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News

Campus briefs

By Brian Kalish · Thursday, Dec. 7, 2006

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.

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

By Jimm Phillips · Thursday, Dec. 7, 2006

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.

Council says environment, religion related

By Bill Debaun · Thursday, Dec. 7, 2006

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.

News

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.

Quansheng Zhao speaks at 111th Asia Forum.

News

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.

Rachel Kay Brookmire, right, teaches and performs belly dancing routines to students in the Tavern to promote Arabic culture.

News

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.

News

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.

News

Campus calendar

By Kendra Garstka | December 7

Thursday, Dec. 7 Training Opportunity: Understanding Your Work Style 1:30-4:30 p.m. Location TBA This workshop for full-time staff focuses on work and personal styles and how these styles affect communication, work relationships and the ways teams work together.

News

German sues over CIA prison

By Marija Stajic | December 4

The American Civil Liberties Union's legal case on behalf of Khaled Al-Masri, a German citizen who was detained in Afghanistan at a CIA-run prison for five months in 2004, currently has an appeal pending in the Richmond, Va.-based Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Simon Sedillo spoke about U.S. government atrocities in other countries.

News

Filmmaker alleges government violence against Mexican natives

By Kelly Barrett | December 4

Simon Sedillo, filmmaker at the Austin Independent Media Center, said that as an American citizen he feels an obligation to unveil the atrocities caused by the U.S. government in foreign countries. Sedillo presented his film "El Enemigo Comun," a documentary focusing on the resistance movement in Oaxaca, Mexico, on Thursday in the McDowell Formal Lounge.

News

Colleges discuss AIDS campaigns

By Courtney Albon | December 4

A recent video conference held to commemorate World AIDS Day, which occurred on Dec. 1, focused specifically on the effect that AIDS has on youth and the significant role they can play in changing it. AU students joined college students from around the world via satellite to discuss issues surrounding the AIDS epidemic.

News

National brief: Yellow line Metrorail train strikes two, kills one

By Jimm Phillips | December 4

A Metrorail train traveling on the Virginia portion of the yellow line struck two Metro workers Thursday, leaving one dead and the other critically injured, according to The Washington Post and NBC4.com. Leslie A. Cherry Jr., 52, and Matthew Brooks, 36, were conducting a routine inspection of the tracks between the Huntington and Eisenhower Avenue stations when the train hit them.

News

Former official says faith not part of politics

By Robin Bravender | December 4

A former official in President Bush's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives criticized the administration's lack of initiative in practicing "compassionate conservatism" and encouraged students to put their faith before their politics Thursday in the Kay Spiritual Life Center.

News

Campus briefs

By Brian Kalish | December 4

Students selected to attend "Young People For" conference Three AU students were recently picked as fellows to attend the upcoming "Young People For" conference, according to a Young People For press release. Young People For "provides a national infrastructure to support young leaders' ongoing activism on the frontlines and facilitates connections to leaders and organizations in the progressive movement," according to the press release.

News

Campus calendar

By Rebecca Kern | December 4

Tuesday, Dec. 5 "Freedom and Tolerance in Shi'a Islam and the Future of Iraq" 4 p.m. John Paul II Cultural Center, 3900 Harewood Road N.E. Metro: Brookland/CUA (red line) H. E. Sayed Abdul Aziz Al-Hakim, president of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq and leader of the United Iraqi Alliance, will lead a discussion about the current situation in Iraq.

News

German sues over CIA prison

By Marija Stajic | December 4

The American Civil Liberties Union's legal case on behalf of Khaled Al-Masri, a German citizen who was detained for five months in a CIA-run prison in Afghanistan in 2004, is currently pending an appeal in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va.

News

Graduate student writes anti-torture resolutions

By Ali Goldstein | December 4

Kanhong Lin, an anthropology graduate student, co-authored two resolutions with Roberto González, associate professor of anthropology at San Jose State University in response to the use of anthropological research in torture, as well as the ongoing U.S.-led invasion in Iraq.

Frank McManaman said repatriation can destroy sacred objects at a panel Wednesday night.

News

Archaeologists need to preserve native cultures

By Kelly Barrett | December 4

It is essential that today's archaeologists recognize the rights of indigenous people, according to Dorothy Lippert, supervisory archaeologist at the National Museum of Natural History. Lippert spoke along with other experts on the issues of repatriation and cultural resources at a panel hosted by Student Advocates for Native Communities Wednesday night in the Butler Board Room.

News

International brief: Radiation found in dead spy now seen in others

By Jimm Phillips | December 4

The wife of Alexander Litvinenko and an Italian security agent who met with the now-deceased ex-spy have tested positive for the same radioactive substance he was exposed to, according to the Associated Press. Mario Scaramella, the security agent, met with Litvinenko at a London sushi bar Nov.

News

Georgetown zoning limits number of residents

By Melissa DeCosmo | December 4

AU students who live in off-campus houses have not experienced the zoning problems regarding residential occupancy limits that are affecting some Georgetown University students. Brian O'Neill Jr., an undergraduate student at Georgetown, was ordered to "cease and desist from the illegal use of premises" of his Georgetown home where he lives with eight friends, according to The Washington Post.

The UFL and Why it's Good for the Sport

Section 202 hosts Connor Sturniolo and Gabrielle McNamee are joined by fellow Eagle staff member and phenomenal sports photographer, Josh Markowitz. Follow along as they discuss the United Football League and the benefits it provides for the world of professional football.

Solutions by The State News