News

News

Muslim sorority abides by traditions

By Kelly Kerr | April 24

The idea of a Muslim sorority received mixed reactions from the AU community. A new sorority, Gamma Gamma Chi, is holding information sessions across the country in order to garner support. The Muslim-oriented sorority is the first of its kind and was created last year by two converts to Islam, Althia Collins and her daughter, Imani Abdul-Haqq.

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Personal info sent in USC e-mail

By Rebecca Kern | April 24

The University of South Carolina accidentally e-mailed a database of 1,400 students' Social Security numbers, local and permanent addresses, phone numbers and dates of birth, reported The Gamecock, USC's student newspaper. A department chairwoman sending out information about summer classes mistakenly attached this database file to an e-mail she sent April 16.

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Student Senate passes Meal Plan Act

By Mike Scher | April 24

The Student Senate passed the Meal Plan Accountability Act 18-2 Sunday, which seeks to educate students about the high cost of their meal plans. The act, sponsored by Senator Charlie Biscotto and authored by Brian Brown, a junior in the School of Public Affairs, asks the SG to inform students about the high cost of their meal plan swipes when compared to the cash price of food at TDR and the Tavern.

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National briefs

By Ryan Grannan-Doll | April 24

Playstation 2 prices plummet as consumers await PS3 debut Playstation 2 prices are now $129.99, down from $149.99 as Sony anticipates the release of its Playstation 3 later this year, Bloomberg News reported. The move comes after Sony delayed the PS3 after new DVD technology standards were held up.

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News

Metro calendar

By Rebecca Kern | April 24

Tuesday, April 24 Youth Playwrights' Theater: 2006 Youth or Dare Tour 6:00 p.m. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Metro: Foggy Bottom/GWU (Orange and Blue lines) Free shuttles to the Kennedy Center are available and depart every 15 minutes from 9:45 a.

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Senate approves legislation, SG budget for new school year

By Cait Douglas | April 24

The Undergraduate Senate passed numerous pieces of legislation, including the Student Government budget for the 2006-2007 year, in the last session of their inaugural year. The $558,000 proposed budget was written by Comptroller Zach Ulrich and then amended by members of the Senate before it was approved with only three dissenting votes.

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Freshman Day attracts thousands of prospective students

By Kate Oczypok | April 24

Over 2,000 admitted freshmen attended AU's twice-yearly Freshman Day Friday. Despite the rain, members of the Class of 2010 took tours and attended student panels, like the one above. There were also deans' receptions that allowed students and parents to talk to the deans of AU's five schools.

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GLBTA students break day of silence, fight discrimination

By Laraine Weschler | April 24

AU's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students broke their annual day of silence Monday by screaming in protest of discrimination against GLBT people, said KT Thirion, president of AU Queers and Allies. Every year, members of Queers and Allies show their support for GLBT issues by not speaking for an entire day.

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Interest in China grows at AU, abroad

By Kyra Smerkanich | April 24

Learning Chinese is growing in popularity among American University students, demonstrating the prominent role China has taken in international politics and business and showing the push the Chinese government is making in introducing new language programs.

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Discussion encourages global peace initiatives

By Tiffany Heimbuch-Maybee | April 24

World leaders must learn to focus equally on local and global scales in the pursuit of peace, according to Betty Reardon, an international peace promoter who spoke to students Saturday at an AU Creative Peace Initiatives event. Abdul Aziz Said, professor of international peace and conflict resolution, also offered his comments about teaching for global citizenship.

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Campus brief: Katxen Museum caters weekend event to children

By Kate Oczypok | April 24

The AU Museum in the Katzen Arts Center held its first "Kids at the Katzen Day" Saturday afternoon, according to American Weekly. The event featured Puerto Rican photographer Norma Quintana, whose exhibition runs through May 7 at the Katzen. She discussed what her work meant to her and also helped the youths think about themselves as portrait subjects.

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World briefs

April 24

7.7-magnitude earthquake rocks Siberia A large earthquake struck the sparsely populated region of Siberia in Eastern Russia at 12:30 p.m. local time Friday, the AP reported. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake registered a 7.7 magnitude on the Richter scale.

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Volunteers landscape campus

By Kendra Garstka | April 20

Students and faculty invested in the upkeep of campus as part of Campus Beautification Day Tuesday, which AU Director of Facilities Management Willy Suter called a "celebration of the AU community." Campus Beautification Day is an annual event that generally occurs the week before the spring Freshman Day.

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News

National briefs

April 20

Former student found dead in Ore. Evian DiStefano, a former AU student, was found dead on a forest road east of Portland, Ore., last Thursday, according to the Mail Tribune, a southern Oregon news source. A passer-by discovered DiStefano's body shortly after midnight on an access road through Mount Hood National Forest to the Columbia Gorge, Multnomah County Sheriff's Lt.

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Police blotter

By Lauren Gardner | April 20

Wednesday, April 12 A computer monitor was reported stolen in Mary Graydon Center. Officers responded and are still investigating. Thursday, April 13 Two individuals reported having items taken from their locker in Jacobs Fitness Center. The items have not been recovered.

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D.C. Council candidates discuss schools, health

By Jimm Phillips | April 20

Four candidates vying for seats on the D.C. City Council debated the best way to provide students with opportunities to excel and constituents with equal health care facilities at a forum held at Woodrow Wilson High School Tuesday. Councilmembers Kathy Patterson, D-Ward 3, and Vincent Gray, D-Ward 7, who are candidates for Council chair, as well as Councilmember Phil Mendelson, D-At Large, and former D.

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Eye solution linked to fungus

By Kyra Smerkanich | April 20

Fusarium, a fungal infection that can cause red or swollen eyes, blurry vision and blindness may be linked to the usage of ReNu eye contact solution. According to the Food and Drug Administration, there have been 109 cases of suspected fusarium that are currently under investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and public health officials in 17 states.

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