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News

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Palestinian Awareness Week

By April Astor | April 20

A white tent erected on the quad last Monday marked the beginning of the fourth annual Palestine Awareness Week on AU's campus, and symbolizes the plight of Palestinian refugees. AU Students for Justice in Palestine staffed the tent all week, providing information on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict along with Palestinian food and music.

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Campus calendar

By Kate Oczypok | April 20

Thursday, April 20 "Civilian Defense Counsel Trying Courts-Martial in Combat Conditions" 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., WCL room 101 Participants will relate their experiences defending courts-martial in dangerous locations, such as wartime Iraq, Vietnam and Afghanistan.

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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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Talent show kicks off Spring Fling

By Brian Kalish | April 20

AU's first ever Spring Fling event began last night with a talent show in the Woods-Brown Amphitheater, co-sponsored by Eagle Nights. Six groups performed in front of nearly 200 students who could then purchase tickets to vote for their favorite groups. All proceeds benefited the newly created Student Media Collective, comprised of The Eagle; The Talon, AU's yearbook; American Word, the online student paper; and American Literary, AU's literary journal.

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Metro briefs

By Ryan Grannan-Doll | April 20

GW moves aid costs to donors George Washington University is trying to counteract increased operational costs by shifting some financial aid costs away from the university budget and passing them on to donors. Funds raised through GW's advancement office can now be used toward financial aid, relying less on tuition funds.

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