News

News

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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News

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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News

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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SG supports voting rights for the District

By Jess Reamy | December 5

The AU Undergraduate Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of supporting Congressional representation with voting rights for Washington, D.C., and increased financial accountability on the university's board of trustees yesterday.

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Gospel choir performs annual holiday concert

By Kate Oczypok | December 5

Students were encouraged to get up and clap their hands to the beat of AU's Gospel Choir Saturday afternoon as part of the group's annual Christmas concert in the Kay Spiritual Life Center. Kay was filled to near capacity with students. The concert began with a warm-up by the Praise Team, which included Chaplain Joy Henry, a junior in the School of Communication.

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National briefs

December 5

UPenn drops charges against student The University of Pennsylvania decided Thursday to drop the charges filed against a student who had posted photographs of two fellow students having sex against a dormitory window online, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education.

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Religious conflict cancels KU class

By Dave Colon | December 5

A controversial new course at the University of Kansas has been canceled after it was revealed its instructor sent disparaging e-mails about Christian fundamentalists and creationists, according to The Washington Post. The course, "Special Topics in Religion: Intelligent Design, Creationism and Other Religious Mythologies," was to be taught by Professor Paul Mirecki until e-mails surfaced in which he called religious conservatives "fundies" and said his course would be a "nice slap in their big fat face," according to The Washington Post.

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D.C. kicks off holiday season with tree lighting

By Kyra Smerkanich | December 5

President Bush urged spectators to remember the displaced Gulf Coast residents and the servicemen and women abroad before lighting the National Christmas Tree at the Pageant of Peace Thursday night. "The lighting of the National Christmas Tree is one of the great traditions in our nation's capital," President Bush said as he addressed the spectators gathered on the Ellipse.

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Displaced students to return to La.

By Lauren Gardner | December 5

Based on current registration numbers, 86 percent of Tulane students displaced by Hurricane Katrina will return to the university next semester, 4 percent below what would be expected during a normal year, according to insidehighered.com. The American Council on Education and seven other higher education institutions issued guidelines shortly after the hurricane urging colleges that admitted displaced students to welcome them as guests, not permanent students, according to insidehighered.

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