Religion week celebrates faiths
The Program Board’s multicultural affairs committee will sponsor a week of religious events called “Festival of Faiths” starting Monday.
The annual religion week will have a different focus this year. In previous years individual religions scheduled events celebrating only their own faiths, said junior Arezoo Riahi, chair of multicultural affairs.
There will be a “Faith After Tragedy” program, in which students can discuss how the recent tragedies have affected the community and certain ethnic groups.
The week will be divided into six themes – worship, tradition, service, peace, art and community. GW students will have the opportunity to explore other religions, faiths, and discover more information about their own beliefs.
Religion week events will also include “Holy Wars,” in which students can discuss the wars in religious history. Another program will be the “Taste of GW,” where students will sample traditional cuisine from around the world. An “Interfaith Celebration” will showcase music and dance form different religions.
-Joseph Schwartz
Students across nation to discuss drug policies
Students for Sensible Drug Policy will join more than 50 universities and high schools from around the nation this weekend at the third-annual National SSDP Convention at GW. The convention, co-sponsored by the Student Association, will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the 3rd floor of the Marvin Center Saturday and Sunday.
The convention aims to address issues such as domestic and international drug policy, mandatory minimum sentencing, zero tolerance programs on campus and harm reduction at dance raves.
Speakers will include Native American activist Russell Means, who also appeared in the film Last of The Mohicans, Ralph Nader and numerous drug policy experts. Students can purchase tickets to hear Nader speak at the J.W. Marriott online for $5 at www.ssdp.org.
Following the conference there will be a party in the Hippodrome from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., which will be free and open to all students. RAI Nation, a hip-hop band of former GW students and a DJ will perform.
-Amanda Mantone
Charity Ball recognizes former students
The first annual Class Council Charity Ball will be held Friday from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. in the Marvin Center Ballroom to benefit the Jon Rizzo and Tom Weaver memorial funds. All money generated by ticket sales and raffles will be split evenly between the two funds.
Parents of both young men will attend the ball, and friends of each of the former students will speak, Class Council Treasurer Josh Schimmerling said.
“We wanted to make sure it was special,” Schimmerling said.
Revenue generated for the Tom Weaver Memorial Fund will go toward the Ewing’s Sarcoma Fund at Massachusetts General Hospital, and all revenue generated for the Jon Rizzo Memorial Fund will benefit a local children’s charity during the holiday season.
There will be an after-hours event in the Hippodrome from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., featuring free play and live music.
Schimmerling also said that there will be a telethon for the Jon Rizzo Memorial Fund from Nov. 13 through Nov. 15, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. each day. Both events resulted after attempts to raise money from local businesses failed.
Raffles include tickets to the Warner Theatre and tickets to see the Wizards.
Dancers begin raising money
Students will attempt to entice participation in GW’s second-annual dance marathon with an event on Kogan Plaza Monday from 12 to 6 p.m. Free hot chocolate, s’mores and a moon bounce will all be provided. Information and recruiting for the 2002 GW Dance Marathon will be available at the kickoff, and students are encouraged to sign up for the March 1 event.
The marathon raises money for D.C. Children’s Hospital as part of the Children’s Miracle Network. Dancers must stay standing during the 12-hour party in the Hippodrome. There will be mandatory breaks for food and rest. Games, prizes, free bowling and billiards and music are included.
Last year only 30 dancers survived the evening, a number that planners of this year’s marathon are hoping to improve upon. Elizabeth Goulet, head of public relations for GW Dance Marathon, said she hopes to triple last year’s results.
A new morale-boosting committee will also be introduced this year, Goulet hopes will improve the number of dancers who last the duration.
The marathon will run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dancers may also register online at ww.gwu.edu/~dance. All who participate are required to raise at least $100.
-Amanda Mantone
