This is the Old WRGW District Radio News website. As of January 13th, 2014 all of the latest GW and local DC news can be found on our brand new website at: www.wrgwnews.com!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Possible Gas Leak On Campus
Alert DC is reporting that Fulbright Hall has been evacuated because of a possible gas leak H and I streets are closed between 22nd and23rd streets.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
CD President: We Cannot Let Victories Go to Waste
[caption id="attachment_2404" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Political Affairs Director Emma Carpenter tells CD members about the new Advocacy Team. Alex Laska / WRGW News"]
[/caption]
At the first general meeting of the College Democrats, CD President Peter Weiss spoke of the importance of advocacy and activism both on campus and off. He told a group of several hundred – a turnout greater than last year’s despite it not being an election year - that “our hope is that you have a hand in enacting pending national legislation.”
Referring to Democrat gains in Congress in both 2006 and 2008, as well as President Obama’s victory last November, Weiss said that “we cannot let those victories to go waste.” He introduced the new Advocacy Team, which will bring in professional lobbyists to train CD’s so that they can effectively lobby Congresspersons on Capitol Hill. Weiss called this new team “the most important initiative of the year.”
Another new program is the Campaign College, which will bring in specialists to train members to become “electioneers.” The Campaign College will offer courses in public speaking, youth outreach, and new technologies to help CD members become better canvassers and better campaign organizers.
Weiss also mentioned the upcoming gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia, as CD Executive Board members passed out Corzine and Deeds posters in support of Governor John Corzine’s reelection bid in New Jersey and Creigh Deed’s gubernatorial campaign in Virginia, respectively. “One of the most important things we can do as College Democrats is campaign for Democrats across the country,” said Weiss, adding that there will be “overnight invasions” in both New Jersey and Virginia to campaign for the two Democrat candidates.
The CD’s have many speakers slated to appear at GW this semester, including Obama’s campaign manager David Plouffe, former Vice President Walter Mondale, and former DNC Chairman Howard Dean.
On the lighter side of things, Weiss brought up some upcoming social events, including this Saturday’s water balloon fight against the College Republicans, and a future trip to Ben’s Chili Bowl, a known favorite of President Obama’s. “Ben’s has the best F-ing chili, I swear to God,” Weiss said. “Wherever Obama eats, we’re gonna go there.”
-Alex Laska
[/caption]At the first general meeting of the College Democrats, CD President Peter Weiss spoke of the importance of advocacy and activism both on campus and off. He told a group of several hundred – a turnout greater than last year’s despite it not being an election year - that “our hope is that you have a hand in enacting pending national legislation.”
Referring to Democrat gains in Congress in both 2006 and 2008, as well as President Obama’s victory last November, Weiss said that “we cannot let those victories to go waste.” He introduced the new Advocacy Team, which will bring in professional lobbyists to train CD’s so that they can effectively lobby Congresspersons on Capitol Hill. Weiss called this new team “the most important initiative of the year.”
Another new program is the Campaign College, which will bring in specialists to train members to become “electioneers.” The Campaign College will offer courses in public speaking, youth outreach, and new technologies to help CD members become better canvassers and better campaign organizers.
Weiss also mentioned the upcoming gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia, as CD Executive Board members passed out Corzine and Deeds posters in support of Governor John Corzine’s reelection bid in New Jersey and Creigh Deed’s gubernatorial campaign in Virginia, respectively. “One of the most important things we can do as College Democrats is campaign for Democrats across the country,” said Weiss, adding that there will be “overnight invasions” in both New Jersey and Virginia to campaign for the two Democrat candidates.
The CD’s have many speakers slated to appear at GW this semester, including Obama’s campaign manager David Plouffe, former Vice President Walter Mondale, and former DNC Chairman Howard Dean.
On the lighter side of things, Weiss brought up some upcoming social events, including this Saturday’s water balloon fight against the College Republicans, and a future trip to Ben’s Chili Bowl, a known favorite of President Obama’s. “Ben’s has the best F-ing chili, I swear to God,” Weiss said. “Wherever Obama eats, we’re gonna go there.”
-Alex Laska
SA MEETING LIVE BLOG TONIGHT
Follow and participate in tonight's WRGW's live blog hosted by Jesse Regis and Dan Keylin. The action starts at 8:45 pm.
Follow it HERE
Follow it HERE
New Dorm, South Hall, Now Housing Seniors
South Hall, the newest residence hall for GW Seniors at 2135 F Street, had a housewarming hosted by Campaign GW to allow GW students to tour the new dorm building. Construction for the building was initiated back in September of 2007 and finished this July. The building houses 474 seniors in apartment-style suites with single bedrooms. The building also contains classrooms and laboratory rooms for Schools Without Walls, a DC public high school that uses the “city as a classroom” to give students a more fulfilling education by integrating them with the GW community and DC as a whole.
South Hall was only one of many projects currently undertaken by Campaign GW. Another project is Square 54 on Pennsylvania Avenue, which the University is turning into a sort of urban town center, which will include, according to Campaign GW, “retail, residential, and office uses that would achieve shared benefits for the Community, the District, and the University.” This includes a proposed grocery store, shops, and office space. Tower cranes were installed over the summer, and work is now well underway on the below-ground parking garage. Square 54 is slated to be finished by Spring of 2011.
Construction is also continuing on Pelham Hall, a Mount Vernon Campus residence hall which was started back in Spring of 2008 and is expected to be ready for occupancy next fall. The structure’s skeleton is complete, according to an email sent out by Campaign GW, and work on the interior and exterior of the building is underway.
Pelham Hall is just one portion of the 2010 Mount Vernon Campus Plan, which is still in the early stages of development. GW is still figuring out what exactly the plan will include, but the goal is to expand and balance residence halls with academic buildings; rumor has it that there will also be a new blackbox theatre put in one of the new buildings.
Dylan Pyne, who is a co-coordinator for Campaign GW, says that “everything has gone according to plan.”
“Along with promoting the 2007 Foggy Bottom Campus Plan and gearing up for the 2010 Mount Vernon Campus Plan we have recently been helping out with Eco-Challenge, the Tree Watering Program and the Green Roof on 1957 & 1959 E Street,” said Pyne. “We are also always writing and brainstorming for our monthly email update.”
Pyne says that anyone interested in helping out with Campaign GW “can do so in a couple of ways. If they want a “no commitment” way to get involved they can just sign up for our monthly email update and receive information on development and sustainable initiatives on campus. If they want to get more hands-on they can come to one of our training sessions and be trained on the campus plans so they can go to tabling at a wide variety of events and educate and reach out to students, parents, alumni, faculty and staff. They can also volunteer to help garden the green roofs on E Street or help water the trees involved in our Tree Watering Program.”
For more information about Campaign GW and all of GW’s many construction projects, visit neighborhood.gwu.edu
-Alex Laska
South Hall was only one of many projects currently undertaken by Campaign GW. Another project is Square 54 on Pennsylvania Avenue, which the University is turning into a sort of urban town center, which will include, according to Campaign GW, “retail, residential, and office uses that would achieve shared benefits for the Community, the District, and the University.” This includes a proposed grocery store, shops, and office space. Tower cranes were installed over the summer, and work is now well underway on the below-ground parking garage. Square 54 is slated to be finished by Spring of 2011.
Construction is also continuing on Pelham Hall, a Mount Vernon Campus residence hall which was started back in Spring of 2008 and is expected to be ready for occupancy next fall. The structure’s skeleton is complete, according to an email sent out by Campaign GW, and work on the interior and exterior of the building is underway.
Pelham Hall is just one portion of the 2010 Mount Vernon Campus Plan, which is still in the early stages of development. GW is still figuring out what exactly the plan will include, but the goal is to expand and balance residence halls with academic buildings; rumor has it that there will also be a new blackbox theatre put in one of the new buildings.
Dylan Pyne, who is a co-coordinator for Campaign GW, says that “everything has gone according to plan.”
“Along with promoting the 2007 Foggy Bottom Campus Plan and gearing up for the 2010 Mount Vernon Campus Plan we have recently been helping out with Eco-Challenge, the Tree Watering Program and the Green Roof on 1957 & 1959 E Street,” said Pyne. “We are also always writing and brainstorming for our monthly email update.”
Pyne says that anyone interested in helping out with Campaign GW “can do so in a couple of ways. If they want a “no commitment” way to get involved they can just sign up for our monthly email update and receive information on development and sustainable initiatives on campus. If they want to get more hands-on they can come to one of our training sessions and be trained on the campus plans so they can go to tabling at a wide variety of events and educate and reach out to students, parents, alumni, faculty and staff. They can also volunteer to help garden the green roofs on E Street or help water the trees involved in our Tree Watering Program.”
For more information about Campaign GW and all of GW’s many construction projects, visit neighborhood.gwu.edu
-Alex Laska
Obama Delivers School Speech; To Address Congress on Wednesday
By Jared Pliner
WASHINGTON - It is shaping up to be a busy week for President Barack Obama, as he returns from his summer hiatus and goes back to work on healthcare reform. But before his primetime address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, he will speak to nearly 56 million school children across the nation Tuesday, a move that drew fiery controversy from Republicans last week. Some on the right accused the president of attempting to indoctrinate America's schoolchildren (a captive audience) with a partisan message, complete with propagandist undertones. As it turns out, the prepared remarks contain nothing more than the president's encouragement to work hard in school, aim for ones goals, and poignant anecdotes of underprivileged children who beat the odds.
Next on the dossier, the president will address members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives in the House chamber on Wednesday evening in a multi-network televised event. All eyes will be on the president as he is expected to vigorously push for reform that includes a public option and rally both Democrats and Republicans to undertake bipartisan efforts to push through legislation in a timely manner. The White House has said that Obama will specifically address the three most pressing questions on reform: how to pay for it, the effect on the mounting deficit and how it will impact health insurance. The president has already pledged not to sign anything that adds to the budget deficit, but many on the right - and even some on the left - are skeptical. Tune in at 8 p.m. Eastern/5 p.m. Pacific.
WASHINGTON - It is shaping up to be a busy week for President Barack Obama, as he returns from his summer hiatus and goes back to work on healthcare reform. But before his primetime address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, he will speak to nearly 56 million school children across the nation Tuesday, a move that drew fiery controversy from Republicans last week. Some on the right accused the president of attempting to indoctrinate America's schoolchildren (a captive audience) with a partisan message, complete with propagandist undertones. As it turns out, the prepared remarks contain nothing more than the president's encouragement to work hard in school, aim for ones goals, and poignant anecdotes of underprivileged children who beat the odds.
Next on the dossier, the president will address members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives in the House chamber on Wednesday evening in a multi-network televised event. All eyes will be on the president as he is expected to vigorously push for reform that includes a public option and rally both Democrats and Republicans to undertake bipartisan efforts to push through legislation in a timely manner. The White House has said that Obama will specifically address the three most pressing questions on reform: how to pay for it, the effect on the mounting deficit and how it will impact health insurance. The president has already pledged not to sign anything that adds to the budget deficit, but many on the right - and even some on the left - are skeptical. Tune in at 8 p.m. Eastern/5 p.m. Pacific.
Monday, September 7, 2009
SA Senate Meeting Live Blog - 9/8/09 Tuesday 9:00 pm
Jesse Regis and Dan Keylin will be live blogging the first SA Senate meeting of the year this Tuesday at 9:00 pm. Comments and participation are highly encouraged.
Here is the link to the live blog page: SA Senate Meeting Live Blog
Here is the link to the live blog page: SA Senate Meeting Live Blog
Sunday, September 6, 2009
BREAKING NEWS: Jesse Regis Calls Walk-Off Home Run, Nationals Beat Marlins 5-4
[caption id="attachment_2331" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Jesse Regis, reenacting his predicted Ryan Zimmerman home run shot to left field. "]
[/caption]
WASHINGTON - A casual trip to a Nationals game turned into a historical event created by one of WRGW's own. With the Nationals trailing 4-3 to the Florida Marlins in the bottom of the ninth inning and Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman at bat, WRGW News Director Jesse Regis made a bold declaration: he pointed to the porch in left field and declared "he'll hit one out."
Amazingly, Zimmerman belted a 3-run home run two pitches later to win the game for the Nationals, 5-4. The few Nationals fans in attendance loudly cheered after the home run, and at Regis' prediction, as the team improved to a somewhat respectable 47-90, 31.5 games behind the NL East leading Philadelphia Phillies.
Regis was modest in a press release he emailed to several campus and city news outlets following his accurate prediction, simply stating "I called it. It's kind of a big deal." He went on to add "I knew my prediction would come true - it was just a matter of when." WRGW's own Jared Pliner also witnessed the home run prediction and was literally left speechless for several minutes after the game.
Regis viewed Nationals first base coach and former San Francisco Giants superstar Marquis Grissom talking to Zimmerman following a Zimmerman pop-out in the third inning. Grissom made motions which suggested he wanted Zimmerman to cease dropping his shoulder and to swing down on the ball, keeping his hand on top of the bat handle when he swung, according to Regis. Regis cites his astute observation as the main reasoning behind the bold and deadly psychic home run prediction.
Baseball fans will no doubt notice the resemblance to Babe Ruth's called home run shot to center field in the 1932 World Series. It still remains one of the most iconic moments in baseball history. "The Jesse Regis shot " will undoubtedly rank next to Ruth's, especially in Washington D.C. folklore.
Expect full coverage of the "Jesse Regis shot" next Sunday at 12pm on the yearly premiere of News In Depth, hosted by Jesse Regis and Jared Pliner.
[/caption]WASHINGTON - A casual trip to a Nationals game turned into a historical event created by one of WRGW's own. With the Nationals trailing 4-3 to the Florida Marlins in the bottom of the ninth inning and Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman at bat, WRGW News Director Jesse Regis made a bold declaration: he pointed to the porch in left field and declared "he'll hit one out."
Amazingly, Zimmerman belted a 3-run home run two pitches later to win the game for the Nationals, 5-4. The few Nationals fans in attendance loudly cheered after the home run, and at Regis' prediction, as the team improved to a somewhat respectable 47-90, 31.5 games behind the NL East leading Philadelphia Phillies.
Regis was modest in a press release he emailed to several campus and city news outlets following his accurate prediction, simply stating "I called it. It's kind of a big deal." He went on to add "I knew my prediction would come true - it was just a matter of when." WRGW's own Jared Pliner also witnessed the home run prediction and was literally left speechless for several minutes after the game.
Regis viewed Nationals first base coach and former San Francisco Giants superstar Marquis Grissom talking to Zimmerman following a Zimmerman pop-out in the third inning. Grissom made motions which suggested he wanted Zimmerman to cease dropping his shoulder and to swing down on the ball, keeping his hand on top of the bat handle when he swung, according to Regis. Regis cites his astute observation as the main reasoning behind the bold and deadly psychic home run prediction.
Baseball fans will no doubt notice the resemblance to Babe Ruth's called home run shot to center field in the 1932 World Series. It still remains one of the most iconic moments in baseball history. "The Jesse Regis shot " will undoubtedly rank next to Ruth's, especially in Washington D.C. folklore.
Expect full coverage of the "Jesse Regis shot" next Sunday at 12pm on the yearly premiere of News In Depth, hosted by Jesse Regis and Jared Pliner.
Deported: Thoughts on Teaching English in Ethiopia
Commentary By Monika Wysocki
This summer I was illegally detained for 68 hours without my passport or cell phone, and then deported along with 5 other GWU students, after only 3 ½ weeks of what was supposed to be 6 weeks worth of teaching English in Ethiopia.
While it was happening, I was alternatively terrified for my life and amused by the theatrics of the Immigration Center officials, who seemed to be imitating their own vision of the ideal tough guy from a Hollywood crime blockbuster.
It was probably the most ridiculous thing I have ever been a part of, but it did force me to rethink the reason I was spending a summer in Ethiopia.
Volunteering abroad, particularly in developing countries, is a popular summer activity for college students. Humanitarian work has a good reputation among our age group—it is publicized as the ultimate manifestation of altruism, the most selfless way to spend a summer. Hence the popularity of organizations such as Learning Enterprises, the organizer of the Ethiopia program. This assumption, however, is not always correct.
Some of my fellow teachers were frustrated at the incompetence of a government that would kick out volunteers who are willing to give up their time to teach.
When we were questioned by Immigration officials who doubted our credentials and motives, and proceeded to accuse us of “over-knowledging” the children, it was difficult not to respond with a scathing “I am qualified to teach here because I am speaking fluent English and you are using words like ‘over-knowledging.’”
[caption id="attachment_2311" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Monika and her students at Gadaa School in Haramaya. Monika was deported from Ethopia for reasons she continues to dispute."]
[/caption]
Nevertheless they had a good point. High school in Ethiopia is taught exclusively in English, so elementary school students must pass an English competence exam to be able to continue their education. The grammar and content of this exam is appalling.
As a fluent English speaker I was not able to decipher the meaning or correct answer to most of the questions, nor was I able to have an articulate conversation with any of the high school teachers that I met. Most professionals have left the country to find higher salaries in foreign countries, and those that are left have been trained to teach by repetition methods. Furthermore, teachers and parents are expected to use corporal punishment to maintain order and discipline, with the expectation that this will elicit good behavior in the future.
The question then is, why English? Why not adopt Arabic, or even the local language, as the standard for education? At least then there would be native speakers available to teach. Moreover, an English education simply enables the most highly educated individuals to leave the country and put their English skills to use by finding a better salary overseas, and contribute nothing to Ethiopia itself.
If our goal in going to Ethiopia was to educate children, we failed miserably.
We had no understanding of the educational system and the best way to contribute our time and expertise. And the most awful thing about it all is that the government in Ethiopia also has no understanding of the requirements for a successful educational system and the best way to efficiently teach students.
For one, in a country where 17 is the median age and over 46% of the population is under age 14, there is simply a lack of individuals available who could have a full time job as a teacher.
Ultimately, the problem is the lack of soul-searching among those of us who would jump at the chance to teach in Ethiopia. To be truly helpful, a volunteer has to have a clear understanding of the need that exists, and be honest about his/her ability to successfully understand and fill that need.
Can a young, idealistic Western-educated white student fulfill the needs of Ethiopian children in rural Ethiopia? In a word, no.
Monika Wysocki writes and reports for WRGW News. The official press release by Learning Enterprises is available here.
Send your thoughts to wrgwletters@gmail.com
This summer I was illegally detained for 68 hours without my passport or cell phone, and then deported along with 5 other GWU students, after only 3 ½ weeks of what was supposed to be 6 weeks worth of teaching English in Ethiopia.
While it was happening, I was alternatively terrified for my life and amused by the theatrics of the Immigration Center officials, who seemed to be imitating their own vision of the ideal tough guy from a Hollywood crime blockbuster.
It was probably the most ridiculous thing I have ever been a part of, but it did force me to rethink the reason I was spending a summer in Ethiopia.
Volunteering abroad, particularly in developing countries, is a popular summer activity for college students. Humanitarian work has a good reputation among our age group—it is publicized as the ultimate manifestation of altruism, the most selfless way to spend a summer. Hence the popularity of organizations such as Learning Enterprises, the organizer of the Ethiopia program. This assumption, however, is not always correct.
Some of my fellow teachers were frustrated at the incompetence of a government that would kick out volunteers who are willing to give up their time to teach.
When we were questioned by Immigration officials who doubted our credentials and motives, and proceeded to accuse us of “over-knowledging” the children, it was difficult not to respond with a scathing “I am qualified to teach here because I am speaking fluent English and you are using words like ‘over-knowledging.’”
[caption id="attachment_2311" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Monika and her students at Gadaa School in Haramaya. Monika was deported from Ethopia for reasons she continues to dispute."]
[/caption]Nevertheless they had a good point. High school in Ethiopia is taught exclusively in English, so elementary school students must pass an English competence exam to be able to continue their education. The grammar and content of this exam is appalling.
As a fluent English speaker I was not able to decipher the meaning or correct answer to most of the questions, nor was I able to have an articulate conversation with any of the high school teachers that I met. Most professionals have left the country to find higher salaries in foreign countries, and those that are left have been trained to teach by repetition methods. Furthermore, teachers and parents are expected to use corporal punishment to maintain order and discipline, with the expectation that this will elicit good behavior in the future.
The question then is, why English? Why not adopt Arabic, or even the local language, as the standard for education? At least then there would be native speakers available to teach. Moreover, an English education simply enables the most highly educated individuals to leave the country and put their English skills to use by finding a better salary overseas, and contribute nothing to Ethiopia itself.
If our goal in going to Ethiopia was to educate children, we failed miserably.
We had no understanding of the educational system and the best way to contribute our time and expertise. And the most awful thing about it all is that the government in Ethiopia also has no understanding of the requirements for a successful educational system and the best way to efficiently teach students.
For one, in a country where 17 is the median age and over 46% of the population is under age 14, there is simply a lack of individuals available who could have a full time job as a teacher.
Ultimately, the problem is the lack of soul-searching among those of us who would jump at the chance to teach in Ethiopia. To be truly helpful, a volunteer has to have a clear understanding of the need that exists, and be honest about his/her ability to successfully understand and fill that need.
Can a young, idealistic Western-educated white student fulfill the needs of Ethiopian children in rural Ethiopia? In a word, no.
Monika Wysocki writes and reports for WRGW News. The official press release by Learning Enterprises is available here.
Send your thoughts to wrgwletters@gmail.com
Fall Fest Finishes on a Low Note
The highlight of Fall Fest this year, a concert featuring Sean Kingston, was cut short after members of the crowd threw objects at the singer.
Fall Fest began without a hitch—beautiful weather, free barbeque and tons of free giveaways including bright red shirts from Program Board and Monster drinks attracted students for record attendance levels.
After the first incident, the music stopped abruptly and Tim Miller, the Executive Director of Student Activities Center, came onstage to warn the audience that their behavior was inappropriate. Kingston then returned to the stage and continued to play his set, only to have more glow sticks thrown at him while he sang the recently popular “Fire Burning.” He then left the stage escorted by his security team.
Students have expressed disappointment with the quality of the concert and Sean Kingston's decision to leave. Sophomore Moire Corcoran reported that she saw Kingston leave in a zip car.
Check out our Flickr Account for more pictures from Fall Fest 2009!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Sen. John Kerry to Discuss Climate Change at GW
Massachusetts Senator John Kerry will give a keynote address at a conference discussing the connection between climate change and national security this Thursday September 10 at the Elliot School of International Affairs.
“The Day Before: A Conference on the National Security Implications of Climate Change" kicks off at 8:45 am with panels and discussions. Senator Kerry will speak from 11:30 - 12:30pm.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. RSVP to rsvpesia@gwu.edu.
“The Day Before: A Conference on the National Security Implications of Climate Change" kicks off at 8:45 am with panels and discussions. Senator Kerry will speak from 11:30 - 12:30pm.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. RSVP to rsvpesia@gwu.edu.
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