Opinion

Staff editorial: Ladner should resign; board must streamline

The AU board of trustees is reportedly wrapping up its six-month investigation of President Benjamin Ladner's alleged misuse of more than $500,000 of student money, and the FBI is beginning its own investigation of our esteemed president.ÿ The verdict on Ladner is far from in, but it is overwhelmingly clear that Ladner has demonstrated a level of entitlement to student funds that is absolutely inappropriate for a university president.

Letters to the editor

Dear Editor, We who care about American University have a sinking, embarrassed feeling these days.ÿ We have been through this kind of thing before. The only hope now is that the Board has the guts to make Mr. Ladner a generous offer -- perhaps two years pay and other inducements -- on the condition that he leave the university now, quickly, forever.

Speak out on Ladner

I'm writing this editorial because I'm upset by what Dr. Ladner has done and I'm upset at student body's apathy towards this issue. President Ben Ladner has disgraced the school and should resign immediately for two reasons: 1. He has already ruined his own credibility.

Letters to the editor

Dear Editor, The Conduct Council class, which several administrators and I helped to put together this summer, meets throughout the semester, has two five page papers and includes a mandatory "comprehensive training on the student disciplinary system and the Student Conduct Code.

Sheehan, phone home

Brining Cindy Sheehan to our campus to discuss America is unnecessary and irresponsible. If academics is meant to support the free exchange of ideas, it makes little sense to bring in a speaker that has done little but alienate her family and become an icon of the left's causeless Bush hatred.

Is the sun rising again on the Middle East?

The stagnant political situation in the Middle East was given new life September 12th when Israel completed Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's disengagement plan. On that day, all Israeli security personnel completed the removal all the Israeli settlers living in the Gaza Strip, some of whom had been there for over 30 years.

Staff editorial: Loss of int'l students

Considering itself a "premier global university," AU never misses a chance to pat itself on the back for its high international enrollment. This year, however, the university has seen a drop in the number of students coming from overseas. There are 331 foreign students this year, as opposed to 369 last year.

Editorial cartoon

Corrections

Last Monday's article "Shofar, so good for horn blowers" wrongly referred to the shofar as a Yiddish term. It is a Biblical Hebrew term sometimes used in colloquial Yiddish.. Also, the organization covered is Pardes, not Pares, as was reported. Last Monday's article "Study says high school grads are unprepared" incorrectly attributed a quote in the last sentence to SOC Professor Danna Walker.

Staff editorial: Mr. Ladner, meet the FBI

We would like to congratulate Ben Ladner for not only having his own board investigating him, but now agencies of the federal government as well. The FBI and IRS have contacted the Board of Trustees, expressing interest in Ladner's supposed misdeeds. We would like to know why, if the investigation has reached the highest levels of the U.

Staff editorial: AU's Civitas week

The university will be sponsoring a week of activities it hopes will make the campus a more "civil" environment. While it is certainly a noble venture, whether or not it is necessary is another question. We feel the biggest impediment to active student participation in Civitas, is the lack of knowledge many students have of the program.

Editorial cartoon

All thumbs

Thumbs up Shofar Blowing... The Ampitheatre was home to many red-faced horn blowers last weekend. Maybe there'll be more partcipation if it's designated "BY0S." "Roots" sells out... WOW! Bender was filled for something other than basketball or a political rally.

On faith and politics

Since the 2004 election, Christian groups have been viewed as a political force. People are now encouraging Democrats to talk about their faith and not let Republicans have a monopoly on morals. I think we've lost the point. Throughout much of the country, conservatism is equated with Christianity.

Letters to the editor

Dear Editor, In one of the greatest tragedies in our history, we have seen some of the best and worst in America. While the white and upper/middle class Americans evacuated early, one third of the residents of New Orleans live below the poverty line. They had no way out, no cars, no money to buy a bus or train ticket or to pay for a taxi.

Staff editorial: Students are unprepared?

It is really no surprise that some students, mainly from wealthier public and private schools, are better prepared than some of their peers. That doens't mean, however, that they do not fall into the same habits as the rest of us. Professors across the country have been complaining as of late that students are unprepared for their classes.

All thumbs

Thumbs up D.C. Preparedness... We're glad that D.C. has a plan for any potential disasters. Being able to stay put is a plus as long as TDR is fully stocked. Chicken Tenders... They're selling like hotcakes in the Tavern. Too bad we can't get them every Saturday night in TDR.