News

News

Spring break program gives students vacation options

By Ebonie Branch | November 17

The Alternative Spring Break program is "a learning process for everyone," according to Shoshanna Sumka, the global and community-based learning coordinator. The programs send students to both domestic and international destinations and allow students to diverge from traditional winter and spring break paths and to instead experience a personal transformation that is just as humbling as it is fulfilling, according to Sumka.

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Campus calendar

By Kate Oczypok | November 17

Thursday, Nov. 17 Alliance for Quality Urban Education Symposium 10-11:30 a.m. , Kay Spiritual Life Center The School of Education will host the symposium "Transforming Teaching and Learning: National Board for Professional Teaching Standards as a Basis for Reform in Urban Schools.

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News

Police blotter

By Josh Goodman | November 17

Thursday, Nov. 10 Drug paraphernalia was confiscated from a male student in Anderson Hall. The item tested positive for marijuana. Employees of one of the shops in the Tunnel contacted Public Safety, asking that a university employee be removed from the shop.

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AU happy with Bon App?tit as food service provider

By Kelly Moynihan | November 17

AU students are generally happy with Bon App?tit, the school's food service provider, and its socially responsible practices despite students at more than 200 colleges protesting their campus food providers. Schools such as University of Portland and University of California are protesting their campus food providers, specifically Aramark and Sysco, for buying food overseas to save money instead of supporting local farmers and artisans, according to Time magazine.

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News

Salazar remembered as dynamic leader, passionate activist

By Kate Oczypok | November 17

The death of Class of 2005 president Chris Salazar has left many AU students celebrating the life of an individual who left his mark on the school as a community leader and activist.

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News

Financial aid falling behind for minorities

By Debbie Kang | November 17

States must focus on the affordability of higher education at a time when tuition is rapidly increasing, but financial aid is falling behind for minority students, according to a recent report by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education The education and income levels of American workers will decrease in the next decade if states do not do more to improve the number of college graduates from minority groups, according to the report.

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Problems with online registration stresses students

By Kate Oczypok | November 17

Spring 2006 registration began on Oct. 31, which is often a frustrating and stressful experience for some students. The Office of the Registrar has added new features to AU's course registration page, according to its web site http://american.edu/registrar, including changes to its online list of classes that identify the class as a general education, distance learning, topics or university college courses.

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Ex-trustees' open letter blasts remaining board members

By Kyra Smerkanich | November 17

Four former members of the AU board of trustees who resigned following the investigation into ex-President Benjamin Ladner's finances released a statement in response to last week's town hall forum that said trustees purposefully adjusted the total value of Ladner's severance package to offset the amount he would have to pay back to the university and to the IRS.

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First gender studies doctorate program created

By Malorie Sellers | November 17

Indiana University announced plans earlier this month to offer the first doctorate degree in the nation specifically in gender studies beginning in fall 2006. The difference between women's studies and gender studies has become a significant issue with the creation of the school's new gender studies doctoral program.

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Feminist champions womens' fight for equality

By Kendra Garstka | November 17

As the second half of a feminist debate sponsored by the Kennedy Political Union, feminist Patricia Ireland spoke about the current state of feminism to an audience of about 70. Ireland stressed the importance of student involvement in an always-changing movement that is about "choices.

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National brief: University pres. paid millions

By Ryan Grannan-Doll | November 17

Five university presidents were paid more than $1 million dollars in the 2003-2004 fiscal year, according to the Chronicle Of Higher Education. Topping the salary chart with $4.5 million in deferred compensation was Donald E. Ross of Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla.

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Adoption support proposed for pregnant students

By Rebecca Kern | November 17

An anti-abortion bill currently making its way through Congress would establish more financial aid and healthcare for pregnant students on university campuses in response to college-aged women having the highest abortion rates in the country, according to Lifenews.

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Metro brief: Georgetown to fix call box system

By Kate Oczypok | November 14

Administrators at Georgetown University have given the firm responsible for repairing and activating GU's new emergency call box system one month to fix the phones that students use to call for emergencies or risk losing its university contract, according to The Hoya, Georgetown University's student newspaper.

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News

National briefs

November 14

Mall closes temporarily after girls storm concert A suburban shopping mall in Minnesota was forced to close temporarily Saturday after a mob of enthusiastic fans rushed the stage of a free concert by the boy band B5 and overwhelmed the security guards, according to the Associated Press.

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Students express frustrations in town hall meeting with board

By John Riley and Kyra Smerkanich | November 14

In an attempt to promote a feeling of openness and transparency, members of AU's board of trustees met with students and faculty members Thursday night to discuss former President Ben Ladner's severance package, improved board governance and the need for communication between board members and the rest of the university community.

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News

Campus calendar

By Kelly Kerr | November 14

Tuesday, Nov. 15, through Jan. 25 Wide Angle NW National Geographic Society - Explorers Hall 1145 17th St. 202-857-7588 Metro: Farragut North (Red Line) or Farragut West (Blue and Orange lines) Admission: Free This new exhibit features a diverse selection of wide-angle photographs from around the world taken from National Geographic's latest book, "Wide-Angle: National Geographic's Greatest Places.

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SG Senate approves 'Be' campaign funds

By Jess Reamy | November 14

The Undergraduate Senate appropriated a total of $18,500 to the Student Government executives yesterday in two bills, one providing $8,500 for the Founder's Day Ball and the other providing $10,000 for additional "Be" campaign expenses. The funds will be taken out of an account called AUTO Restricted, which has about $30,000 reserved for purchasing a new AUTO van if it's needed.

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