Delivering American University's news and views since 1925 | Thursday, November 30, 2023
The University College, a proposal that intends to create a two-year program for incoming students to improve academic and cultural life at AU, is still in the process of gathering feedback from the community, including launching a Web site and conducting student focus groups.
The routine of Public Safety officers has not changed, despite the armed robbery last week outside the Rockwood Building, as patrol changes were implemented after a series of sexual attacks last semester. "Even in our crazy society, we're in an area where we expect to feel safe, and that's a privilege," said Sgt.
From Mackenzie Ryan to the AU community: A newspaper, at its best, reflects the community that it serves. At The Eagle, we strive to report on the news involving our campus and surrounding area. Like other college newspapers, we face a unique challenge not only because we are all students and still learning, but also because each year the staff turns over and we start a new chapter.
At the second meeting of AU's Board of Trustees this year on Friday, the board discussed its commitment to guide WAMU, the increase in programs in AU Abroad and the approval of AU President Benjamin Ladner's salary. "There are a lot of hurdles, [mainly] the quality of the product," said George Collins, the chairman of the AU Board of Trustees, about challenges the University is facing.
An international Muslim charity group, whose regional office is located in Falls Church, Va., and headed by AU's Muslim chaplain, is under investigation by a U.S. Senate committee for alleged ties to Hamas, a Palestinian terrorist group.
ABC's Nightline came to campus Tuesday to interview students about their thoughts on gay marriage, as part of a reaction piece to President George Bush urging Congress to send a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage to the states. "We are talking about civil rights," said sophomore Allison Waithe (bottom right), who is the vice president of Queers and Allies, and was featured on the show.
An autoclave, a machine used to sterilize biology equipment by heating water to extremely high temperatures, was not closed tightly enough Monday, causing steam to escape through the opening and setting off a fire alarm in Hurst Hall. No substantial damage was done, according to Gary Folckemer, coordinator for the Public Safety Administration.
While the Senate buildings begin to reopen today after the toxin ricin was found in a suite of offices used by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) Monday, students interning in senators' offices are finding themselves with a few days off. Many were surprised and alarmed by the news, and their thoughts drifted back to October 2001, when anthrax-laced letters were sent to Sens. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.)
Lucia Walinchus donned "the whole caboodle" - two pairs of pants, sweater, coat, hat, scarf and mittens - to keep the chill away while sledding Sunday night. Borrowing a friend's sled, Walinchus, a sophomore in the School of Communication, spent the best part of the night in the Amphitheater and the road outside of Leonard Hall.
AU student Andrew Burr was killed in a car accident Sunday night at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Edmunds Street, near the Naval Observatory. The Washington Post reported that a Subaru Outback, driven by Shelly Wentworth, 22, of 26th Street NW, ran into the back of a Buick Riviera carrying Burr, 20, and four other people - all of which are AU students. Burr and Kyle Bastanchury, 24, were taken to George Washington University Hospital while the other passengers were transported to Georgetown University Hospital. Bastanchury is in serious, but stable, condition, MPD told the Post. Ahmed Nzibo, 21, the son of the Kenyan Ambassador, was in the vehicle but had only minor injuries, the D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services said to the Post. Wentworth has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and driving while intoxicated by D.C. Superior Court after having a blood alcohol level of .13, .05 above the legal limit. She was released on bond Monday afternoon but faces trial Feb. 6, according to WUSA 9 News. She is a recent graduate of Georgetown University and works at Clyde's in Georgetown, WUSA reported. Burr was an international student from England, according to Julie Weber, executive director of Housing and Dining Programs.
