UPD fires officer after conclusion of investigation
A UPD officer was fired Tuesday after serving a suspension for allegedly hitting a homeless man several times with a nightstick.
UPD Director Dolores Stafford said the department concluded its review of the Feb. 23 incident on Monday and finalized the action Tuesday. Three students witnessed the incident at about 12:15 a.m. Upon finding witnesses UPD questioned students to help determine the appropriate action.
Eyewitnesses said the homeless man tried to enter the ground floor of the Marvin Center. After an argument between the homeless man and the officer, the officer grabbed the homeless man by the collar and threw him against the wall.
Witnesses also saw the officer hit the homeless man several times, including a hit behind the legs and another after he had been knocked down.
Stafford refused to comment further on the termination, saying the department will not comment on a personnel matter.
-Jason Steinhardt
GW student passes away from juvenile diabetes
GW junior Lauren Elizabeth Bessom died Feb. 27 after suffering from juvenile diabetes.
Bessom, 21, was majoring in criminal justice and hailed from Vienna, Va., according to an obituary provided to newspapers. She previously had attended George Mason University.
The family requested that mourners send contributions to the Lauren Bessom Fund for Juvenile Diabetes Research, in lieu of flowers, according to the obituary. Contributions can be sent to Harry Raumer, president of the Business Bank at 8399 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, Va.
-Francesca Di Meglio
America Online executive to speak at Virginia campus
Dr. Mario Vecchi, vice president of technology development at America Online, will be the keynote speaker for a workshop March 6 at GW’s Virginia Campus, according to a University press release.
Netcom 21, a telecommunications workshop, is a joint effort among the government, telecommunications industry, and the academic world to address technology issues that will be critical in the development of the telecommunications industry. The eventual outcome of Netcom 21 is to develop a research program that advances technological innovation and enhances the overall telecommunications quality of the Washington, D.C., area.
Vecchi’s main area of expertise is bringing greater broadband service to all AOL users, including developing wireless Internet systems, faster network connections and updating existing technologies for multimedia online applications.
The two-day Netcom 21 workshop will consist of seven panel sessions, featuring leaders from several industry and government organizations. The panels will discuss topics such as optical wiring, network security and the increasing the use of satellites, such as those used in the Global Positioning Satellite system, for information transfer.
John Casciano will serve as the keynote speaker for the second day of the event, March 7. Casciano, vice president for Information Operations and Infrastructure Protection for Litton TASC, also has worked as the director of intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance for the U.S. Air Force.
More information, including how to register for the event, can be found at www.seasva.gwu.edu/NetCom/netcom_21.html or by calling (703) 726-8304.
-Zach Kancher
Alpha Epsilon Pi donates check
The Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity donated a check from recent fund-raising activities during halftime at the GW vs. Temple basketball game Saturday.
The fraternity raised about $3,000 for the D.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence, according to an e-mail from Jared Fayer, Alpha Epsilon Pi vice president. The fraternity raised money through The Charity Stripe, which collects donations for each foul shot the GW men’s basketball team makes, Fayer wrote.
Alpha Epsilon Pi presented a check to the charity with GW President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg. The Coalition Against Domestic Violence is a cause that is creating awareness in the D.C. area for abuse. According to the e-mail, this is an excellent cause, and . this is what Greek life should be like.
He said Alpha Epsilon Pi plans on continuing to promote philanthropic events which bring a positive attitude to the community.
-Steven Postal
ITS sponsors radio show
Students in need of technical advice for GW Information Technology Services started to find answers on GW’s radio station two weeks ago.
ITS launched Help Desk Radio, a broadcast version of the Information Systems and Services (ISS) help desk, which airs on WRGW (540 AM). Sophomore Gerome Rothman hosts the show, which airs Mondays from noon to 2 p.m.
WRGW has aired the show for two weeks so far, with ITS Director P.B. Garrett and Listserv Coordinator Jeff Baxter as guests, said ISS Manager Taina Shields.
The show explains what the department does and what is available to students, faculty and staff, Shields said.
Rothman, who has written numerous articles on technology issues, discusses ISS news, interviews key people involved with ISS and tries to help with any technology problems that students might have. Common concerns include slow entry into Webmail and forgotten GWIS passwords, Shields said.
Students can call in to the show by dialing 994-WRGW. ITS hopes to air an hourlong TV show next fall explaining how to set up GWIS accounts, Shields said.
-Corey Cooper
