News

National briefs

Arrest made in Duquesne shootings Authorities arrested Brittany Jones, a sophomore at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Tuesday in connection with a recent shooting incident that reportedly involved five members of the school basketball team. Reports indicate Jones is facing charges of reckless endangerment, carrying a firearm without a license and criminal conspiracy after she allegedly helped six armed men enter a school dance where the shooting took place, according to the AP.

Blue lights to have cameras

The campus blue light system is undergoing changes to make lights more visible and reliable, said Public Safety Chief Michael McNair. A total of 25 new blue light phone systems are being installed all over campus, McNair said. These lights will be located near the old ones, which will be removed once all the new lights are installed.

Metro brief: D.C. schools seek health funding

D.C. officials hope a grant from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will provide them with approximately $7 million to help meet the health needs of the growing number of children requiring special medical attention. The money would increase the annual budget for school health services, according to The Washington Post.

Companies seeking more college grads

Approximately 55 percent of entry-level businesses are planning to hire more college graduates in 2007 than they hired in 2006, according to a recent survey from CollegeGrad.com. Rae Ann Bories-Easley, AU's outreach and marketing director for the Career Center, said students can access CollegeGrad.

Dorms to get condom machines by end of month

By the end of this month, AU students will be able to purchase condoms, along with sodas and snacks, in the vending areas of the dorms. As part of a pilot program, condom machines will be installed in "discreet locations near the vending areas in dorms," said Student Government President Ashley Mushnick in an e-mail.

Campus briefs

Senate appoints Judicial Board members The Undergraduate Senate confirmed three new members to the Judicial Board Sunday to prepare for the upcoming fall elections. Former Student Government Secretary Joe Vidulich was confirmed to chair the Judicial Board, replacing Class of 2006 graduate Marlon Brown.

SG to explore AU smoking policy

The Undergraduate Senate has chosen to focus on how the university smoking policy can best suit all students as one of its last acts of the legislative term. Ben Murray, speaker of the Senate, said he hopes the Senate can reach out to the student body to find out what students want.

Campus calendar

Thursday, Sept. 21 Wellness Fair 11 a.m.-3 p.m., quad Take advantage of free health screenings, including blood pressure, hearing, vision, glaucoma, flexibility, strength and body fat composition. Contact Kathy Haldeman at (202) 885-3276. U.S. Foreign Policy Forum 1-2:30 p.

Civitas Week focuses on creating community

Civitas Week is an annual event at AU that was launched in 2003, said Bernie Schulz, special assistant to the vice president. The week aims to "heighten awareness of how we treat one another, regardless of who you are at the university," he said. It shows us "how we treat individuals, whether it be someone waiting on us in the Marketplace or situations in the residence halls," Schulz said.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Photos from Sunday's Darfur rally in New York City

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.

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

Campus briefs

SOC freshman wins award for producing public service announcement Christine Felty, a freshman in the School of Communication, received a Young Producer's Award last weekend from the Mid-Atlantic chapter of the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences, which is affiliated with the Emmy Awards.