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News

Library celebrates end of the year with free coffee, cookies

By Jeannette Kimmel | May 1

Bender Library will host its end-of-the-semester Final Perk this Wednesday from 8-10 p.m. in The Mud Box, which will include a movie, giveaways and free coffee and cookies for students. "We're kind of going all out for this," said Nick Banovetz, assistant to the librarian.

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News

Fair educates AU about consumer choices

By Megan Slack | May 1

Students in Charlene Gilbert's "Communication and Social Change" class held a Consumer Fair on the quad last Friday to educate students about the importance of practicing ethical buying habits. Those who stopped by the fair were invited to try samples from vendors that follow organic guidelines or use fair trade business models, like Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and Honest Teas.

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MGC construction, falling profits lead to Jamba's closure

By Brian Kalish | May 1

The Mary Graydon Center will receive a 9,000 square foot addition at the end of this semester that will see new spaces added and the permanent closure of Jamba Juice. The bridge project, as it is known, will begin in late May, according to Michael Elmore, senior director of the University Center.

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News

Thousands rally against Darfur genocide

By Carolyn Phenicie | May 1

A group of AU students joined thousands of protesters Sunday to culminate AU's Darfur Week of Action at the "Save Darfur: Rally to Stop Genocide" on the National Mall. AU students marched from the Federal Triangle Metro station to the National Mall, chanting, "Hey, hey, ho, ho, genocide has got to go!" to the confusion of tourists.

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Professor proposes I.D. system, dialogue to aid immigration issue

By Kendra Garstka | May 1

Robert Pastor, director for the Center for North American Studies at AU, serves as a role model because of his drive to work through seemingly impossible situations, his students and co-workers say. "I have never met anybody who is as respected and accomplished as he is in the political and academic spheres, yet remains devoted to his students and [is] highly accessible to anyone who seeks his advice," said Jeri Buzzetta, a senior who as a sophomore took Pastor's class "North America: Union or Community?" At AU, Pastor has five positions: vice president of international affairs, director of CNAS, creator of the Center for Democracy and Election Management, executive director on Commission on Federal Election Reform and professor.

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News

Rising gas prices alter summer travel plans

By Jimm Phillips | May 1

The recent hike in gasoline prices nationwide has caused concern among some AU students about how the rising cost of gas may affect their summer plans. As of April 29, the nationwide average cost of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was approximately $2.

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National briefs

By Ryan Grannan-Doll | May 1

Congress authorizes increased Pell Grant funding Congress increased funding for the Pell Grant program Thursday by renewing the Higher Education Act, the Ohio State University's newspaper The Lantern, reported. The vote was down party lines, The Lantern reported.

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Graduation speakers aim to inspire

By Kendra Garstka | May 1

Donald Graham, The Washington Post's chief executive officer; Michael Kahn, the Shakespeare Theater Company's artistic director; and Paul Volcker, former Federal Reserve Board chair, will speak at AU's 120th commencement ceremony May 14. Judge Vanessa Ruiz will deliver the commencement address at the Washington College of Law's graduation on May 21.

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News

Students reflect on 40 years with the Kay Spiritual Life Center

April 27

SOC junior Joy Henry, a member of the AU Gospel Choir, sings along at the Kay Spiritual Life Center's 40th birthday celebration Monday. Students spoke about various religions and the Kay family was on hand to help celebrate the anniversary.

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News

WCL guest talks human rights law

By Elizabeth Royall | April 27

Human rights and international law have come far in the past 100 years, but the European Court of Human Rights still faces difficulties today, said Judge Luzius Wildhaber, president of the Court, at the Washington College of Law Friday. Approximately 100 WCL and AU students, professors and community members came to hear Wildhaber, who was introduced by Stephen Breyer.

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Albright's talk funny, reflective

By Josh Goodman | April 27

"Our intelligence was wrong," former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said of Kim Jong Il as she spoke to students in Bender Arena Wednesday night. "They told me he was crazy and a pervert. He's not crazy." This and other jabs at the world of diplomacy left students laughing in their seats during the final Kennedy Political Union event of the 2005-2006 academic year.

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Students balance military service and education

By Greg Rosenberg | April 27

More than five percent of U.S. university graduates in 2004 were either veterans, on active duty or in the reserves of the U.S. military, according to statistics from the Department of Education. These students' experiences - from combat zones to training exercises - set them apart from their university peers in the life skills they have, the adjustment to college they make and in the way they view the world.

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Women play key role in military operations overseas despite low numbers of female soldiers

By Elyse Franko | April 27

It's hard to imagine Jennifer Baker in uniform. Wearing jeans and a cardigan, she bears more resemblance to a 1950s movie star than to GI Jane with her blonde hair, manicured nails and radiant smile. One would certainly never think that she had been flown into a small Afghan village to search for Taliban members in hiding.

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Former porn star, sexologist advises students on sex

By Laraine Weschler | April 27

Former porn star and sexologist Annie Sprinkle warned her audience to cover their eyes if they were offended by her multimedia talk about her life in the sex industry in Ward 1 Monday night. "Sex was easy, the acting was hard," she said. Sprinkle, an artist, sexologist and former prostitute who spent much of the '70s and early '80s as a porn star, spoke to around 300 people in an event sponsored by AU Queers and Allies and the College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Student Council.

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Nebraska Hall suites will house 115

By Kendra Garstka | April 27

Nebraska Hall is being renovated to make apartment style dorms for 115 undergraduate students, available in room draw by spring 2007, said Julie Weber, AU's director of Housing and Dining. According to Weber, the new housing option will reduce triples and give transfer students more choices for on-campus living.

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Job-hunting grads: no need to worry

By Kelly Moynihan | April 27

Good news for graduating seniors: According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, the job market is solid this year and seniors shouldn't worry if they haven't secured a job just yet. The article reported that there is high demand for jobs in consulting firms, banks, government agencies and educational organizations.

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National briefs

By Ryan Grannan-Doll | April 27

Movie version of Fox TV show "24" in the works Kiefer Sutherland has confirmed a movie version of the Fox TV show "24" is in the works, The Sun, a British newspaper, reported. "It would be the first time that we would not do something in real time, but the characters would obviously be derivative of the show," Sutherland said.

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