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Half of Iraqi citizens support attacks on U.S. forces

By Kelly Kerr | February 9

Half of Iraqi citizens support attacks on U.S. forces, including nine out of 10 Sunnis, according to a poll recently released by the Program on International Policy Attitudes. The poll, conducted Jan. 2 through 4, asked 1,150 Iraqis of all religious and ethnic backgrounds about their support for attacks on U.

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Metro briefs

February 9

UDC raises tuition to aid development, utilities The University of the District of Columbia is raising tuition and fees by $625 to improve teacher development and student counseling and to cover the cost of rising utility bills, The Washington Post reported.

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Pole-dancing class offered at Canadian university

By Kate Oczypok | February 9

The University of British Columbia became the first North American university to offer pole-dancing lessons, a move that caused discussion among members of the AU community. The class, "Pole Dancing 101," teaches students the art of spinning, dancing and hip swaying, according to The Tyee newspaper's web site, www.

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Campus-wide renovations aim to ease cramped schools, outdated facilities

By Brian Kalish | February 9

AU is set to begin as many as five major campus construction projects within the next two years, according to Jerry Gager, the university's director of facilities planning and development. These capital improvements will leave the campus with one new building, two renovated buildings, an expanded student union and possibly a new dorm.

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Metro calendar

By Kate Oczypok | February 9

Thursday, Feb. 9 "The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty: A Legal Framework in Crisis." 8:30 am.-5:15 p.m. Washington College of Law, Room 603 The 2006 Annual Conference of the International Law Review will be a timely assessment and discussion of the current legal framework for nuclear nonproliferation.

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Prices force students to seek bookstore alternatives

By Olga Khazan | February 9

The spring semester is in its fourth week, but some students may still be waiting for their textbooks to come from amazon.com. Rising textbook prices have increasingly pushed students toward the library and online used-book sources, away from the campus bookstore.

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AU ranks 12th among grads joining Peace Corps

By Laraine Weschler | February 9

AU ranked 12th among medium-sized U.S. universities whose graduates joined the Peace Corps last year when 39 AU alumni served. "[AU students'] education underscores the importance of relating to the world, and they volunteer for many activities. Peace Corps, then, is a natural avenue," said Robert Pastor, vice president of International Affairs at AU and a former Peace Corps volunteer.

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AU to share Park Bethesda management with outside firm

By Kyra Smerkanich | February 9

Park Bethesda residents will no longer be able to lease rooms for nine months and will be subject to other lease changes following the adoption of a new contract in which AU students will live together with public residents.

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Police blotter

By Kate Oczypok | February 9

Wednesday, Feb. 1 Staff members reported missing food items from their refrigerator. An unknown individual attempted to steal books from the campus store. Thursday, Feb. 2 An individual fainted in the lobby of the Kay Spiritual Center. No hospital transportation was needed.

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AU hosts campaign season's first D.C. mayoral debate

By Kyra Smerkanich | February 9

D.C. mayoral candidates introduced central issues of their campaign platforms in a debate last night at AU, and discussed improving public education, addressing the lack of affordable housing and securing voting rights for the District.

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The Eagle's Nest goes organic

By Kate Oczypok and Emily Opilo | February 9

Many AU students who frequently visit the Eagle's Nest have noticed the addition of more organic food, a change that "offers students alternatives," said Adalberto Silva, manager of the Eagle's Nest. Organic counterparts to popular products like Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and Lays potato chips now sit on the shelves next to one another.

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Students may pay higher interest rates

By Kendra Garstka | February 6

College students may face higher interest rates on their student loans due to the Budget Reconciliation Bill, which is now awaiting approval from President Bush. The bill passed the House on Feb. 2 with a vote of 216 to 214. In December, it passed the Senate 51 to 50 with Vice President Dick Cheney casting the final vote.

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Bono advocates increased public input

By Lauren Gardner | February 6

The American public can increase aid to Africa by telling politicians that they want their money spent for the cause, said lead singer of U2 and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Bono said Friday night at The Nation's Capital Distinguished Speaker Series. According to Bono, the American "no problem we can't fix" attitude is vital to changing the amount of aid donated to Africa.

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National briefs

By Ryan Grannan-Doll | February 6

Metro revamps 'Doors closing' The new voice of the Metro will soon serenade riders with an updated rendition of the familiar "doors closing" after a contest chose Randi Miller, a 44-year-old real estate manager, according to The Washington Post. Miller will record new voice messages for the Metro system, which are to be played 33,017 times per day across the rail network, according to The Post.

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Journalist tells students to seek truth

By Josh Goodman and Kyra Smerkanich | February 6

Investigative journalist Bob Woodward, best known for the story he broke about the 1973 Watergate break-in for The Washington Post, told AU students to "focus, rewrite, re-interview ... and always try to suck out the truth," at the Kay Spiritual Life Center Thursday.

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Metro calendar

By Lauren Gardner | February 6

Monday, Feb. 6 Skyline 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The National Theatre Metro: Metro Center (Blue, Yellow, Red lines) Skyline creates original music and also performs popular covers. Each singer brings his or her unique influences to bear on the sound, producing music with a blend of rich vocal textures and soaring leads, accented with thumping bass and vocal percussion.

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Civil rights activist dies, leaves legacy of courage

By Kelly Kerr | February 6

Coretta Scott King, widow of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., died Tuesday at 78 of ovarian cancer, according to the Associated Press. King had a public viewing in the Georgia state Capitol rotunda Saturday and will have another viewing in the Baptist church where her husband was a minister today.

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