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Campus brief

By Kate Oczypok | December 12

The Catholic Community Choir performed their second annual Christmas Concert on Saturday in the Battelle-Tompkins Atrium. The choir sang traditional Christmas songs such as "Angels We Have Heard on High," "O Holy Night" and "Joy to the World." Approximately 30 people attended the concert, including Karin Thornton, the associate Catholic Chaplain at AU.

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Programs release study abroad guidelines

By Kelly Moynihan | December 12

Two international organizations released guidelines for study abroad programs last week that have students questioning their use in making study abroad experiences better, according to insidehighered.com. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization collaborated to release the Guidelines on Quality Provisions in Cross-Border Higher Education.

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Checcio to leave AU after successful fundraising

By Mary Specht | December 12

Al Checcio, vice president of university relations, will leave AU this month after helping launch the school's most ambitious fundraising campaign ever and doubling the percentage of alumni who donate to the university. Checcio will take a similar position at Fordham University in New York, and his former duties will be divided among AU departments until the next president names a replacement.

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Adderall use jumps as fear of finals looms

By Kelly Moynihan | December 8

With finals looming around the corner, many students are relying on the use of prescription drugs like Adderall to help stay alert while studying. Adderall, which is prescribed for people who suffer from attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a stimulant that helps patients focus.

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Fire alarm pullers could be expelled, RHA suggests

By Tiffany Heimbuch-Maybee | December 8

Residence Hall Association President Will Mount has authored and passed a resolution through RHA that would call for a "zero tolerance" policy toward AU students that pull fire alarms. The resolution calls for a swift and severe punishment of residents who have pulled alarms by expelling them from the university.

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Endowment raises thousands from meal swipes

By Kate Oczypok | December 8

The Eagle Endowment for Public and Community Service, a grant program for AU students to put their community service ideas into action, had its annual meal swipe event in the Terrace Dining Room Wednesday to raise money for the program. "We ended up getting to our goal in an hour," said Mark Seaman, a senior in the School of Public Affairs and the executive director of the Eagle Endowment.

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College merchandisers correct labor violations

By Jimm Phillips | December 8

A recent report released by a labor advocacy group indicated that health and safety issues topped the list of violations that occurred in factories producing college merchandise, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education. Twenty-eight companies, including three that produce AU merchandise, were included in the report released by the Fair Labor Association.

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State Rep. sues Miami U of Ohio

By Jimm Phillips | December 8

A Miami University of Ohio policy that gives benefits to same-sex domestic partners has become the subject of a lawsuit, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education. Ohio State Rep. Thomas E. Brinkman Jr., R-Cincinnati, filed suit against the Oxford, Ohio-based public university, alleging that their employee benefits policy violates a recently adopted amendment to the state's constitution that defines marriage as "only a union between one man and one woman.

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Plans to make Metro more tourist friendly

By Kendra Garstka | December 8

Early next year, Metro will institute various changes that include new directional signs and announcements and changes to the direction of escalators. "We've see more than 30 percent growth in ridership over last nine years, so with more riders it has slowed down times trains stayed at station," said Metro Spokeswoman Candace Smith.

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Metro briefs

By Kate Oczypok | December 8

Meth having large impact on D.C. area Methamphetamine use has had a large impact on parts of the Midwest, and now the drug is beginning to take its toll on the D.C. area. Also known as crystal meth, crank and ice, methamphetamine locks users in an addictive grip that some say is the most powerful of any drug, according to NBC4.

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National Brief: Chinese practice English over Internet phone service

By Ryan Grannan-Doll | December 8

Next time you pick up the phone and the caller does not speak English, try to discern the language they are speaking - it may be Chinese. More than 45,000 Chinese citizens per day are signing up for Skype, an Internet-based telephone service. They then make cold calls to the United States to practice their English, according to this week's issue of Time Magazine.

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Helen Thomas visits AU

By Kyra Smerkanich | December 8

Noted journalist Helen Thomas spoke to communication students at AU about politics, her career as a journalist and the responsibility the media has to the American public. "It's the best profession, I think," Thomas said about journalism. "You'll always have an education everyday, you'll always keep learning.

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National brief: Clothing company makes deal with Pittsburgh girls

December 8

Executives of Abercrombie and Fitch agreed to consider a proposal by a group of Pittsburgh girls called Allegheny County Girls as Grantmakers for a line of T-shirts that the girls believe would empower young women rather than demean them, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

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Campus calendar

By Kate Oczypok | December 8

Thursday, Dec. 8 Wish Eye New Through Dec. 10, 8 p.m., Katzen Arts Center Studio Theatre. Written by Caleen Sinnette Jennings and directed by Tim Reagan, this family show follows three college students who journey back in time to relive childhood fun with toys, family trips and favorite relatives.

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Police blotter

By Josh Goodman | December 8

Thursday, Dec. 1 A student reported a woman was unconscious in the 4th floor Capital Hall women's restroom. Officers responded, but the woman refused medical treatment. An individual was yelling into a public phone in the Ward Circle Building, disturbing people in the area.

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Students organize fair trade holiday sale

By Michael Lucibella | December 8

The Fair Trade Student Alliance held its annual holiday sale yesterday in the lobby of Mary Graydon Center, offering free trade goods from all over the world. The Fair Trade Student Alliance is trying to "increase awareness on campus about fair trade issues.

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Metro Calendar

By Kelly Kerr | December 5

Tuesday, Dec. 6 U.S. Army Blues 6 p.m. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts - Millennium Stage 2700 F St., NW Metro: Foggy Bottom-GWU (Blue and Orange lines) The Army's big band plays free Christmas carols. For more information, call 1-800-444-1324 Admission: Free Wednesday, Dec.

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