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Metro brief: Man arrested, charged in connection with N.W. kidnappings

By Jimm Phillips | November 2

Metropolitan Police and the U.S. Marshals Service arrested Caliss Johnson, 41, on Monday in connection with a recent series of kidnappings that have occurred in Northwest D.C., according to The Washington Post. A second man, whose name has not been released, turned himself in to authorities on Tuesday, according to NBC4.

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Activist condemns native logos

By Kendra Garstka | November 2

Suzan Shown Harjo, a Native American activist, said she is opposed to references of Native peoples as sports figures, and references to natives in sports need to be eradicated to provide some sort of dignity to Native American society. "We have very little way of confronting [sports teams and their mascots] because it is so intermingled in what people think is their right," said Harjo, who spoke to about 20 students gathered last night in Battelle-Tompkins.

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Campus briefs

By Kyra Smerkanich | November 2

AU named Truman Honor Institution due to high number of scholarships awarded AU was named a 2006 Truman Honor Institution Monday with a tea-themed reception honoring four of AU's 11 Truman candidates, according to a Career Center press release. AU's first Truman Scholar received the honor in l978, and there have been two winners from AU in the past two years, according to the press release.

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Students, speaker explore effects of oil in Ecuador

By Emma Kerr | October 30

While getting a taste of Ecuadorian food and music Thursday, AU students and staff heard the story of how a small indigenous group of Ecuadorians armed only with canoes and determination stood up to a large oil company armed with guns and explosives. The event, titled "Indigenous Resistance in the Ecuadorian Amazon," was presented from two perspectives - one from the AU students who traveled there as part of an Alternative Break trip, and the other from a member of that community, Elvis Paul Toala.

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Panelists address dangers of FGC

By Shannon Rice | October 30

For most American girls, the idea of a "coming of age" ceremony involves cake and maybe some sort of religious ceremony, but not the mutilation of their genitals. A panel discussion held last Friday shed light on the topic of female genital cutting and ways different organizations are working to stop the problem, such as bringing educators to Africa to talk with tribal leaders.

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Week to educate about AIDS toll

By Ali Goldstein | October 30

A number of student organizations will unite to celebrate "Global AIDS Awareness Week" from Nov. 27 through Dec. 1 to educate and engage the student body on the toll of the AIDS epidemic. Dissatisfied with the poor turnout of past AIDS week events, Caribbean Circle sought out multiple student groups to help organize this year's "Global AIDS Awareness Week," according to Amerita Lue-hing, the programming coordinator of Caribbean Circle.

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European countries downsize military, increase social programs

By Robin Bravender | October 30

European countries have lost their military capacity and are increasingly outsourcing their military needs to the United States, said Stanford University history professor and author James Sheehan. Most countries in Europe have focused on social and economic development in recent decades, as they shift their attention from fighting wars to improving the lives of their citizens, he said at "The Rise of the Civilian State in Europe, 1945-2006" a discussion that took place Friday in Mary Graydon Center.

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Board member says U.S. must take action in Sudan

By Bill Debaun | October 30

The "grievous" human rights violations taking place in Darfur will not be resolved until world powers like the United States, the United Kingdom and France take decisive measures, said AU board of trustees member Mark Schneider during the latest installment of the Kennedy Political Union's Finest Faculty Lecture Series.

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Chinese less efficient in comparison to foreign

By Andrea Chong | October 30

In China, foreign firms are more successful and dominant than domestic firms, according to Douglas Fuller, assistant professor in the School of International Service, at a forum Wednesday. The forum emphasized the rise of globalization and its impact in Chinese industry, which is currently experiencing a technological upgrade comprising both technological learning and innovation through foreign firms.

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International brief: PM, ambassador committed to Iraq

By Kyra Smerkanich | October 30

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad issued a statement saying they are committed to developing a strong relationship between the U.S. and Iraq, the Associated Press reported. This statement came Friday after the death toll for U.

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Mushnick calls for changes to Tavern

By Cait Douglas | October 30

Student Government President Ashley Mushnick submitted a memorandum Wednesday to Director of Housing and Dining Programs Julie Weber and Bon Appetit Manager Yvonne Matteson addressing student concerns about the quality of service in the Tavern. Mushnick commended Housing and Dining Services for facilitating the first Dining Services Committee Meeting but was wary of what students might take away from negative experiences.

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Metro calendar

By Rebecca Kern | October 30

Tuesday, Oct. 31 "Monster" Through Nov. 26 Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Rorschach Theater, 1459 Columbia Road N.W. Metro: Columbia Heights (green line) "Monster" has been called one of the most frightening and creative adaptations of Mary Shelley's classic novel "Frankenstein.

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Metro briefs

October 30

District developer acquitted of fraud, conspiracy charges A D.C. jury voted Friday to acquit developer Douglas Jemal on charges that he bribed officials to get government contracts at taxpayers' expense, according to The Washington Post. Jemal was found guilty on a lesser charge of wiretapping, but the jury rejected the U.

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'Minds' combat mental health stigma

By Chris Nye | October 30

In order to reduce the high levels of depression and anxiety among college students, negative perceptions surrounding mental illness must be eradicated, according to members of the student-based advocacy group Active Minds. According to Active Minds founder Alison Malmon, the purpose of the "Mental Health on Campus Conference," which took place at AU this past Friday and Saturday, is to further the organization's fight against a legacy of ignorance and misunderstanding concerning mental health via a "movement that will break stigma and effect change on campus and in society.

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Campus brief: WCL to offer first-year electives

By Brian Kalish | October 30

The Washington College of Law will offer electives to first-year students in their spring semester of study, according to a press release. Previously, students all took the same first-year course load, Dean Claudio Grossman said in the press release. Beginning with the current class, first-year students will be able to take one elective course on topics including international law, intellectual property law and trial advocacy principles and techniques.

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Study shows AU profs vote, fund Dems

By Emily Freifeld | October 30

Results from an independent study, conducted by the author, of voter registration records and political contributions revealed that AU professors were mostly Democrats as of spring 2006. The study surveyed voter registration records from D.C. and Montgomery County, Md.

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Tour explores haunted D.C. sites

By Madalyn Wasilczuk | October 30

On a cold, rainy night in D.C., a group of AU students ready to "Experience D.C." embarked on the Capital Hauntings Ghost Tour of Lafayette Park, one of the most "haunted" areas of the District. The tour guide, who went by Renee, told the stories of the Washington elite who made their homes around the park many years ago.

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