February 7, 2012

American University ’s student voice since 1925

February 7, 2012 Volume 86 – Issue 16

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RESIDENTS CLASH OVER NOISE

LOOK OF THE WEEK

ES SPN AN NCHOR VIS SITS AU

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PAGE 12

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WORK-STUDY

AU students frustrated by lack of non-work study jobs 5 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Student-leased house sparks debate Landlord brought to court over allegations of illegal rentals

By PATRICK BURNETT EAGLE STAFF WRITER

The D.C. Superior Court will hear a case April 13 involving a house currently rented to at least two AU students at 4335 Van Ness St. NW. The District alleges that the woman who owns the house, Margarita Metaxatos, does not hold a permit to rent out three properties: 4335 Van Ness St. NW, 4808 44th St. NW and 5183 Linnean Terrace NW. D.C. law requires a renter to have a one-family rental license to rent out single-family homes, such as the Van Ness property.

The fees for such a license total at least $173.

The District filed a harassment complain and a motion for a preliminary injunction Jan. 9.

The injunction would halt all “illegal business activity” at the three properties, according to court documents obtained by The Eagle.

If approved, the injunction would order Metaxatos to immediately obtain the required license; place rental proceeds from the properties in escrow, or money held by a thirdparty on behalf of two other parties; and submit monthly reports to the Attorney General’s Office each month.

The reports will list the tenants’ names, summarize any calls to D.C. Police, report that no ille-

gal activity has occurred on the properties, confirm Metaxatos is not harboring fugitives from justice and state that no illegal items such as drugs or weapons are contained anywhere on the properties.

Metaxatos denied The Eagle’s request for comment upon advice from her attorney. Her attorney also declined to comment.

The injunction and court case come after the 4335 Van Ness St. house, leased by at least two AU students, has been a source of contention between the residents and their neighbors.

“To my knowledge, the neighbors were get-

Kris Persinger, a Van Ness Street neighbor, said he and his wife have had issues with the house for the past two years.

Persinger asked that his wife not be named in this article. “[John] and others often claim we are the only ones who have complained about them and that’s simply not true,” Persinger said. “Fifty neighbors have signed a petition stating that they have been disturbed by the party noise coming from [the house] and are against the use of it as a fraternity meeting house.”

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3E

“We have endured party noise so loud we can hear it in the back of our house with the windows closed and earplugs in.”

–Kris Pesigner, Van Ness Street neighbor

ting desperate when they realized there were no real grounds to have us removed and began attacking our landlord as an alternative,” said Will, a resident of the 4335 Van Ness St. house and a 2011 graduate of the School of International Service.

“She’s a sweet old woman and fortunately has all of her paperwork in order so I’m told it won’t amount to anything other than harassing my landlord.”

Will and another resident, John, a senior in the School of International Service, asked to remain anonymous to ensure future employment is not affected.

The Van Ness neighbors’ dispute

councilman Jonathan Bender said there are occasional problems with students living in the neighborhood.

“Unfortunately, there seem to be about six to ten student houses a year that cause serious chronic problems for folks living nearby,” Bender said.

Persinger said the noise level from the students’ house can be unbearable for his family.

“We have endured party noise so loud we can hear it in the back of our house with the windows closed and earplugs in,” he said.

Persinger said police have been called to the house on numerous occasions for noise complaints.

He and his wife cowrote a petition and col-

lected 50 signatures from disgruntled neighbors asking AU to discipline the students’ actions.

Persinger wrote in the petition that he has found “used condoms, beer bottles, cigarette butts and those telltale red plastic beer cups in our yards and others.”

Will denied the claims.

“Frankly, we haven’t done anything wrong,” Will said. “They believe we have and are convinced of it to the point where [Persinger’s wife] actually has a camera pointed on our house, which, if you want to talk about harassment, a little blinking red light knowing you’re being filmed around the clock, I mean, that’s harassment.”

Persinger said the placement of the camera on their house is legal under D.C. law.

“Any business or homeowner can install security cameras on their property,” he said. “We found that once we began gathering photo and video documentation of the problems at [the house], the police, the University, the Zoning Commission and the D.C. Attorney General were in a better position to help us.”

Persinger and his wife began contacting police instead of the tenants regarding noise complaints upon learning about the new D.C. noise ordinance, passed in March 2011.

The law states, “It is unlawful for a person to make an unreasonably loud noise between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. that is likely to annoy or disturb one or more other persons in their residences.”

Persinger and his wife also worked with Associate Dean of Students Michelle Continued on page 4

NO ONE’S HOME

D.C. authorities raze Occupy DC camp 6

3

Honors may become more selective

By MISHIEL AYUB EAGLE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

AU’s Honors Program may accept fewer students and institute a core curriculum in fall 2014 if a proposal put forth by the Honors Curriculum Task Force is implemented.

The University is still considering these proposed changes, which the task force presented Jan. 13.

Of the 6,000 students attending AU, approximately 1,200 are currently enrolled in the Honors program, Honors Program Director Michael Manson said.

The program accepted approximately 220 admitted freshman for the 20112012 academic school year, which does not include self-nominated or transfer students.

If the task force’s modifications are implemented, about 80 freshmen will be admitted to the Honors Program for fall 2014.

The new core curriculum would include a sequence of classes for Honors students over the course of two years, Manson said. This curriculum will resemble the General Education program to promote a shared academic experience.

The new core curriculum will include four courses — two researchbased courses and two intensive writing courses — to be completed during the first two years.

In their remaining two years, Honors students will be expected to study abroad, take special honors courses within their majors, conduct

supervised internships or complete their capstones, Manson said.

The task force presented their ideas on the structure and goals of the program Jan. 13 at the Ann Ferren Teaching Conference, a conference for AU faculty and staff focused on teaching, research and learning.

The Honors Curriculum Task Force was formed in September to make recommendations to improve the program. A task force reviews each of AU’s programs every 10 years to ensure advancement, The Eagle previously reported.

College of Arts and Sciences Professor and task force member April Shelford said the task force is trying to implement changes to improve the program.

“A lot of institutions have a core curriculum,” she said. “Right now, people feel kind of dispersed.

If the program does undergo the proposed changes, honors students will have a shared learning experience.”

Some AU students disagree with the proposed changes.

“I already feel as if we have a sense of community,” said Kogod School of Business freshman Spencer Swan. “We have already established a close knit community since we live together in Hughes Hall and participate in Honors 101.”

Future AU applicants will have to complete a separate application if they wish to join the Honors Program, rather than the University currently Continued on page 9

theEAGLE NEWS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

4

Police evict Occupy D.C. protestors

By NICOLE GLASS EAGLE STAFF WRITER

The National Park Service blocked off a section of McPherson Square Feb. 4 and discarded the tents and belongings of many Occupy D.C. protesters living in the park.

The clean-up attracted more than a dozen AU students, who watched as the Occupy camp was dismantled.

The mass eviction came as a result of a no-camping ban that went into effect Jan. 30. The Occupy protesters responded by draping a large tent over the statue of McPherson in the center of the park.

AU students congregated with the protesters as they watched the contents of their four-month long encampment being collected in clear, plastic trash bags.

“It’s been pretty tense,” said Jordan Eck, a 20-year-old full-time occupier who had his own tent on the site. While eating a slice of plain cheese pizza an anonymous donor provided for the movement,

Eck said the no-sleeping rule had stirred a reactive movement by Occupy DC. “We’ve made this huge Tent of Dreams, but I don’t think that’s gonna last very long,” he said Jan. 30, referring to the large blue tent painted with stars and hearts. “We’re not supposed to be in that circle at all. At least, that was one of the original National Park Service regulations.”

AU occupier Ben Johnson, a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences, spends six to seven days a week at the Occupy DC site attending meetings, hanging out with friends and protesting. He was at McPherson Square during the raising of the Tent of Dreams.

“The plan had been to provoke the cops to come in and force a stand-off, instead of trying to remove us one by one from the park,” he said.

But instead, the police watched the tent being draped over the statue without taking action.

“It was a victory in itself that we had an action so big that the cops were nervous to come in,” Johnson said.

The Occupy movement also had a large presence outside the Capitol Hilton Hotel during the Jan. 28 Alfalfa Club dinner, which led to a conflict involving glitter and vocal protests.

“We rallied there outside the barricades and castigated the police a little bit for spending all this time shutting the city

Neighbors file multiple complaints with police about Van Ness house Continued from page 3 Espinosa, who handles student conduct issues, on issues of noise violations.

Espinosa said neighbors reported some issues with the house during the 2010-11 academic year, as well as in September 2011.

She said she has not heard anything from the neighbors since late September or early October.

Espinosa also said she met with the two current AU students who live in the house in late September, who agreed to stop hosting social events in the house.

John has held the lease to the house since the fall of 2009, he said.

John and Will said tenants of the house have normally held one or two parties per month and

have notified neighbors in advance, while trying to keep the noise down during these events.

He said they have not held any social events in the house since September 2011.

Neighbors claim house is “fraternity house” The petition, which The Eagle obtained a copy of, states that the house is used as a fraternity house, citing: • pictures of the foreign service fraternity Delta Phi Epsilon (DPE) brothers in front of the house, • sightings of DPE brothers with their paddles coming and going from the house, • an article from the Washington Examiner about the house

• and the house’s designation as a “dive bar” on Foursquare, a social networking site.

“The house is not currently, and never was a fraternity house,” John said.

Multiple DPE brothers, who wish to remain anonymous, said the fraternity does not own or lease a house for fraternity use.

The University does not fund any off-campus housing for student organizations, Espinosa said.

“We traditionally have military or former military students living here, but it’s just a lease, and I happen to have a lot of friends who are military,” John said.

The house is also not affiliated with the student organization AU Veterans, according to John and Espinosa.

Will said veterans tend to have a special bond due to their shared experiences.

“The fact is that members of the military see themselves as part of a brotherhood and frater-

down to make a couple of rich [people] safe when there’s crime going on,” said Paige McNamara, a sophomore in CAS. She stood outside the event as a member of Occupy AU. Event attendees included politicians, members of Congress and President Obama.

Johnson was part of a group that “glitter-bombed” Sen. Joe Lieberman, DConn., as he entered the hotel.

She said the event was a street party for the 99 percent. They were equipped with a sound system that played songs outside the venue.

But the movement took a turn in the other direction Feb. 4, when the National Park Service swept through the park at dawn and began to raid the tents, discarding everything from clothes to shoes to sleeping bags and mattresses.

Wearing hazmat suits and guarded by police with batons, shields and horses, the Park Service spent the whole day filling up clear, plastic trash bags with occupiers’ belongings and hauling them onto dumping trucks.

Occupy protesters were barricaded from the center of the park, standing at the edges and watching as their movement’s camp was dissected.

“The scene was kind of depressing,” said School of Public Affairs freshman Mana Aliabadi, watching the decampment with tears in her eyes. “They’re just throwing out the places that people had nity,” Will said.

Students, neighbors attempt to solve problem John and Will said they have tried to work with the neighbors regarding noise, designating Will as the official point of contact in February 2011.

Persinger’s wife has been the official point of contact for neighbors upset with the noise, according to John and emails between the two parties that The Eagle obtained.

“We decided, better to work with them than against them,” John said.

John and Will have spoken to neighbors before recent parties to let them know they are having guests and have implored them to call if the noise becomes too unbearable.

The students and the Persinger household ceased communicating with each other in September 2011 following a dispute over a social event.

Will and John said they have tried to maintain an amicable relationship with

been living in. It had a powerful effect on me.”

More than a dozen AU students stood their ground in McPherson Square, chanting and guarding the “library,” a tent filled with books, from the police raid.

“Compared to other D.C. schools, AU is here in huge numbers,” Aliabadi said, while hugging another AU student. “We have a really strong network and we’re really passionate about this movement.”

Occupiers stood at the edges of the barricades, complying with police boundaries in fear of potential police brutality.

“This [raid] is about crushing free speech and that doesn’t have to be at the end of a baton, although I’m worried that’s gonna happen,” said SPA junior Chris Litchfield. “It could just be by making everyone very cold and hungry.”

Shortly after 4 p.m., it began to rain heavily downtown. Equipped with ponchos, granola bars and a few remaining tents, Occupiers were in no hurry to leave.

“We’re just trying to hold down the fort, because this means something to us,” Aliabadi said. “The people that are part of this movement have spent [every day] for the past four months here.”

NGLASS@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

all of their neighbors, ensuring that anyone can contact them via phone or email at any point in time.

However, Persinger said he believes these issues should be solved more preemptively.

“We did try to work directly with the students to curb their noise,” Persinger said. “The problem with that system is that first we were disturbed and then we had to ask them to quiet down. Why should the burden be on us to get out of bed and call or email them to be quiet?”

Fox’s “A.U. Party House” Fox 5 aired a promotion Jan. 22 during the NFL playoff games for an upcoming story that labeled the house “A.U. Party House.”

Will and John said the promo came as a surprise to the house’s tenants.

“We were watching the Giants-49ers game like everybody else, and we saw ‘A.U. Party House’, and then it zoomed right

into our house,” John said.

The students made several attempts to contact Fox 5 following the promotion. John said Fox 5 reporter Sherri Ly contacted him eight days after the promotion aired. He declined to comment on Fox 5’s story, but asked the station to not include the residents’ address and names in its story.

The promotion said the Fox 5 piece would be aired in February, but it did not give a date.

Fox 5 denied The Eagle’s request for comment on this story and would not confirm if the piece will still air.

Persinger’s wife worked for Fox 5 as a senior investigative reporter from 1997 to 2005. Since then, she has worked as correspondent for ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

Staff writer Lindsey Anderson contributed to this report.

PBURNETT@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

theEAGLE NEWS TUESDAY, February 7, 2012

RNC Chairman Priebus attacks Obama’s fiscal policy at KPU event

By RACHEL KARAS EAGLE STAFF WRITER

One ballot is certain in the 2012 election: Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus will not be voting for President Barack Obama.

Priebus told a full University Club Feb. 6 that America is in the midst of a battle for economic freedom perpetuated by Obama’s fiscal irresponsibility.

“You can’t sustain a country when you’re about to spend 45 cents on every dollar made in America,” he said at the event, sponsored by the Kennedy Political Union and AU College Republicans. “I happen to believe that

can point the finger all day long at everyone under the sun, but in the end, he’s the CEO of this country.

He’s the man in charge.”

Priebus said the president’s economic actions are negatively impacting young voters as well.

He credits college students for caring about the country’s economic future and being in tune with national financial issues.

“The unemployment rate among students and young Americans 24 and younger is a little over 18 percent,” he told The Eagle. “I think that, in order to start a career, you need to have prospects of good-paying jobs in this country.”

Though the chairman acknowl-

“In the end, [Obama] is the CEO of this country.

He’s the man in charge.”

–Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus

a country that has to surrender its sovereignty to its bondholders can’t guarantee prosperity or freedom to anybody. A country that buries its kids and its grandkids in an avalanche of debt can’t rest in any vestige of a moral high ground. A country that has to surrender its sovereignty to China can’t actually compete with China.”

The Wisconsin native said he believes the Republican Party needs to save America from a president who has not delivered on any promises made during his 2008 campaign nor during his first term in office.

According to Priebus, Obama promised to cut the deficit in half by the end of his first term and get the debt under control, but instead has introduced the biggest structural deficit in the history of the world and added $4.5 trillion of debt over three years.

“The question first is whether or not Barack Obama met the standards that he set for himself,” Priebus said in an interview with The Eagle before the event. “He

edged that beating an incumbent is difficult, he said the GOP is strong and Republican candidates are ready for the challenge.

He made no predictions for who the Party’s presidential nominee will be, but said he will support whoever wins the nomination and believes any of the candidates will fare better in office than Obama.

“I think what we have on our side is a really good debate over how to get our country back on track,” Priebus said in a pre-event interview with ATV. “I think we’ve got great, diverse candidates.”

Priebus said he believes his pride in America, which stems from his childhood with a patriotic Greek grandfather, is a value all U.S. citizens can rally behind during election season.

“I think we’ve all been blessed in different ways, and we’re not going to agree with each other on every little thing … but I think we can agree that we love this country and we want to get this country back on track,” he said. “It’s not in the right place.”

RKARAS@THEAGLEONLINE.COM

5

AU’s Men of Strength fight back against rape culture

By KIERSTYN SCHNECK EAGLE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

AU’s Men of Strength, a proactive club against sexual assault and violence, launched a bystander intervention program Jan. 31 with George Washington University, Georgetown University and three local high schools.

The program “Where Do You Stand?” is an effort to reduce sexual violence, according to School of International Service graduate student and group member Conor Shapiro.

AU had the largest university presence at a Jan. 31 D.C. meeting of Men Can Stop Rape, said Men of Strength member and School of Public Affairs senior Nate Bronstein.

Men of Strength currently have 15 members and is one of many campus Men of Strength groups nationwide affiliated with the nonprofit organization Men Can Stop Rape.

The nonprofit funds the club chapters, trains members and provides materials, according to group member Philip Scranage, a sophomore in the SPA. The “Where Do You Stand?” program is an expansion of the group’s work against violence, Bronstein said.

The program will teach college men how to intervene in potentially violent situations.

It will also raise awareness of men’s ability to prevent vio-

lence against women through skits and group discussions, according to Bronstein.

SPA sophomore Seth Yates and other D.C. students acted out a scenario at the launch event about an intoxicated girl and a clearly sober man moving in on her at a club.

Men of Strength will hold related workshops and training sessions during meetings to spread Men Can Stop Rape’s initiative at AU. “(It’s) a more intensive training and awareness campaign to create a culture of looking out for one another and knowing what to intervene on and how to intervene,” Bronstein said.

Sexual Assault Prevention Coordinator Daniel Rappaport said Men of Strength was created as a result of Men Can Stop Rape.

“Without help from a few individuals from MCSR coming out and helping with the group each week, the group would likely not be as strong as it is today,” Rappaport said.

Rappaport said he will facilitate Men of Strength meetings this semester. These meetings include training, workshops and discussions about preventing violence and challenging ideas of masculinity and sexual assault.

Yates said he joined Men of Strength at its first meeting in early September because he believed in their message.

“I think the major goal is to change the ideas of traditional masculinity that encourage men to pursue women as trophies and normalize rape,” Yates said. “I think the goal is to convince men that just saying, ‘I think it’s wrong and I don’t do it,’ isn’t enough.”

Men of Strength plans to demonstrate that men can actively increase the safety of AU’s campus, Shapiro said.

“If we prevent even one assault, I feel like my time invested was valuable,” he said.

The club will reach out to AU students through a media campaign for the bystander intervention program, according to Rappaport.

“This semester we hope to continue taking on new members to the club while also working to have a more visible presence on campus,” Rappaport said.

Yates is featured in one of the ads for Men Can Stop Rape’s national media campaign, which will be posted around campus to inform members of the AU community about the club and its new program.

NEWS@THEAGLEONLINE.COM

SG calls for Nebraska Lot speed bumps

By HEATHER MONGILIO EAGLE STAFF WRITER

The Undergraduate Senate is working to put speed bumps in the Nebraska Parking Lot. “As a commuter, as someone who parks in the lot, people fly through there,” said Class of 2012 Sen. Nicholas Anders, who co-sponsored the bill.

“People literally go 30-40 miles an hour sometimes, literally.”

The lack of speed control on the lot worried the senators, who passed the bill unanimously.

“It can be dangerous,” Anders said. “I’ve never heard of anyone getting hit, but it very well could happen.”

AU students, faculty and members of the outside community use the lot. If the D.C. Zoning Commission approves the University’s Campus Plan, the lot will become East Campus dorms and academic buildings.

Senators will be contacting the Department of Public Safety to investigate the viability of speed bumps.

The Senate also passed a bill to increase the amount of hand sanitizer dispensers on campus.

“There are very few and kind of far in between,” Anders said.

Senators also called for better maintenance of the hand sanitizer dispensers, which senators have found are often empty.

“I’ve used them many times, and there is never Purell in them,” said Class of 2014 Sen. Samantha Turetsky.

Senators passed the bill passed unanimously with little debate.

HMONGILIO@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

theEAGLE NEWS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

6

AU cuts ties with American University of Nigeria

By KATIE FIEGENBAUM CONTRIBUTING WRITER

AU formally ended its relationship with its second overseas school, the American University of Nigeria at the end of last year, according to AU President Neil Kerwin’s Jan. 12 memorandum.

AUN, located in Yola, was founded in January 2004 as a collaborative effort between AU and the vice president of Nigeria and prominent businessman Atiku Abubakar.

AU and the school had a five-year contract that ended in 2009. During those five years AU developed and provided support for all aspects of the school.

AU then renewed the contract for one-year terms until December 2011.

“AUN continues to mature as an institution, has graduated three classes of undergraduates and is now well positioned to function more independently,” Kerwin said in his memorandum. “Therefore, AU and AUN leaders mutually agreed to end our consultancy when the contract expired at the end of 2011.”

Dr. Robert Pastor, a professor in the School of International Service and the vice president of International Affairs at AU from 2002 - 2007, spearheaded the project of developing the American University in Nigeria.

“One of my jobs was to

explore new ways to relate AU to the world, such as setting up universities abroad,” Pastor said.

AUN was the first American-style University in Nigeria, as opposed to the traditional British-style non-interactive education, and is now the best private university in Sub-Saharan Africa, Pastor said.

There are around 1,400 students in three schools: Arts and Sciences, Business and Information Technology. Three classes have graduated from AUN. AU was completely involved in the process of recruiting teachers, designing the curriculum and even designing the buildings.

The advantage of establishing such a university was that Nigerian students could study at an internationally recognized university without having to leave the country, and were thus more likely to stay in Nigeria after completing their education, Pastor said.

“Nigeria has had an economic boom over the last several years, and many that benefited were inclined to send their children overseas for a firstrate education,” said Carl LeVan, an SIS professor who coordinated a course with and visited AUN in Fall 2007. “However, there’s a social emphasis on keeping students in the country.”

Over the past several years, AUN has grown

more independent and mature, which is what led AU to stop supporting AUN and dissolve the AUN office on-campus.

“Overall, I think the establishment was not only one of the most rewarding things for me, personally, but also one of the most important contributions

by AU to education development in Africa,” Pastor said.

Pastor has not been directly involved in AUN for the past few years, but he said the institution has matured.

“However, I believe, personally, that this also presents a new opportunity for AU that would be no longer administrative,” he said.

He said he hopes AU will continue to receive AUN students should they wish to study abroad here.

Forty-nine students from AUN have studied abroad at AU, and a lesser number from AU have studied abroad at AUN, according to Pastor.

AU will continue to receive students from AUN, but will not send AU students to Nigeria given security concerns regarding the recent ethnic and religious clashes in the country, according to AU Abroad Associate Director Mark Hayes. These clashes have not been cited as a reason for AU’s decision to end its relationship with AUN. NEWS@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

Locals robbed in Northwest D.C.

By REBECCA ZISSER EAGLE STAFF WRITER

Director of Public Safety Daniel Nichols advised students in a Feb. 3 memo to contact Metropolitan Police if they see anything suspicious due to recent armed robberies in Northwest D.C. Metro police stated the suspects of robberies may have been carrying a handgun or other weapon, according to the memo.

The crimes are still being investigated.

To stay safe, Nichols encouraged stu-

dents to: • Walk in groups • Avoid traveling in dark or isolated areas • Pay attention to details in their surroundings • Keep Public Safety’s number in their phone at all times-- 202-885-3636 • Be aware of emergency telephone boxes, recognizable by their yellow boxes, light blue phone towers and red telephones.

RZISSER@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

Students march for adjunct union

By PAIGE JONES EAGLE STAFF WRITER

About 20 Student Worker Alliance members stormed Provost Scott Bass’s office Feb. 3 to deliver a letter protesting AU’s decision to hire legal counsel to challenge the potential adjunct union.

The club marched around the Quad, shouting, “Hey, hey, ho, ho, union busting’s got to go” and holding signs earlier that day.

Student Worker Alliance member and College of Arts and Sciences junior Ethan Miller said the club supported an adjunct union because it will benefit students as well.

“A union will not change the quality of education, it would increase the quality of education,” he said.

Student Worker Alliance members protested AU because they believe the University is using student tuition to pay for this legal counsel, Miller said.

“We pay money for student tuition and don’t expect the University to use it to stifle democracy,” he said.

Associate Director of Media Relations Maralee Csellar said the National Labor Relations Board legally requires AU to hire legal counsel.

“Both the union and the University must be rep-

resented by legal counsel in these proceedings, and each does so responsibly by working with attorneys whose expertise is in labor law,” Csellar said.

AU adjunct faculty members are currently voting whether they want to unionize. The vote ends Feb. 16.

Miller said the University has not remained neutral during this election because it distributed flyers to every adjunct’s mailbox, emphasizing the liabilities of a union.

“They plan to challenge the election in court,” Miller said. “They don’t respect the election.”

Student Worker Alliance member and School of International Service freshman Emily Ellis said the Student Worker Alliance protested to raise student awareness.

PJONES@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

Student petitions White House to end Super PACs

By AUSTIN GREEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Marlena Luhr is sick and tired of Super PACs. Luhr, a sophmore in the School of Public Affairs, created a petition to end Super PACs called “Stop Super PACs,” which she hopes to send to the White House if it gains enough signatures.

“It is not right to have Americans in the dark about who is funding their candidates and for candidates to outsource their campaign fundraising to corporations,” she said.

The Citizens United v.

Federal Election Commission Supreme Court decision allowed corporations to use treasury funds to contribute to political advertising through Super PACs, which may raise and spend unlimited amounts of money with limited oversight.

Luhr learned from AU student Philip Scranage about the White House’s online petition

tool, “We The People,” an application that allows for the creation of a petition and gathering support and signatures. Once the petition gains 25,000 signatures, the Obama Administration will issue a response.

Luhr said an official response would bring national attention to the opinion of ending Super PACs. “With all the noise nonprofits have been making about this issue, a response [from the White House] would not go unnoticed,” Luhr said.

The petition calls for a constitutional amendment that would require any organization that produced campaign ads to limit their spending to $5,000 per election cycle.

Luhr came up with the idea last year when she joined the AU chapter of the Roosevelt Institute, a nonprofit organization devoted to developing progressive ideas and bold leadership. The Roosevelt Institute staff encouraged

her to publish her thoughts in their 10 Ideas Journal.

Getting a response from the White House is tough, since petitioners need to raise 25,000 signatures in 30 days.

Luhr is working with student-led organizations at 12 other schools, including Columbia, Tufts, Wake Forest, Michigan State and Georgia Tech University.

However, her biggest help has come from Scranage. Both Scranage and the Roosevelt staff helped contribute to writing the policy, Luhr said.

Scranage, a sophomore in SPA, is Luhr’s lead contributor on the petition and helped refine her vision.

AU’s Roosevelt Institute chapter held an event Feb. 6 in Butler Boardroom showing two documentaries about the Supreme Court decision in order to raise awareness about the case.

A student discussion followed the showing.

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theEAGLE NEWS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Green Eagles aim for zero on-campus waste

By SAMANTHA HOGAN EAGLE STAFF WRITER

Imagine an AU without trashcans.

AU’s Green Eagles are trying to get there, by reaching out to students, faculty and staff to achieve campuswide zero-waste status this February.

The Green Office’s “Zero Waste Month” initiative is part of the University’s goal to reduce its environmental footprint and increase sustainability practices.

Green Eagles are students involved with the Green Office, part of the Office of Sustainability. The Green Eagles are assigned to run green initiatives in the various departments, buildings and residence halls on campus.

Sarah Rouhan, a senior in the School of Public Affairs and Green Eagle for the University Center and Student Activities, explained that zero-waste means diverting as much of the waste that leaves the University for landfills as possible.

“About 83 percent of the items that are sent to landfills could be either recycled or composted,” said Josephine Chu, a master’s student in the School of International Service and a Green Eagle.

Chu emphasized that zero-waste depends on all three branches of the common adage: “reduce, reuse and re-

cycle.”

According to Chu, the emphasis should be on reducing what individuals’ purchase and thinking about how one can consume less.

“Instead of trying to figure out how to dispose of our waste after the fact, we should focus on how to prevent making the waste in the first place,” Chu said.

Simple changes, such as using reusable water bottles and bags, can save students and faculty money while also having positive environmental implications.

Chu also said students and faculty can make a noticeable difference by properly recycling paper, aluminum, glass and plastic.

Of the 250 million tons of trash produced in the United States in 2010, only 85 million tons were recycled or composted, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Chu plans to have teachers switch their classroom and office trash cans to recycling bins and place food composting receptacles in the SIS kitchens.

Similarly, Rouhan plans to make sure staff members in the University Center and Student Activities have recycling bins next to their trash cans to simplify the recycling process.

These small alterations can be the difference between a staff member embracing a change or falling back in to old habits, Rouhan said in an email.

It is easier to say that one will be more proactive in their efforts to be green, Rouhan said. But when it disrupts people’s normal routine, they are more inclined to stick to their habits.

Local residents call for handicap-accessible taxis Current taxis may violate Americans with Disabilities Act

By REBECCA ZISSER EAGLE STAFF WRITER

Disability rights activists and D.C. City Council members gathered Jan. 30 at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 13th Street in support of more wheelchair accessible and environmentally friendly taxis in the District.

The City Council is considering legislation that would require all new cabs to be fueled with compressed natural gas, wheelchair accessible and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The city would also be expected to modify at least 55 percent of cabs already in use to meet these regulations within four years, according to Francesca Mastrangelo, the New Media Manager for the American Association of People with Disabilities.

The AAPD was one of the organizations that testified at last Monday’s outdoor hearing.

AAPD members have worked closely with representatives from the National Council on Independent Living, Pride

Mobility Products Corp. and Clean Energy, among others, to garner support for their cause.

“I feel like this situation truly demonstrates the success of the American Disability Act,” Mastrangelo said.

The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990 and amended in 2008.

Title II of the Act requires that people with disabilities be guaranteed equal access to public transportation. It is considered discrimination if a facility is inaccessible.

Soon after Congress passed the act, the D.C. government made the Metrobus system become more accessible for disabled people, but the taxicabs have yet to make the transition, Mastrangelo said.

“This had been going on for years and years and years,” Mastrangelo said.

The passage of the legislation is not guaranteed despite the support of Chairman of the D.C. City Council Kwame Brown.

“This is the first hearing, so that [the legislation’s success] has yet to be seen,” Mastrangelo said.

The hearing did succeed in bringing attention to the issue and has helped the different groups involved create a more cohesive campaign, she said.

“It’s been a common issue that we can unite on,” Mastrangelo said.

ZISSER@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

7 “This is the first year of implementation of the Office of Sustainability, so we really are introducing the offices and staff members to the idea of not only becoming more sustainable, but the actual physical presence of someone who is pushing them and encouraging them to do all these things,” Rouhan said.

Ryan Ramirez, a master’s student in SPA and the Green Eagle for Bender Library, said the easiest way to tackle zero-waste is to: • identify what type of waste is being generated, • look at the AU community’s current disposal habits • and look for new ways to take steps away from generating that waste.

Ramirez is organizing a silverware drive this month to collect plates, cups and utensils to replace the Bender Library’s disposable utensils and dishes currently used in its kitchen.

Ramirez complimented the Library’s staff for its green efforts so far this school year, saying they were the first staff office at AU to compost. They made one of the largest switches to 100 percent recycled paper of any office on campus. They also “de-lamped,” or removed, 1,000 unused bulbs.

“The greatest challenge will be getting people to change their way of thinking and think more about what they purchase and throw away,” Chu said. “We need to get people to understand that there is no such thing as throwing away; the trash has to go somewhere.”

Chef Geoff hires sign holder to warn drivers of speed cameras on Foxhall Road

By MISHIEL AYUB EAGLE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Geoff Tracy of Chef Geoff’s restaurant took a stand against the speed cameras on Foxhall Road this past week, hiring a sign spinner to warn motorists to slow down.

Tracy hired a sign spinner from a company called Air Signs to work for 40 hours over a seven-day period beginning Jan. 28.

“It cost $30 per hour, so it was $1,200,” said Tracy, who owns Chef Geoff’s on New Mexico Avenue along with four other restaurants. “But I think we should let people know about the speed trap before they get a fine.”

The speeding cameras installed on Foxhall Road went live Dec. 21.

“Foxhall Road is a route a travel a lot because it is how I get to work,” Tracy said.

Tracy received his total fine of $425 for three speeding tickets in the mail Dec. 29.

His first speeding violation of $125 for driving 36 mph occurred Dec. 23. Tracy received a second and third ticket for driving 43 mph and 42 mph Dec. 26 and 29.

SHOGAN@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM.

He was fined $150 for both latter tickets.

“I take full responsibility for driving over the speed limit,” Tracy said. “But two of my busboys received tickets as well.

They work all day to make the $125 they lose to a speeding ticket.”

Tracy said the Metropolitan Police Department approves of the steps he has taken to warn other motorists.

However, Tracy said he is skeptical of the motives behind installing the cameras.

“Personally, I think 25 mph is too slow for that part of the street where the cameras are installed because it’s not a neighborhood area,” Tracy said. “It is also a lot of money to charge for driving 11 miles over the limit. It seems like a way for the government to generate revenue more than a way to promote public safety.”

Some AU students who commute agreed with Tracy that the speed limit is unreasonably slow.

“While the cameras are making the roads safer, I think 25 mph is just too slow,” Kogod School of Business freshman Ajay Kapoor said.

Other students found Tracy’s signs to be a helpful reminder.

“I was pleasantly surprised to see the signs,” School of Communication sophomore Rowshan Zabi said. “I didn’t know who was behind them, but it was a nice way for me to keep the speed limit in mind.”

NEWS@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

theEAGLE NEWS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

8

Army Corps uncovers Civil War-era artifacts near Kreeger building

By RYAN MIGEED EAGLE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Army Corps of Engineers found Civil War-era relics, including a piece of a cannon, while looking for chemical munitions and testing the groundwater near the Kreeger Building over winter break.

“We’re looking for buried metallic objects we call anomalies,” said Clem Gaines, public affairs specialist at the Army Corps of Engineers in Baltimore.

The Army Corps used metal detectors to find burial sites where the Army discarded materials used when AU was an “experimental station,” Gaines said.

Army Corps planned to investigate about 18 sites. The Corps investigated most of them by January and will investigate four more sites in March, Gaines said.

The Army Corps still needs to dig under the Kreeger parking lot in four different locations. The Army Corps is waiting until spring break to continue digging, Gaines said.

AU administration expects the Kreeger portion of the Spring Valley clean-up to finish by the end of 2013, according to AU Chief of Staff David Taylor.

The formal search for buried munitions began after “military objects” were found in Spring Valley in 1993, The Eagle reported in 2004.

The soil near Kreeger was tested in 2006, and high arsenic levels were first discovered on campus in 2001, The Eagle previously reported.

The Army Corps’ activities will not interfere with the Campus Plan, since the Army Corps has already investigated areas impacted by the Plan, Taylor said.

“There is also a provision written into the Campus Plan, an understanding to inform the Army Corps before we put shovel in ground,” he said.

The Army Corps is also monitoring groundwater for perchlorate, a chemical used in the manufacturing of rocket fuel, missiles, fireworks, flares and batteries, according to the California Department of Toxic Substanc-

WILLA HINE / THE EAGLE

The Army Corps of Engineers excavated areas surrounding the Kreeger building in search of munitions and chemicals left over from AU’s time as an Army base during World War I. The project is one stage in an ongoing clean-up project on campus and in Spring Valley, the neighborhood surrounding AU. The administration expects to finish the Kreeger dig in 2013. es Control.

The perchlorate level in Spring Valley was 146 parts per billion (ppb) in 2006, and the Army Corps brought it down to about 22ppb by the Army Corps, Hengst said.

However, that number is still much higher than Environmental Protection Agency guidelines, which call for only 1ppb of perchlorate in drinking water.

D.C. has no enforced regulations on perchlorate concentration in groundwater but instead recommends following the EPA’s guidelines.

“Groundwater is poured into the [McMillan] reservoir,” Allen Hengst said, a librarian at AU’s Pence Law Li-

SG adds more Founders Day Ball tickets after first batch sells out online in 90 seconds

By ZACH C. COHEN EAGLE STAFF WRITER

Student Government will add 150 more tickets for Founders Day next week in response to greater than expected demand, said SG Chief of Staff Palak Gosar.

Student organizers of the ball were

able to work with the Library of Congress and catering to increase capacity at little additional cost. Public Safety also agreed to provide officers to supplement the private security hired by the SG, said Student Government Events Director Alex Leiro, whose office puts on Founders Day. Free tickets to the ball at the Library of

brary and a self-proclaimed “environmental activist” who has blogged about the clean-up project over its 19-year history. “Freshwater from the Potomac is pumped in[to the reservoir] every day, so the perchlorate is diluted.”

However, Gaines said Spring Valley gets its water from the Potomac, not from its groundwater.

“All drinking water in Spring Valley comes from D.C.,” he said. “Nobody in Spring Valley drinks water from Spring Valley.”

Congress sold out within 90 seconds on Feb. 1 at 8 p.m.

The SG had made 575 free tickets available for undergraduates and 100 for graduate students. Student Government will notify those on the waitlist if a ticket opens up, Leiro said.

There are 25 tickets reserved for alumni and administration.

“Library of Congress is such a cool venue that I think people are really excited about it,” Leiro said.

Organizers reserved seven tickets ahead of Feb. 1 for student organizers of the event.

More than 550 students attended last year’s Founders Day Ball, and there were about 20 tickets left over, the Eagle previ-

Continued on Page 9

ously reported.

Students who reserved tickets still need to pick up their tickets Feb. 6 through 10 or they will be given to someone on the waitlist. At the event itself, attendees will need to bring their ticket and their AU ID. Students who do make it to the Jefferson Building Feb. 25 will be able to visit the balcony that overlooks the Reading Room of the Library of Congress.

ZCOHEN@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

theEAGLE NEWS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2011

9

Non-Work Study students, international students report difficulties finding on-campus jobs

By VALERIE KHORISHKO EAGLE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Allison Arlotta works two off-campus jobs for nearly 20 hours a week. Her round-trip bike commute takes 45 minutes to an hour each way.

While the School of Communication junior said she realizes employment in the city has turned out to be a blessing in disguise, Arlotta recalls her frustration with trying to find an on-campus job throughout her freshman year.

“That really bothered me because I wanted a job that was convenient when I lived on campus,” she said.

Arlotta is not eligible for Federal WorkStudy as part of her financial aid package. She is one of the many students who have found themselves unable to get oncampus jobs at AU because the majority of student positions are open only to applicants who have received a need-based Federal Work-Study award.

Federal Work-Study is a financial aid program that guarantees a $2,000 yearly salary to students who qualify. Financial aid administrators at institutions eligible for work-study have flexibility in determining the number of students that can receive these awards, according to the

Honors program has not yet discussed selfnominations Continued from page 3 Future AU applicants will have to complete a separate application if they wish to join the Honors Program, rather than the University currently choosing freshman for the program based on their high school GPA and standardized test scores, Mason said.

“AU is at the point now where we attract students with high GPAs and test scores,” Manson said. “In high school, it’s about identifying the special students.

In college, it’s about identifying the right student,” he said.

The task force has yet to address selfnominations, the process through which a current student who is not in honors can apply to be in the program.

NEWS@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

Department of Education.

The Department of Education pays for 75 percent of the Federal Work-Study grants it awards to AU. Each of the departments hiring student workers then has to cover the remaining 25 percent from its own budget, said Ganiat Harris, assistant director of service delivery at AU Human Resources.

Human Resources does not keep records of the total number of Federal Work-Study jobs available on campus, Harris said. It can only provide estimates based on the number of AU students on the University’s payroll who receive Federal Work-Study funds. That number is difficult to determine, because many students hold multiple positions or additional off-campus jobs, Harris said.

“We have seen a trend in which most departments will prefer, because it is a positive side to their budget, hiring Federal Work-Study students,” she said.

Some students eventually exhaust the $2,000 salary allocated to their WorkStudy package. When that happens, the employing department often will transfer them onto a student worker position funded by the department’s own resources, Harris said.

Out of the 58 on- and off-campus positions publicized to students on the online AU Student Government Student Jobs Board Jan. 27, three required graduate students as applicants, seven more were available for students not eligible for Federal Work-Study and the remaining 48 were restricted to students that qualify for Federal Work-Study.

Brendan Bargmann, a junior at the School of International Service, used to have a non-Federal Work-Study job at the independently-run campus bookstore before a change in management led to staff layoffs.

“Finding a non-Federal Work-Study job since then has been nearly impossible,” said Bargmann, who has held multiple off-campus positions since his layoff.

The position at the bookstore was the only non-Federal Work-Study job he was able to secure in his three years at AU, Bargmann said.

The lack of on-campus work opportunities has left the many international students in an unemployment deadlock.

Most international students are only legally authorized to hold on-campus jobs, not off-campus jobs, but only American citizens are eligible for Federal Work-

Army Corps finalizes plans to demolish AU-owned Glenbrook Road house

Study as part of their financial aid package.

Sandra Cai Chen, a College of Arts and Sciences junior from Mexico, said she did not qualify for Federal Work-Study employment because she is not an American citizen. Chen’s visa status, however, prohibits her from applying for most offcampus jobs as well.

“International students from middle class families like me are constantly on the look for extra money to buy books or to pay fees in order to lessen the financial burden on our families,” said Chen, who has been looking for on-campus employment with fixed hours since her sophomore year.

“We would appreciate more employment options on campus,” she said.

Chen has to resort to less formal jobs such as tutoring to earn the extra cash she needs.

“Federal Work-Study is an important program, and I don’t think it’s inherently unfair that they have first pick,” Arlotta said. “But it would definitely be helpful to have maybe an equal number of jobs that anyone can apply for. I guess the truth is that the jobs just don’t exist.”

NEWS@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

ager.

The three organizations agreed that level was healthy and natural in comparison to other measurements of arsenic content in soil around the D.C. area, Barber said.

The Army Corps does not maintain a well to monitor the perchlorate level at the 4825 property, Gaines said.

Continued from page 9 perchlorate level to 20ppb, Hengst said.

“We’ve been doing groundwater study AU wants the level down to 12.6ppb, for some time, and any time we’ve found The Army Corps is in the last stages of according to Hengst. perchlorate values higher than the EPA its plan to demolish the AU-owned house “USACE [U.S. Army Corps of Engi- regulations, we’ve seen those perchlorate at 4825 Glenbrook Rd. The house will be neers], in consultation with our partners values declining,” Gaines said. taken down by late March after the resto- – EPA and DDOE – has decided to conAU will be in negotiations with the ration plan is finalized, Gaines Army Corps from March to June so said. the Corps can demolish the buildThe Army Corps hopes for ing during summer break the “removal of the house and Army Corps real estate officials The Army Corps hopes for the “removal restoration of the property for are discussing the value of the propresidential use,” Gaines said. erty with AU so the Army Corps of the house and restoration of the propThe Army Corps will be tearcan purchase it from the University, ing down the building because Gaines said. erty for residential use.” it discovered contamination at The Glenbrook Rd. property is the site in the past. the only AU-owned property that is - Clem Gaines, public affairs specialist at the Army Corps of Engineers in Baltimore.

A March 2010 investigation left for extensive investigation, he was halted after a bucket of said. fuming arsenic trichloride was AU President Kerwin’s home is found, The Eagle previously right next to the 4825 property but reported. is no longer in need of contaminaAfter demolishing the property, the tinue to use the established remediation tion investigations.

Army Corps will investigate the soil all goal for arsenic,” said Brenda Barber, the the way to the bedrock and restore the Army Corps’ Spring Valley program manNEWS@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

SILVER SCREEN

The Scene reviews some of the best new flicks 11 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

D.C. CHILLIN’

Scene

By CHELSEA CLAYS EAGLE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

With Feb. 14 looming around the corner, Valentine’s Day can seem like either the most romantic day of the year or the loneliest.

But this year The Eagle gives you ideas that are great for either romancing your significant other or celebrating a “love” of friendships with your best buddies. This is D.C. the Valentine’s Day Edition.

AUDIOPHILE

WVAU reviews new albums 14

10 DIG IN WITH D.C. METRO CHOCOLATE TOURS These fun group tours show the sweeter side of D.C., taking participants to Georgetown, U Street or Dupont Circle in search of places to fulfill their sweet tooth cravings. Tour guides lead you to chocolate boutiques, famous D.C. bakeries and fun chocolate-themed cafés while engaging participants with outrageous trivia about one of the world’s favorite treats! Advance reservations are required so book today. For more information on times, dates and prices, visit www.dcmetrochocolatetours.com/tours/

CLASSIC ROMANCE WITH KRAMERSBOOKS AND AFTERWORDS CAFÉ

DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY AT THE JAM CELLAR

If you are really just in the mood for just a great dessert and refined conversation on your Valentine’s Day, head over to Kramersbooks and Afterwords Café in Dupont Circle. Peruse their romance and poetry section while reciting your most romantic impressions of Shakespeare and Lord Byron, then head over to the café to split slice of pie or piece of red velvet cake with your special someone.

For more information on hours and their exquisite dessert menu, visit www.kramers.com.

There are few things more romantic than being a showstopper with your date on the dance floor.

The Jam Cellar runs free swing dancing lessons in Columbia Heights, teaching you and your partner the basic steps, turns and twirls to wow others.

Stick around for the $6 dance and groove to hits from the best Lindy Hop bands in D.C. For more information on times and location, visit http://thejamcellar.com/schedule.php

From Kanye West to Adele, Grammys offer best music

By KENDALL BREITMAN EAGLE STAFF WRITER

COURTESY OF D.C. CHOCOLATE METRO TOURS

SEARCHING FOR LOVE: WATSON ADVENTURES SCAVENGER HUNTS The Naked at the Art Museum Scavenger Hunt has participants search the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery for the naughtier, naked and more risqué side of fine art. Uncover the scandalous secrets of presidents and famous D.C. works of art. This is definitely a more scintillating D.C. date for sure.

For information on booking dates and prices, visit http://watsonadventures.com/schedule_washington.html#aamn

This year, the 54th annual Grammy Awards are sure to hit some high and low notes as the biggest night for music will be held Feb. 12.

It seems that so far the Grammys have been offering some questionable choices.

CBS decided that this year’s host to introduce the most talked about names in the music industry should be, ironically, one of the least talked about men in 2011: LL Cool J. As if that isn’t sad enough that LL Cool J will be hosting, he is also the first official host of the Grammys in seven years. Really music industry, you couldn’t find anyone else to host the most star studded

music event in the year?

Despite the disappointing appointment of a host, the Grammy awards nominations, which were released Nov. 30, seem to offer some of the best names of the past year.

Kanye West has received the most nominations, earning seven including Song of the Year, Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “All of the Lights,” Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for “Otis” and Best Rap Album for “Watch the Throne.” Still, fans have been disappointed that “Watch the Throne,” which was released earlier this year in collaboration with Jay-Z, was not nominated for the coveted Album of the Year.

Runner-ups for nomina-

tions include Bruno Mars, Foo Fighters and Adele, each earning six nominations.

Radiohead, Skrillex and Lil Wayne all follow closely behind with five nominations each.

Nominees this year for the much-awaited Album of the Year title are Adele for “21,” the Foo Fighters for “Wasting Light,” Lady Gaga for “Born this Way,” Bruno Mars for “Doo-Wops & Hooligans” and Rihanna for “Loud.”

New to the music scene, The Band Perry, Bon Iver, J. Cole, Nicki Minaj and Skrillex have all been nominated for best new artist. Usually the list of these nominees is among the most awaited of the Grammys, but this year the line up seems to be a little random. Also worth mentioning is last year’s surprise win by jazz artist, Esperanza Spalding, upsetting Beliebers and Drake fans everywhere.

Continued on Page 13

theEAGLE SCENE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

SILVER SCREEN

COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL PICTURES

BIG MIRACLE GRADE: B

By JANE MORICE EAGLE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

In the movie “Big Miracle,” based on the true story of the 1988 international rescue of whales trapped under ice, the differences between the customs, beliefs and values of the “melting pot” of American citizens are fully exposed.

Rather than simply exposing these issues, “Big Miracle” paints an accurate picture of how one event can force someone to question their position in life.

Stuck in the northernmost city of the United States, in a small town named Barrow, Alaska, reporter Adam Carlson (John Krasinski, “The Office”) is bored with his broadcast career and constantly dreams of going down to “The Lower 48.”

Yet while up in this town, Carlson befriends a local Inupiat boy in the town, Nathan (newcomer Ahmaogak Sweeney), and Carlson discovers the story of his career — one that captures the attention of the entire world.

Three California gray whales are trapped beneath thick sheets of ice covering the Beaufort Sea, preventing them from swimming down the coast and breeding in Baja.

Coming up to breathe through a small hole in the ice outside of town, they will not survive very long unless the ice is forcibly cracked, allowing the whales to swim back into the open sea. Environmental activists, most prominently Green-

peace worker Rachel Kramer (Drew Barrymore, “He’s Just Not That Into You”), protest to save these whales’ lives, while the native Inupiat people are satisfied with harpooning the suffering animals and harvesting them.

This movie is suspenseful at times, especially when a particular plan to rescue the whales stalls or even fails, and funny at others, like the interactions between Nathan and Adam. It is also exemplary at exposing the issues between oil tycoons — in this movie, J.W. McGraw (Ted Danson, “Bored to Death”) — and environmental workers, as well as the differences between

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the same environmental workers hoping to protect animals and the Inupiat people who hunt in order to survive.

While each individual part is portrayed well, the interactions between characters often felt forced, especially with the love triangle that is supposedly occurring between Carlson and Kramer (who, coincidentally, previously dated) and Carlson and Los Angeles television reporter Jill Jerard (Kristen Bell, “Burlesque”). The emotions seemed fake and overdone, and the dialogue between the parties was silly and unrealistic.

THESCENE@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

11

LOOK OF THE WEEK Back to the Basics MADELINE BEARD — FASHION Is it just me or has the weather been a little unpredictable lately? This range of elements — first sun, then rain, then snow, then sun again — as well as the crazy fluctuating temperatures has got my wardrobe crying out for a bit of balance.

Paige Leong, a sophomore studying sociology in the College of Arts and Science, sticks to the basics during seasonal transitions.

“I definitely think it’s easier to transition from winter to spring with basic pieces,” Leong said. “I really love wearing brightly colored clothes that are easy to mix and match.”

Leong creates a flexible wardrobe by collecting staples for her closet such as simple cotton mini skirts and chunky knit sweaters that she can layer. She is also an avid fan of the colorblocking trend, keeping her closet stocked with a variety of solid, brightly colored garments.

“I think it’s important to be able to easily put together an outfit with any of the items in your closet,” says Leong.

During high school, Leong found style inspiration while interning for her aunts, who work in the fashion industry in New York City.

“I like the way fashion in New York can look so effortless,” Leong said. “New Yorkers look like they roll out of bed looking good — that’s what I try to model my own sense of style after.”

While Leong frequents affordable retailers like H&M and Express, she acknowledges the importance of splurging on items that will complement her wardrobe throughout the seasons.

“I just invested in a pair of light brown, knee high Franco Sarto riding boots,” she said. “They were definitely a splurge, but I am obsessed with them and I wear them almost everyday. They go with everything!”

The Franco Sarto boots are just one of the numer-

ous pairs of beloved shoes in Leong’s closet. She admits that shoes are her biggest weakness, especially when it comes to high heels.

“I have a huge collection of heels in my closet,” she said.

“Some of my favorites include my nude pumps by Jessica Simpson, my black and silver wedges from Aldo and my camel suede knee-high boots by Sam Edelman.”

Although Leong likes to keep her look simple and understated, she uses accessories and shoes to give her outfits some extra personality. When sporting a more monotone ensemble, Leong relies on her collection of heels to bring an outfit to life.

“If I’m wearing all black, I’ll put on a brightly colored pair of shoes or handbag to give that pop of color,” she said.

Regardless of tomorrow’s forecast, Leong will continue to rock a basic and sophisticated style as the semester progresses. She looks forward to spring, not only for the lighter dresses and sandals, but also the change in campus atmosphere.

“I am so excited for the flowers and the nice weather,” shes aid. “I definitely miss hanging out on the Quad.

During the spring, everyone seems a lot happier to be on campus.” thescene@ theeagleonline.com

Head to Toe BLOUSE

Urban Outtters

SWEATER

H&M

TIGHTS Target

BOOTS

Franco Sarto Photo: MADELINE BEARD / THE EAGLE

BABY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE. LET @THEEAGLEONLINE KNOW WHAT YOU’RE ROCKING THIS WINTER.

theEAGLE SCENE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

13

Continued from Page 10

Grammy performers include Nicki Minaj, Adele

COURTESY OF CHRISTINE LY

COURTESY OF T. CHARLES ERICKSON

Lincoln, Douglass talk history in fictional ‘Necessary Sacrifices’

By NICOLE CUSICK EAGLE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

What could have happened if Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass had met?

The historical drama “Necessary Sacrifices,” which made its world premiere at the Ford’s Theatre Jan. 26, explores this question.

This piece was the creation of playwright Richard Hellensen, who had written other plays for Ford’s Theatre such as “One Destiny.”

In an interview with The Eagle, Hellensen discussed his inspiration for the work.

“The collision of history and theatre really appealed to me, and working with Ford’s has been a good amalgamation of the two,” Hellensen said.

Directing this historical drama is Jennifer L. Nelson and portraying these historic icons are Craig Wallace as Douglass and David Selby as Lincoln.

Wallace was rather stoic in his portrayal, strongly conveying the struggle that Douglass endured to make it to the position of leadership he had as an African American in the time of the Civil War. In contrast Selby was rather lighthearted as Lincoln.

He provided the few instances of comic relief in the show and had a rather unique Southernmixed-with-Midwest accent, even

though Lincoln was actually from Kentucky.

Together the two made a great pair.

The show was literally a series of conversations between them for two hours, so it was crucial that they had a strong chemistry.

The overall humor of the play was very dry. None of the jokes were funny in a contemporary sense. To find humor in the show, one would have to appreciate historical jokes about slavery, women’s rights and small pox.

Despite the rather intimate content of the play and the small cast, the set was very grand.

Most of the show took place in Lincoln’s office, which rolled on and off of the stage to be concealed behind a screen when needed for scenes that featured only Douglass or Lincoln.

The most interesting parts of the set were the two main entrances on either side of the stage that were marked by doorframes.

For no reason that would seem cohesive to the rest of the set, there were several doorframes receding from the main ones. They odd, but not much action occurred in them to be distracting from the main action of the show.

“Necessary Sacrifices” will be at the Ford’s Theatre through Feb. 18.

THESCENE@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

AU DJ Max Tani moonlights as aspiring musician, set to open WVAU concert Feb. 10

By CHRISTINE LY EAGLE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

It’s midnight on a Thursday but the WVAU radio booth’s lights are on and kicking for the next two hours as DJ Max Tani delivers sweet sound to your ears. Tani, a sophomore in journalism and film, has been running his show for the past four semesters.

His live show, “Baroqueback Mountain,” was born out of a need to “wind down and take a break from schoolwork and stress,” Tani said. Besides a meticulously edited playlist, Tani plans out his time slot so that it includes background information on artists, assorted commentary, interviews and more.

He said his song selection is based on “melodic, catchy or complex qualities” ranging from indie rock to hip hop.

One of his current favorites is Unrest, a local ‘80s indie rock band whose lyrics appeal to him because they uses recognizable D.C. references.

When asked about considering airing samples of AU students’ music and promoting fellow musicians, Tani said, “WVAU would love to share [their] work.”

Tani’s audience tunes in from both the East and West coasts. Since all WVAU shows are streamed through the Internet, the local AU community and friends from his native California are able to listen.

However, the fact that WVAU is only accessible online also limits who can listen to it.

“It’s not available in a wide

range of locations, like with broadcasts,” Tani said.

Coming from an arts high school in Orange County, Tani easily transitioned to the music scene in D.C. Sometimes he finds himself “holed up in [his] apartment, writing lyrics or messing with guitar pedals” or hanging out at a concert at one of D.C.’s numerous small venues.

Tani appreciates that, “[shows] in D.C. are intimate [and] good shows don’t sell out as quickly,” he said.

In addition to DJing, Tani is an assistant music director for WVAU, reviewing dozens of CDs sent by promotional companies and record labels. Several of them are available in his blog at http:// streamlinedreviews.wordpress. com. After review, albums deemed “good stuff” are put on “The Rack” which many DJs refer to at some point during their shows.

He also writes reviews on art, film and music for The Eagle and the WVAU blog.

Tani will be the opening act at WVAU’s Capital Punishment concert Feb. 10.

The show will also feature two other AU acts: the dream-pop group “Western Affairs” and the jazz/afro-funk band “The Neologians.”

The show starts at 8 p.m. in the Kay Spiritual Life Center Basement.

This piece is part of the Audible at AU Series featuring AU musicians.

THESCENE@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

LL Cool J to host music’s biggest night Presenters for these awards will include Jack Black, Drake, Fergie, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Gwyneth Paltrow and Ringo Starr.

Performers will include Adele, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Paul McCartney, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift. Artist pair-ups will include Jason Aldean performing for the first time on the Grammys with Kelly Clarkson, and Glen Campbell performing with The Band Perry and Blake Shelton.

Along with being a performer, Paul McCartney will also receive this year’s MusicCare’s Person of the Year award — as if knighthood wasn’t enough.

Bon Iver will not be performing at the Grammys this year, or maybe any year for that matter. Recent interviews with Justin Vernon, the front man for the critically acclaimed alternative group, said the band stood up the Grammys by refusing to play during the awards ceremony. Vernon claimed the group wanted to play their own music instead of a collaboration or cover for the show.

All in all, the Grammys are sure to offer their fair share of amazing performances, touching wins and outfits that will have you wishing you had a disposable income. Of course, there are always some questionable performances, wins and outfits, but that is part of the reasons to tune in.

KBREITMAN@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

theEAGLE SCENE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

14

AUDIOPHILE Looking for new music? DJs at WVAU share their thoughts on a range of recent releases.

OF MONTREAL PARALYTIC STALKS While Of Montreal has always been a band that focused on the inner torment of frontman Kevin Barnes, “Paralytic Stalks” takes the group’s music to new levels of darkness. On the surface, however, these songs are bursting with color, as strings, flutes, operatic vocals and swirling electronics provide wonderful accents to the arrangements. This is best captured in the excellent “Dour Percentage,” which blends its whimsical woodwinds with lyr-

WILD NOTHING NOWHERE 7 Jack Tatum returns with his first official release since 2010’s hazy debut “Gemini.” The two-song 7”, Tatum’s first release to be recorded in a studio, features a predictably healthy dose of Wild Nothing’s trademark nostalgic, reverbdrenched yearning but with a slightly more polished, mature sheen.

LANA DEL REY BORN TO DIE After months of thinkpieces, blog posts and debates, Lana Del Rey’s major label debut is finally here. Whether you were introduced to her via her much-discussed “SNL” appearance or have been following this saga since the beginning, you’ve probably already formulated an opinion on Lana Del Rey. This album is unlikely to change how you feel, as the new material here rarely deviates from the style captured on singles “Video Games” and

CHAIRLIFT SOMETHING Chairlift’s “Something” is an unapologetic pop-electronic album with its share of excellent moments. Those few tracks shine with unrestrained beats and an energetic vocal quality that seems to fade in the remainder of the tracks. The opener,

ics such as, “This planet is an orphanage, and it cheapens the way you and I torture each other.”

The album gets even wilder in the back half, as “Exorcism Breeding Knife” earns the dubious honor of being this album’s “Revolution 9,” while the 13 minute-long closer “Authentic Pyrrhic Remission” begins with an up-tempo groove before shifting into a long sequence of string drones. It might not be the best introduction to the band, but “Paralytic Stalks” should satisfy most fans and even a few new listeners.

Recommended If You Like: The Flaming Lips, David Bowie

By CAMERON MEINDL

The single “Nowhere” distances itself from the shimmering ’80s retro synth-pop of “Gemini” for a more straightforward indie-rock setup, complete with a melodica solo and heavily-twanged guitar lick sliding over the top. And, although the band’s songs still draw inspiration from 1980s UK indie acts and Slumberland twee, Tatum’s songwriting proves itself once again as a cut above many quite good Captured Tracks releases.

RIYL: Beach Fossils, The Cure, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

By MAXWELL TANI

“Born To Die.” This strict adherence to aesthetics proves to be the album’s biggest downfall; with track after track highlighting grandiose strings and Del Rey’s distinctive vocal stylings, the formula wears thin by the album’s conclusion. Still, there is some solid material scattered throughout: “Blue Jeans” and the questionably titled “Diet Mountain Dew” are nice twists on modern pop music, and “Video Games” is as good of a representation of what Del Rey is trying to accomplish here.

RIYL: Fiona Apple, (Gangsta) Nancy Sinatra, Hipster Runoff

By CAMERON MEINDL

“Sidewalk Safari,” is especially memorable and could even be considered haunting in its melodic intent.

As an album, “Something” is lacking something: energy. The standout tracks are undeniably worth a listen and provide some excellent material for those of us who love an innocent female vocal over danceable beats.

RIYL: Class Actress, Imogen Heap, Twin Sister

By SPENCER SWAN

TV PICK: THE VAMPIRE DIARIES

The Kills lead onslaught at frenzied 9:30 concert

By SYDNEY GORE

By SEAN MEEHAN

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

EAGLE STAFF WRITER

If there’s one thing vampire shows do well, it’s recruiting an attractive cast and a bloody good storyline.

“The Vampire Diaries” is based on the book series by L.J. Smith. The show takes place in a town called Mystic Falls, which is filmed in Atlanta, Ga. The main plot is a love story: girl falls in love with boy, but boy ends up being a vampire. However, the twist with this show is that there are two boys — in fact, two brothers — Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder), who are both in love with Elena (Nina Dobrev).

This supernatural soap is more than just a glorified love triangle, however. The Salvatore brothers are kept busy protecting the town from good and bad vampires alike, and Elena has her own demon to fight in the form of her vampire doppelganger Katherine.

The fights are intense, gruesome even, and there’s always blood everywhere. The romances between the characters are never cheesy; they’re actually somewhat realistic considering they’re between vampires, werewolves, witches and humans. Between “True Blood” and “Twilight,” this show falls somewhere in the middle.

In a surprising twist of circumstances this season, Stefan is the “bad boy” brother and Damon is running around cleaning up his messes while simultaneously scheming on his own. And the ever-tortuous question remains: Which brother will Elena choose?

Tune into the CW on Thursdays at 8 p.m. to find out!

THESCENE@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

The Kills must have brass balls. That’s the only way to explain why anybody in their right mind would agree to follow opening acts Hunters and JEFF the Brotherhood at the 9:30 club.

By the time the first two sets were over, The Kills had made themselves some pretty big shoes to fill. And then they filled them. Twice.

Immediately noticeable about Hunters, who played first, was that they were a lot like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs — all the way down to the sexual tension between the lead singer and lead guitar player.

Next came the realization that this chemistry wasn’t a bad thing at all.

Prowling the stage like a banshee siren, lead singer Isabel Almieda managed to pull off Karen O better than Karen O could, and in the process made the Yeah Yeah Yeahs seem tame.

Almieda thrashed around the stage with energy unseen since punk died in the ’80s. Her banshee yell didn’t sit above the music, but rather pierced straight through lead guitarist Derek Watson’s reverbsoaked riffs.

For a very short period, Hunters’ opening set seemed insurmountable for the other bands following them.

Then JEFF the Brotherhood came out.

In an industry saturated with two-piece guitar/ drum bands, JEFF the Brotherhood stands out simply by being louder and kicking more ass than everybody else. JEFF, composed of brothers Jake (guitar and vocals) and Jamin (drums) Orrall, exists in the insane crossroads of punk, grunge and psych, sounding like the unruly love child of Nirvana and the Stooges. And

they were just as loud as that sounds. It took seven people to set up their amps before their set.

By the time JEFF reached their most popular song and de facto anthem “The Ripper,” a sizable mosh pit had already formed, and even those outside of the danger zone were surging along with Jake’s riff, which was reminiscent of and every bit as powerful as Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid.”

However, JEFF wasn’t all garage fuzz; every now and then Jamin would show off his jazz chops with short but great solos, which were then interrupted by more garage fuzz and Iggy Pop-style vocals from his brother.

Any thoughts of The Kills being upstaged by their openers vanished as VV (Alison Mosshart) and Hotel (Jamie Hince) came out like the third and fourth horsemen of the apocalypse, heralding their arrival with full, powerful noise rock.

VV came out looking and sounding like a witch, howling over Hotel’s guitar playing, which was the kind of fuzzed-out industrial drone that’s usually reserved for Lou Reed at his meanest. For almost an hour, he never relented, scratching and punching his guitar into noisy feedback-laced submission.

When he finally did let up, it was for a sloweddown, drone-heavy cover of Willie Nelson’s “Crazy,” representing the first time that somebody has sung the lyric “I’m crazy” and had everyone in the room immediately agree. On this track and throughout the concert, VV’s vocals were spot-on, but were more often than not overshadowed or drowned out

by Hotel’s frenzied guitar attack, which like the rest of the entire show, turned out just like it should have.

SMEEHAN@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

Opinion

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

STAFF EDITORIAL

15

MAKING HONORABLE CHANGES?

AU’s Honors Program has long aspired to create a sense of community among its members, and recently that priority has become quite clear.

Since 2010, the program has been selfcontained in Hughes Hall, which holds the administrative offices and nearly all on-campus residences of honors students. This shared physical experience may now be joined by a greater shared academic experience should administrators implement proposals to reduce the number of honors students and form a new core curriculum.

The desire to form a bond among honors students is more than understandable, and it is an admirable goal. However, the Honors Program must recognize that it pursues this sense of community with the risk of isolating itself from the larger University.

First, the reduction of the program’s size, while certainly making it more exclusive and likely prestigious, is a change that should not be underestimated. Currently, each incoming freshman class typically includes around 200 honors students. In the future, this number would be reduced to about 80.

Not only would there be fewer honors students, but their curriculum would re-

inforce this sense of Honors unity. The Honors Curriculum Task Force has proposed a core curriculum consisting of two writing and two research-based courses that would be taken during students’ freshman and sophomore years.

The effects of any change in the Honors Program will be extensive. Therefore, we stress the need for student input.

A sense of community is important, there’s no arguing that. And academic prestige is something that should always be associated with an Honors Program.

But in search of the two, the task force cannot lose sight of the fact that part of the overall college experience is social.

Living and taking classes with the same handful of students increases the possibility that these honors students might become separated from the other 6,000 AU

The State of the Rhetoric FRANCESCA MORIZIO | SPEAK MY LANGUAGE We’re all lucky to live in our nation’s capital of rhetoric. A rhetorical capital, if you will.

New York might have publishing, Los Angeles screenwriting, but D.C., has language. The past two weeks have showcased the importance of good rhetoric, as President Obama’s State of the Union is a prime example of the language of politics.

Rhetorical disclaimer: I’m a big fan of Obama’s public speaking ability. I do find his speech pattern to be a tad reminiscent of Captain Kirk, but he certainly knows how to be effective verbally.

One of the most promi-

undergraduates.

Beyond this, these changes don’t fully address one of the Honors Program’s more significant problems: the lack of course options for non-SIS/non-SPA majors. As it stands, students with less popu-

nent rhetorical devices is anaphora; Obama heavily relied on it two weeks ago.

Anaphora involves the repetition of a word or phrase several times, usually at the beginning of clauses, to instill in the audience the importance of the following statement.

It’s not a very difficult device. It’s easy to hear and understand, but the emphasis is made.

Anaphora has a powerful effect on audiences.

Obama repeated, “I will not” three times in three sentences when tackling the issue of jobs.

The use of “we will” five times in five sequential statements not only emphasizes the urgency

we hear in that repetition; it also creates a sense of unity. This is not Obama calling on Congress or explaining his plans happen, this is a call to the American people.

Anaphora is effective because of how the human ear functions. We learn language through repetition. Obama’s words become ingrained in our minds in the same way.

Of course, for every brilliant move with words, there is another less effective rhetorical device waiting in the wings. This columnist isn’t even sure exactly what to call the “house of cards” portion of the speech or the “crying over spilt milk” move,

lar majors must supplement the majority of their honors courses if they are to receive honors credit. Unfortunately, the task force does not seem to recommend the expansion of honors classes in a variety of majors.

Administrators may contend that the research and writing courses were established to address exactly that: to create a multidisciplinary environment for honors students of all majors. However, it is likely but the nearest name I can find for them is cliché.

The house of cards reference is something mobile and the collapse evoked at least mirrors the actual economic crisis referred to, but I’m still shaking my head at the spilt milk incident.

Clichés do occasionally have their place, but certain phrases are groaninducing for a reason. I applaud the use of humor in politics, but I don’t think his audience knew how to react. Being a good Midwestern girl, I agree that milk spills are not on the level of oil spills, but I must protest a phrase that’s — since we’re using clichés — as old as the hills.

On a personal note, I loved how the broadcasters cut to Michelle shaking her head at her husband’s folly after that remark.

I like to imagine that,

that students of AU’s most popular programs, SIS and SPA, would still dominate these courses, increasing the possibility that course content will eschew other students.

One of the selling points of the Honors Program has always been that it opens more possibilities to it members. Yet by requiring set courses for all students without convincingly addressing the lack of course diversity, administrators are giving the impressing that Honors is restricting academic possibilities. Current honors students would say this isn’t the case, and we hope this doesn’t become the case in future.

Clearly, the effects of any change in the Honors Program will be extensive.

Therefore, as always, The Eagle stresses the need for student input.

Yes, these changes did originate from an Honors focus group made of both students and staff. However, administrators should gauge reaction from all students by establishing an open comment period.

That way, before any rules are changed, their lasting effects can be fully understood. ≠ E EDPAGE@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

as he was practicing in a White House mirror, she called to him that he should cut that bit out. It’s reassuring to know that at least the politics of a union don’t change regardless of what a partner’s job title is.

Then there was the whole “bringing America back” sentiment with which Obama concluded his speech.

The first thing I thought of was JT’s “bringing sexy back.” An unusual parallel, I admit. I remember hearing that song and thinking, “I didn’t know sexy went anywhere,” and upon hearing Obama’s address I thought, “I didn’t know America went anywhere.”

I don’t think it was his intention, but that’s what I heard. The nation is troubled economically and socially, and the speech laid out plans on how to fix the problems facing the Un-

ion. However I don’t think telling the nation we’ve lost our place in the world is an effective way of encouraging us to work to make it better. It’s not even totally a rhetorical problem. It just could have been handled in such a way that didn’t seem like Obama lost faith in America.

Nevertheless, if Shakespeare was right and all the world is a stage, Obama certainly knows his lines.

In a way, politics is acting and acting is all about how one performs the script. In both instances, the speaker needs effective delivery as well as effective rhetoric.

Did Obama convince the nation?

Only time will tell.

Francesca Morizio is double major in CAS and Kogod.

EDPAGE@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

theEAGLE OPINION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

16

Evaluating the Founders’ Day debacle DOUGLAS BELL | WRITER OF OUR DISCONTENTS

Bell turns a critical eye to the dispersal of Founders’ Day Ball tickets What were you doing last Wednesday at 8 p.m.? Getting out of class? Maybe grabbing a bite at the Tavern?

Well, if you weren’t online reserving your Founders Day Ball tickets, or even if you were, chances are you didn’t get any. By 8:01 p.m., all 575 undergraduate tickets had been reserved.

You probably knew that already. What you might not know, however, is that AU just went through this same story not too long ago.

In 2009, the ball was held in an expensive, high-profile venue: the Mellon Auditorium in Federal Triangle.

Six hundred tickets sold out within hours. Two hundred more students packed a waiting list.

As the situation became contentious, two undergraduate senators led the charge to pass a bill directing the Student Government to make more tickets available.

The bill was controversial, with executives calling it “unfair,” “unnecessary” and “slanderous.”

But the Senate passed it with an 18-2 vote, and the SG managed to make an additional 250 tickets available, thanks in part to a surplus of Student Activity Fee revenue that year.

Of course, I can certainly recognize that planning an event of this scope is incredibly difficult.

And as far as Founders Day Balls go, the SG doesn’t have much recent precedent to follow.

The 2008 ball doubled as President Kerwin’s inauguration ball and hosted 1,000 students, thus ruling it out of comparison.

The 2010 ball didn’t even take place due to the unprecedented incompetence of SG that year.

But SG did put on a successful ball in 2011 and did a lot of things

right to get there. The venue, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, was nice but not excessive. The tickets were cheaper than in prior years.

And, most importantly, 600 tickets were available and a limited amount was sold each day to ensure the event wouldn’t sell out immediately.

Surely, this year SG executives could have anticipated a higher demand for such a high-profile venue as the Library of Congress before they decided to open the event to all undergraduates, graduates, staff and alumni; make the tickets free; and make all of them available online at the same time.

Regardless of what attendance numbers in the past may have been, this year’s Founders Day was promoted as being about bringing the AU community together. Yet 675 attendees represent only about 10 percent of AU’s undergraduate students alone.

Also, the $90,000 budget for this event represents $133 being spent per student attendee. That sounds like quite an expensive dinner. I can think of many other ways in which that money could be spent to benefit the entire student body as a whole.

At the end of the day, though, the problems plaguing Founders Day are not attributable to its organizers as much as they are to the system in which the SG exists.

American University is so entangled in its own bureaucracy that it fails to ensure effectively that the SG is using its 72 percent portion of our Student Activity Fee efficiently and transparently. It is my hope that the SG will learn from this experience and ensure that future Founders Days are more efficient, more open and administered in a more equitable manner.

In the meantime, let’s all keep our fingers crossed that the SG can find some meaningful solution to this year’s bibbidi-bobbidi-booboo.

Douglas Bell is a junior in the School of Communication.

EDPAGE@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

OP-ED

The hard-earned rewards of Teach for America It was around this time last year that I was busily stapling up Teach For America flyers around AU’s campus and tweeting statistics about the achievement gap on the hour to advertise for the final TFA application deadline.

Although I learned a tremendous amount about Teach For America as an organization while working as a recruiter at American last year, I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into this year as a TFA Corps Member in Milwaukee.

From the minute I walked into the classroom on the first day of school, my life drastically changed.

I teach 7th and 8th grade social studies and math in a Milwaukee charter school.

Ninety-nine percent of my students receive free lunch each day, and our school lacks most resources that are readily found in suburban Wisconsin school districts.

After a few days on the job, it was clear that my students were seriously lacking in basic math and reading skills. Unfortunately, this is the reality for thousands of other students living in Milwaukee.

With only 39 percent of students “at or above basic” in reading by fourth grade and only 59 percent above basic in math, the educational landscape in this town is awfully grim.

Despite their struggles with literacy, my students proved to me early on that they know how to think critically.

It was a mind-blowing transition from learning about race and the justice system in a Ward classroom to hearing my students share brilliant reflections about the racial injustices they encounter on a daily basis in Milwaukee.

We talk about “power” in my Civics class, about which groups have it and which groups don’t. It broke my heart when my students were not one bit surprised when I told them Wisconsin has the largest black-white achievement gap and Milwaukee is the most segregated city in the United States.

“Ms. Merkwae, that’s bogus … but we can’t really do anything about it,” tended to be the phrase I heard most from my kids.

That’s where they’re wrong.

AU has prepared me to mold civically conscious minds here in Milwaukee. Teach For America gave me the opportunity to show 7th and 8th grade students that they do have power in society, that they can change their life prospects by making education a top priority, and that they are completely capable of changing the world like the leaders we learned about in class.

My students know the Bill of Rights like the back of their hands. They can explain the importance of allies in creating social change, like the thousands supportive of Cesar Chavez and the Farmworkers Movement.

They can analyze the differences between the philosophies of

OP-ED

An open letter to the University community The Student Worker Alliance delivered this letter to all of the school deans and department heads this past Tuesday. The deans also received a copy of a student petition with over 250 signatures calling on the University to stop interfering in the

adjunct unionization process.

Hello, We are writing to you today to express a serious concern that we have with the recent actions of the University with regards to the organizing campaign among adjunct profes-

Dr. King and Malcolm X and decide for themselves whose approach to civil rights they agree with more. I could not be more proud of my students.

I’ll be honest—it wasn’t always easy to get out of bed each morning. The first few months as a corps member were brutal. I got very little sleep, I had never worked harder in my entire life, and I still felt like I was getting nowhere with my kids.

But when friends back in D.C. heard what I was going through, the support from my friends and the AU community was unbelievable. Every day I would get a new box full of supplies, a case of printer paper or an inspirational “thinking-ofyou” card.

AU friend and TFA D.C. Corps Member Meg Miraglia (SPA ’11) sent me boxes full of curriculum resources along with inspirational quotes to hang in my classroom and my apartment.

As I fly out the door with photocopies, laptop and coffee mug in hand each morning, I catch a glimpse of one quote hanging on the back of my door. It reads, “Smile, you’re going to learn something today.”

Ain’t that the truth. Every day is an adventure, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to take part in the movement that TFA has started.

As you consider whether or not to apply to Teach For America’s final deadline, I encourage you to think about my students in Milwaukee and the millions of other students across the country that are shortchanged by the educational system in the United States.

Let’s give them the education they deserve.

Amanda Merkwae (SPA ’11) sors. The signatures contained within the petitions delivered to the deans of each school represent the collective voice of the student body on this issue, and this letter is meant to expand upon their signatures.

We find the University’s lack of neutrality throughout the organizing campaign to be extremely problematic. Though the administration has on multiple occasions stated that it “respects faculty rights to freedom of association, expression and participation in democratic Continued on Page 17

theEAGLE OPINION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Drooling over Democrats

Continued from Page 16

Student Worker Alliance advocates for union processes, including the right to unionize,” we have not seen this to be the case in practice.

Specifically, we are concerned with two actions taken by the University.

The first is the retention of the notorious anti-union law firm Epstein Becker and Green, the cost of which is sure to exceed hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of the unionization process.

As students, we are very concerned with how our tuition dollars are being spent and condemn the use of university funds in efforts to stagnate democratic rights. We are confused as to why the administration would rather pay lawyers to fight the union instead of paying professors their due. We encourage the University to open its financial books and release the amount spent in retention of Epstein Becker and Green.

Furthermore, we are concerned with the distribution of memoranda and flyers to the adjunct community outlining what the University sees as uncertainties if the union is

elected. The uncertainty of these situations rests solely on the University.

We see the distribution of these materials as happening out of a sincere disregard for the democratic process of forming a union and goes against all of our university’s stated values.

We hope that, when the election concludes, the administration will make the responsible decision to respect the results of the election and not challenge them through the courts. We think that, with cooperation from the administration, the union can bring positive change to the way in which adjunct faculty are treated at our university and the results will be beneficial for everyone within our community, especially students.

If you wish to follow up on this letter, you may email us at American.solidarity@gmail.com Thank You, AU Student Worker Alliance

CONOR SHAPIRO | SMARTER THAN I LOOK I didn’t get tickets to President Clinton’s speech a couple weeks ago. A buddy offered an extra, but I told him I had more interesting things to accomplish, like lounging in the hot tub at the pool at Wilson High School in Tenleytown.

I don’t think I missed much, save for the typical liberal fawning over a man who carries the capital D. That could be taken a couple of different ways, but you know what I mean.

The Eagle’s twitter feed giddily streamed live snippets from the event, and many AU students gushed at Clinton’s charisma in the Twittersphere as well. Students clamored for tickets, hoping to catch a glimpse of the magnanimous NAFTA signatory.

Remember NAFTA, the agreement largely responsible for shipping manufacturing jobs overseas, the very agreement that continues to hamper employment in this country today?

Yeah, yeah, well at least he supported equal rights, you say.

President Clinton signed Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and the Defense of

Marriage Act. Not like there’s anything abnormal about awarding the individual culpable for stymieing equal rights at perhaps the most LGBTQ-friendly university in the nation, right?

Students didn’t notice.

Hold on a minute, those were different times, you say. Equal rights weren’t trendy then — they’re not timeless virtues — they’re fashionable now, like UGG boots.

Naturally, The Eagle’s editorial was also seduced

by Clinton’s “grace,” calling him “brilliant” and “inspiring,” while trying to “bask in the lingering glow.”

You could mop the floor with the obsequious drool.

I could continue, but let’s turn our attention to another orator who commands fellow Democrats into servile robocalls.

President Obama spoke to the nation last month as college Democrats gathered in Mary Graydon Center to applaud attentively.

Our constitutional scholar-in chief, who never met a civil liberty he didn’t want to dismantle, received copious admiration.

Eagle Rants Can the female Undergrad Senators please figure out that “business attire” does not mean wearing hiked up skirts that show off your business? Keep it classy, not trashy, ladies.

New hotties in the Senate...never thought I would ever say that before.

Who’s the kid on the Quad with the embroidered Air Force One flight jacket?

He’s lookin’ finnneee. You can call my red phone anytime.

Being in a new member in a sorority is like being attacked by love and attention.

Dear Editor, Be my valentine?

Sincerely, You ate all my gummies [Editor’s note: OK : ) ] Please don’t be a lesbian. Please don’t be dating. Please be mine. I’ve fallen for you. Please just catch me. Don’t let me be crushed.

17

And what’s not to like?

Nothing spells freedom like compulsory education, invading and bombing nations across the globe and mandatory private health insurance.

Wait, at least Obama is a stalwart for the lower- and middle-class, you say. Did I even listen to the speech, you ask?

As president, Obama extended President Bush’s tax cuts for millionaires.

As senator, he voted to bail out the banks (TARP) with scarcely a stipulation.

Obama is responsible for prosecuting petty drug offenses with alacrity that would make Pat Buchanan blush. He’s deported more illegal immigrants than any president. Ever.

Sounds like a freedomsupporting progressive to me.

And the answer is yes. I did watch the State of the Union with a liberal friend who said midway: “He’s just such a good-hearted man.”

Right. Hail to the chief.

Wonder if she thought the same of Bush?

I’m unsure how to respond to this type of blind obedience, aside from los-

ing all hope in humanity by drowning myself in bubbles at the hot tub.

Obama, not a liberal or a progressive, still garners affection from his gullible constituents.

It’s easy to understand how ruthless dictators won over the masses. Individuals need to believe in someone. They want so earnestly to believe; they ignore empirical evidence in favor of sound bites.

They’re great listeners, but not-so-great analysts.

Clinton and Obama mesmerize and bamboozle Democrats, while they simultaneously and deliberately unravel the very values Democrats supposedly represent. This must elicit quite a chuckle when the dupes vote and mail them checks.

Capitulation is an acquired skill cultivated by the average liberal or progressive. We witness it daily from President Hope-Change. We saw it under President Clinton.

Yet their constituents cling onto their hero’s peroration, longing for promises to be morphed into reality.

Just listen to the man, you say. Can’t you tell he’s on our side?

Sure, totally.

Conor Shapiro is a graduate student in the School of International Service.

EDPAGE@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

Go ahead, speak your mind. We’ll probably print it.

I like you too much. Any time you want to stop being so nice and charming is good with me, you wonker.

Confession: I spilled lucky charms in the elevator in Hughes The girl at the front desk of my building with the long red hair is incredibly beautiful. I wish I had the courage to talk to her more :(

That awkward moment in Spanish class when your teacher is clarifying instructions (in spanish) and one of your classmates stands up and begins reading them thinking he was asked to read them aloud.

We’ve all been there. Spanish miscommunications.

soooo ronery.

My feet don’t touch the ground when I sit on the AU Shuttle. HELP.

Gretchen, stop trying to make Wonk happen, it’s not gonna happen!

New policy at AU for guys: Gay until proven straight.

Dear Anonymous Ranter, President McBride’s significant other didn’t get a ticket. I doubt any of his “cronies” did.

Love, The significant other

I love my Disney Princess gummy vitamins. They make me feel special each morning when I take them. dear girl I’ve been having sex with, You’re good at the sex. sincerely, guy you’ve been having sex with [Editor’s Note: Get it girl] Explore-a-dore the vending machines! No regular lemonade? Anywhere? Sad face. D:

theEAGLE SPORTS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

18

No. 1 wrestler Flores has his eyes set on a national championship In high school, Flores was a four-year letterman at Buchanan High School in Clovis, Calif. In Perhaps no AU athlete exem- college, Flores garnered many plifies the term “Big Man on Cam- awards, including two state titles pus” quite like senior wrestler and two All-American honors.

Ryan Flores.

But for all of Flores’ excellence The heavyweight has been on the mat, his excellence in the ranked No. 1 in the nation since classroom is equally as impresDecember and is carrying a per- sive. A psychology major, Flores fect 10-0 record on the season. registered the third highest GPA Flores’ most recent accom- among Division I wrestlers and plishment came Jan. 20, when was named a NWCA Academic he pinned North Carolina State’s All-American in 2011.

Josh Davis in a remarkable 24 sec“If I can lead on the wrestling onds for the fastest pin of his AU mat, there is no reason I can’t lead career. in academics as well,” Flores said.

“I think physically, I have been “That’s really important to me.” in a good place,” Flores said.

Flores’ success has been part “Mentally, I have been in a good of an Eagle wrestling team ranked place. I’ve been trying to stay No. 11 in the country and featurhealthy and stay strong. I think ing three other wrestlers ranked that’s going to be a separating in the top 20 of their respective thing for myself this year.” weight classes.

In his two “I am reyears at AU, ally a lead-byFlores has postexample type ed an impres“Once you meet Ryan person,” Flores sive 35-6 record said. “I make while earning sure first and and see what he’s all All-American foremost I’m status. Last sea- about, it doesn’t take a lot doing the right son, as the No. things for me, 3 wrestler in to see this guy wants to be and then it also the country, he puts me in a became AU’s a national champion.” position where second NCAA I can tell other Finalist after - AU Head Coach Teague Moore people when narrowly losing they are doto Lehigh Uniing something versity’s Zach wrong.”

Rey in the championship bout.

Flores’ dedication in his workThe 2010-2011 season saw Flo- outs has translated into victories res win the EIWA championship. on the mat.

In the Midlands Championship “When we go through our that year, Flores beat the then-No. workouts, we rarely have to tell 2 and No. 4 ranked wrestlers en guys in our room to crank it up,” route to a third place finish.

Moore said. “They are pushing at “Once you meet Ryan and see max pace when we get to those what he’s all about, it doesn’t take workouts, and Ryan is a great exa lot to see this guy wants to be ample.” a national champion,” AU Head Despite what Flores has accomCoach Teague Moore said. “He plished, he still has his eye on the wants to be the best of the best.” ultimate prize: his first national As a junior, Flores had a streak championship. Should he win the of 11 straight victories, including title, he would join Josh Glenn as eight triumphs over opponents the only other Eagle to take home ranked in the top five. In total, he the award. finished the year with 11 victories “In the end, it doesn’t matter over top five opponents. what happened in the season,” Flores transferred to AU after Flores said. “It’s all about getting two seasons at Columbia Universi- to the finals and winning a nationty, where he posted a 45-12 record al championship.” over two seasons with the Lions.

SPORTS@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

By ERIC SALTZMAN

EAGLE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

RACHEL DEVOR / THE EAGLE

ESPN SportsCenter anchor and AU alumnus Bram Weinstein discussed his career path and the future of sports journalism at a Feb. 2 event hosted by AU Athletics in the Katzen Arts Center.

Weinstein returns to AU community ESPN anchor participates in discussion, guest stars on the Jeff Jones Radio Show

By JOSH PAUNIL EAGLE STAFF WRITER

ESPN anchor and AU alumnus Bram Weinstein (SOC ’95) visited campus Feb. 2 to speak to the AU community, visit a production class and be a guest on the Jeff Jones Radio Show.

“It’s an honor to be invited back to your alma mater, so I took advantage of it,” Weinstein said. “I love coming home, and I had such a great experience at AU.” Weinstein also saw the AU men’s basketball team practice and was accompanied by Director of Athletics Keith Gill throughout the day.

“I thought the whole day was wonderful,” Gill said. “It was great having an alum like Bram who’s so accomplished being here and providing a lot of insight and knowledge to the students so when they start their careers, they can learn from his experiences.”

The culminating event of Weinstein’s visit was when he spoke to the AU community at the Katzen Arts Center. For nearly two hours, he discussed his road to ESPN and the lessons he has learned during his sports journalism career and answered over a dozen questions from the audience.

“It was a very unique experience,” said Kogod freshman Chris Grassano. “Getting insight from someone like him who works at ESPN was pretty cool.”

Weinstein covered a myriad of topics during his on-stage discussion with Gill and Jones, from funny stories about ESPN to his career before working in Bristol, Conn., and his time at AU. “Bram is so affable, open and honest,” Gill said. “He wasn’t guarded at all, and hearing about his experiences was neat.”

Some of the highlights from the two-hour event included when the on-stage trio talked about their favorite ESPN commercial, when Weinstein gave advice to AU students about job hunting and when he said whom he enjoys anchoring shows with the most.

Weinstein cited the Evander Holyfield ad as his favorite ESPN commercial, said persistence is the key in finding a

job and that Linda Cohn is his favorite co-anchor because of how funny she is.

Weinstein’s father also told a few funny stories about him at the end of the event.

“I liked that Jeff Jones had to ask me questions,” Weinstein said, laughing. “That’s such an unusual position to be in. That was fun that he did that. I just enjoyed talking about my experiences and hope that everyone gets to follow in whatever they want to follow.”

One of the first things Weinstein did after coming to campus Thursday morning was make an in-studio guest appearance for the Jeff Jones Radio Show that aired Feb. 4. The two discussed everything from preparation for ESPN shows to his superstitions.

“For me, the highlight of Bram’s visit was having him on the radio show,” Jones said. “I had a chance to talk to him offair, laugh and talk about a lot of things.”

From morning to night, Weinstein had a busy day on campus, and made many guest appearances while reaching out to the AU community.

“I’ll come back any time they want,” Weinstein said. “Any time they ask, I’ll be happy to come back.”

SPORTS@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

theEAGLE SPORTS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Patriot League Standings

Wrestling records two road victories Eagles open February with wins over Binghamton and Bucknell to even dual record

By SAMANTHA RAPHELSON EAGLE STAFF WRITER

The AU wrestling team pushed its dual meet record back to the .500 mark with wins over Binghamton University in Vestal, N.Y., and Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa. The Eagles recorded six decisions en route to defeating Binghamton 18-15 Feb. 3, before taking down EIWA opponent Bucknell 23-13 Feb. 5.

No. 1 Flores breaks tie at Binghamton The Eagles picked up the victory in the 10-bout match that saw neither side hold more than a three-point advantage.

After falling behind by two points early in the ninth bout, No. 19 Daniel Mitchell came back with four consecutive points to edge Binghamton’s Cody Reed 5-3.

With the dual tied at 15 apiece entering the final bout, top-ranked Ryan Flores earned the victory for the Eagles when he took down No. 19 Nick Gwiazdowski, 8-1.

Flores earned two points in the first period and gained a 5-0 lead in the second with an escape and a takedown before picking up the seven-point win.

The Eagles and Bearcats began the match with two victories each. AU’s Thomas Williams started off the night with a 5-3 decision at 125 pounds, while No. 15 Matt Mariacher

19

MEN’S BASKETBALL

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Bucknell 8-0 PL, 18-6

Lehigh 6-2 PL, 18-6

Lehigh 6-2 PL, 13-9

won at 141 pounds.

Corey Borshoff and Kevin Tao both came up short against Binghamton’s Patrick Hunter and No. 4 Donald Vinson, respectively.

No. 3 Ganbayar Sanjaa won the 157-pound match for the Eagles, defeating No. 10 Justin Lister, 5-3.

Sanjaa recorded a takedown in the third period to pick up the win in the highly anticipated matchup.

American 6-2 PL, 15-8

American 8-0 PL, 16-6

Navy 5-3 PL, 12-10

Lafayette 5-3 PL, 10-13

Army 5-3 PL, 11-12

Army 3-5 PL, 10-13

Holy Cross 4-4 PL, 13-10

Holy Cross 3-5 PL, 9-13

Lafayette 2-6 PL, 8-15

Colgate 1-7 PL, 7-16

Colgate 2-6 PL, 5-18

Navy 0-8 PL, 3-19

Bucknell 0-8 PL, 2-21

Schedule FEB. 8 FEB. 9 FEB. 10 FEB. 11

Women’s basketball @ Lehigh at 7 p.m.

Men’s basketball vs. Lehigh at 7 p.m.

No games scheduled Women’s basketball vs. Holy Cross at 2 p.m.

Men’s basketball @ Holy Cross at 2 p.m.

FEB. 12

Women’s lacrosse vs. Wales at noon (Exhibition) Women’s lacrosse vs. Villanova at 2 p.m.

AU picks up EIWA victor y The Eagles never trailed in the win over Bucknell, jumping out with four straight victories to take an early 17-0 lead over the Bison.

Flores gave AU six points at the outset following a forfeit at heavyweight, while Williams earned a 4-3 decision at 125 pounds for the Eagles.

Borshoff and Mariacher then followed with backto-back victories, defeating their opponents 9-0 and 102, respectively.

The Bison then came back to win the next four contests of the day. Among these victories was Bucknell’s Corey Lear defeating Sanjaa 8-5 at 165 pounds when the AU grappler wrestled up a weight class.

With the Eagles in front 17-13, Thomas Barreiro and Daniel Mitchell secured the dual victory by posting two wins in their matchups.

The Eagles will next compete at the National Duals Regional Feb. 12 in Ithaca, N.Y. Competitors will include Cornell University, Central Michigan University, Purdue University, the University of Oklahoma and the University of Illinois.

SPORTS@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

COURTESY OF AU EAGLES

Corey Borshoff split his two weekend matches for the Eagles, who will next head to the National Duals Regional.

(Exhibition) Wrestling @ National Duals Regional at 10 a.m.

Wrestling

Get to know AU’s heavyweight star Ryan Flores 18 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Hinkle leads AU to narrow victory

By JACK KERNOCHAN EAGLE STAFF WRITER

Charles Hinkle drained a clutch, goahead 3-pointer with 28.8 seconds remaining, and the AU men’s basketball team hung on for a 59-58 win over Colgate University Feb. 4 in Hamilton, N.Y. Hinkle’s late triple was one of five for him on the night, as he recorded a game-high 23 points.

Troy Brewer chipped in nine points and both Daniel Munoz and Tony Wroblicky added five rebounds for the Eagles (15-8, 6-2 PL). Mike Venezia led Colgate (7-16, 1-7 PL) with 13 points.

With 1:47 to play and the Eagles trailing 5251, Riley Grafft slammed home a pass from Troy Brewer to give AU a onepoint advantage. But Venezia promptly responded with a couple of free throws for Colgate, and the Eagles once again found themselves in a one-point hole with less than 90 seconds remaining.

Hinkle continued to have the hot hand after an empty possession for the Eagles, burying his fourth 3-pointer to reclaim the lead for AU at 56-54 with 1:11 to play.

The Raiders burned a timeout, and Venezia came right back with a 3-pointer of his own 10 seconds later to give the Raiders a 57-56 edge.

Hinkle would not be denied, as the senior calmly drilled his fi fth and final trey of the night to pull AU in front 59-57 in the game’s closing moments.

With 15 seconds to go, Wroblicky fouled Col-

gate’s Sterling Melville, sending him to the line for two shots. Melville converted 1-2 to make it 59-58 Eagles.

Blake Jolivette’s turnover on the ensuing inbound pass gave the Raiders one final chance for the win, but Mitch Rolls couldn’t connect on a 3-point attempt with three seconds left.

The game was tight throughout, as neither team was ever able to pull away. After a backand-forth first half, the Eagles headed to the locker room with a slim 25-24 advantage.

Midway through the second half, AU built up a seven point lead after Simon McCormack’s layup and a 3-pointer from Hinkle. This was the Eagles’ largest lead of the afternoon, and it didn’t last long.

The Raiders promptly answered with a 12-2 run, giving them a 52-49 lead with 3:34 left and setting up the game’s thrilling final minutes.

A key factor in the win for the Eagles was strong shooting. AU shot 54 percent from 3-point range (7-13) and a solid 44 percent from the field (25-57).

Colgate, while shooting 41 percent from the field (19-46), hit just four of 14 attempts from downtown.

The Eagles will return to Bender Arena for the first time since Jan. 21 to take on Lehigh University Feb. 9. The two teams are tied for second place in the Patriot League with both holding 6-2 records in conference play. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

SPORTS@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM

Sports

ESPN at AU

ESPN anchor Bram Weinstein visits campus 18

20

Eagles coast to 70-47 win

By ARIEL FERNANDEZ EAGLE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The AU women’s basketball team remained unbeaten in the Patriot League by cruising past Colgate University 70-47 Feb. 4 at Bender Arena.

The Eagles set the pace right off the bat, with Lisa Strack scoring the game’s first points in what would be a strong offensive performance for the senior.

Strack netted a game-high 18 points while going 6-9 from the field and 6-7 from the foul line.

Jen Dumiak helped Strack out with 10 points, while also contributing four rebounds, two steals and four assists.

“Her handles have improved, and her decision making has gotten better,” AU Assistant Coach Belle Koclanes said of Dumiak.

Jhazmine Lynch paced the Raiders with 12 points while going 6-6 from the line.

AU had all the momentum early in the game, penetrating consistently and holding the Raiders to single digits until 8:48 remained in the first half.

As has been the theme all season, the Eagles forced turnovers and converted them into points.

Colgate had 21 turnovers, and the Eagles totaled 34 points off the miscues for the afternoon.

Alexis Dobbs and Ebony Edwards led AU in steals with four and three, respectively.

The Eagles jumped out to a 29-7 lead midway through the first half, but the Raiders fought back to cut the deficit. Colgate began to tighten its defense, slowing down AU’s scoring and closing the gap to 34-23 Eagles at the half.

RACHEL DEVOR / THE EAGLE

Lisa Strack tallied 18 points to lead AU to a dominating win over Colgate.

“We expected it,” Koclanes said of Colgate’s surge. “However, we don’t want other teams to dictate us. We want to be in the driver’s seat.”

The Raiders trailed 3427 three minutes into the second half, as they continued to put the clamps on the AU offense. In over 12 minutes of game time spanning the first and second halves, AU scored just five points.

But the Eagles quickly got back on track, going on an 11-2 run to extend their lead to 45-29. Strack accounted for nine of the team’s 11 points during

the key spurt. AU maintained a large lead from then, as Colgate never closed to within 14 points down the stretch.

“We focused on transition defense,” Strack said. “Our goal [became] getting the ball stopped early.”

Colgate shot 35 percent from the field for the game and went just 7-23 in the second half.

AU has started the second leg of the Patriot League conference schedule with a resounding win, but will now face a tough test in its next game.

The Eagles will travel

to Bethlehem, Pa., Feb. 8 to take on Lehigh University, who is in second place in the conference at 6-2.

The Eagles defeated the Mountain Hawks 55-49 Jan. 11 at Bender Arena behind a balanced offensive attack. In that contest, the Eagles had four double-digit scorers, with Sarah Kiely and Ebony Edwards leading the way with 12 points apiece.

SPORTS@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM