Earth Day Makes GW Greener

Tuesday’s Earth Day Celebration was filled with crowds of supporters, cherry blossom trees and Earth Day-decorated cookies outside of Duques Hall.

GW President Steven Knapp officially signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, recognizing the responsibility the University has in setting an example in the effort to stay “green”.

GW joined 500 other institutions across the nation in committing to help the environment though education, as well as social, economic and technological solutions.

Other members of the GW community, as well as DC environmental leaders, joined in watching Knapp sign the agreement, where Knapp said he looked forward to “embracing the responsibility as the largest university in the area to work to halt and eventually reverse global warming.”
A student organization, Net Impact, recently raised $7,000 to install a ‘Green Roof’ on campus, prompting Knapp to announce that the University would match that amount and that installation of the roof would begin on the Elliot School building this summer.

The GW Cherry Tree yearbook will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year by publishing a more eco-friendly yearbook, as well as plant a cherry blossom tree, ten in all, marking each decade of the yearbook.

Before moving down the street to plant the cherry blossom trees, Maggie Desmond of the Student Association concluded the ceremony, stating “if we could do one thing today, Earth Day, it would be to leave this world a better place than it was this morning.”

Photo courtesy of the Hatchet.

- Lauren Mann

Hollywood Update

Joey Fatone will be the new host of a new NBC Reality show called "Celebrity Circus." According to Variety, Celebrity Circus "will follow celebs as they attempt to master a number of circus stunts, including the highwire, flying trapezee and fire dancing." Contestents will include former Brady boy Chris Knight, as well as Jackass star Wee Man.

A new theme park in Dubai is being billed as the world's first ever Marvel super-heroes theme park. It's set to open in 2012. Variety reports it "will span over 4.5 million square feet, will feature the likes of Iron Man, Spiderman and the X-Men across a series of themed rides."

Finally, Miley Cyrus, star of Disney Channel's show Hannah Montana and teenie-bopper pop star sensation, has signed a book deal to write a memoir. Fans eagerly await the 15-year-old's first foray into the world of literature and can expect a tell-all account of Cyrus's life.

- Jason Levin

April Showers Mean....April Visits

The large crowds of people all following one person walking backwards can only mean one thing for GW: it’s April Visit time. On five dates in April, accepted students are given the chance to visit the campus before their May 1^st enrollment deadline. On the 7^th, 14^th, 18^th, 21^st and 23^rd watch out for future freshman and lots of parents. The days include tours of facilities and residential halls, as well as a Colonial Celebration where students and parents are invited to eat ice cream with current GW students.

While official statistics for the enrolled class of 2012 will not be available until after the May 1^st deadline, according to GW tour guide, or STAR, Kelly Nallen, the incoming freshmen class will be a great addition to the GW community.

“The incoming class seems great, they’re asking really good questions and seem very enthusiastic about coming to school here.” Nallen said.

Students must submit their Intent to Enroll, Housing application and $800 deposit by May 1^st to secure their spot at GW.

Students for the freshman class have already found a way to connect. The GW Class of 2012 Facebook group already has nearly 1,400 and growing daily. Students are able to converse about everything from what student orgs to join to what’s the best housing on campus.

-Lauren Mann

4/20 Earth Day A "Wash"...Literally

April 20, 2008 promised to be one of the biggest, greatest celebration of Earth Day that The District has ever seen. The entire National Mall worked in conjunction with the Green Apple Festival with a call for climate, a demand for immediate, effective and equitable action against global warming. All of the pieces were in place – the right amalgamation of leaders, community activists, top speakers and A-list talent including Jordin Sparks, Talib Queli, Will I Am, O.A.R., Umphreys McGhee and the much anticipated Roots. Hip Hop mogul Russell Simmons, actor Edward Norton and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) were also on the slate. But one very important factor truly conquered the celebration – Mother Earth herself.

Mother Earth showed up mean and melancholy with an obvious vendetta against The District. Torrential downpours ensued, along with gale-force winds and even reports of hail. But it was lightning from the approaching thunderstorms that really nipped the activities in the bud. Two tornadoes actually touched down in Maryland – one in Hyattsville and one in St. Charles.

Fewer than half the artists performed and even the event headliner – The Roots – failed to take the stage. It really was a sad day for concert-goers and for the organizers of the festivities.

Though, there were other popular ways to spend 4/20 that did not involve venturing outside at all. Wet and downtrodden concert-goers probably came together afterwards to capture the high that they failed to get from the concert.

- Shawn Willis

Spring Sports Update

The George Washington softball team dropped a pair of non-conference games to Mount St. Mary's Thursday afternoon at the MSM Softball Complex. The Colonials dropped a close one in the opener, 2-1, and were run-ruled in the second game, 11-2.

Despite the losses, senior Chrysanthi Halkiotis set the GW single-season record with 15 doubles in a season. She broke the record set in 2007 by Colonial Elana Meyers with 14.

Halkiotis went 4-7 with two doubles, a home run and two RBIs to pace GW offensively in the double header. The nation's leader in doubles extended her hitting streak to nine games for the second time this season with back-to-back multi-hit games.

The Colonials are now 8-21, and 4-6 in the A-10. The team hosted A-10 rival Charlotte at the Mount Vernon Softball Complex on Friday and met again at the Vern on Saturday.

Over the weekend, the men’s baseball team played Dayton in a three game series at Arlington. The women’s tennis team was at the A-10 championships in Monroeville, PA. The women’s rowing team was at the A-10 championships in Camden, NJ. And finally, the men’s golf team was at the Navy Spring Invitational at Annapolis, MD.

- Lyle Leitelt

Law and Order: GWU

Up first, a case of panhandling on the 500 block of 19^th street near Mitchell Hall…A GW student told UPD that she was confronted by an aggressive panhandler who was relentless in asking her for money. The girl told the individual that she didn’t have any cash…to which the subject responded by shouting at her. UPD soon arrived on scene, but the panhandler had move along.

Next, a drug case off campus leads to intervention by the U.S. Park Police…Here’s how the story goes: 4 GW students were driving in a vehicle down by the Jefferson Memorial when they were pulled over by U.S. Park Police for making an illegal u-turn. While talking to the occupants of the vehicle, the officer reportedly caught a whiff of something suspicious. A search was conducted that yielded a small amount of marijuana. The students were taken into custody and returned to the care of the university where they will be processed by SJS.

Well, the all too common response of a jealous ex leads to an interesting scenario…A female GW student currently in a relationship with another female unaffiliated with the university, reported to University Police the her girlfriend had received threatening text messages from her ex (also unaffiliated) from an out of state location. The texts contained threats to do bodily harm and were laced with profanity. As of this hour, the case has been closed and it is unclear whether the situation has been resolved.

And last, but certainly not least…University Police patrolling the University Parking Garage stumbled across a car on the roof with two individuals inside. It is alleged that the two subjects (who are unaffiliated with GW) were seen engaging in a lewd sexual act. The subjects were summarily barred from campus…it is unclear whether the female participant was “paid help.”

- Jared Pliner

Fountain Day Approaching

Fountain Day is coming up! The April 26^th Mount Vernon-hosted event will begin at 3:30 p.m., with Josh Ritter as the main musical attraction. He will take the stage at 6:00 p.m.

Fountain Day is organized by the Mount Vernon Programming Council, with most of its planning headed up by co-chairs Swetha Ramaswamy, Kylee Grenis and their advisor Ashley Venneman. This year, the event is co-sponsored by Haagen Dazs, hopefully meaning ice cream will be plentiful.

Volunteers are welcome and are mostly needed the day of the event. Ramaswamy said that they find most of their volunteers through student organizations like the Program Board, but anyone looking to lend a hand is encouraged to contact the Mount Vernon Programming Council.

This theme for this year’s Fountain Day is awareness and the event will feature a great deal of tabling by political and student social organizations including Green GW, GW Stand, both the College Democrats and College Republicans, and WRGW.

- Ahna Olson

IMF/World Bank Weekend

In addition to all of the events going on campus this weekend, it was also the spring IMF/World Bank meetings. On Saturday, a few roads around the campus were blocked and there was a heightened police presence.

The spring meetings typically tend to be less protested than the fall meetings. Last semester, activity was intense with protesters walking through the streets of Georgetown. One store clerk was injured when a brick was thrown through the Abercrombie & Fitch storefront. Check out our report here.

The photo on the right, courtesy of WRGW member Ben Sugarman, shows MPD putting up barricades on H Street Saturday.

- Mallory Thompson

A Papal Parade

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Sitting in the Pope-mobile, perhaps the most sacred figure on earth drove past the Froggy Bottom Pub, Johnny Rockets, and practically through GW itself. Today’s short ride began at the White House where Pope Benedict XVI met with President Bush, and was greeted by upwards of 13,500 people in the largest gathering in White House history. At noon Benedict traveled west on Pennsylvania Avenue, past Washington Circle and then onto Rock Creek Parkway where he exited at Massachusetts Avenue.

Thousands of people lined the streets. Some sang songs and waved flags, while others proudly displayed their new, commemorative Pope t-shirts. Benedict, who turns 81 years old today, will hold a Papal Mass before 46,000 people at Nationals Park tomorrow, an event that is sold out. Tomorrow evening, at about 5:15 p.m. the Pope will ride from the campus of The Catholic University of America to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the largest Catholic church in North America, and one of the largest religious structures in the world. The viewing route at Catholic University is by ticket only and have already been distributed.

The Holy Father’s 6-day American trip will continue in New York City later this week where he will hold mass at Yankee Stadium, speak at the United Nations, and visit Ground Zero. The Pope’s visit is designed to introduce himself to America, home to millions of Catholics but also a place where the Holy Father is largely unfamiliar.

-Jesse Regis

Hollywood Update

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Monday that the nominations for this year’s Academy Awards will not be held on the tradition Tuesday, but on Thursday, January 22, so as not to conflict with the presidential inauguration.

And just a few short months since the end of the 100 day-long writers’ strike that crippled the entertainment industry for three months, the Screen Actors Guild is beginning contract negotiations with the studios and networks. Like the writers, the actors are demanding a new residual platform for new media and a restructuring of the DVD/home video formula.

This week, head out to the theaters to see the latest comedy from the Judd Apatow/Seth Rogen posse, “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” “Marshall” is a vehicle for actor Jason Segal, who delivered a memorable performance in this summer’s “Knocked Up.”

Also in theaters, “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed,” the self-proclaimed “controversial documentary from Ben Stein.” The film offers an uncompromising view of how and what Americans are taught in schools and universities.

Stein, by the way, is a Washington native who can often be seen walking around Foggy Bottom. He keeps a residence in the Watergate complex.

- Jason Levin

GW Hosts 15th Annual "Bhangra Blowout"

This year marked the 15^th anniversary of Bhangra Blowout, hosted by GW’s South Asian Society. Bhangra is a traditional Punjabi folk dance style that depends heavily on intense percussion beats. Bhangra has been taken over by the entertainment industry in the 21^st century. Teams from Columbia, Drexel, Northwestern and many more descended upon the Foggy Bottom campus to compete for a $4,000 first place prize. Leading up to the competition, there was the Bhangra Blowout launch party for all competing teams, followed by a Saturday afternoon block party. The competition was held Saturday evening in Constitution Hall.

- Shawn Willis

Aswani Announces Cabinet

As promised, the SA President Elect Vishal Aswani has announced his committee’s choices for the SA cabinet. In a press release earlier this week, Aswani called the selection process “difficult,” due in part to “the number of applicants [that far exceeded] the number of posts available.” He went on to say that this was a show of increased student interest in the SA and that “this heightened level of interest will lead this year’s applicants to become involved in the improvement of life for students at GW.” The list of cabinet members includes some students who ran in the general election, including Julie Bindelglass, Nick Polk and Shawn Dejbaksh.

- Samuel Collins, Jr.

Cameras in DC To Track Every Move

Thousands of cameras are in Washington D.C., but not the kind found around the neck’s of overly anxious tourists. Earlier this week the city announced that the more than 5,000 video surveillance cameras scattered throughout the city will be consolidated into a network monitored by D.C.’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. The move will save the city an estimated $800,000 dollars and supposedly decrease crime and deter terrorism.

There is no immediate indication that cameras are located on GW’s campus or in the Foggy Bottom community. Rather, the 5,266 cameras are focused near public housing projects, public schools, transportation hubs, and correctional facilities, according to the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. Nevertheless Big Brother may be watching as students venture into the city.

Inevitably, the increased surveillance is raising some eyebrows. Lawmakers and action groups are concerned that the cameras violate privacy rights while not deterring crime but simply moving it to other neighborhoods. Also, according to the Washington Times, D.C. installed cameras in 2006 under the condition they would be “passively” monitored by Metropolitan police officers. The switch to monitoring by a central agency is a violation of the original agreement, officials claim.

D.C. is not the only major city to use video surveillance. New Orleans, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Baltimore have a monitoring system. Chicago has a system of 2,000 cameras and London boasts 500,000 cameras, some of which were used to identify four suicide bombers who killed 52 people in a 2005 subway attack.

Still, as Art Spitzer, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of the National Capital Area told the Times, "You put a camera here, it's not so bad, you put a camera there, it's not so bad. But then it turns out all the sudden, we find out there are 5,200 cameras. That's a big number."

- Jesse Regis

Law & Order: GWU

Up first, a case of harassment that all began in front of the GW Hospital. Here’s how the story goes: a female GW student befriended an Arabic-speaking stranger she met at the Foggy Bottom Metro stop. Since she, herself, speaks broken Arabic, the two began conversing. The exchange ultimately ended in the student giving the stranger her cell phone number. Here’s the catch: now he doesn’t stop calling her. After repeatedly rebuffing his attempts to pursue a relationship, she contacted UPD. There is no word on whether the conflict has been resolved.

Next, a fight in front of Funger and Duques halls…A UPD supervisor on patrol caught sight of two male GW students engaged in a scuffle on the ground. The officer approached the subjects and gave an order to separate. One of the individuals attempted to flee and was quickly detained. As the story goes, the defiant male had been drinking excessively earlier in the evening. After the other individual (an acquaintance) told him he had too much to drink, the subject lashed out. Due to the fact that the intoxicated subject was resistant, foaming at the mouth and swearing, he was arrested and transported to the local detox center to sober up.

Well, concerned employees at the GW University Inn contacted University Police after they discovered a loaded .22 caliber revolver in one of the guest rooms. It turned out that a male patron had checked out and left the handgun in a nightstand. Metropolitan Police eventually confiscated the firearm and brought it to the 2^nd District for storage.

A frightening experience for a female GW student…Here’s how the story goes: after she boarded a Metro train at L’Enfant Plaza, the young woman sat down next to a suspicious male. Soon after the train left the station, the individual began touching her knee and ultimately ran his hand up her skirt. The complainant yelled, quickly changed seats and left the train at Foggy Bottom. But the story doesn’t end there. The suspect followed her all the way to Academic Center where she swiped in with a GWorld card. He left shortly thereafter and she later informed UPD of the incident. That case is still open tonight.

And last, but certainly not least, UPD responded to HOVA graduate housing after a health and safety inspector reported that a resident had become combative. It is alleged that the inspector attempted to remove a halogen light from the premises (the possession of such is a breach of university policy) not before a grabbing match broke out between the employee and the lamp’s owner. UPD ultimately arrived and the female subject had no other choice but to turn over the lamp.

- Jared Pliner

D.C's Newest Museum To Open This Week

It's here. D.C.'s newest museum - the Newseum - will open to the general public on Friday, April 11th.

Pegged as the "world's most interactive museum," it's seven levels boasts 14 major galleries, 15 theaters, two broadcast studios and a 4-D time-travel experience. If you can get in, opening day is the day to go. Admission will be free for this day only. Otherwise, a ticket will cost you $20.

Some highlights: On the ground floor is an exhibit that holds several panels of the Berlin Wall. You can't miss the newscopter looming over the main entrance area. For those of you who want to try your hand at reporting, check out the Be a Reporter interactive newsroom where you can read from prompters and be on camera or check out the computers to send an ecard to family and friends. The 9/11 Gallery contains a piece of the antenna from one of the twin towers and a wall of front pages from newspapers around the world on the day after the attacks. Also, the Newseum has a First Amendment Gallery where you can learn all about the five freedoms and a terrace on Pennsylvannia Avenue with a great view of the Capitol building.

As for the theaters, you don't want to miss the 4-D experience where you literally feel news through history. Also, the Big Screen theater, with its 100-foot screen takes you through some of the most compelling broadcasts of our time. There are also theaters in the basement where you can view documentaries.

And for you foodies out there, the museum's food options may be best of all. Wolfgang Puck has finally arrived on the D.C. food scene with his aptly named restaurant "The Source" located outside the Newseum and "The Food Section" food court located in the basement.

I was lucky enough to get in beforehand to give you an inside peek at the museum. See some pictures below and click for a larger view:

(Above - Great Hall of News Below, Left - View from the Pennsylvania Avenue Terrace, Right top to bottom - Be A Reporter Interactive Newsroom, Berlin Wall)

-Mallory Thompson

Law & Order: GWU

Up first, a case of public intoxication in Kogan Plaza…University Police caught sight of a female individual stumbling around next to the Gelman Library. Officers made contact with the GW student who reported that she was not as intoxicated as she appeared to be, but rather, was exaggerating to be funny. The subject was assessed, required no medical attention, and was sent on her way.

Next, UPD confronted two individuals in the Marvin Center, one of whom was drinking from a flask. The flask was confiscated by officers and returned to the owner – its contents having been dumped out. The owner was not a GW student and ultimately left.

Well, a story that you probably read about in the GW Hatchet recently…A female GW student unlawfully entered the Lerner Health and Wellness center. It all started when a staff member at the front desk asked her for GWorld identification to gain entry. The female subject didn’t have it and was later spotted darting past employees and infiltrating the facilities via an elevator. University police arrived on scene, entered one of the work-out areas and confronted the female subject, who was using a machine. The individual refused to cooperate with officers and was forcefully removed from the facility. She was summarily arrested for unlawful entry. Her case is being processed at this hour.

And last, but not least, an episode you don’t see every day…a case of attempted fraud at the NIH Federal Credit Union. A male subject attempted to cash four different checks made out to an individual from a certain company. After the teller said the checks could not be cashed, the subject started behaving erratically and the teller activated a silent alarm. UPD and MPD arrived on scene only to find that the subject had fled. GW Radio has learned that the checks were made out for an astronomical amount of money. UPD Chief Delores Stafford reported it was in the upwards of multiple millions of dollars.

- Jared Pliner

Law & Order: GWU

Up first, a case of simple assault out of Ivory Tower…University Police received a report that a verbal altercation that had originally taken place at an off-campus night club migrated to the lobby of Ivory Tower. According to the complainant, the argument culminated in a fellow male GW student punching him in the head. UPD arrived on scene only to find that the subject had fled. Charges were, in fact, filed and the case is in the hands of Metropolitan Police at this hour.

Next, a bizarre attempted arson case out of Mitchell Hall…University Police were dispatched to the lobby of Mitchell after receiving a complaint that a plastic bag was on fire in the center stairwell. Apparently, an unidentified individual had torched a Subway sandwich bag with a lighter. DC Fire responded to the scene, but by that time, the blaze had already been extinguished by a UPD supervisor. The case is still open.

Well, an embarrassing episode of public drunkenness out of HOVA graduate housing…UPD responded to an intoxicated female who had passed out in a hallway, not before vomiting and urinating on herself. The individual, who was unaffiliated with GW, was evaluated, transported to GW hospital for medical treatment and ultimately barred from campus.

And last, but certainly not least, big happenings at the Medical Faculty Associates Building on I Street…a verbal altercation between a patient and a staff member manning the front desk ended in a threat from the enraged patron that she was “going home to get [her] gun.” MPD responded, swept the building and waited for the patient to return. She never did.

- Jared Pliner

Julian Bond Named 2008 Commencement Speaker

GW has announced the commencement speaker for the May 18^th GW commencement on the National Mall. Julian Bond, Chairman of the NAACP, will speak to guests and receive an honorary doctor of public service degree from the university.

Bond has a long history of civil rights activism that began in college. He was elected to the Georgia state legislature, but was denied his seat and fought it all the way to the Supreme Court. The Court ruled in his favor and Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke out about Bond’s case, even organizing a march for the cause. Bond went on to serve more than twenty years in the Georgia General Assembly.

Bond will be speaking forty five years after Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech, which was also delivered on the National Mall.

On this distinguished honor, Bond said, “This great university honors me, but it also honors the thousands of nameless women and men who made the modern-day civil rights movement possible. Forty years after King's death, these graduates represent a generation that seems willing to take our country's racial dialogue to a new level, and I am delighted to speak to them at their graduation."

- Julie Hyman

Spring Fling 2008: "Fling It"

For the majority of GW students, the arrival of Spring was celebrated far away from our Foggy Bottom campus. But if you are looking for a chance to bring in Spring, then join fellow Colonials Saturday, April 5th for a GW tradition.

The Program Board will host "Spring Fling 2008: Fling It" on University Yard. Free food, giveaways, and free t-shirts will surely abound, and not to mention free music! This year, the popular music group Gym Class Heroes, known for its hit song "Cupid's Chokehold," will headline Spring Fling. Program Board Concert Chair Tiffany Meehan thinks the group is a "perfect choice for Spring Fling and GW." Tyga and Kidz in the Hall will also be featured. Past performers have included Regina Specktor, The Roots, and Busta Rhymes.

- Shawn Willis