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Sukkot celebrated by AU Jewish groups

By John Riley | October 24

Students and members of the AU community participated in Sukkot, the Jewish festival of the harvest by living in a temporary shelter and bonding together through events sponsored by AU Hillel. In keeping with the traditions of Sukkot, where Jewish people are supposed to live in temporary huts, Hillel set up a sukkah, or hut with openings in the roof, on the main Quad.

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Ladner accepts $3.7 million settlement from board

By Megan Slack | October 24

Former AU President Benjamin Ladner accepted a $950,000 settlement payment from the university today, along with a deferred compensation package, which includes a life insurance policy of close to $1 million and about $1.75 million dollars from retirement accounts.

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Derby Days raises $1,400 for charity

By Max Kopper | October 24

Sigma Chi's annual charity event, Derby Days, ended Saturday, after raising an estimated $1,400 for the Children's Miracle Network, a series of hospitals designed to provide free or compensated health care to children across North America. Derby Days, a Sigma Chi event held nationwide, is centered on a weeklong competition, with teams of five members competing and participating in events scheduled throughout the week.

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National brief: Hurricane season breaks records

By Kate Oczypok | October 24

Tropical Storm Alpha formed Saturday in the Caribbean, which sets a record for the most named storms in an Atlantic hurricane season, The Washington Post reported. The storm marks the first time that meteorologists have had to turn to the Greek alphabet for storm names.

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Metro brief: UVA profs choose to opt out of honors system

By Kate Oczypok | October 24

Some University of Virginia professors chose to opt out of the school's honor system in light of recent cases of cheating. In bypassing the system, the professors could violate UVA's policies or federal law, said The Cavalier Daily, the university's student newspaper.

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Dole discusses life after politics

By Josh Goodman | October 24

Although Americans are eager to bring U.S. troops home, pulling out of Iraq now would be a disaster, former Senate Majority Leader and presidential candidate Robert Dole said in a speech at Bender Arena Saturday. "If I have learned one thing in the last 60 years, it is that freedom is fragile and it must be protected by every generation," Dole said.

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Universities introduce controversial policies

By Dave Colon | October 24

Controversial student conduct and search policies at the University of Rhode Island and George Washington University have some students up in arms, but the administrations in each school are warning against overreactions and have defended their policies. The University of Rhode Island introduced three new changes to their student conduct code and search and seizure policies in January of 2006.

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Campus calendar

By Kate Oczypok | October 24

Wednesday, Oct. 26 Vienna Halloween Parade The Best Little Town in America is this year's theme for the parade. Location: Maple Avenue between Branch Road and Center Street Time: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28 Alexandria, Va. Ghost and Graveyards Walking Tour Take a one-hour, six-block walking tour of Old Town Alexandria.

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Campus brief: SOC Dean to host classic film series

By Kate Oczypok | October 24

This week, Dean Larry Kirkman of the School of Communication will begin hosting "Dean Screen," a series of classic films,--shown as double features--and commentary from Kirkman. The new program allows students to enjoy free movies, donated by Tom Karsch, Turner Classic Movies executive vice president and AU alum.

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Blackboard network plans to merge with WebCT company

By Steve Dorsey | October 24

AU's Internet-based course networking system, Blackboard, and another similar leading e-learning company, WebCT, began planning last week for their merger, a move that will join two of the largest higher education learning networks in the world. Blackboard operates AU's student and faculty communication system, allowing professors to post assignments and grades and students to virtually interact with teachers and classmates.

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Family weekend centers on life at AU

By Josh Goodman | October 24

This year's annual Family and Alumni Weekend chose to center on life as an AU student, according to Dr. Faith Leonard, dean of students at AU. The weekend began on Friday with open classes and an invitation for parents to eat in TDR for a discounted rate.

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AU health center ready for flu season

By Katherine Stump | October 24

AU's Health Center has prepared for this year's flu season by ordering more flu shots than ever before, as the companies who make the vaccine plan to avoid last year's shortage, said Kathy Haldeman, director of the Wellness Center. Last year, the Chiron Corporation, a British company, was expected to provide 50 million flu shots, about half the U.

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Board elects Abramson as new chair

By Kate Oczypok and Megan Slack | October 24

The AU board of trustees reached an agreement late in the week which would give former President Benjamin Ladner the choice to accept a severance package worth between $3 million and $4 million, or be fired "for cause" and jeopardize the severance offer, a source close to the board told The Washington Post.

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Hundreds attend Katzen official opening

By Katherine Stump | October 24

Amid tuxedos, live piano music, brilliant lights and displays of both the performing and visual arts, the Cyrus and Myrtle Katzen Arts Center was officially opened on Thursday night at the President's Circle Dinner. An estimated 900 benefactors, alumni, artists and friends and family of the Katzens attended the center's first big gala.

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AU students attend Howard homecoming

By Noelle Harmon | October 24

Despite rainy weather, Howard University's homecoming on Saturday drew alumni, celebrities, fans and crowds of students, including a significant number of people from the AU community. The football game between Howard and North Carolina A&T and the post-game celebrations ended nine days of homecoming festivities held on the campus of the predominantly black 7,500-student university in Northwest D.

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National Coming Out Week educates

October 20

National Coming Out Week events scheduled this week plan to promote awareness and offer support for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gender community on campus. Queers and Allies and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies Resource Center organized the annual week of programs.

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Board of trustees names Gary Abramson as new chair

By Kate Oczypok , John Riley and Josh Goodman | October 20

Gary Abramson, an AU alumnus, has been selected as the new board of trustees chair, in the wake of former chair Leslie Bains' resignation on Oct. 9. The board of trustees met for three hours Thursday afternoon to discuss naming a new board chair, as well as the issue of former President Benjamin Ladner's severance package, which could reportedly be as much as one million dollars or more.

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