News

Artemas Ward Week brings sex, coffee, Cuba to campus in revolutionary spirit

Tavern adds variety with themed food nights

New Tavern specials were designed to increase the options for late-night dining and broaden the selection of food at the Terrace Dining Room alternative, according to Student Government President Ashley Mushnick. Mushnick, a senior in the School of Public Affairs, said she worked closely with Yvonne Matteson, the manager of Bon Appetit, to add more variety to the Tavern.

Photos from Sunday's Darfur rally in New York City

Library adds bestselling books to collection

Bender Library added the "Popular Reading Collection" to its book selection because of high demand, according to library monitor Sam Reggio. Each month, newly published popular fiction and nonfiction are added to the collection. The books are on lease from distributor Baker & Taylor.

Metro brief: Stadium parking buyout offered

Plans to build housing condominiums and parking garages next to the proposed Southeast D.C. baseball stadium seem doomed, as District officials have offered the developer nearly $1 million to back out of the deal, according to The Washington Post. Herbert S.

Alcohol-related hospital transports on the rise

The "red zone," Housing and Dining's nickname for the first five weeks of the semester, lived up to its name this year with a significant increase in hospital transports since Welcome Week than in previous years, creating concern among faculty and staff. According to studies conducted by the Office of Campus Life, approximately 25 to 30 students are transported during the year because of alcohol overdose.

Graduation rate stable at AU, falls nationally

The United States is no longer the world leader in completion of college based on a recent report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. While the U.S. leads the world in the proportion of 35- to 64-year-olds with college degrees, it ranks seventh as a developed nation with 39 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds with associate degrees.

SUB fall shows draw positive student response

The Student Union Board kicked off the year with two successful concerts and the announcement that Ben Folds is coming to campus in November, showing the effort of SUB director George Eveleth to change the negative reputation of an organization that garnered widespread criticism last year.

Davenport offers eco-friendly cups, new 'caf?'

The Davenport Lounge continues down the green, progressive track this year with new, environmentally friendly cups and the opening of a weekly Conversation Caf? feature. "Conversation Caf?s are drop-in community conversations in public places such as caf?s, bookstores or community centers," according to a press release sent by Sonja Hetrick, the Davenport's Conversation Caf? organizer.

Swimmers, divers excel in class

AU's swimmers and divers rank among the top in the country for their academics and are receiving recognition in the Patriot League for their achievements. "'If you fly with the owls at night, you can't soar with the eagles at dawn,'" said Meghan Thiel, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, quoting AU swimming and diving head coach Mark Davin.

Campus calendar

Thursday, Sept. 14 Constitution Day 3-5 p.m., Abramson Family Recital Hall, Katzen Arts Center "Checks and Balances: Classified Information Versus the Public's Right to Know" will feature Phil Brenner, School of International Service professor, and Thomas Blanton, executive director for the National Security Archives.

Fires on Metro tracks slow red line traffic

Two small fires on a rail track near the Tenleytown-AU Metro station caused delays on the red line for more than an hour Tuesday evening. The fires, which both occurred on the Glenmont-bound tracks, were spontaneous, quick-burning fires often referred to as flashovers, according to Metro spokesperson Steven Taubenkibel.

President's office kicks off the year with 'Celebrate AU' festivities on quad

To celebrate the 2006-2007 academic school year at AU, students, faculty and staff joined Interim President Neil Kerwin on the Friedhem Quadrangle, where a number of food tents and tables had been set up for the Celebrate AU festival. Celebrate AU is a campus-wide celebration of the new academic year and is open to all who wish to attend.

AU insurance may cover vaccine

The AU Student Health Center is looking into measures that would allow the AU student insurance plan to cover the cost of the newly approved Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil, said Daniel Bruey, director of the Health Center. "A large percentage of cervical cancer is caused by HPV," said JoAnna Smith, director of Women's Initiative and junior in the School of Public Affairs.

Co-ed transition sparks single-sex education debate

Randolph-Macon Woman's College has announced it will transition from a woman's college to a co-ed institution, which has caused anger and resentment from students, faculty and staff and has led many to question the necessity of female-only colleges. The school's board of trustees announced its decision to admit male students for the upcoming 2007-2008 school year Sept.

Metro brief: Election Day technical problems delay Maryland voters

Some Maryland residents found themselves slowed at the polls due to some Election Day workers who forgot a plastic card necessary to operate voting machinery, according to The Washington Post. Polling places in both Baltimore and Montgomery counties were ordered to stay open an extra hour in order to compensate for the time lost, The Post reported.

Mineta avoids comparing 'Gitmo' to WWII camps

Former Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta recounted his time in Japanese internment camps during World War II but shied away from comparisons between those camps and the current situation at Guantanamo Bay during a speech at the Kay Spritual Life Center Monday night.