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What’s happening on campus and in D.C.



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Students satisfied with GU racism response

After students challenged the administration several weeks ago to address racial tensions on campus, Black Student Alliance members said Monday that they were generally satisfied with the response. BSA President Veronica Root, (MSB ‘04) told the audience that she was, “for the most part, very happy.

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Olson hired without search

Todd Olson can finally unpack his paperweights and picture frames. Provost Jim O’Donnell officially appointed him as Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students on Monday morning. Olson has held that position on an interim status since July 2003.

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Commandos

This month the D.C. Metropolitan Police unveiled a new strategy for fighting crime-going commando. D.C. police officers now have the option to hang up their traditional blue uniforms for new military-style battle fatigues.

The new dark blue uniform is officially referred to as the patrol service uniform and resembles those used by SWAT teams and military troops, minus the camouflage print.

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University housing to be smoke-free

Get ready to smoke your last cigarette indoors. After this year, smoking in any of the University’s buildings will be banned, leaving smokers to the mercy of the elements.

The Office of Housing and Residence Life, in conjunction with Interhall and the Housing Advisory Council, has recently decided to change the University’s smoking policy.

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GU Prof, Film Critic Dies in D.C.

Former Georgetown English professor and film critic, Joel E. Siegel, passed away from spinal meningitis on Thursday. Siegel taught at Georgetown for over three decades and introduced film studies classes to the university. He retired in 1998.

But teaching was only his day job.

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‘Passion’ controversy ignites Georgetown

NEWS BY CHRIS STANTON The whirlwind of controversy and excitement surrounding the record-breaking blockbuster The Passion of the Christ swept onto campus Tuesday as a diverse slice of the Georgetown community shared their reactions to Mel Gibson’s newest film in a panel discussion.

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Spring Break Blotter

A burglar robbed a Georgetown University student’s Village A apartment, on March 10. The thief entered through an unlocked door in the early evening, while the student was at home. The student reported to the Department of Public Safety that a laptop computer, a DVD player, an XBox controller and a blue backpack were stolen.

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Smoking, out

Thanks to the results of the latest alcohol survey, we now know that Georgetown students drink moderately even though they still perceive that the “normal” Hoya drinks excessively. Students Marketing Under-Represented Facts are trying to change this perception, not to prevent moderate drinkers from going wild, but to make the few who do drink too much feel like social deviants.

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Basketball Coach Esherick Fired

NEWS BY CAMERON SMITH Under increased pressure from angry students and fans, Georgetown University President John DeGioia fired men’s basketball Head Coach Craig Esherick(CAS ‘78 and LAW ‘82) on Monday night. DeGioia announced his decision at 11 p.m. on Tuesday, just 13 hours before a scheduled rally calling for Esherick’s resignation and additional funding for the men’s program.

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Hundreds rally to support minorities

NEWS BY CHRIS STANTON A stature of Georgetown Founder John Carroll sat at the center of a group of well over 200 students on Monday morning, as they formed a circle in front of Healy Hall and called on the administration to respond to a series of incidents of racial intolerance that rocked the campus last week.

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Couples say ‘I do’ in Red Square

NEWS BY VANESSA MACHIR “Do you demand equality under the law? Do you promise to fight discrimination in our constitution?” an officiator asked Anna Johansson (CAS ‘06) and Ginny Leavell (CAS ‘05). Dressed in white tulle, surrounded by friends and onlookers, Johansson and Leavell answered “I do.

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“Axis” speechwriter describes White House

Sarcastic but friendly, former speechwriter David Frum reminisced about his time in the White House while defending the Bush administration in Copley Formal Lounge Tuesday.

Formally dressed in a suit and a blue tie, Frum began by taking a vote on what the small audience wanted him to discuss.

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News Brief

Results of a survey conducted in the fall of 2003 indicate that the drinking habits of students have changed little since the survey was last taken in 2000.

With a 73 percent response rate among undergraduates, the results indicate that the percentage of students who do not drink has declined by three points to 18 percent, and the majority of students characterize themselves as “medium” or “light” drinkers.

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Cash it in

It seems the only agency in the Washington area more inept at record keeping than the federal government is the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. In an audit report released to the public last Friday, Metro admitted that a significant amount of revenue has been lost due to theft.

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Georgetown launches new minor

NEWS BY DAN JOYCE African-American studies has joined Georgetown’s growing interdisciplinary studies program. The determined efforts of students and faculty came to fruition last week as Georgetown formally launched a new African-American Studies pilot program. Beginning this year, students will be able to minor in African-American Studies in the interdisciplinary studies program.

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NSA Director seeks safety and privacy

NEWS BY CLAIRE D’EMIC “How many of you think that America is at war?”the Director of the National Security Agency asked a nearly full Gaston Hall. Looking out over the raised hands comprising the clear majority of the group, Lt. General Michael Hayden gave his own answer to the question: “I too believe that America is at war.

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D.C. makes another bid for baseball

In a move out of left field, the D.C. Government is sweetening the deal to attract a professional baseball team to Washington. City officials, against the wishes of several other cities and baseball owners, are working to rein in the price of a stadium from $436 million to well under $400 million and allow a local ownership group to offer more for a team.

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Students lead quest for child health funds

Georgetown students are hoping to bring attention to what they say is a forgotten issue. The movers and shakers at Georgetown’s chapter of UNICEF and the Student Campaign for Child Survival will be joined by students from across the country Monday to lobby Congress for children’s rights.

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GU student assaulted at Prospect St. home

A Georgetown student was sexually assaulted in her Prospect Street home early Sunday morning by an unidentified man who remains at large.

While most of the details concerning the incident remain unclear, the Department of Public Safety described the suspect Monday in a public safety alert e-mail as a White or Latino/Hispanic male in his mid-twenties.

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World Bank President defends development

World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn emphasized the importance of development in creating a stable world. The wry Australian told an almost full Gaston Hall that child and youth issues are the most important facing the world today.

“Poor people are an asset,” he said.