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News

Religion classes benefit students

By Kaylor Garcia | October 12

A six-member Harvard University faculty committee recommended Oct. 4 that the university reinstate the requirement of a religions class for all its undergraduate students, an idea some AU students and staff embrace and others reject. According to a Harvard University report, 94 percent of its students discuss religion with friends and 71 percent attend religious services, showing the prominent role religion plays in many students' lives.

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Study shows caffeine may not be addictive

By Andrea Chong | October 12

With the stress of school and homework, many students turn to caffeine in the form of coffee, soda and other foods, but according to a recent study by the American Beverage Association, caffeine may not be as addictive as previously thought. According to recent studies, caffeine is not found to be an addictive substance.

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Turks celebrate culture

By Peggy Wu | October 12

The smells of baklava, hummus, dolma and other Turkish treats filled Pennsylvania Avenue on Sunday afternoon as locals and tourists gathered to celebrate the Turkish Festival. Turkish vendors displayed books, jewelry, music, textiles, arts and crafts and other native products.

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Health Center urges more Plan B education

By Elyse Franko | October 12

The Food and Drug Administration's recent decision to approve Plan B, or emergency contraception, for sales over the counter should be accompanied by more widespread information on the drug, said Nurse Practitioner Shannon Murphy of the Student Health Center at a Plan B information session held Tuesday in the Wellness Center.

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Campus briefs

October 12

Alcohol Awareness Week targets students nationwide National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week will take place at 1,000 universities nationwide, including AU, Oct. 19 to 25. The events at AU will include a guest speaker Wednesday and a mocktail competition, according to Rachel Schwager, a sophomore in the School of Communication and member of Delta Gamma.

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Metro brief: Ehrlich firings may have violated rights

By Kyra Smerkanich | October 12

An investigative committee has concluded that Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., R, may have violated the constitutional rights of some mid-level staffers when he fired them, according to The Washington Post. The committee, headed by attorney Ward B.

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Campus calendar

By Kendra Garstka | October 12

Thursday, Oct. 12 Table Talk Lunch Series: "Rainforests and Illegal Logging: Any Way to Stop It?" Noon, Kay Spiritual Life Center lounge A buffet lunch will be provided. A $5 donation is requested from faculty and staff; lunch is free for students. R.S.V.P.

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News

Soil near Kreeger tests for high arsenic levels

By Lauren Gardner and Kyra Smerkanich | October 12

In the last 30 days soil on AU property tested for 106,000 parts per million of arsenic, which means approximately 10 percent of the soil is arsenic, but the finding should not pose a threat to the community, said Gary Schilling, Spring Valley project manager for the Baltimore District of the U.

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SG results announced

By Cait Douglas | October 12

The Student Government fall elections brought out a record number of students to vote for the Class of 2010 Class Council and Undergraduate Senate with over 1,400 voting. The Class of 2010 elected Eugene Johnson as their president, with Alexx Bant winning vice president.

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Eco-Sense panel addresses oil dependency, politics

By Tracy Kania | October 12

Those who have the money to contribute to political campaigns have a greater voice than those who do not, oil companies being one of the most powerful, according to Tyson Slocum, the director of Public Citizen's Energy Program and a panelist at a forum hosted by Eco-Sense Tuesday.

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Life of average intern lacks glamour

By Lauren Gardner | October 12

College students from across the nation flock to Washington, D.C., every year to either attend the District's universities or to participate in semester-long programs there. Many of the students who choose to study in the District are political science junkies who come to Washington with a common goal - interning on Capitol Hill.

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National briefs

By Kyra Smerkanich | October 12

White House rejects North Korea talks The Bush administration rejected the notion of holding talks with North Korea on Tuesday and said it will not be intimidated by the recent nuclear missile tests the North Korean government allegedly launched Monday, according to the Associated Press.

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Special report: one year later

By Jimm Phillips and Kendra Garstka | October 9

One year ago tomorrow, former AU President Benjamin Ladner was removed from office after a nine-hour meeting of the AU board of trustees. During fall 2005, the campus was alive with protests as students and faculty voiced their disapproval of the university's leadership.

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Ladner scandal timeline

By Kendra Garstka | October 9

MARCH The board of trustees' six-member Executive Committee receives an anonymous whistle-blower's letter, alleging then-President Benjamin Ladner had used university money for personal expenses, including a French chef, expensive vacations and family parties.

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AU students brave rain to fight HIV/AIDS

By Allison Young | October 9

Despite the chilling rain that fell Saturday morning, AU students gathered in Freedom Plaza to support the 25th annual Aids Walk Washington. Many campus organizations formed teams to participate in the walk, including the Class of 2009, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

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No action from Senate committee

October 9

The board of trustees and Student Government President Ashley Mushnick have not heard from the Senate Finance Committee since submitting a final report after the board's June meeting, according to Mushnick and presidential Chief of Staff David Taylor. The final report detailed the governance reforms enacted by the board and also addressed the committee's requests for further documentation from the university, according to Taylor.

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National brief: Clinton brokers healthy snack deal

By Kyra Smerkanich | October 9

Former President Bill Clinton and the American Heart Association announced they have entered into a voluntary agreement with various food companies to make schoolchildren's snacks healthier, according to the Associated Press. Snacks will have less fat, salt and sugar in an effort to cut down on the number of cases of childhood obesity, according to the AP.

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