Opinion

Letters to the editor

Dear Editor, In the October 31st edition of the Eagle, Eve Gatewood wrote, "Sometimes, even if one is right, fighting for the principle of something is not worth the cost. In the future any action taken to this magnitude should be the product of reflection and substantial thought.

Creating a reputation, protecting diplomas

I thought that once President Ladner was dismissed from the university and his severance package was decided that the situation would have finally reached its conclusion. Now the Senate Finance Committee has requested documents regarding Ladner's dismissal and the investigation.

Corrections and Clarifications

In the Oct. 24 issue, The Eagle included erroneous information in an article entitled, "Sukkot celebrated by AU Jewish groups." Community memebers were invited to an even called "Pizza in the Hut," not "Pizza in the Sukkah." Hillary Blank, a source for the article, was wrongly attributed as belonging to the School of Public Affairs.

Staff editorial: Ladner fight plays out in the Senate

When the phrase, "it would take an act of congress" is used to describe something, it usually means that something is going to take an inordinately long amount of time and will be excruciatingly difficult to achieve. On Thursday, the board of trustees received a letter from Sen.

Staff editorial: No security threats on campus network

The Federal Government is requiring all Internet service providers and institutions that provide Internet access to upgrade their technology to broadband that can be monitored for security reasons. AU would have to spend an estimated $3 million on the federally mandated upgrades since it provides Internet access to students, faculty and staff.

One outrageous price tag on Ladner's farewell

Protesters of AU: Clap your hands, take a bow, and pat yourself on the back. Because of your successful efforts to oust President Ladner, we have now spent a massive amount of money. As we all know by now, former President Ladner was dismissed amid allegations of misappropriation of funds.

AU: No need to restrict military recruitment

Not one to follow issues of the Graduate Leadership Council very closely, I was surprised to see that legislation had been passed on Wednesday, Oct. 5, which would effectively ban military recruiters from the AU campus, based on the "discriminatory" policies of the US military toward those who are openly gay.

Corrections

In its Oct. 24 issue, The Eagle reported that "On a Sensual Note" performed a concert in Kay this past weekend. AU's entire a cappella community came together on Sunday in Kay, in a performance that included three different groups, Dime a Dozen, On a Sensual Note and Treble in Paradise.

Field hockey reigns but few fans stand by the Eagles

Last Wednesday the 5th ranked AU Field Hockey team beat 20th ranked Virginia in one of the most exciting games of the year. Unfortunately, there were almost as many Virginia fans as there were AU fans on hand to witness the spectacular overtime finish. Sadly, this is becoming a trend at AU sporting events, where sometimes the visiting team's fans even outnumber AU's.

Staff editorial: Ben Ladner's platinum parachute opens wide

The sweetness of Ben Ladner's dismissal from AU has been soured by the board of trustees' recent decision to award his dishonesty and unethical behavior with a $3.75 million severence package. He will receive $950,000 in compensation, as well as rights to a $1 million life insurance policy and $1.

Editorial cartoon

Fmr. board members on Ladner severence package

We write to set the record straight. The golden, now platinum, parachute given Ben Ladner is not a mere $950,000 the Board of Trustees has disingenuously claimed. It is the entire $3.75 Million reported in the newspapers. Each and every dollar is a gift. The University owes Ben Ladner nothing.

Ben Ladner's new joke on AU students

There's a new joke being passed around the halls of American University these days. It goes something like this. How do you know when your University's Board of Trustees have been corrupted? When you wake up in the morning and Ben Ladner's there to pee in your corn flakes because he stole your milk money.

Blood in the sand: uncertain future after Gaza

There's an old movie that has a scene depicting the Arab army sitting in a town hall in Damascus. They had gotten there ahead of the British, who they knew would replace the Turks as their lords, but with much more ambiguous titles. This was their chance to win independence.

Letters to the editor

Dear Editor, Wow.ÿSo Ben Ladner signs a contract that was never approved by the Board of Directors, then rips the school off for hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars, until the scandal is discovered and he is fired.ÿ Now the board wants to give him an extra $4 million?ÿ Way to get tough, guys.

Universities' drug policy

Schools like the University of Rhode Island have begun cracking down on drug violations on campus. Employees in residence halls will have greater ability to inspect dorm rooms, though most of any recovered evidence would be inadmissible in court. URI is largely trying to shake its image as a party school, but its methods seem extreme.

Editorial cartoon