Educational Globetrotting
Taking flamenco dancing lessons in Spain would be a dream vacation for some. Having someone else pay for it in the name of education makes it even better.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
What’s the deal with … infectious disease rumors in Thurston?
After more than 1,000 freshmen settle into Thurston Hall and start hearing about the infectious disease outbreaks rumored to plague the building each year, they might begin wondering what other vaccines they should have gotten before moving in. From scabies on the sixth floor to syphilis on the second, this close-proximity and notoriously promiscuous residence hall is subject to a frenzy of word-of-mouth warnings that leave residents wondering what's spreading: rumors or disease? Student Health Services Director Isabel Goldenberg, who has worked with the health center for 25 years, said she hears about these rumors every year.
Starting a book: A Middle East visit A Middle East visit
As a student of Arab descent, the Middle East has always been not only an interest but also a part of my culture and identity, yet I have never been there myself. In fact, not a single member of my family has returned since my paternal grandparents left Bethlehem in 1947.
Tech for all: The quota chase: Unclogging e-mail
There's nothing more frustrating than logging into your Colonial Mail account, only to face a stern warning that you're coming ever closer to reaching your dreaded message quota. At 20 megabytes of storage space, C-Mail does let you hold on to hundreds of messages, but for those who like keeping a record of everything, this just doesn't do.
Fraternities fight sanctions
Tau Kappa Epsilon leaders are appealing a Student Judicial Services sanction leveled after a member of the fraternity sustained injuries three months ago in an apparent fall from their townhouse.
$40,000 and then some
When GW students and their parents pay more than $40,000 for two semesters, some may not realize that there may be more money they owe the University throughout the year.
Gelman updates technology
One common gripe among GW students is the $50 voluntary library donation, which some claim is tough to opt out of because it is often overshadowed by more expensive costs on the tuition bill. But Gelman administrators hope students, upon their first trip to the library this semester, see that their money has been put to good use.
University drafts old hospital site plans
Preliminary plans for the site include an office complex facing Washington Circle, two apartment buildings with a courtyard, and underground parking and loading docks. The facility also features a retail corridor along I Street with a grocery store.
GW Briefs
Foggy Bottom Association chooses new leader A neighborhood group changed leadership over the summer in a move that may alter the Foggy Bottom community's relationship with GW. Joy Howell was voted to be the Foggy Bottom Association's new president in June, replacing Ron Cocome.
SA pres. to launch new site
One of Student Association President Audai Shakour's pillar campaign promises will be launched by the end of September: a multi-faceted and interactive Web site to support the GW community. Shakour will unveil www.colonialtrader.com, which will combine various aspects of well-known Internet communities such as thefacebook.
E-mail alerts regulated
Since the beginning of August, Colonial Mail users have had the opportunity to unsubscribe from receiving most mass e-mails sent out from the note@gwu.edu University mailing address. Users can visit http://amc.gwu.edu to opt out of blast e-mails that are not emergency communications, such as messages about campus safety, school closures or computer worms, said Chris Wilson, a user technical support analyst with Information Systems and Services.
Officials downplay rankings slip
While GW dropped to No. 53 in U.S. News and World Report's annual national universities rankings this year, University officials downplayed the significance of the slip. After tying Pepperdine and Syracuse universities in the 52nd spot last year, GW dropped in the magazine's 2006 rankings, missing the top 50 for the seventh consecutive year.
SMPA begins new search for director
University officials will conduct a new search for a permanent School of Media and Public Affairs director this fall, after the search stagnated this summer with neither of two candidates being given the school's top slot. The new search has not yet begun, and University officials would not give a timetable as to when the SMPA would begin fielding new applicants for the directorship.
Napster to up marketing
With the University having officially signed a contract to offer free Napster for students for another year, the online music provider plans to step up marketing and publicity at GW.
Smith Center to host 9/11 quilt
A quilt honoring the 2,997 victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks will be on display in GW's Smith Center Sept. 9-11. Corey Gamble was inspired after visiting Ground Zero three weeks after the 2001 attacks to do something that would preserve the memories of victims and comfort the families.
GW as busy as ever over summer
Though the majority of GW students departed campus and D.C. for the summer, the news did not stop over vacation. From important University decisions to local D.C. issues, summer 2005 was busy with a flurry of activity while many students were away. In case you are unaware of what's been going on for the past several months, here's what you've missed.
‘On the Story’ gains steam
Despite the absence of the partisan screaming matches of its predecessor, "On the Story" has had cameras rolling to a receptive GW community seven weeks into the CNN show's run on campus. More than 1,000 people have attended the weekly news program since its first broadcast from the Jack Morton Auditorium July 8, said Heather Clapp Date, the show's coordinating producer.
Incoming freshman dies in skateboarding accident
Incoming freshman Jonathan Sisto died Aug. 11 in a skateboarding accident, only three weeks before he was set to begin his first semester as a GW student. Sisto, a native of Orindo, Calif., died from head injuries after he fell off the skateboard he was riding while holding on to a moving car, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
J Street gets changes
Students will see changes to venues in J Street and minor renovations in several residence halls, as well as numerous other projects closer to completion when they return to campus this fall. The former J Street eateries Miso and Baja Sol have been replaced by a burrito station called Burrito Express and a salad bar named The Salad Garden.
Varsity Roundup
Teams gearing up for openers Although preparations have been underway for months, late August brings the official start to the GW sports' fall calendar. On Aug. 26, the GW volleyball team travels to Harrisonburg, Va., to face James Madison University in its season opener.
Women’s Basketball: News and Notes
Solomon out as assistant coach Former European talent scout Jacob Solomon's tenure as an assistant coach with the GW women's basketball team is over. Head coach Joe McKeown confirmed Aug. 17 that Solomon will not be returning to the program. "Things just didn't work out," McKeown said without elaborating further.
Boys of spring try to become boys of summer
For the vast majority of GW baseball players, the conclusion of the Atlantic 10 tournament marks the end of their playing careers. A very select few are fortunate enough to get the opportunity to follow their dreams of playing professional baseball. In 2005, the GW baseball team's roster boasted many of the elder statesmen of the A-10 conference.
Out-of-conference schedules released
Since the 2004-2005 basketball season ended, GW fans have been waiting with bated breath for the prospect of more buff and blue basketball. Fans need wait no longer than Nov. 12 for the men's team to open up its preseason against Augusta State in an afternoon game at the Smith Center.
Men do well on Australian trip
Men's basketball head coach Karl Hobbs is known for his courtside antics. To show frustration with his team's play, he often jumps up and down, yelling, while letting the referees know his opinions on their work. But the biggest scare Hobbs got during the Colonials' trip to Australia was the near disappearance of his Atlantic 10 basketball championship ring.
Column: Steroids: Who cares?
Like Bill Clinton before him, Rafael Palmeiro must regret adding his wagging finger to history's scrapbook. In an instant, his career as one of baseball's "good guys" disintegrated into scandal with a recent positive test for steroids. Significant in the world of sports, Palmeiro's steroid use captivated the attention of not only the public, but also Congress, specifically the House Government Reform Committee.
Summer sports wrap up
While most of the GW community let their minds drift from Foggy Bottom during the summer, the Colonials athletic program was hard at work. Catch up with your team and see what changes you'll see this coming season. Men's Basketball Clemson's Moore set to transfer Clemson University wing Cheyenne Moore is set to transfer to GW, said sources close to the men's squad.
Column: Complacency has no place at GW
An open letter to the newly minted GW class of 2009: Welcome. Since GW is your chosen institution for higher learning, there's about a 90 percent likelihood you hail from one of three blue states: Pennsylvania, New York or New Jersey (OK, that's a bit of a stretch).
Editorial: Improve summer services
GW prides itself on the impeccable services it offers to students. High-quality residence halls, the 4-RIDE van service and a wide variety of food establishments complement the GW academic experience.
Column: Adopt four-by-four
This year, a GW task force is again exploring the viability of a four-course, four-credit undergraduate curriculum. This so-called "four-by-four" system was previously shot down when faculty rejected it in tandem with a mandatory summer session. As a stand-alone proposal, though, it deserves thorough reconsideration.
