News

News

Faculty, staff on Facebook prompt some users to increase privacy settings

By Kelly Barrett | October 9

Students are beginning to learn they are not the only people in the Facebook community, as many staff members and administrators are also members of the site, and many have been for over a year. Freshmen initially learned of staff members being on the site at their summer orientation, during a Housing and Dining presentation by Director of Residence Life Rick Treter.

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Mushnick's letter to the Senate Finance Committee

October 9

Dear Senator Grassley, Although it is unfortunate that events at American University have initiated your involvement, the Student Government wishes to thank you for the attention and interest you've given our institution and the governance challenges it faces.

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Metro brief: Cardin skeptical of Maryland voting system

By Kyra Smerkanich | October 9

U.S. Senate candidate Benjamin Cardin, D-Md., said he is not confident in the Maryland voting system, stating the problems experienced in the primaries would discourage people from voting, according to The Washington Post. In the Maryland primaries, a lack of ballots forced voters to use everything from scrap papers to campaign fliers, The Eagle previously reported.

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Donor agendas dictate NGO policy

By Robin Bravender | October 9

The most important things to remember when fundraising for non-profits are to network, remain independent of your donors and above all, never compromise your agenda, said a panel of non-profit professionals at a lecture Friday. For those looking to work in non-profit organizations, "you need money," said Bill Goodfellow, executive director of the Center for International Policy.

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Ashley Mushnick's clarification statement

October 9

"I am writing to clear up some issues raised by my June 13 letter to the Senate Finance Committee. Regarding the issue of consultation with student representatives, the Student Government wishes to correct any perception that there was not frequent communication between the Board's Governance Committee and students.

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Campus briefs

By Jess Reamy | October 9

Student trustee candidates to interview tonight Student leaders will interview candidates tonight to select finalists for the first-ever student to sit on the board of trustees, according to a statement posted by Student Government President Ashley Mushnick on the SG Web site.

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International brief: North Korea conducts nuclear tests

By Kyra Smerkanich | October 9

North Korea conducted its first nuclear test successfully today, according to North Korea's Central News Agency, Reuters reported. According to the Associated Press, South Korea's news agency Yonhap reported that defense officials said the weapons were tested at 10:36 a.

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American Forum's forecast for news: Tech takeover

By Elizabeth Royall | October 9

Several panelists from mainstream and alternate news sources discussed the media industry's role as a gatekeeper of news and how the news industry is adjusting to the Internet, blogs and generational change in an American Forum titled "From Mainstream to MySpace: The Future of News" Wednesday.

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Q & A with Gary Abramson and David Taylor

October 9

The Eagle: What is your most vivid memory of the Ladner scandal? Gary Abramson: We had an interesting town hall meeting that first time, in which we did get a lot of students and faculty who were vociferous and letting off some steam, although I think it was a good airing of people's concerns.

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Metro calendar

By Rebecca Kern | October 9

Tuesday, Oct. 10 Eric Clapton's World Tour 7:30 p.m. Verizon Center, 601 F St. N.W. Metro: Gallery Place-Chinatown (red, green and yellow lines) See Eric Clapton perform his famous rock 'n' roll classics live at the Verizon Center. The Robert Cray Band will open.

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Board reforms include student, faculty members

October 9

During the Ladner scandal last fall, the AU board of trustees came under fire for their actions. Since then, the board has taken major steps towards transparency while reforming. The decision to reform AU governance began after former President Benjamin Ladner agreed to sever all ties with the university in exchange for a $3.

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Style Network refurbishes Anderson lounge

By Brian Kalish | October 9

The first floor lounge of Anderson Hall was remodeled over the weekend and revealed to the public yesterday by a team of designers from a Style Network program who modeled it after a Los Angeles restaurant and lounge called Dolce. AU was invited to apply for the makeover by the show's producers, who wanted to feature a D.

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Matthews cancels talk, KPU replaces speaker

By Bill Debaun | October 9

The Kennedy Political Union will present Cherie Booth Blair, Queen's Counsel and wife of Tony Blair, during Family Weekend instead of Chris Matthews because of an "overriding professional engagement" that caused Matthews to cancel, according to KPU Director Taylor Robinson.

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SPA major restructured

By Kyra Smerkanich | October 9

AU students studying political science in the School of Public Affairs will now be able to choose from six areas of specialization as part of the restructuring of the political science major, according to department of government adviser Nat Williamson. The six areas of concentration are Policy; American Government; Comparative Politics; Law and Politics; Political Theory; and Race, Gender and Politics.

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Town hall examines budget

By Kaylor Garcia | October 9

The University Budget Committee held its first town hall meeting Tuesday for the formulation of the budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. Ivy Broder, interim provost, and Don Myers, treasurer and vice president of finance, said the open forum would be crucial in deciding the priorities of the university budget.

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National briefs

By Kyra Smerkanich | October 5

Fifth girl dies after Amish school shooting A 7-year-old girl died Tuesday following the deadly shooting at an Amish schoolhouse. This brings the death toll from the attack to six, with five other girls still in critical condition, according to CNN. CNN reported that several incidents, including the death of his daughter in 1997 and trauma he suffered as a child, could have motivated Charles Carl Roberts IV, 32, to go on a shooting spree Monday before killing himself.

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Event to aid kids' hospital

By Tracy Kania | October 5

AU's Panhellenic Association hosted a kick-off meeting for the Up 'til Dawn campaign last Thursday to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Allie Avishai, director of the fundraiser at AU and a junior in both the School of Communication and School of International Service, said St.

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