database of 832 private American colleges and universities on The Chronicle's Web site, AU gave former President Ben Ladner $881,696 in pay and compensation during the 2004-2005 school year.

---

News

Speakers examine nuclear disarmament options

By Emma Kerr | November 30

Real action needs to be taken on nuclear disarmament, which has become an "empty slogan," said George Perkovish, the keynote speaker at a research symposium titled "Deconstructing Nuclear Weapons." AU students were able to engage in a discussion with several of the area's experts on the future of nuclear weapons and nuclear disarmament.

---

News

Students speak up on prez search

By Jimm Phillips | November 20

The leaders of the Graduate Leadership Council and Student Government held forums this week where students discussed how they wanted AU presented to prospective presidential candidates as well as what qualities they wanted to see in a new president. GLC Executive Chair Wade Murphy, a member of the Presidential Search Committee, ran two open forums for the graduate population, one Tuesday evening and one Thursday morning.

---

News

'Believe' essays show self-discovery

By Kaylor Garcia | November 20

Adults and students gathered in the Kay Spiritual Life Center for three essay readings and a book signing of "This I Believe," an anthology of essays read on the eponymous radio show broadcasted on WAMU 88.5, American University's affiliate to NPR. The radio program is a remake of a 1950s version produced by Edward Murrow.

---

News

Michigan votes down affirmative action

By Andrea Chong | November 20

Michigan voters banned affirmative action on Nov. 7, but AU continues to use affirmative action to diversify its campus. With a 58 percent majority in favor of the proposal, called Michigan's Civil Rights Initiative, Michigan now does not consider the affirmative action policy for admission in state institutions, according to The Chronicle for Higher Education.

---

News

Metro calendar

By Rebecca Kern | November 20

Wednesday, Nov. 22 "Everything...But the Turkey" 5-8 p.m. D.C. Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St. N.W. Metro: Dupont Circle (red line) This Thanksgiving event features over 400 volunteers to help prepare over 10,000 meals for people in need in the D.

---

News

Study abroad rates rise nationally, at AU

By Tracy Kania | November 20

The number of students studying abroad rose 8 percent in 2004, according to a study released by the Institute of International Education, while AU experienced an 11 percent increase in students going abroad between the 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 school years.

---

News

Film, speakers recount hip-hop history

By Kelly Barrett | November 20

As corporations begin to manipulate what musical artists produce, the originality of that music begins to disappear, according to Henry Chalfant, director of "From Mambo to Hip Hop," a 55-minute documentary chronicling the history of hip-hop music in south Bronx.

---

News

Temporary faculty to have more contract options

By Courtney Albon | November 20

The Faculty Senate recently passed a resolution that will change the policies that require temporary faculty to be tenured after their fifth year at AU, according to Richard Bennett, a professor in the School of Public Affairs and a former faculty senator.

---

News

AU team disputes study on Frisbee

By Emily Blanck | November 20

Members of the AU men's Ultimate Frisbee Club team say they do not fully agree with a study conducted by University of Washington professor Michael J. Norden, which says that the quality of a school is best judged by the quality of their Ultimate Frisbee team.

---

News

Public voices opinion on future Mall renovations

By Jimm Phillips | November 20

Speakers and audience members highlighted ways the facilities and appearance of the National Mall can be improved at a National Park Service-sponsored symposium Wednesday, addressing the lack of restrooms and the deterioration of the Mall's lawns. "We're all here today because this is important to our citizens, our nation and to the National Park Service," said Vikki Keys, National Mall and Memorial Parks superintendent.

---

News

National briefs

By Jimm Phillips | November 20

12 dead after nationwide severe weather outbreak Severe weather killed 12 people over a three-day period last week as a storm system swept from the South to the Northeast, according to the Associated Press. One of the hardest-hit areas was in Riegelwood, N.

---

News

Dems plan to slash student loan rates

By Peggy Wu | November 20

With control of the House and Senate, Democrats plan to make college more affordable by cutting the interest rate on student loans in half, raising the tax deductibility of college tuition and increasing the Pell Grant's maximum amount, which would affect students across the country, including those at AU.

---

News

Raskin: Students must know rights

By Bill Debaun | November 20

Citizens must understand and exercise their constitutional freedoms, said Washington College of Law Professor Jamin Raskin at the Kennedy Political Union's seventh installment of its Finest Faculty lecture series Thursday. Raskin, a newly elected Maryland state senator, teaches courses on constitutional and international economic law at the WCL.

---