Tibetan monk to share experience as political prisoner

Students for a Free Tibet will host an evening with Palden Gyatso, Tibetan monk and former political prisoner, SFT President Alene Tchourumoff said.

Gyatso, who was imprisoned for 33 years, is scheduled to speak Thursday at 8:30 p.m. in Lerner Hall room LL101 about his experiences as a political prisoner in China. Tchourumoff said students will be able to ask questions.

Tchourumoff said Gyatso has traveled around the world lecturing about his experiences. Gyatso is one of the first imprisoned Tibetan monks to speak publicly and show the torture devices used on him during his imprisonment, which include electric cattle prods, Tchourumoff said.

“He’s kind of known for that,” Tchourumoff said. “He’s gone all over the world showing these torture devices. He was tortured brutally for a number of the years he was imprisoned.”

Gyatso spoke at the Tibetan Freedom Concert at RFK Stadium last summer.

The event is co-sponsored by the College Democrats, College Republicans, Residence Hall Association and South Asian Society.

-Tammy Imhoff

Caf? Gelman offers stressed students a study break

Stressed students got a change of pace Thursday night when the first-floor study lounge of Gelman Library was transformed into Caf? Gelman.

The GW Jazz Combo grooved and coffee was served as about 300 students visited Caf? Gelman.

The event gives students a break from end-of-semester studying, said Kevin Groves, Gelman student liaison.

Caf? Gelman was part of International Week and was a collaboration between Program Board and Gelman Library.

“It’s a time to kick loose at Gelman rather than stress out,” Groves said.

Students read poetry and short fiction during an open-microphone session.

Winners of the Gelman Library student collectors contest were announced. First prize was awarded to Daniel L. Michael for his collection, “The Writing of History and Geography: 1839-1915.” Colleen Hooper, “A Women’s Studies Book Collection,” and Michael Puretz, “Vinyl Vault,” tied for second place. Third prize was awarded to Allison Close for her project “The Finest in Jazz.”

“It’s been packed since we started at 8:30 p.m.,” said Kelly Dunphy, PB arts chair. “It’s great to give Gelman a different atmosphere.”

Students who presented a GWorld ID received a free coffee mug.

“I just came for the free cup of joe,” junior Brooke Colangelo said.

-Margaret Magee

Dining Services puts the `customer first’

GW Dining Services will unveil a new “customer first” policy this week, Student Association Dining Services Commission chair Chris Voss said.

The policy states that customer satisfaction is the No. 1 priority of Dining Services employees, who urge anyone who is displeased with J Street service to speak to a manager.

“This policy will empower students to contact management if they are dissatisfied with the service they receive,” Voss said. “Students have always been able to do this, but it hasn’t been advertised as a right before.”

Voss said he hopes to have advertisements stating the new policy on tables in J Street and is working to have the policy posted at food stations.

-Tammy Imhoff

Dining Services Commission reduces catering prices

The Student Association’s Dining Services Commission unveiled a new pricing menu for student groups Thursday, which will allow them to save 25 to 50 percent off the normal University catering prices, said Dining Services Commission Chair Chris Voss.

Voss said the previous prices were not affordable for some groups, forcing them to use outside sources for refreshments. He said the DSC has been working with GW administrators for the past three months to reduce catering costs for student groups.

“The idea is to provide reasonable prices for GW student groups to push for them to use GW catering,” Voss said. “That way, hopefully they will no longer have to go to Costco to buy refreshments for their events.”

Voss said the commission worked with student group leaders to compile a list of frequently requested items, including soda, bottled water and cookies. Voss said a can of soda costs $1, but now student groups can purchase 24 cans for $9.

Voss said Program Board representatives approached him at the beginning of the academic year about high-priced GW catering services.

The new catering menu also has options to buy traditional barbecue fare such as hot dogs, hamburgers and veggie burgers in bulk for half the price of the regular catering menu. He said 48 veggie burgers, which used to cost $80, now costs student groups $40.

Voss said the commission can now help student groups with Dining Services grants for their catering needs.

“The amount of grant money we receive hasn’t been adjusted since about 1996, but the new catering menu enables me to almost double my budget and help more groups,” he said.

-Tammy Imhoff