Fraternity dispels 'negativity' toward greeks
The AU chapter of the Delta Chi fraternity hosted the 2004 Capital Ball on Friday at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to benefit a local charity.
Brothers of the fraternity worked with various House representatives to host the annual black-tie gala in the Hall of Flags.
The evening's events included a silent action and a live band. The fraternity has been working on the event for more than three and a half months.
The brothers helped set up, serve food and organize the silent auction. The brothers also worked with Maurine Bunyan, from Channel 7, who served as the mistress of ceremonies.
Proceeds from the ball will go to Rachael's Women's Center in D.C. The center works with homeless and low-income women to develop help, independence and sense of self, according to its Web site, www.rachaels.org.
The fraternity said it hoped that its involvement would serve as an example for other greek organizations on campus.
The fraternity's involvement in the event might serve to counteract the "large amount of negativity aimed at the Greek community," Brendan Behuniak, a senior in the Kogod School of Business, said in an e-mail to The Eagle.
Behuniak said that the Delta Chi brothers were responding to a demand by some individuals on campus to see change in the greek community by taking on greater social responsibility.
-JACQUELINE HYLAND
Shuttle hits mystery object
The Park Bethesda shuttle bus struck an unknown object adjacent to the Washington College of Law at approximately 5:40 last night, according to a Public Safety officer and Chris Dum, the Park Bethesda Desk receptionist on duty at the time.
According to Lisa Goetz, a Washington Semester student who witnessed the incident, as the bus approached the law school stop, "everybody felt a thud."
The shuttle passengers reacted by looking at each other and telling the driver they hit a car, according to Goetz. The driver stopped upon noticing the noise and examined the parked cars around the bus, witnesses said.
The driver then attempted to go into the law school but could not because the door was locked. Upon leaving the law school stop, Goetz said, the driver seemed "a little bit anxious."
Another witness, Eric Wallace, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences, also noticed the driver's mood. "She seemed distracted," Wallace said.
Reston Limousine, the shuttle's operating company, disputed the cause of the incident. According to Tom Hollingsworth, Reston Limo safety manager, the impact was due to a large pothole, He also said that the reported damage was sustained on another route prior to the incident.
The driver did not have a cell phone with her to notify her supervisor of the incident, according to Wallace. Every Reston Limo driver is issued a cell phone for issues that arise during shuttle operation, according to Reston Limo's owner, The Eagle previously reported.
Public Safety took statements of the incident from Wallace, Goetz and the Reston Limo driver.
After the incident was investigated, the driver continued on the normal route with the same bus.
-RYAN GRANNAN-DOLL
Administration to address concerns about shuttles and tuition tonight, Wednesday
At town hall meetings today at 8:30 p.m. and Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., the school's administration will address student concerns about the shuttle buses and tuition.
"The more student input, the better," said Student Confederation President Polson Kanneth. "We're bringing the administration to the students ... so that students can voice their concerns directly."
Tony Newman, director of Risk Management and Transportation, will answer student questions tonight about shuttle bus operation. Kanneth said there are concerns over the bus schedule and where the bus stops at certain times.
On Wednesday, Provost Cornelius Kerwin will answer questions about the budget and tuition increases. Kanneth said that Kerwin seeks student input in the formation of the school's budget for the next two years.
The town meetings will be similar to the meeting that was held in September with President Benjamin Ladner, of which Kanneth estimates 50-75 students attended.
-MARY SPECHT
