News - The Eagle

News

National brief

September 24

Mychal Bell, one of six black teenagers charged with aggravated second-degree battery in the beating of a white classmate in Jena, La., was denied bail Friday, the Associated Press reported. The other defendants are free on bond. Bell, now 17, was on probation for juvenile charges when the attack occurred last December, the AP reported.

News

NCAA may change financial aid rules

By Laraine Weschler | September 24

The National Collegiate Athletic Association is considering changing a bylaw that would affect student athletes' financial aid. The proposed amendment would prohibit colleges from reducing athletics-based aid if an athlete suffers from injury or other medical condition, regardless of whether it prevents him or her from playing, according to an e-mail from Jennifer Kearns, associate director of public and media relations at the NCAA.

News

Countess Tolstoy comes into own in AU display

By Jolie Karin Curley | September 24

Until now, Sophia Tolstoy's photography was only regarded as a reference for studies of her husband's life, said Leah Bendavid-Val, editor and author of over a dozen books on photography, at an event at the Katzen Arts Center Wednesday. Bendavid-Val, director of photography publishing for National Geographic Books, was promoting her book, "Song Without Words: The Photographs and Diaries of Countess Sophia Tolstoy.

News

D.C. may expand bicycle parking

By Katie Litvin | September 24

AU students who live off campus may receive additional bicycle parking at commercial apartment buildings if the D.C. City Council approves legislation as expected this week. If the measure passes, all Washington apartments, including the Berkshire, Foxhall and Tunlaw Park must provide one bicycle parking spot for every four residential units.

News

AUCC grants FY08 club funding

By Allie Feras | September 24

The AU Club Council released its fiscal year 2008 budget allocations Sunday night, according to AUCC Chair Kristen Lyon. Six of the seven voting representatives in the AUCC deliberated for over five hours to decide club budgets. Dorian Key, representative for the Academic/Professional caucus and an Eagle columnist, did not attend the budget deliberations due to scheduling conflicts, Lyon said.

News

Panel recommends more poli-sci military classes

By Patricio Chile | September 20

Undergraduate political science courses should include more material on the U.S. military and warfare, scholars said at the annual American Political Science Association meeting in late August, an article in The Chronicle of Higher Education reported. Some students and faculty at AU said an increase in military-oriented courses would benefit students, but only if demand for such classes exists.

News

Bill to give D.C. voting member in House not passed

By Mackenzie Kolling | September 20

A bill to temporarily expand the number of seats in the House of Representatives, giving one to the District and one to Utah, failed to get enough votes to invoke cloture and come to a full vote in the Senate Tuesday. In order to continue action on the bill, 60 senators needed to vote in its favor, but only 57 senators did so, according to The Washington Post.

News

Former SIS prof dies at 38

By Carolyn Phenicie | September 20

Former School of International Service professor Mark Walker died Sept. 16 of a heart attack at age 38, according to an e-mail sent by Dean of Academic Affairs Haig Mardirosian to university faculty. Walker came to AU in 1997 as a scholar-in-residence. He became an instructor in 1998 and assistant professor beginning in 1999.

News

D.C. may revamp cab fare system

By Jillian Blazek | September 20

The D.C. Taxicab Commission made no recommendation to Mayor Adrian Fenty on whether to keep the existing zone system, change to meters or change to a hybrid "zone-meter" system. AU students said eliminating zones would make the cab system easier to understand.

HUNGRY HIPPOS - Boyd Matson, the host of PBS' "Wild Chronicles," speaks about his experiences with National Geographic. He described various past adventures, such as how he ran a marathon through the Sahara Desert and made it to the base of Mount Everest.

News

Filmmaker shares global adventures

By Jeanette Lenoir | September 20

Having experience, rather than just being in the right place at the right time, is what makes people successful in journalism, said Boyd Matson, host of the PBS show "Wild Chronicles," during a speech Tuesday evening in AU's Wechsler's Theater. Matson's early hosting and filmmaking career required riding 100 miles on a horse and spending seven days in the Sahara Desert.

News

International brief

September 20

The Iraqi government expelled Blackwater USA, the security firm that protects U.S. diplomats, on Monday after Iraqi civilians were allegedly shot by Blackwater contractors in western Baghdad on Sunday, The Associated Press reported. Blackwater USA said 11 Iraqis were dead, but the Iraqi Defense Minister disputed that number, saying at least 20 were killed, according to the AP.

News

Guest attempts robbery in Leonard

By Jimm Phillips | September 20

A non-student guest was arrested after he allegedly attempted to rob an AU student in Leonard Hall on Saturday afternoon, according to Sgt. Dale Booth, an officer in Public Safety. Jared R. Islas, who is not directly associated with the university, allegedly attempted to rob a male freshman in one of the hall's elevators.

News

Metro brief

September 20

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, D, has issued a new gun purchase regulation that requires prospective buyers to sign a waiver releasing their mental health records to the state police, according to The Washington Post. The ruling, which went into effect Aug.

News

Campus brief

September 20

Jocelyn Hill was promoted to the position of director of recreational sports and fitness, according to a general announcement made by Today@AU. Hill received her master's degree from American University and has been employed by the university for eight years, according to the announcement.

News

National brief

September 20

President Bush selected Michael Mukasey, a former New York federal judge, to replace Alberto Gonzales as attorney general, according to The Associated Press. Mukasey, appointed to the bench in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan, was the former chief U.S. district judge in Manhattan, the AP reported.

News

WAMU alters format to all news and talk

By Allie Feras | September 20

WAMU 88.5 FM switched to an all-talk and news format Monday, moving its bluegrass music programs to high-definition radio, according to WAMU Director of Public Information Kay Summers. As part of the switch, WAMU has reformatted its two HD stations. HD-2 now provides bluegrass programming, while HD-3 offers news and talk programs not heard on the flagship 88.

News

Congress to pass changes to student federal aid act

By Kaylor Garcia | September 20

AU students using loans to help pay for college may get assistance in paying off those loans after graduation once Congress passes a compromise version of the current College Cost Reduction and Access Act. After it is passed, the bill must be signed by President Bush, who has threatened to veto it twice in the past.