Hitching a ride
Senior Keith Raine wanted to pick his girlfriend up from the airport when she returned after a weekend away. While he could have called a cab, taken public transportation or bummed a ride from a buddy, Raine wanted to ride in style.
Monday, March 28, 2005
The virtue of snap judgments
AUSTIN, Texas, March 13 - Malcolm Gladwell steps on stage, his gently receding hairline overshadowed by the large Afro hovering above it. Sleek, stylish jeans and a track jacket hug his small frame, and his comically oversized fingers begin twitching while a volunteer attaches a microphone to the collar of his jacket.
Column: The perception of normal
While having dinner with some family friends a few weeks ago, a comment was made that happened to snatch my attention away from my steak. "Have you seen that show 'Desperate Housewives'?'" "Yeah," my aunt replied. "It's unbelievable! You don't think people really think housewives are like that? How can they put that on TV? It's embarrassing.
Cherry Blossom festival begins
As part of an annual testament to the conclusion of winter, millions will journey to the banks of the Potomac tidal basin between now and April 10 to gaze in wonder at a sea of pink blossoms adorning Washington's legendary Japanese cherry trees. This year's National Cherry Blossom Festival, which will mark the 93rd anniversary of the 1912 Japanese gift of 3,000 cherry trees to the city of Washington, is expected to draw more than 700,000 tourists and involve close to a billion participants, including locals, Diana Mayhew, executive director of the festival, said.
Editorial: Stick to the rules
Even though this year's Student Association election is over, the Joint Elections Committee continues its work in investigating alleged violations by both candidates involved in the run-off. Both Ben Traverse and the winner of the presidential runoff, Audai Shakour, racked up campaign violations during the regular election and moved closer to the seven-vote threshold for removal during the run-off period.
Editorial: Unfair burden
For most GW students, living on campus is a foregone conclusion. Citing relative convenience and impressive new facilities, students continue to return to GW residence halls despite being charged above-market value for a competitively inferior product. The University cannot continue supplementing its tuition by charging outrageous prices for students to live on-campus when they are required to do so.
Column: Election analysis
The votes are in, the ballots cast, the posters taken down, and yet the three-ring circus also known as the Student Association election continues. With continuing violation hearings being held for Audai Shakour and Ben Traverse after the ballot count, it seems that the final curtain has yet to be drawn.
Column: Fighting against ourselves
I once thought the war on drugs was the United States' most self-defeating policy - until recently, when the war on terrorism stole that prize. The effectiveness of the war on drugs is not entirely stunted by the government's own hypocrisy, unlike the war on terrorism.
Calendar
Monday "Travel the World: It's Easier Than You Think" Information session on how to travel on a budget 7 p.m. Marvin Center Continental Ballroom Sponsored by STA Travel "Where is the Love? Ideas of Hate in America" Discussion about issues in diversity 7 to 9 p.
GW Briefs
Trachtenberg says restrictions hurt foreign students University President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg said a "suspicion of foreigners" after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks has hurt international students in America at a Washington International Trade Organization discussion last week.
Condition improving for frosh severely burned in fire
Students living on the same floor as a freshman severely injured in a Thurston Hall fire last week said his condition is improving. As of Friday, he was still listed in critical condition, a University spokeswoman said.
Officials look to build new MVC residence hall
More students may be calling Mount Vernon home in future years. In May, University officials will seek approval from the Board of Trustees to build a new residence hall housing freshmen and sophomores on the Foxhall campus. Executive Vice President Louis Katz stressed that the facility is still in the early design stages, with its number of beds still uncertain.
Council targets smoking
Four D.C. Council members want to clear the air once and for all - two weeks ago, the group introduced two new bills that would make Washington a smoke-free city.
Letters to the Editor
Columnbia Plaza action The Hatchet's recent reporting and opinion coverage of the management of Columbia Plaza brings attention to several allegations of security misconduct and discriminatory policies against students. The GW administration, upon learning of these concerns, is in contact with Columbia Plaza management to discuss the application of its security policies, including the responsibilities of the off-duty police officer and the treatment of all residents in accordance with D.
Bhangra Blowout celebrates Indian culture
The South Asian Society sponsored a weekend of festivities for the 12th annual Bhangra Blowout competition. The competition, which features a dance style that originated in a region of northwest India called Punjab, is one of the largest of its kind in the country.
Baseball falls in league opener
First-year coach Steve Mrowka's Atlantic 10 career did not start as he had hoped, as the GW baseball team dropped two of three games to Rhode Island last weekend at Barcroft Park.
Softball splits with Rhody
After a plethora of cancellations, the GW softball team was finally able to hit the field Saturday, splitting a home doubleheader against Rhode Island. GW was able to squeak one out against the Rams 4-3 in the first game but lost 13-12 in extra innings in the nightcap.
Stabbing mars Bhangra after-party
A 20-year-old man died and two were injured in a stabbing outside a GW student group-sponsored party early Sunday morning. Metropolitan Police and University officials said they have no indication that GW students were among those involved in the fight outside the Bhangra Blowout after-party in the downtown Old Post Office Pavilion.
Preparing for D.C. baseball’s return
VIERA, Fla. - Amid the smell of sunscreen under the blistering heat of a Florida sun, a D.C. team is playing professional baseball for the first time in 34 years. Though the Nationals have taken the field nearly every day for the last month, most area fans have not seen the team with their own eyes because the club had been training 873 miles from downtown Washington.
Column: Ignorance is bliss for MLB
Who could blame them, right? It was the summer of 1998, and everywhere you turned, there it was. Fans watched Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire chase history. Balls were flying into the stands, hot dog sales were up and eyes were glued to television sets around the country.
Players consider NBA draft
When the GW men's basketball team ended its season in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last weekend, junior forwards Mike Hall and Pops Mensah-Bonsu expressed optimism that the Colonials would only get better next year. But there is a chance that neither player will be a part of the 2005-06 team, as both players told The Hatchet last week that they will enter the upcoming NBA Draft.
Shakour awaits official win
The votes are counted. The winner has been announced. But the Student Association presidential run-off is not over.
Housing prices drive some students off campus
In light of a 5 percent increase in on-campus housing rates for the 2005-06 academic year, some students are weighing the freedom and possibly lower prices many associate with off-campus living with the convenience of staying on campus.
UPD to monitor student behavior
The University Police Department is establishing a team of officers to handle disturbances in Foggy Bottom in order to address residents' complaints about student behavior. UPD is in the process of hiring three additional officers to be part of the new team, which was formed because some neighbors said the department is doing an inadequate job patrolling the residential neighborhood.
Crime Log
Assault With Deadly Weapon 12/19/04 - Hall on Virginia Avenue - case closed One roommate became angry with the other and began flailing his arms, waving a serrated butter knife in his hand. He then struck his roommate in the right shoulder with the knife. The wound required three stitches.
Shakour, Traverse await fate with JEC
Student Association President-elect Audai Shakour is still in danger of being barred from assuming his position. The Joint Election Committee will decide by Friday if the junior committed two campaign violations that would nullify his victory.
TV show pilot taped at GW
"On Background," a new television show hosted by professor Steve Roberts, took center stage Monday night in a packed Jack Morton Auditorium. In its pilot episode, the interview show welcomed ABC News correspondent Sam Donaldson.
Hidden camera tip prompts UPD search
A likely practical joke turned out to be no laughing matter for three female freshmen living in the HOVA. An anonymous tip about a hidden spy camera located in a fourth floor HOVA room led to a search by UPD that didn't turn up any digital Peeping Toms.
Shakour to be confirmed as next SA president
Posted Friday, April 1, 6:55 p.m. Junior Audai Shakour will be the next Student Association president, the Joint Elections Committee announced early Friday evening.
