News

News

Activist promotes democracy in Burma

By Kendra Garstka | March 27

Human rights activist and former political prisoner Bo Kyi spoke to about 200 people last Tuesday night about his personal contributions to the campaign for democracy in Burma. Without democracy we cannot speak out, Kyi said. If you practice basic human rights you are in prison.

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E-mail changes academic relations

By Laraine Weschler | March 27

E-mail has changed the nature of student/teacher relationships, allowing for more interaction with professors outside the classroom while encouraging informal and impersonal contact, according to many AU professors. Katherine Gillespie, a literature professor at AU, said a lot of students who don't speak in class e-mail Gillespie their thoughts on course material.

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SAT scoring errors affect AU applicants

By Brian Kalish | March 27

More than 4,000 incoming freshman at universities across the country received lower scores on their SATs than deserved because of grading problems, according to the College Board. Approximately 100 applicants to AU were affected, said Sharon Alston, director of admissions.

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CourtTV hosts election panel

By Mary Specht | March 23

CourtTV host Catherine Crier, AU's Vice President of International Affairs Bob Pastor and Kay Cole James, former director of the Office of Personnel Management discussed proposals for election reform yesterday at the Carter Center in Atlanta, Ga. The forum, which also included former President Jimmy Carter, was filmed for broadcast on CourtTV this summer.

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Library adds online resources

By Mike Scher | March 23

As part of the process of expanding its collection of online texts and resources, the AU library added new databases, including an 18th century works collection and a Congressional database, and is using new technology to link all its online materials. The "18th century collections online" contains 150,000 printed works that appeared in the United Kingdom and the United States during the 18th century.

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Teleconference bridges Western, Muslim worlds

By Susanna Reid | March 23

Before Spring Break, AU students gathered to watch and participate in a videoconference with students from Wellesley College, Marquette University and the Turkish University in Izmir. The AU Foreign Policy Association partnered with Americans for Informed Democracy to host the discussion.

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Environmental film festival advocates social responsibility

By Laraine Weschler | March 23

The 14th Annual Environmental Film Festival showcased 100 films in D.C. this week, including four at American University. The festival "celebrates the beauty and significance of our environment while promoting advocacy for its responsible stewardship," according to the program.

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Mortar round found in Spring Valley

By Lauren Gardner | March 23

A three-inch stokes mortar round was unearthed fully intact on Quebec Street during arsenic soil removal at a home in Spring Valley, according to Shawn Walleck, spokesperson for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District. A post-blast analysis confirmed the round was empty or partially sand-filled, Walleck said.

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Visa troubles affect AU foreign students

By Ashley Bleimes , Natalie Toomey and Hiromi Murashige | March 23

Five years after September 11, foreign policy and costs of education continue to keep international students at home. After September 11, international student enrollment dropped for the first time since the 70s. Not only do foreign students have a harder time getting student visas, U.

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No more free soda for students at Chipotle

By Lauren Gardner | March 23

The Tenleytown Chipotle ended its free drink with an AU ID deal earlier this month, according to a member of the management team there. The promotion began about five years ago and was supposed to last only for the first month of school for AU students, said the employee, who asked not to be identified.

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Campus calendar

By Kate Oczypok | March 23

Thursday, March 23 An Evening with Dr. Abdullah, Foreign Minister of Afghanistan 9:30-10:30 a.m., Ward 1. Dr. Abdullah, foreign minister of Afghanistan, will discuss Afghanistan's strategic objectives for the next five years as outlined in the Interim Afghanistan National Development.

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National briefs

By Ryan Grannan-Doll | March 23

Iraqi minister was paid CIA informant Former Iraqi Foreign minister Naji Sabri was a paid informant of the CIA in the run-up to the Iraq war, according to the New York Times. Sabri, whose contact was established through a French intelligence intermediary, gave the CIA critical information about Iraqi WMD programs.

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Metro Brief: District budget to increase

By Ryan Grannan-Doll | March 23

The District's new budget includes $62.2 million in new taxes according to The Washington Times. The increase comes from an increase in residential and recordation tax, from 1.1 to 1.5 percent. Mayor Anthony Williams proposed the new increase. Williams, who is not seeking re-election, previously proposed a .

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Expert promotes tae kwon do

By Tiffany Heimbuch-Maybee | March 23

The Korean Student Association presented 74-year old Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee, the "father of American tae kwon do" before Spring Break to speak to AU students. Jhoon Rhee, a 10-degree black belt, the highest rank in tae kwon do, is said to have brought tae kwon do to American culture.

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Demonstrators mark year three of war in Iraq

By Dave Colon | March 23

On the third anniversary of the United States' campaign in Iraq, marches and demonstrations took place around the world to protest the war. International ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and Racism), an organization devoted to civil rights and social and economic justice, put together "Global Days of Action" from March 18 to 20 to protest the American presence in Iraq.

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Public Safety emphasizes discretion with Facebook

By ERICA LEMASTER and Samantha Tyrka | March 23

AU students must educate themselves about the risks that accompany membership on profile sites such as Facebook.com, according to Michael McNair, director of Public Safety at AU. McNair warned students that they must be wary of the type of information they post on their Facebook profiles.

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Fraternity hosts Miss Wheelchair '05

By Laraine Weschler | March 9

Miss Wheelchair America 2005 spoke to the AU community on Monday about overcoming her disabilities to become an advocate for others. Juliette Rizzo spoke as a part of Pi Kappa Phi Push America campaign to raise awareness and help people with disabilities.

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