BREAKING NEWS: GW Students Safely Out of Egypt

In a statement released early Monday evening, GW officials said that five GW students studying abroad in Egypt for the spring semester have arrived safely in Athens. Others are currently en route to various locations in Europe.

Cairo and other Egyptian cities have been in a state of chaos for the past week, when large-scale protests against police brutality, lack of free elections and free speech, and other political and legal issues were first organized by the April 6th Youth Movement. Since then the movement has grown considerably, with more than 250,000 Egyptians currently rallying in downtown Cairo according to Al Jazeera. Multiple fatalities have been reported since last week.

A curfew is currently in affect in Cairo from 3 p.m. to 8 a.m., making flight arrangements difficult. According to the university's press statement, GW students who are still in Cairo have flight information and transportation arrangements to the airport.

The university has vowed to work with the students misplaced by Egypt's unrest to arrange alternative study abroad options for the rest of the semester.

GW Dance Teams REPRESENT

Student dance teams showcased their diverse talent on Thursday night in REPRESENT, GW’s fourth annual dance competition. Six teams, GW Rass, GW Ballroom, Capital Funk, GW Chamak, Balance, and GW Bhangra competed for a champion prize of $300.

The night began with the Colonial’s First Ladies in a dance traditionally performed on center court. Then, for a packed audience, the teams competed through two competitions, the individual and the group performances. After all the points were tallied, GW Bhangra came out on top. 

“I was so extited to see that Bhangra” said Saira Thandani, a sophomore, about the victors. “All the teams were really good, but it was clear who the winners were.”

Among the favorites were Bhangra, Rass, another Eastern style dance team, and Capital Funk, the hip-hop crew.

“Capital Funk always has the best performance,” said Kelly Schill, a freshman. “ever since I saw them at CI I have been in love.”

Kenny Cobbs, Class Council president and organizer for the show was pleased with the outcome.

“I am so happy my team and I were able to pull off a good show and bring out some school spirit,” he said.

Super Bowl 2011

Sunday February 6, 2011 at 6:30 P.M. will kick off this year’s Super Bowl between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers.

At the moment GWU is not hosting any special events for the Super Bowl, however, one can watch in various places on campus.

The Hippodrome, on the 5^th floor of the Marvin Center, may turn out to be a popular spot to watch. WOW Wingery is also on the 5^th floor of the Hippodrome allowing people to eat and watch the game. WOW serves wings, sandwiches, ribs, and much more.

Fraternities Move Forward Amid Controversies with Spring Rush

It is no secret that Greek Life on campus has been tainted by scandal for quite some time now but it appears that things might be settling down, returning to normal, and moving forward.

As we reported here last week and as Student Judicial Services revealed on Wednesday Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Phi Epsilon, and Kappa Kappa Gamma have all been stripped of their houses on townhouse row effective this coming May. This ruling by SJS has left the future of GW Greek Life in uncertainty.

Today marks the last night of Spring Rush for IFC Fraternities on campus. Though neither Pi Kappa Alpha or Sigma Phi Epsilon were allowed to participate in this year's Spring Rush, GW's Fraternities are optimistic and looking forward.

This week's Spring Rush was very successful for many fraternities on campus with the first three nights seeing turnouts of upwards of thirty men for each fraternity, a very impressive number for Spring Rush especially considering the controversy in Greek Life and the inclement weather on Wednesday night.

IFC President Frank Gervasio says that the IFC is taking new measures right now to increase accountability for campus fraternities, including taking on a new self-governing system, and that all of the chapters participating in rush on campus are very enthusiastic and excited for this semester as well as optimistic for the future of GW Greek Life.

Monday Concert Preview

The much-hyped Wavves & Best Coast double-headlining tour hits the 9:30 club on Monday. The indie scene's current "it" couple of Nathan Williams and Bethany Cosentino have been playing dates together through January fresh off the release of their split "Summer Is Forever" EP.

The two bands received media attention for their respective summer 2010 releases.

Concertgoers can expect to hear bright, beach-pop guitar riffs with plenty of "ooh" and "ahh" girl-group style harmonies from Best Coast, while Wavves brings a high -energy, snotty punk delivery and shout-along choruses to the stage.

Opening act No Joy also contributed a song to the "Summer Is Forever" EP. The track, called "Hawaii," is roughly a two-minute buzz saw of swirling lo-fi guitars, distortion and reverb-laden vocals that fades into a lengthy feedback-heavy outro.

Doors open at 6:30 Monday night. Tickets are still available for $20.

-Joseph Rabinowitz

Classes before 10 AM CANCELLED Thursday, January 27

Due to inclement weather, classes and administrative offices will open on 10 AM on Thursday, January 27.  This applies to the Foggy Bottom, Mount Vernon, Arlington and Alexandria locations.

Daytime classes at the Virginia Science and Technology campus are cancelled, and administrative offices are closed.

Continue to stay up to date with GW operations by calling the university information line at 202-994-5050 or by visiting http://campusadvisories.gwu.edu/.

Stay with WRGW for the latest. UPDATE 3:50 PM: University officials have confirmed that evening classes on the Virginia campus have been canceled.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.6

CDs Praise, CRs Condemn Obama's Address

President Obama focused on jobs, innovation, and education last night in his second State of the Union Address to Congress, highlighting bipartisanship and cooperation as the keys to success.

“Government will now be a shared responsibility,” exhorted the president. “We will move forward together or not at all.”

Obama stated that jobs are a priority and explained that if we fail to innovate, other countries in our globalizing world will overtake us, pointing to examples of China and India.

“In America, innovation doesn’t just change our lives, it’s how we make a living,” he stated. “This is our generation’s Sputnik moment.”

All Classes on Wednesday after 4:30 CANCELLED

George Washington University administrators have cancelled all classes beginning after 4:30 PM on Wednesday, January 26 in response to current and imminent severe weather conditions.

From GW Campus Advisories:

All classes starting at 4:30 p.m. or later on Wednesday, January 26, 2011, are canceled for GW’s Foggy Bottom, Mount Vernon and Virginia Science and Technology campuses and the university’s Arlington and Alexandria locations.

Early release of GW employees will begin at 4 p.m. with the approval of the employee’s manager.

Early release for employees on site at the Biostatistics Center in Montgomery County, Md., began at 2:45 p.m.

The Office of Emergency Management asks all students to stay up to date with evolving weather news by checking their website, http://www.campusadvisories.gwu.edu/.

No decision has been made for classes on Thursday, January 27.

Fed. Government Skips Town with Snow on the Horizon

While talk of freezes in last night's State of the Union may have sent chills down Federal employees' spines, the Office of Personnel Management is sending workers home early today due to a more natural threat: snow.

In order to avoid travel on roads that are predicted to become increasingly ice-covered as the afternoon moves forward, employees have been granted permission to leave their offices inside the District two hours earlier than usual.

As of now, GWU officials have announced no deviations from normal operations for either Wednesday or Thursday, but will be monitoring the situation throughout the afternoon as conditions worsen.

The National Weather Service upgraded its winter storm watch to an official warning around noon today, including with it an updated forecast predicting 5-10 inches by midnight Wednesday.  The snow, predicted to start in the mid-afternoon, will be at its hardest during the late afternoon rush hour.  Visibility will fall to less than a quarter mile and accumulation could reach up to 2 inches per hour.

Forecasts have been trending towards the severe as the day progresses.  Less than 24 hours before the National Weather Service issued its winter storm warning, some outlets questioned whether the District would see any accumulation at all; current predictions from NOAA, however, put the odds of an 8"+ snowfall at 40%, and 4"+ at over 70%.

This story is developing; stay WRGW News for the latest information on weather, class cancellations and much more.

Art on the Run: The Museum of Censored Art

Dedicated to restoring censored art, the aptly titled Museum of Censored Art is displaying a controversial video banned from the Smithsonian in December after its portrayal of Jesus Christ, on a crucifix, covered in ants.

Located in a trailer in front of the National Art Gallery, the compact exhibition continuously screens David Wojnarowicz's four-minute film, “Fire in My Belly.” Throughout the display, posters and wall signs explain that the video isn’t anti-Christian, instead “criticizing societies indifference toward AIDS.”

The total cost of the presentation, which will last a month, ending February 13, is $3,100, $2,600 for parking and a $1,500 fee for the trailer.

“We gathered up the money to put this together,” Adrian Parsons, a volunteer for the Museum explained. “We got through a fundraiser a lot of help.”

Almost a month after the controversy erupted, in which the Catholic League, a group independent of the Catholic Church, and Congressional Republicans demanded its removal from the National Portrait Gallery, the Museum of Modern Art in New York has decided to display the piece.

“Now that it’s hung in a museum, the forefront of contemporary art … a lot of people have seen this,” Parsons said.

Through January 20th, over 1,900 people have visited the Museum of Censored Art.

Nationals Gear Up For 2011

The Washington Nationals look to rebound from a disappointing 69 and 93 2010 season with a few key offseason roster changes. The Nats traded left fielder Josh Willingham to the Oakland A's. Big-hitting first baseman Adam Dunn moved to the American League as the White Sox designated hitter. But General Manager Mike Rizzo had a busy winter shelling out big money on free agents.

The Nationals agreed to a seven-year, 126 million dollar contract with All-Star right fielder Jayson Werth. First baseman Adam LaRoche signed a two year contract worth 16 million dollars with an option for an additional 10 million in 2013. Former Braves post-season hero, Rick Ankiel also signed on with a one-year contract worth up to 2.75 million dollars.

This week, the Nationals picked up utility player Jerry Hairston Jr. and right-handed relief pitcher Todd Coffey, agreeing to one-year contracts with both players.

Pitchers and catchers report to spring training February 16th.

Nationals tickets for the 2011 season are already available with a buy-two-get-two discount with a 20-percent deposit on full season ticket packages.

-Joseph Rabinowitz

Inauspicious Fall for GW Greek Life

Last fall was one marked with controversy for GW Greek Life, with nearly 10 Greek organizations under investigation by Student Judicial Services for a majority of the semester. Allegations against such fraternities as Sigma Phi Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, and Pi Kappa Phi and such sororities as Kappa Kappa Gamma and Delta Gamma included claims of underage drinking, supplying of alcohol to minors, and hazing.

Due to the violations, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and Kappa Kappa Gamma will all lose their housing on Townhouse Row. All of the Greek organizations involved were given a range of punishments; for example, Beta Theta Pi has been placed on one year social probation. SJS has not yet released a full set of results from their investigations or the punishments to be doled out.

Junior Frank Gervasio, president of the IFC and member of Beta Theta Pi says that the IFC is adopting a new self governing system to help make fraternities more accountable for their actions and  to prevent alcohol abuse and hazing in the future.

With IFC spring rush beginning on Monday of next week, Gervasio believes that rush will be done as usual and that all of the chapters on campus are very eager and excited for a new year, new semester, and new rush season.

DC Tied For Worst Traffic In The Country

For years, Los Angeles has been regarded as America's most-congested city.  That unwelcome honor, however, has been passed along this year.

According to a survey by the Texas Transportation Institute, Washington DC and Chicago are tied for the most congestion, with 70 hours a year per person spent in traffic.  That comes out to about 3 days, while Los Angeles stands in third place with 63 hours wasted.

Nationally, traffic congestion costs the country billions of dollars each year.  2009's bill, 115 billion is a marked increase 1982's 24 billion.  Average congestion time nationwide has also shown a long-term upward trend; commuters spent a mere 14 hours in traffic in 1984, less than half of the 32 hours of today.

DC's diminutive size sets it apart from the sprawling metropolises of Chicago and Los Angeles, a problem exacerbated by the daytime doubling of the city's population by commuters.  Space for that many cars simply does not exist. Current strategies to prevent congestion, such as staggering work hours and fixing trafic light timing are band-aids to the bigger problem: DC continues to grow in population, but not in space.

Perhaps predictably, the Washington Post and AAA both report that road rage in the area has risen in area among commuting drivers.

Finally in campus transportation news, WMATA anticipates serious repairs to the entrance of the Foggy Bottom Metro station.  A Wednesday press release indicated that the transit agency will replace all existing escalators, the awning over the entrance, and install a stairwell.  Work could take over a year.

Restaurant Week 2011

Monday, January 17, 2011, began Washington DC’s 2011 restaurant week. Restaurant week will run until Sunday, January 23, 2011.

Over 200 of DC’s restaurants will be offering multi – course lunch and dinner specials. Three course lunches are $20.11 and dinners are $35.11. Tip, tax, and beverages are not included.

The list of restaurants can be viewed at www.washington.org/restaurantwk/. To reserve tables either call the restaurant or use www.opentable.com.

GW Day of Service

Many people hold Martin Luther King Day to be very dear to their hearts, but for many GW students, it now means something more. Students from all grades were bussed to different locations, on Monday, to clean, repair and improve the surrounding DC area. While many were sent to schools and community centers, others were cent to nursing homes and project sites.

“It was pretty cool helping gout the community,” said Adrian Levit, a freshman from New Jersey. “I wish I could have helped out for longer.”

As many as 2,000 students woke up early and traveled to these different locations to help out. Though many were satisfied, some were disappointed.

“I wish we could have stayed for a whole day,” said Kevin Goodwin, a sophomore, “It seems like a third of the time was speakers, a third traveling a third working. We definitely could have done more work.”

Regardless of time, many students from many backgrounds helped support the DC area and keep Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream alive.  

New Housing Option Offered to GW Students

If next year, GW students that are involved in a certain organization or have similar interests want to live together, GW is offering Affinity Housing. It is less structured than the LLC program and will be living communities based around particular needs and interests.

GW Housing Programs says the goal of the program is to provide opportunities for students to extend learning opportunities beyond the classroom into the living environment and invite students to create such opportunities for themselves.

Each Affinity Group must have at least 10 members with a Group Coordinator, who will serve as the main point of contact for GW Housing programs.

In order to apply, all members must have at least a 2.5 GPA, no active record with SJS, and submit an online application no later than February 10th at 5:00 p.m.

For more information, go to living.gwu.edu

Body Found on Farragut North Tracks

The Farragut North Metro station has been temporarily closed due to the discovery of a body on the tracks. Metro released a statement early Saturday afternoon explaining that train service would be delayed as trains were being diverted in either direction. WRGW News will be bringing you updates as the story develops.