Eagle Endowment launches special grant for community service
The Eagle Endowment for Public and Community Service will begin the application process for its first "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Grant."
The grant will award students or student organizations up to $1,000 for use in community service projects that further human and civil rights.
Mark Seaman, executive director for the Eagle Endowment, said that he came up with the idea for the grant after he was approached by Gary Wright, assistant vice president of Campus Life and coach of the Dr. King grant. Wright asked Seaman about ideas for what could be done in support of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The Board of Advisors of the Eagle Endowment decided that it wanted to give out opportunities, and it was trying to get specific ideas for this particular grant, according to Seaman.
"We thought that diversity is important to the AU community just as volunteerism is," Seaman said. "What better way to promote both of these ideas in the community about civil rights?"
The grant will be available to undergraduates, graduates, Washington College of Law students and student organizations recognized by the University.
An information session will be held on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 8:30 p.m. in Ward 3 for students and student organizations that want to find out more.
Grant applications will only be available at the information session.
For more information contact the Eagle Endowment at x7378 or by e-mail at EagleEndowment@american.edu
- STOKELY BAKSH
Students to conduct Democratic caucus simulation Saturday
Students enrolled in the course Campaign Caucuses (GOVT-520-001) will conduct a simulation of a Democratic caucus, representing eight of the nine 2004 Democratic presidential candidates on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 9:30 a.m.
"I hope this will let students understand more about the campaign caucus," professor Candice Nelson said.
Representatives will try to sway other students to support their respective candidate, according to participant Liz Hoffman.
"Many students who are involved or who decide to come may be undecided," Hoffmann said. "So this is a great opportunity for students passionate about their candidates to not only show support, but also to sway undecided students to support their candidate."
Hoffman said she had no idea about what went on at a campaign caucus until taking the class and that this will be good way for other students to learn more about it.
Hoffmann encourages individuals who want to attend to meet her at 9:15 a.m. outside of Ward 103 before the event begins.
Breakfast will also be offered.
Contact Hoffmann at (202) 309-2315 for more details.
- S.B.
Free taxi service aims to limit drunken driving Halloween night
On Friday, anyone older than 21 can get a free taxi ride home by calling 1-800-200-TAXI between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m.
The Washington Regional Alcohol Program will cover up to a $50 cab fare for a person as part of the SoberRide program to help limit drunken driving. If the fare is over $50, the rider pays the difference.
The taxis will only drive people to their homes from a club or party, not from their homes to someplace else. The cabs will operate everywhere within D.C. and in certain areas of Maryland and Virginia. Rides cannot be booked in advance, so users should plan to wait for their cab.
WRAP is a coalition that aims to prevent drunken driving and underage drinking in the D.C. area. The SoberRide program runs during the December-January holiday season and on St. Patrick's Day, Independence Day and Halloween.
For more information on SoberRide visit www.wrap.org/programs_adult1.html.
-EMILY ZEMLER
