Newsroom Stories

Several key provisions of the Patriot Act ended this week, after the Senate let them expire. As a result, the National Security Agency has, at least temporarily, halted the bulk data collection program used to amass phone data for millions of Americans. Neil Richards, JD, professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis and one of the country’s foremost academic experts on privacy law, said the fact that expiration of these powers hasn’t provoked mass outrage shows Americans deeply value privacy.

A Washington University earthquake seismologist who is teaching a course on natural disasters in movies reviews the newly released film “San Andreas.” The short version: they clearly didn’t have a seismologist consulting on this film. The take home message: Go see it anyway. It’s summer.

​Washington University staff and faculty have one more month to join the 5,000 employees who already have contributed to Our Washington, the faculty and staff component of Leading Together: The Campaign for Washington University. Donations support scholarships, strengthen academic and scientific initiatives, advance learning and enhance facilities.

In response to a growing number of alumni and expanding research and education partnerships in China, Washington University in St. Louis is opening an office in Shanghai’s Knowledge Innovation Community. “The Shanghai office will serve as a key resource for our alumni, prospective students and friends,” Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton said.

Images captured in and around the Washington University campuses.

Studies show that despite demonstrating high interest, African-American girls have fewer support systems, less exposure to, and lower academic achievement in STEM fields than their Caucasian counterparts. Sheretta Butler-Barnes, PhD, assistant professor at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, is working to change that.

​Washington University in St. Louis has nearly doubled the number of rising high school sophomores admitted to its innovative College Prep program, a multi-year initiative that prepares high-achieving students with limited financial resources for college. This year’s class of 48 students will live and study on campus June 7-19.

This week, a federal appeals court panel decided against allowing President Barack Obama’s controversial immigration plan to go into effect immediately, pending a review of the merits of the plan in July. While the court’s decision is a temporary setback, it’s still possible that the government could win the overall appeal, said Washington University in St. Louis immigration expert Stephen H. Legomsky.

Images captured in and around the Washington University in St. Louis campuses.

One of the newest additions to the Washington University Medical Center campus, Shriners Hospitals for Children-St. Louis officially will open Monday, June 1. The new facility is expected to enhance clinical care and research collaborations with the School of Medicine, with which Shriners has had a longstanding partnership since the 1920s.