News

News

WI program promotes financial literacy

By Olga Khazan | November 5

Albert Einstein described compound interest as the eighth wonder of the world. This year, Women's Initiative has invited AU students to learn what he meant while exploring the basics of personal finance through a series of monthly lectures. The program, "Dollars and Sense," aims to educate AU students on everything from building credit to salary negotiation through first-hand experience from professionals in the financial field.

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WAMU radio show ranked 'powerful' by research firm

By Jimm Phillips | November 1

"The Diane Rehm Show," which originates from WAMU 88.5 FM, a National Public Radio affiliate owned by AU, ranked on an industry list as one of the 10 most powerful programs in public radio. Audience Research Analysis, a public radio research firm that helped rank the programs, measured power based on the number of listeners the program drew to its station and away from competitor stations.

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Tuition costs increase nationwide

By Caitlin Hillyard | November 1

College tuition and fees are rising at twice the rate of inflation nationwide, including tuition at AU, according to a recent report by the College Board. According to the 2006-2007 Financial Plan and AU Financial Aid Application, the cost of tuition last year came to $29,206.

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News

National brief

November 1

Michael Chertoff, secretary of Homeland Security, scolded his employees at the Federal Emergency Management Agency Saturday for holding a news conference last week in which FEMA staffers acted as reporters. "I think it was one of the dumbest and most inappropriate things I've seen since I've been in government," Chertoff told MSNBC at a real press conference.

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International brief

November 1

A U.K. man has pleaded guilty to sexual breach of peace and has been placed on the sex offenders' registry after he was caught having sex with a bike last year at a hotel in Ayr, Scotland, Telegraph.co.uk, a British online newspaper, reported. Deputy Fiscal Gail Davidson told the court two hotel employees keyed into Robert Stewart's room and found him naked from the waist down "holding the bike and moving his hips back and forth as if to simulate sex," according to the Telegraph.

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Metro brief

November 1

The operator of a yellow line train that fatally struck two Metro track workers in Alexandria last year lied to federal investigators about using her cell phone prior to the collision, according to reports and transcripts released last week by the National Transportation Safety Board.

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AU makes no changes for D.C. drought watch

By Rachel Trainer | November 1

The D.C. area, including AU, has been under a drought watch since early October. While AU has not instituted any additional water restrictions as a result of the drought watch, it recently began implementing new programs to start conserving water, according to Willy Suter, director of Facilities Management.

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Campus calendar

November 1

Thursday, Nov. 1 Close the School of Americas Interest Meeting 9-10:15 p.m. WHERE: Basement, Kay Spiritual Life Center INFO: This is a mandatory meeting for all people who are interested in or undecided about going on the trip to protest the School of the Americas Nov.

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AU receives low grade for campus sustainability

By Chris Cottrell | November 1

AU received a D+ for environmental sustainability on a Sustainable Endowments Institute report card, which ranks U.S. and Canadian colleges. The second annual College Sustainability Report Card assessed 200 public and private universities with the highest endowments.

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Cabs strike to protest meter system

By Patricio Chile | November 1

D.C. cab drivers went on strike yesterday to protest Mayor Adrian Fenty's decision to require time-and-distance meters instead of the zone system, leaving cab companies scrambling to provide cabs for Halloween revelers. Representatives from SoberRide, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program's free cab campaign for partygoers, expressed confidence Wednesday afternoon that the campaign would be unhurt by the strike.

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South Sudan crisis ignored in midst of Darfur attention

By Allie Feras | November 1

An amplified focus on the genocide in Darfur has drawn international attention away from tragedies occurring in south Sudan, filmmaker Jen Marlowe said at a panel discussion Tuesday evening. "The peace process that was started [in South Sudan] ... has been allowed to slide back into what looks like a slide back into civil war," Marlowe said.

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Kerwin speaks about vision for new AU plan

By Jimm Phillips | November 1

AU needs to reassert itself as a major player in D.C. and the metropolitan area, President Neil Kerwin said Tuesday during a speech in the McDowell Formal Lounge. The university has, at times, neglected its home city and region, he said. "The fact is, Washington, D.

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Campus brief

November 1

People involved in the Saffron Revolution attempted to educate AU students from Monday to Wednesday through activities on the main quad. Saffron Revolution's goal was to teach students about the 100,000 nonviolent protesters in Myanmar. Before the recent government crackdown became violent, the protesters demanded freedom and human rights in the country, according to an e-mail from Leslie Miller, president of Student Campaign for Burma.

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Web site aims to query candidates

By Laraine Weschler | November 1

Voters who did not get their YouTube questions answered by presidential candidates have a new option, according to Rachel Tardiff, a freshman in the School of Communication. Tardiff and a group of students, including about 15 from AU, created Straight2theCandidates.

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Drag Race

By Amanda Krause | November 1

The neighborhood surrounding Dupont Circle's 17th Street bustled with excitement Tuesday night as the block between P and S streets became the staging ground for the annual High Heel Drag Race. The race, in its 22nd year, occurs on the Tuesday before Halloween and consists of glamorously dressed drag queens taking to the street for a foot race.

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Police blotter

November 1

Wednesday, Oct. 24 An unknown individual damaged Fletcher Gate, causing a gap in the gate. A vehicle parked in Nebraska Hall had its right passenger window broken into. There was a theft in the men's locker room at the Jacobs Fitness Center. Anyone who has additional information should contact Public Safety.

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Republican women's club formed

By Allie Feras | October 29

The newly formed club Republican Women at AU offers an alternative to "radical feminism," according to Anna Loerch, the club's president and a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences. "We wanted to expand the conservative voice on campus," Loerch said.

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