News

News

Booth Blair headlines Family Weekend

By Bill Debaun | October 23

Though the United States was the "first nation in the world founded on respect for human rights," its membership in two key international human rights documents would advance its position as a global human rights leader, said Cherie Booth Blair, wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, during her Family Weekend speech Saturday.

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Metro brief: Expansion of Metro to Tyson's Corner to begin next year at earliest

By Kyra Smerkanich | October 23

Plans to expand the Metro through Tyson's Corner to Dulles International Airport will be delayed for at least a year, according to The Washington Post. Construction, originally slated to begin later this year, has been pushed back to 2008 or later, The Post reported.

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UVM death elicits safety concerns

By Kyra Smerkanich | October 23

The disappearance of Michelle Gardner-Quinn, a senior at the University of Vermont who was found dead six days after she went missing, has led many to question the safety of students around college campuses, including AU. Gardner-Quinn disappeared from the downtown area near the University of Vermont Burlington and was reported missing after she missed a dinner she had previously planned with her parents, according to The Post.

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Race raises funds for 'Habitat'

By Ali Goldstein | October 23

Over 500 runners and walkers competed in the annual American Classic 5K Saturday to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity and encourage physical fitness on campus. The event was organized by Jason Eisen, Erin Bumgarner, Greg Rosenberg, Mark Stern and Chad Woodworth and assisted by the community service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega.

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Campus calendar

By Kendra Garstka | October 19

Thursday, Oct. 19 "Taking Your Product to Market: Clinical Research and Product Launch for Drugs and Devices" 9:30 a.m.-noon, WCL, room 603 Speakers include Lynn Shapiro Snyder and Robert Wanerman of Epstein Becker and Green. For more information, contact (202) 274-4075.

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Language forum examines effect of homophobia

By Robin Bravender | October 19

Homophobia is "a real phenomenon that affects real people's lives," said Bill Leap, a professor in AU's anthropology department, about the topic of a conference held Friday on the effect of homophobic language on people's lives and public policy. Leap defined homophobic language as "statements of disdain, disgust or hatred of persons who are homosexual or are assumed to be homosexual.

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National briefs

By Kyra Smerkanich | October 19

North Korea says U.S.-led sanctions are war declaration North Korea said it considers U.S.-led sanctions following last week's test launch of its first nuclear weapon a declaration of war, the Associated Press reported Tuesday. North Korea released a statement Tuesday saying "the [sanctions] resolution cannot be construed otherwise than a declaration of a war," the AP reported.

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Aramark staffers feel disrespected

By Andrea Chong | October 19

Many Aramark staff members say students this year have worse manners compared to students of previous years and express frustration over some students' inconsideration and lack of etiquette. At the same time, the campus as a whole is reaching out to build stronger relationships with Aramark staff.

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Professor addresses intentions behind new Facebook

By Elyse Franko | October 19

New Facebook features have been designed to increase the Web site's sale potential for the future rather than to improve student communication, said language and foreign studies professor Naomi Baron at an Honors Tea Talk Tuesday evening. Despite Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg's claims that Facebook is "a social utility that connects you with the people around you," according to the Web site, Baron said Zuckerberg's implementation of new features such as the Newsfeed and Mini-feed, as well as his decision to make Facebook available to non-students, only point to one concern - making a profit.

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Expansion of buildings underway

By Brian Kalish | October 19

Within the next five years, the School of Communication and the School of International Service will receive new homes, the Kogod School of Business will gain more space, Nebraska Hall will be converted into a residence hall and the Mary Graydon Center's first floor will be renovated.

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Festival encourages 'green' lifestyle

By Kaylor Garcia | October 19

The D.C. Convention Center buzzed with excitement last weekend as visitors poured in for the annual Green Festival, which looked past the traditional stereotype of anti-global warming sentiment and focused on more specific ecological issues such as healthier living, vegan eating and fair trade.

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Metro brief: Poll shows Virginia majority supports gay marriage ban

By Kyra Smerkanich | October 19

A new poll shows a majority of Virginians support a gay marriage ban, according to The Washington Post. The survey, conducted by The Post, found that 53 percent of voters said they would support a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, while only 43 percent said they would oppose the law.

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Drug use may limit aid

By Elyse Franko | October 19

A rising number of marijuana arrests in the U.S. may put marijuana-using students at greater risk of being denied financial aid, according to the non-profit Students for Sensible Drug Policy, but many AU students do not know about the legal provision which mandates this.

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Galluadet protests spur student arrests

By Rebecca Kern | October 19

N GALLAUDET UPDATE By REBECCA KERN Eagle Staff Writer Gallaudet University faculty signed a resolution calling for the resignation of incoming president Jane K. Fernandes on Monday following the arrests of 133 student protesters and the school reopening after shutting down for three days, according to The Washington Post.

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Campus briefs

By Brian Kalish | October 19

WCL to work with California law school to train young Chinese lawyers The Washington College of Law and the University of Pacific McGeorge School of Law are helping China rebuild its legal system, according to a WCL press release. The U.S. Agency for International Development recently awarded a $1.

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Student trustee nominees named

By Jimm Phillips | October 19

Leaders of the Student Government, Graduate Leadership Council and Student Bar Association selected Genevieve Frye, Rebecca Geller and Matt Simpson as their three student trustee nominees, according to an announcement posted on the SG Web site Tuesday. The Trusteeship Committee of the board of trustees will make a final decision on who will be named student trustee after evaluating all three nominees, according to the posting.

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Liquor law violations rise

By Allie Feras | October 19

The recently released Annual Security Report shows that while the number of forcible sex offenses has decreased over the past three years, liquor law violations and robberies are on the rise at AU. Public Safety compiles the report, which details crime policy, prevention, reporting and statistics every year in accordance with the Campus Security Act.

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