The Darden School once again proved itself among the top business schools in the world, finding itself high in the Financial Times’ Global MBA rankings. Darden ranked 16th in the United States and 33rd globally. Darden was ranked one position lower nationally this year than last year, and its world ranking is also slightly below its average world ranking of the past several years?; however, according to Ken White, Darden’s vice president of marketing and communications, the drop in rank is not significant.

“When you examine the numbers, the differences between one and even five spots are so small that sometimes you cannot determine why you improved or slipped,” White said.

The benefit of the Financial Times poll, like other similar publications, is that it provides extensive data to the Darden School, White said, noting, “We try not to worry about the number but rather the data they give us.”

The Financial Times calculated Darden’s average alumni salary to be $131,135 and found that within three months of graduation, 97 percentage of students were employed. This data is compiled along with other criteria, such as standards of diversity and research, to determine a final ranking.

White explained that Darden suffers in the research category because of the teaching style employed by the school.

“We are bit of a disadvantage as far as research is concerned because we are a case-method school,” White said.

Darden uses business world case studies to conduct research and improve students’ understanding, instead of publishing in scholarly journals. These cases are not counted by the Financial Times in its evaluation, White explained.

“Each publication bases its rankings on different criteria — we look at the data the publication provides, and we see if that data can at all be helpful to us,” White said.

Because all rankings are calculated differently, White explained, the Darden administration tends to follow as many as six different polls to self-evaluate and improve.

–compiled by Ayn Wisler

The study abroad programs of several elite colleges and universities, including Harvard and Yale, are currently being investigated for potentially improper practices that could result in universities seeking financial gain at the expense of students’ budgets and educational opportunities.

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo subpoenaed study abroad offices at 15 schools, also including Cornell, Columbia, Brown and Northwestern, in regards to their motives for contracting with certain third-party study abroad providers. According to Rebecca Brown, International Studies Office director at the University of Virginia, no public universities have been subpoenaed at this time.

According to Brown, the study abroad program model called into question by this investigation works through third-party providers, which are generally non-profit and which develop study abroad opportunities for students. Universities contract with these third-party providers, allowing their students to study abroad through programs other than those they provide.

There are several practices that universities may engage in that have been called into question by Cuomo’s office, Brown said, noting that “some universities, due to financial incentives, restrict students’ options” involving study abroad.

Some third-party providers return a percentage of students’ study abroad fees to universities with which they have contracted, she noted, adding that some universities will promote these programs above others or even restrict their students to these programs so the university can collect the most money from the third-party provider. This practice can dramatically increase the amount of money a student pays to study abroad because the university is not necessarily choosing the best or least expensive program, but rather the one that returns the greatest dividends to the university itself, according to Brown.

Because studying abroad through a third-party provider is often less expensive than a semester at a private university, Brown said some private universities have policies allowing them to collect students’ tuition up front, pay the third-party provider from the tuition fees and then retain the difference.

Simeon Moss, Public Relations Office director at Cornell University, one of the subpoenaed universities, said Cornell does not know of any problems with its study abroad programs.

“We’re continuing to review the subpoena we’ve received and we’re considering our response,” Moss said. “We will of course comply with our legal obligations, but as far as we know there are no problems with our [study abroad] programs.”

According to Brown, the University contracts with a third-party provider for certain study abroad programs.

“We have one third-party provider that does provide us a percentage of the fees they collect from students,” Brown said, “but [the University of Virginia] does not promote any program over another, except those run by U.Va. The fees provided to us by the third-party provider go into a scholarship account for U.Va. students studying abroad.”

She emphasized that the University provides its students with many different study abroad options. If students want to participate in a study abroad program that the University does not currently endorse, they can submit applications to have their preferred programs approved. Brown noted that applications to study abroad through other programs been denied in very few cases.

The University has “tons of students” studying abroad through third-party providers, Brown said, but the third-party providers “are not thought to have done anything improper. The investigation is more on the relationship between the universities and the providers.”

As Interim College Dean Karen Ryan’s yearlong term approaches an end this spring, a search committee is working to narrow the number of candidates for the permanent College dean position.

Presently, the committee is reviewing potential candidates’ qualifications to select a group of finalists for more formal interviews. These candidates will be invited to Grounds for in-depth interviews and follow-up reference checks. In mid-March, recommendations will be made by the committee, and at the end of March, finalist interviews will be held with Provost Arthur Garson, Jr. and President John T. Casteen III.

According to University spokesperson Carol Wood, the search for a new dean of the College — which was necessitated when former Dean Edward Ayers became president of the University of Richmond — is one of many “key searches” currently taking place at the University.

“The University right now has eight critically important searches underway,” Wood said, adding that along with a search for dean of the College, the University is also seeking deans for the Law School, the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, the Nursing School, the Medical School and the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. The University is also looking for a vice president for research and graduate studies, Wood noted, as well as a vice provost for international affairs.

“Casteen, Dean Garson and the search committee are committed to finding the very best candidate to lead the University’s largest and probably most visible school,” Wood said.

According to an e-mail from Garson, the College dean candidate must be someone “with vision to move the College forward and [who has] the operational ability to get that vision accomplished … [a person who can] promote undergraduate research and service in a positive way.”

Taking into account the ongoing growth of the University, Wood said that the new dean must be able to push the College even further and must be highly involved in the completion of the South Lawn Project.

Faculty Senate Chair Ricardo Padron added that the new dean must be able to balance the many and multi-faceted responsibilities of the College.

“This is a person who has the opportunity to really shape the future of Arts & Sciences,” he said, adding that the candidate should be a successful fundraiser as well as a strong leader who can build science programs while maintaining humanities offerings.

“If you can find someone who can face that, they will have a huge impact,” Padron said.

Garson also noted the new dean must be able to work well with the University’s other schools and must seek out additional resources to achieve the University’s goals.

“This new dean will have to accomplish bold goals in supporting the core [values of the University]: retaining and building faculty, supporting graduate students as well as creating innovative programs,” Garson wrote.

According to Garson, the new dean will be selected at the end of the spring semester; however, he could not give a specific date.

After being shut down in 2005, Beta Theta Pi fraternity is currently re-colonizing on Grounds with a renewed commitment to the traditional values of fraternity life and brotherhood.

The newly revitalized chapter has 20 founding fathers and has obtained a house near Grounds.

According to Beta member Keller Hardy, a third-year Commerce student who transferred from Virginia Tech, the University’s chapter of Beta previously was disbanded for a variety of reasons.

“In 1997 the general fraternity instituted the Men of Principle Initiative, which promotes gentlemen, scholars and leaders, and they shut down over 60 chapters within the last 10 years,” Hardy said, citing illegal Greek activities, not paying dues and dwindling numbers as reasons for closure.

The University’s chapter had its charter officially revoked in fall 2005 after pledges were initiated, Hardy said. The chapter has not yet regained its status as a member of the Inter-Fraternity Council.

“We can re-colonize this year but we’re not recognized by the IFC,” Hardy said. “We’re just a colony of the general fraternity.”

Hardy added that all re-colonized Beta chapters will remain committed to the Men of Principle Initiative.

According to Phil Fernandez, the leadership consultant sent by Beta’s general fraternity to oversee the re-colonization, the Men of Principle Initiative represents a commitment to getting back to the founding values and principles of Beta Theta Pi.

“What’s great about coming back is we come in with a clean slate,” Hardy said. He added that as founding fathers, the brothers of the first pledge class have the ability to shape the future of the fraternity.

According to Hardy, Beta has been holding informal recruitment throughout the fall through a rolling bid system. Spring recruitment will take place following regular IFC recruitment, after which all of the current founders will receive official membership.

To be eligible for recruitment, potential brothers must have a grade point average of 3.078, Hardy said, noting that the average GPA among the founders is 3.48.

“These men are driven academically, involved around Grounds and deeply committed to being men of principle,” Fernandez said, adding that they are representative of the character traits the fraternity promotes.

Beta is returning to the University to reestablish traditional principles of fraternity life, according to Hardy.

“We really want to help this fraternity to represent what fraternities were originally like at U.Va,” he said, noting that the University’s chapter of Beta — originally established in 1855 — is one of the University’s oldest fraternities.?

“We look at it as going back to olden days of Greek life, when men were respected on Grounds and treated women with respect,” Hardy said. “It was about brotherhood rather than partying and alcohol, so we’re trying to shed the frat stereotype.”

Hardy added that the fraternity’s new home, which former belonged to Delta Tau Delta fraternity, has been completely remodeled and will be a dry house. Hardy also noted that hazing will not occur within the new chapter.

According to Inter-Fraternity Council President Charlie Morgan, the re-colonization of Beta is a positive step.

“It’s great to have another fraternity starting up, and it seems that they’re going to add a lot to the Greek system,” Morgan said.

According to Morgan, the new chapter has been in close contact with the IFC throughout the recolonization process.

“They’re going about it in the right way … which should make the transition easier if and when they decide to apply for membership,” Morgan said.

Michael Citro, assistant dean of fraternity and sorority life, expressed optimism about the fraternity returning.

“We’re greatly looking forward to their return to Grounds, and we’re excited about the renewed partnership between the undergraduate chapter, the national organization, the University and alumni of Beta,” Citro said.

Citro added that the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life is working closely with the local chapter.

“We’re making sure they’re set up to succeed as a chapter here at the University,” Citro said.

According to Fernandez, the next challenge will be to see what Beta will be like in five years once all the founders have graduated.

“Will we stay focused on the Men of Principles Initiative and continue to push the envelope, or will we become complacent?” Fernandez said. “That is the ultimate question,”

The Faculty Senate addressed findings of the recent faculty survey, athletic programs and University security at yesterday’s meeting.

In his presentation of the faculty survey results, Senate Chair Ricardo Padron noted an increased dissatisfaction among the general faculty with their position at the University.

The general faculty consists of those professors who are not yet tenured and therefore do not have access to the benefits available to tenured faculty. To ensure more consistent treatment of faculty in the future, the University plans to “conduct a review of the policies governing the faculty,” Padron said, noting that doing so should help to, “enhance the voice of the faculty.”

Athletic Director Craig Littlepage also discussed concerns regarding fair representation during his? report on athletic programs. Littlepage noted that the athletic department is currently working to ensure staff diversification. This pertains not only to the hiring of head coaches, Littlepage added, but also to the inclusion of more women and ethnic minorities in the athletic department workforce.

This goal could be achieved simultaneously with the implementation of other athletic department goals for improvement such as complying with Title IX regulations, building facilities valuable to both the academic and athletic communities and having 100 percent of student-athletes complete their eligibility at the University, Littlepage said.

Many of the initiatives are already underway, Littlepage noted, citing the completion of facilities such as the Aquatic & Fitness center and Memorial Gymnasium as areas where students can “congregate as a University community.”

The well-being and regulation of student-athletes was also a central focus of Littlepage’s report. The athletic department plans to initiate “stronger initial requirements” for academics along with closer and more frequent observations over the course of consecutive semesters for student-athletes at the University, he said.

Security for students, faculty and staff around Grounds was another top priority at yesterday’s meeting. The meeting closed with an information update about safety measures on Grounds from Director of Emergency Preparedness Marjorie Sidebottom. So far, new safety measures for the University have been developed through extended “coordination and collaboration,” she said, noting “Our goal is to … create a culture of emergency preparedness across Grounds.”

As a result of the Virginia Tech shootings, the University has joined the nationwide movement to increase security on college campuses. The University’s emergency response program has been developed to incorporate many of the recommendations from the Virginia Tech report, said Leonard Sandridge, executive vice president and chief operating officer. Sandridge also stressed the importance of greater participation in the U.Va. Alerts system.

Some additional planned University security measures include the installation of a new siren and public-announcement system across Grounds, better security designs for newly constructed buildings and a consistent relationship between medical counseling and security staff members, he added.

Drive-By Truckers have been known for their modern Southern rock records, but they whip out the acoustic guitars for their new album, Brighter Than Creation’s Dark.

Though most of the Drive-By Truckers were raised in northern Alabama, guitarists/vocalists Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley started the band in Athens, Ga. in 1996, releasing their first album Gangstabilly in 1998. Their 2001 double-album Southern Rock Opera put the group on the national scene with a four-star review from Rolling Stone magazine. Their subsequent efforts, Decoration Day and The Dirty South, continued the Truckers’ streak of fan and critical acclaim.

The Drive-By Truckers are known for their honest, gritty sound. Whether you want to call it rock, alternative country or even cowpunk, their sound is distinctively Southern. This isn’t your parents’ sweet, happy Southern rock, however. Their songs tell stories of the gritty, dirty, poor Southern life through rocking choruses, punchy verses and a whole lot of guitar (three guitarists to be exact).

Their latest effort, Brighter Than Creation’s Dark, exhibits another side of the Athens quintet that has always run deep throughout their material: grass-roots Southern country.

The first track on the album, “Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife,” sets the tone for most of the album with acoustic guitars, simple progressions and painfully honest vocals. The song tells a story that should be familiar to Richmonders like me. Patterson Hood sings about the brutal murder of the Harvey family on New Years Day 2006 in Richmond. He reinforces the horror of the story by asking, “Was it all a dream? / Was it all a crazy dream?”

This album features the first appearances of songs composed and sung by bassist Shonna Tucker. Tucker, who officially joined the group in late 2003, wrote and sang two songs for the album: “I’m Sorry Huston” and “Home Field Advantage.” What boggles my mind is why she had not been introduced as a main singer/songwriter earlier. Her voice fits in perfectly with the Truckers’ sound, and she’s a pretty decent writer. Tucker is the ex-wife of former DBT guitarist and songwriter, Jason Isbell. Isbell parted ways with the Truckers in April 2007.

Another song that stands out on the album and should connect with many listeners is the Patterson Hood-written song “Daddy Needs a Drink.” The simplicity of the song is what drives its spirit. It’s a chord-based acoustic guitar song about a guy getting home from a stressful day at work. In the song, Hood sings, “Daddy needs a drink to hem in his demons / To hear through the baby screaming or the TV set turned on.” I see this song as being a potential anthem for midterms/finals season, ’cause we all could probably use a drink around that time.

I do not want to give the impression that every song on the album is an acoustic ballad. Brighter Than Creation’s Dark has a few tried-and-true traditional DBT songs in its arsenal. “3 Dimes Down” is a nice little 3.5-minute straightforward rocker delivered in true DBT style: lots of guitar and a thick, thick drawl.

In short, if you like listening to truly Southern music without the whiny-ness of modern country, pick up DBT’s new album.

On the way to a Light of Truth Universal Shrine in middle-of-nowhere Virginia I was listening to MGMT’s new album, Oracular Spectacular, watching pine trees and random diners fly by. I stopped to take pictures next to a hollow rooster on a back road and my camera clicked in time with MGMT’s psychedelic beats. When I got lost down a dirt road filled with beer cans and misplaced shock cords, my iPod exploded with sound, happy at the prospect of exploring the unusual.

Random? Whenever MGMT appears, life gets a little trippy.

The dynamic duo, Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden, are natives of Brooklyn, N.Y. and formed during their freshman year at Wesleyan University in 2002. Formerly called “The Management,” the two kicked off their touring career with of Montreal immediately after they graduated in 2005. Since then, they’ve signed with Sony/Columbia Records and have been featured in Rolling Stone as one of the “Top 10 Artists to Watch.”

Because their album has been available on iTunes since October, I was already semi-acquainted with MGMT and their super original tracks. “Time to Pretend,” their hit single on Oracular Spectacular, was free on iTunes a couple weeks ago. Since I downloaded it, I’ve been unable to listen to anything else. Its vocals and lyrics (“This is our decision / To live fast and die young”) dangerously coerce you into feeling that the obligatory is now optional. “Electric Feel” has an edgy disco sound that transforms even the drabbest day into a colorful, sexy (can I say sexy?) afternoon rave.

When I finally bought the album and listened to it, I was neither disappointed nor surprised to find its other songs followed suit. “Weekend Wars” sounds like David Bowie possessed the two artists when they were writing and performing the song, and “The Handshake” sounds like a happier, more drugged-up version of the Cure. Basically, these guys are weird, but in the best way.

If you’re still not sure you want to experience the crazy, seductive ride that is MGMT, check out the video for “Electric Feel” — it embodies the rest of the album and exudes MGMT’s subversive style. While “Electric Feel” gyrates in the background, the video displays gaudy patterns, colors and videos. There are flashes of people waltzing, the two artists stabbing each other with spears and shadows of people dancing on the beach with monkeys in the sky.

If weirdness isn’t your thing, you might want to avoid the video and MGMT altogether. If your ears are up for a unique, odd-tasting feast, however, this is what you’ve been looking for.

So there I was, looking at this shrine sculpted in the shape of a lotus, listening to “Time to Pretend.” Just two hours ago I had been napping in my room, trying to figure out when I was going to read for class and trying to remember when my math problems were due. Now massive pink lotus petals are all I can see, and the lady in the visitor center reminding me that I should take off my shoes before entering is still fresh in my mind. How did I get here? How did a LOTUS shrine appear in the middle of Virginia? As I stare at the pole of white light in the middle of the shrine, I imagine how awesome it would look if there were flashes of neon patterns inside it and realize that MGMT isn’t just playing with my head — they’re inside it.

“Oh dear” was the first thought that came to mind when I listened to Natasha Bedingfield’s sophomore album, Pocketful of Sunshine. Her incredible perkiness and sugary goodness was too much for my Saturday morning and thumping headache. And it only got worse.

As a fan of her old songs, I was surprised to hear just how bland the new album is. She has always had a great voice, and musically the album sounds similar to her previous material, but none of the songs stand out. A number of producers ensure the songs are technically good, but the charm of Unwritten is missing.

The first single, “Love Like This”, featuring Sean Kingston, is a harmless pop reggae concoction, but without the strength of her previous singles. It is still an improvement, however, on the recently released U.K. single “I Wanna Have Your Babies,” in which she sings the title over and over again. The song was topped by her hilarious video, in which she meets different men, sparks fly from her fingers when she touches them, and then in the next shot she magically appears with their babies. Not surprisingly, the song failed to do well in the U.K. and was subsequently dropped from the U.S. album.

Pocketful of Sunshine is an album about being in love and why we should all be happy. Bedingfield describes the difference between her first and second album as stemming from the fact that she is now “looking for Mr. Right,” whereas her preceding album celebrated her independence. This is very far from her debut single “Single,” which became an anthem for single ladies.

Bedingfield has long been known for her clean Christian image in a world where pop music has become overly sexualized and little girls idolize Britney. This translates into her lyrics, which ooze happiness and positive messages. In some instances, the cheesiness was too much for me. In “Freckles” we hear the following: “Because a face without freckles is like a sky without the stars / Why waste a second not loving who you are.” In the nostalgic “Backyard”, however, where she looks back on her childhood fondly, her simple lyrics convey her message well. Such lyrics help to cement her image as the “girl next door.”

The stand-out track for me is the title track. It has a simple call and response for the chorus, which will worm into your head with its catchiness. “Not Giving Up” is a more edgy dance song for Bedingfield and a move away from her signature summery pop, but it works equally well.

Bedingfield is not the only British female singer trying to crack the U.S. at the moment. She has to compete with Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen and Kate Nash, who all produce quirkier and more original pop songs. With such a versatile and powerful voice, however, she will be sure to enjoy success in the U.S.

In some ways, she would make a very good American Idol winner. She is a good musician and is involved in writing all her songs — but most importantly, she makes inoffensive pop songs that are incredibly radio-friendly. As a consequence, I’m sure Pocketful of Sunshine will be blasted from stations around the country. And I will make sure to change the station every time that happens. I’m afraid she’s just too full of glorious golden sunshine for me.

It’s difficult to read an album review of Canada’s Black Mountain without hearing a plethora of 30-year-old band names mentioned. It’s accurate to mention in any review the influence the band draws from ’70s psychedelic rock. Everything this side of Led Zeppelin, Hendrix and Pink Floyd can be heard in their epic stoner-metal freakouts.

The band garnered a significant amount of attention with their initial EP, Druganaut (released in 2004, an obvious reference to Sleep’s famous track “Dragonaut”) and their debut, self-titled, full-length album (2005). They even managed to land a spot on the Spiderman 3 soundtrack last spring — an album that attempted to catch up to the present-day indie obsession.

So for a band that looks so much to the past for its influences, In The Future is a fairly ironic title for their new album, released this week. Then again, the title does go well with the music’s psychedelic slant.

In The Future takes no time in getting started. The opener, “Stormy High,” is a genuine rocker, complete with heavy riffs, keyboard highlights and choral responses from backup vocalist Amber Webber. “Angels” slows the pace down a bit, recalling the Southern rock drawl of Lynyrd Skynyrd, until it erupts halfway through with a full string arrangement.

Two epic sprawlers rest on either end of the album, beginning with the 8-minute “Tyrants,” which travels back and forth between Pink Floyd soundscapes and Black Sabbath doom metal. Toward the album’s end, it culminates with “Bright Lights,” a 16-minute adventure that successfully sums up the band’s sound. The album’s other intense rockers include “Wucan” — possibly the strongest track — and “Evil Ways.”

And, as all great rock bands do, Black Mountain takes the time to switch gears and make some attempts at the rock-group ballad. “Stay Free” — the track that appeared on the Spiderman 3 soundtrack — is a beautiful piece that incorporates acoustic guitars, soprano vocals and cello. “Wild Wind” is an outright Eagles send-up, heavy on the drums and piano and complete with a fuzzy guitar solo. It is this track’s extremely short length that serves as my only real complaint with In The Future. It is a mere 1:43, cutting the listener off right at the moment when he first realizes that, wow, this is a great, great song.

The closer, “Night Walks,” relies heavily on ambient keyboards and the vocals of Webber — it is the only track on which she serves as the lead singer. Its contrast to the rest of the album makes it a perfect way to end the great set of music that is In the Future.