News

News

Ladner takes $3.7 million to sever all ties with AU

By Sean Miller | October 27

Former AU president Benjamin Ladner accepted a severance deal this week that will cost the university almost $3.8 million but will avoid a potential legal battle, university officials said. On Oct. 24, Ladner accepted an offer from the board of trustees that gives him a $950,000 severance payment, $1.

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Campus calendar

By Kate Oczypok | October 27

Thursday, Oct. 27 Third Annual Practitioner's Perspective on Trafficking in Persons 9:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m., WCL room 603. During this conference, sponsored by the Immigrant Rights Coalition and the Women and International Law Program, panelists will discuss legal remedies available to trafficked persons in the U.

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Metro brief: Rapper shot after leaving D.C. nightclub

By Kelly Kerr | October 27

Rapper Cameron "Cam'ron" Giles was shot in both arms shortly after midnight on Sunday in Northwest D.C as his car waited at a traffic light, according to The Washington Post. Giles was treated at Howard University Hospital and released on Sunday. He was in the city for Howard University's Homecoming over the weekend and had just left H20, a Southwest D.

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Georgetown students on alert after four neighborhood robberies

By Steve Dorsey | October 27

Georgetown University students are being warned to stay alert after a series of robberies occurred near their campus over the past three weeks. School officials sent out a campus-wide e-mail last week informing students of of four robberies that took place in and around west Georgetown.

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SG lobbies Congress to protect higher education

By Kendra Garstka | October 27

Student Government President Kyle Taylor is encouraging students to send letters to their Congressmen and women to protest former President Benjamin Ladner's settlement package. Taylor sent out a letter urging Congress to take action to appropriately deal with issues concerning Ladner.

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Pests seen crawling campus, dorms

By Tiffany Heimbuch-Maybee | October 27

Students at American University have reported seeing rats, cockroaches or other vermin around campus, but are divided on whether the issue is a major problem facing AU. "Western Pest Services is on campus every Tuesday and Friday to perform routine inspections of common areas on campus both on the grounds and inside buildings," said Stephanie DeStefano, Grounds Operations coordinator for AU.

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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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