The Eagle, April 26, 2010

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SUMMER LOVIN’ As finals end, take a look at six summer albums to check out in the next few warm weeks. SCENE page 7

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NEWS LIGHTER WALLETS AU tuition to climb 5 percent next year page 2

APRIL 26, 2010 VOLUME 84 ISSUE 50 n

Oren: peace in Israel still possible Visit from Israeli ambassador stirs student protest By JULIA RYAN

EDITORIAL

GO OUTSIDE, KIDS Michael Stubel explores ways we can rediscover the wonders of exercise page 5

SPORTS LACROSSE DENIED With season on the line, women’s lax falls to Holy Cross Crusaders

Eagle Staff Writer Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren said Israel is committed to peace talks and a two-state solution with Palestine during a speech Thursday in the Katzen Arts Center. The speech was disrupted five times, as small groups of protesters stood up, turned around, displayed handwritten signs to the audience, then left the Abramson Family Recital Hall. Oren did not directly address the protesters until the third incident, at which point he said to the protesters exiting the Hall, “I wish you would stay and ask questions.” The speech Oren discussed the relationship between the United States and Israel, the possibility of peace agreements between Israel and Palestine and the logistics of a two-state solution. He argued that the United States and Israel have always had a very close relationship, pointing out that America was the first nation to recognize Israel in 1948 under President Harry Truman. On the issue of the land disputes between Jews and Palestinians in Israel, Oren said Jews want to be able to live in their homeland, but they are also more

PHILLIP OCHS / THE EAGLE

CLASH — AU students gather outside of Katzen Arts Center on Thursday afternoon to protest Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren’s visit to AU. During Oren’s speech, groups of students stood up and walked out. Oren ignored them at first but said “I wish you would stay and ask questions,” after the third group left. than willing to work out an agreement with Palestinians living in the same territory. “[The nation of ] Israel recognizes that this land is shared by another group of people,” Oren said. “We are willing to negoti-

ate with the Palestinians so that one day we may live side by side in peace.” However, Oren noted that this peace treaty must also come with the promise of secure borders for both nations and formal recogni-

BRONCOS BAFFLE Denver moves up in first round to select quarterback Tim Tebow

By ALLIE MOONEY Eagle Staff Writer

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SCENE ‘BEST IN SHOW’

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TODAY’S WEATHER

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PHILLIP OCHS / THE EAGLE

PIE TIME — Quinn Pregliasco, next year’s director of Women’s Initiative, pies Class of 2010 Senator Steve Dalton during this past week’s Spring Fling events. All proceeds of the pie-throwing benefitted the Clean Energy Revolving Fund.

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see OREN on page 3

Josh Levitt, a newcomer to the Student Government, was appointed director of the Kennedy Political Union in a vote of 14-53 during Sunday’s Senate meeting. The process of appointing Levitt caused an extended debate in the Senate. Vice President Maia Tagami said in an interview that some controversy arose after an application from the current deputy director of KPU, Greg Martin, was turned in to Student Activities six days after the application deadline. The applications for director of KPU were accepted until

April 8 at 5 p.m. Tagami received Martin’s application at 9 p.m. on April 15 after she and her fellow executives had already conducted interviews with the two ontime applicants. “I went to Student Activities to see the status of the application [and] if it could be accepted or not,” Tagami said. “Later that week Andrew Toczydlowski [program adviser of Student Activities] said because the applicant didn’t give any sort of indication [that] his application would be late, I was only to consider the two applicants that had turned it in on time.” The panel of SG executives decided to recommend Levitt

Spring Fling Week an SG fundraising success Metro considers By ANNA SCALAMOGNA Eagle Staff Writer

Chance of showers and thunderstorms

“Israel is committed to the two-state formula,” he said. “Borders will have to be drawn [for Israel and Palestine], and not everyone is going to like it. It will be painful, but we’re committed

Undergrad Senate appoints Levitt as director of KPU

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Comedian Jennifer Coolidge brings her ditzy comedy to Arlington, Va.

tion of both states as sovereign nations. Oren expanded on this during the question-and-answer portion of the event when asked if Israel was really committed to achieving peace.

The Student Government held a week of on-campus activities called “Spring Fling,” using the funds previously allocated to the canceled Founders’ Day Ball. AU students and the environment both benefited from the week’s events. Money raised by the Spring Gala Saturday night and from throwing plates of whipped cream at SG leaders on the quad Thursday were donated to the Clean Energy Revolving Fund. Students who attended the Spring Gala spent the night dancing and enjoyed a midnight brunch in the University Club. The event was moved from its original location outside on the quad to the University Club in Mary Graydon Center due to rain. Despite problems arising from

weather and conflicts with greek formals, Drew Veysey, the director for environmental policy of SG, said that everyone who came to the Spring Formal had a great time. Approximately 100 people attended the Spring Gala, according to Director of Events Jenny Kim. Pre-sale tickets were sold for $5, and tickets at the door were sold for $8. Kim said she has not yet determined the total amount of money raised during Spring Fling week. The SG was able to purchase door prizes full of environmentally-friendly products because of extra funds from the Founders’ Day Ball. Biodegradable plates and silverware were also used at the event, said EcoSense President Jennifer Jones. The SG is required to spend the money from the Founders’ Day Ball by the end of this school year so that current seniors can

enjoy the results of their student activity fees, according to Veysey. SG President Nate Bronstein estimates that of the $40,000 from the Founders’ Day Ball, $35,000 was spent on Spring Fling week. The SG spent approximately $17,000 on the Gala, including the disc jockey, food, desserts and the gift bags for all participants, according to Kim. Bronstein said the idea for the Spring Gala came to him after the success of the Winter Gala. The SG was able to spend more money on the Spring Gala because they could use Founders’ Day funds instead of relying on sponsors. Proceeds from other events such as whipped cream “pie-ing” were also donated to CERF. Students had the chance to throw a plate of whipped cream at class of 2010 Senator Steve Dalton and n

see SPRING FLING on page 4

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see LEVITT on page 4

closing doors early in new budget

By STEFANIE DAZIO Eagle Staff Writer Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s latest proposal to close the agency’s budget gap includes ending weekend service at 2 a.m. instead of 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, according to spokesperson Lisa Farbstein. Service adjustments like this to Metrorail and Metrobus are expected to account for $8 million — 4 percent — of the budget gap reduction. Metro’s Interim General Manager Richard Sarles also proposed fare and parking fee increases, bus and rail service adjustments, capital fund reallocations, departmental reductions, layoffs and increased contributions

from local jurisdictions to close the $189 million budget gap for fiscal year 2011, according to a statement from Metro. Fare adjustments account for $87.9 million of the budget. Changes to parking, bicycle locker and other fees are expected to bring in $13.8 million more in revenue, according to the statement. The Board of Directors is scheduled to meet Thursday, but there is no way to predict if they will pass these changes, Farbstein said. In January, the Board voted to increase Metro fares by 10 cents through June 30 in order to generate $9.6 million to help close the agency’s $40 million budget gap. n

see METRO on page 2


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