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News

IFC wants two fraternities out

By Samantha Tyrka | September 28

The Inter-Fraternity Council, Office of Greek Life and Office of the Dean of Students have taken measures to disband Epsilon Iota, an unrecognized and unsupervised AU "fraternity" that describes itself as "the bad-ass" alternative. University officials believe that Epsilon Iota poses significant threats to the campus community because it does not follow any sort of bylaws and engages in questionable behavior such as hazing and excessive drinking, according to Danny Kelley, coordinator of Greek life.

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Students protest military policy toward gays

By Alyssa Geisler | September 28

Two women, including an AU graduate student, led a group of protesters Tuesday to challenge the government's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy at the Armed Forces Recruitment Center and held a sit-in in the center's lobby after discovering it was closed. Mandy Craig, a second-year graduate student in the School of Public Affairs and University of Maryland sophomore Alexandra Douglas-Barrera led a group of students from D.

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National brief: New vaccine may eliminate ear, sinus infections

By Kyra Smerkanich | September 28

U.S. researchers announced they will conduct clinical trials on a vaccine that officials hope will wipe out cases of childhood ear infections and some cases of adult bronchitis, according to CNN. The vaccine, Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae or NTHi, is unique because it does not aim to prevent serious illness, but it attempts to cut down on ear infections, which are considered a nuisance rather than a serious health threat to children, CNN reported.

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Campus briefs

By Kendra Garstka | September 25

Thailand-Burma Alternative Break trip still on despite coup A bloodless military coup in Thailand last week will not affect the alternative winter break scheduled to go to the Thai-Burmese border as of now, said Theresa Miller, co-coordinator for the trip and senior in the School of International Service.

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Seniors to begin Teach for America application process

By Madalyn Wasilczuk | September 25

Teach for America, an organization with the goal of closing the academic achievement gap between low-income and high-income areas of the country, is currently recruiting on campus. The program seeks to recruit teachers to work specifically in low-income areas of the country, both urban and rural.

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Talk addresses power of words

By Ali Goldstein | September 25

Words are critical in political communication, and Abraham Lincoln was a politician who used language to encourage understanding in America in his second inaugural address, said Ronald White, a Lincoln scholar and theologian at a Table Talk Lunch Forum Wednesday.

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Military veterans debate U.S. presence in Iraq

By Howard Perlman | September 25

The United States should keep a presence in Iraq to keep law and order in a region that will destroy itself in the chaos of its instability, said Rajai Hakki, an undergraduate in the School of International Service and a former Marine, at a forum Wednesday on the experiences and post-war analyses of military veterans of the Iraq War.

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Metro calendar

September 25

Wednesday, Sept. 27 Yellowcard with Anberlin and My Favorite Highway 7:30 p.m. 9:30 Club, 815 V St. N.W. Metro: U Street/African American Memorial (green line) Yellowcard, known for their violin-centered emo-rock, will perform live with Anberlin and My Favorite Highway at the 9:30 Club.

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AUCC announces club allocations for school year

By Stephen Tringali | September 25

The American University Club Council, a student-run board that determines funding allocations for AU clubs and organizations, has announced its figures for the 2006-07 school year. The AUCC's allocation budget includes $105,345, approximately $5,000 more than the organization's initial budget limit.

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AU joins effort to enhance dorm amenities

By Andrea Chong | September 25

Colleges across the nation, including AU, are implementing upscale and elite housing to generate a classy college lifestyle by adding everything from free Internet and cable access, TV lobby lounges with full kitchens and enhanced comforts like mattress pads, microwaves and refrigerators.

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Colleges liable for suicide attempts

By Madeline Karp | September 25

Recent district court cases have ruled that if a college student's life is in foreseeable danger, their college has a duty to prevent suicide attempts. This decision comes in response to the numerous lawsuits filed by students and parents claiming that institutions failed to recognize the student needed psychological counseling because of suicidal thoughts and depression.

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Obama delivers speech at Georgetown University

By Kate Winston | September 25

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Women's Initiative reaches out to men

By Erika Crable | September 25

After several years of "Vagina Monologues" and "Breastivals," Women's Initiative is marking "Muscle Bound," a seminar on male body imagery, on their calendar. This fall is the first semester for Men's Outreach at AU. Sponsored by Women's Initiative, the group will explore pressures in the male community while aiding in female empowerment.

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International brief: Venezuelan P.M. calls for Bush to resign

By Kyra Smerkanich | September 25

Venezuelan Prime Minister Hugo Chavez called for President Bush to step down as President of the United States, according to the Associated Press. "He should renounce the presidency if he has any dignity. The president of the United States has failed completely," Chavez said at a natural gas project in the northwest area of Venezuela.

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AU professors explore role of media in midterm elections

By Erika Crable | September 25

A "crisis of apathy" struck primary voters earlier this month, said James Thurber, director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, to a panel of political analysts and professors during Wednesday night's speech "AU on the Campaign Trail.

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Illegal downloads may deter future employers

By Joel Bush | September 25

A recent study shows students with relaxed attitudes toward illegal downloads could put future job opportunities at risk, as employers are less likely to hire someone who has participated in illegal file sharing. According to a study conducted by the Business Software Alliance, "The vast majority of managers [in the job marketplace], 86 percent, say that applicants' file sharing attitudes and behaviors have an impact on their hiring decisions.

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Committee members approved

By Jimm Phillips | September 25

The board of trustees approved all 15 members of the Presidential Search Committee at their Sept. 15 meeting, according to a press release. Committee members were selected in several ways. Committee Chairman Gary Abramson selected the trustee, staff and dean representatives, according to the original announcement of the search.

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