Sophomore guard Ataira Franklin helped the Cavaliers outscore Indiana 38-24 in the second half by pacing the team with 16 points. Photo by Thomas Bynum

The Virginia women’s basketball team overcame 15 first-half turnovers to edge Indiana, 65-49, and notch its fourth win in the last five years in the annual Big 10/ACC challenge.

The Cavaliers (6-2) drew first blood on a three-pointer by sophomore guard Ataira Franklin and opened up an 11-2 lead after junior center Simone Egwu, who rejoined the starting lineup in place of sophomore forward Jazmin Pitts, sunk a pair of free throws to cap an 8-0 run.

Twenty-four Cavalier turnovers kept the game close, however, as the team failed to improve on its inability to maintain possession durinig its three-game trip to Hawaii last weekend.

“Last week we were on everyone about getting possession by rebounding and tonight our problem was turning over the ball,” coach Joanne Boyle said.

After averaging more than 14 turnovers through their first seven games, the Cavaliers coughed the ball up 10 times in the first eight minutes of the game. The Cavaliers’ pressure zone bailed out the team’s sloppy play on offense by holding the Hoosiers (2-4) to just seven points during the first 13 minutes of the game.

In a game of runs, Virginia extended its lead to 25-9 with a 12-2 streak which included three-pointers from Franklin, who finished with a game-high 16 points, and junior guard China Crosby.

The turnovers finally caught up with Virginia at the end of the second half as Indiana got hot from behind the arc. Indiana freshman guard Candyce Ussery buried her first of two three-pointers to put the Hoosiers in double digits with 4:03 remaining in the first half. Then junior forward Aulani Sinclair, who led Indiana with 12 points on just 3-of-14 shooting, finally made the Cavaliers pay for the miscues.

After Egwu lost the ball underneath the basket, Sinclair knocked down a three-pointer to cut the lead to single digits at 27-20. On the very next play, Sinclair silenced the crowd with another three-pointer off Virginia’s 14th turnover of the half, as the Hoosiers overcame a 16-point deficit to go into the break down by just two, 27-25.

Seven Cavaliers turned the ball over at least once in the first half.

“We definitely need to stay composed; we got a little rattled,” Franklin said. “We’re a smarter team than we played tonight.”

Indiana struck first in the second half as redshirt junior center Sasha Chaplin knotted the score at 27 apiece. From there, Virginia reeled off an 11-3 run and was looking to pull away before Sinclair buried another triple and Indiana fought back to make the score 38-34.

Indiana would get no closer, however, as Virginia finally put the Hoosiers away with a 10-2 run to go up 48-36.

Egwu helped shore up the Cavaliers’ recently suspect rebounding as she pulled down a team-high eight boards in 34 minutes. Pitts, meanwhile, played just five minutes and did not score.

“She’s got to work hard — the ball goes up and she’s just standing there,” Boyle said of Pitts. “She was doing a great job the first four games coming off the bench and producing for us.”

Virginia will travel to Richmond (6-1) Sunday after the Spiders sneaked by Virginia Commonwealth Thursday, 78-77.

ONCE THE stress of finals is out of the way, we will be well into what is popularly deemed the holiday season. For most of you, this means time to fit in some late Christmas shopping and pick up those gifts that hopefully show the thought that went into their selection. Regardless of who you are buying gifts for, or what holiday you are celebrating, ‘tis the season to consider supporting small, locally-owned businesses in the Charlottesville area.

If you are the type of person who rarely buys gifts and instead does something creative for your loved ones, more power to you. For most people, though, a totally non-commercial holiday season is regrettably difficult to even imagine.

There is relatively little pressure put on us to re-evaluate our consumption habits, but such pressure does exist. For example, there is “Buy Nothing Day,” a self-explanatory holiday traditionally “celebrated” on the day after Thanksgiving — that is, Black Friday. The festivity has been widely publicized by Adbusters, the same magazine which kicked off the Occupy Wall Street protests. Looking at Black Friday last week, one can see the argument implicit in “Buy Nothing Day” and why it might be worth making.

Tragicomic Black Friday news stories serve as symbols of the debasing, brutalizing nature of excessive consumerism. These stories also bring to mind one important trend: the increasing desperation of the American consumer. It is fairly well-accepted that times are bad, and more people are finding it important to save money whenever possible. This might seem odd as people seek major discounts on things they do not need — like waffle-makers — but there was nonetheless some rationality driving people to line up in the cold last Friday. Regardless, it is hard to imagine that many thoughtful gifts were obtained in the shopping frenzy.

The best option for purchasing items which do carry meaning remains local businesses. This may appear to be a more expensive option compared to the big-box stores, but a closer examination will reveal a number of added benefits.

As if anyone needs reminding, there are countless economic difficulties facing people today. Some of these are subtle and slow to reach crisis levels, such as the issue of mounting credit card debt. Some are more overt, such as another possible foreclosure crisis which may cause millions of U.S. citizens to lose their homes in the next several years. If you recognize the challenges that people are facing today and seek to make even a minor change to counter these trends, there is little better you can do than make your purchases at small businesses whenever possible.

The Institute for Local Self-Reliance, a non-profit which aims for sustainable community development, released a study in 2003 which found that for every $100 spent at a local business, $45 “stays local” and generates more prosperity in the immediate area. Spending $100 at a chain business, on the other hand, only brings $14 back to the community. A stronger local economy means job creation, something stressed fourth-year students can tell you is always a welcome development.

According to The Hook, the current recession has left Charlottesville relatively unscathed. There are many social benefits brought about by such good fortune, and the University student body has played a large part in realizing them. University students, with their combined spending power, hold more social influence in their wallets than they suspect.

Yet while the University is a major financial boon to the area, there are some negative externalities it inflicts on the residents of Charlottesville: noise, traffic and a lack of parking. What better way to say “sorry” and “thank you” to the community simultaneously than by shopping locally? There is no shortage of quality venues conveniently located on the Corner and Downtown Mall which can help you find just the memorable gift you are seeking. The numerous used bookstores in those two areas hold vast possibilities. Gift cards from local restaurants mean family or high school friends are pretty much obligated to come visit you. Roots, Rock, Reggae may have just the thing for the glass art enthusiast in your life. The list goes on.

Alternatively, there is always that cheap, forgettable gadget from Walmart. After all, someone has to put food on the Walton family table.

This holiday season, keep in mind the consequences of your spending habits. You might find that some minor changes will go a long way.

Sam Carrigan’s column appears Fridays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at s.carrigan@cavalierdaily.com.

With today marking the final day of publication for The Cavalier Daily before Winter Break, now is the time to continue our tradition of giving the “Pink Flamingo” awards to the people and groups who have made the news during the past semester.

The “Fast Food” award goes to University Dining for speeding up service at Newcomb Dining Hall by creating a dedicated To-Go Room. The room’s limited food selection, inconsistent policies and inadequate labeling appear to have succeeded in thinning out the crowds at Newcomb by driving students to other dining locations where they can fill their to-go boxes with the same variety and quantity of food that is available to those who dine in.

The “Slow Burn” award goes to the Lawn and Range residents who are attempting to raise enough money to repair their rooms’ decrepit chimneys and install a fire suppression system so they can safely use their fireplaces again. Unfortunately, it does not seem likely that smoke will be rising from the chimneys any time soon — the group has raised less than $500,000 of the estimated $3.7 million that is necessary for the project.

The “Speak No Evil” award goes to the Honor Committee for striving to keep the University safe from those who would violate the body’s sacred confidentiality rules. The Committee has made tremendous progress toward the ultimate goal of eliminating any public discussion of the honor system, as evidenced by the fact that only two students unaffiliated with the Committee showed up at its weekly meetings in October and November to offer their opinions of proposed informed retraction legislation.

The “Church Mouse” award goes to Student Council for staying out of the headlines throughout much of the semester. Although some may be annoyed by Council’s lack of any major initiatives, it at least refrained from engaging in any misadventures that would draw negative local and national press attention to the University — something which cannot be said of a couple other student government groups on Grounds.

The “Tent City” award goes to Occupy Charlottesville, whose Lee Park encampment became another notable feature of the already distinctive downtown environment during October and November. The group is currently in limbo, having been evicted from the park and denied permission to relocate to Grounds, but even if its camping days have ended it will always occupy a special place in our hearts.

The “Ambitious Alumnus” award goes to Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who is expected to announce next week his plans to run for governor in 2013. Cuccinelli has been a consistent antagonist of his alma mater since becoming attorney general last year, issuing legal opinions challenging University policies and regulations and filing a civil investigative demand to gain access to the emails of former Environmental Sciences Prof. Michael Mann. There is no truth to the rumor, however, that it was the climate-skeptic Cuccinelli who crashed a vehicle into the Greenhouse apartment building on 14th Street in September.

The “Quick Turn-Around” award goes to head football coach Mike London, who helped the team become relevant again in only his second season at Virginia. Students from Northern Virginia who have given up on the hapless Washington Redskins can rejoice that now there will be at least one football game worth watching during Winter Break, since the Cavaliers’ 8-4 record qualified them for a bowl for the first time since 2007.

The “Ol’ Faithful” award goes to our readers who have kept up with The Cavalier Daily throughout the semester. We appreciate your interest and support, and wish to remind you that outdated newspapers make for much better wrapping paper during the holiday season than does any of the glitzy stuff they sell at the Hallmark store.

Occupy Charlottesville protesters faced arrest after remaining in Lee Park following the expiration of their permit. Photo by Thomas Bynum

Police arrested several protesters yesterday evening after they refused to leave Lee Park when Occupy Charlottesville’s permit expired at 6 p.m.

Protesters were not ordered to leave the park until 11 p.m. in accordance with the City’s curfew. Charlottesville Police gave occupiers a 15-minute warning before arresting those who remained in the park after 11 p.m. By 12:30 a.m. today at least seven protesters had been arrested.

As police began to arrest protesters, other members of the movement began restating their pledge to non-violent protest, chanting, “Our passion, our freedom is stronger than their prisons.”

Some protesters chose to stay in solidarity with those who had been arrested. They were supported by a legal team made up of attorneys from Charlottesville as well as several University Law students.

“I went to law school in order to be involved in the struggle for civil rights and civil liberties,” said Jeff Fogel, a lawyer for Occupy Charlottesville.

In light of the tense standoff, some occupiers chose to comply with the police’s demands to avoid arrest.

“I thought hard about it … but I don’t think it won’t be as big a deal as it was in other places,” Occupier Brent Palmer said. “I would just stand here and wait for them to carry me off on principle … [but] I think in this particular circumstance I would just be getting arrested for the sake of getting arrested.”

University Law student Kimberly Rolla, who is part of the Occupy Charlottesville legal team but not an active member of the movement, said she believes in many things the movement stands for, but acted as an impartial observer yesterday evening.

“It’s a political statement for legal observers to be present at this demonstration,” Rolla said before the protest yesterday. “Our goal is really going to be to know the names and contact information of those who are arrested.”

Individuals who have been a part of the local movement which began in mid-October are now seeking to relocate their protest. During a general assembly meeting Tuesday night, occupiers considered a move to George Rogers Clark Park, which is across from the Red Roof Inn by the Corner and on University property.

In response, Michael Strine, University executive vice president and chief operating officer, sent occupiers an open letter yesterday morning in which he warned that “the University will take enforcement action to prevent the attempted establishment of an encampment on University property including issuing Trespass Notices and the subsequent enforcement of such notices, if necessary.”

He added that an encampment on Grounds would “impair our mission by diverting necessary resources from our core functions. Such an encampment also would create significant health, hygiene, and safety problems for the University community and the citizens we serve.”

Occupy Charlottesville protesters responded to the letter by denying any intention of knowingly entering University property. To that end, protesters decided last night to move to the Freedom of Speech wall in front of City Hall.

The City offered protesters the opportunity to camp out on the eastern side of McIntire Park, but the group nearly unanimously rejected the proposal.

“It’s a horrible place to demonstrate,” Palmer said. “We can’t be visible there, we can’t send a message, we can’t interact with people … A lot of people here think we were offered that to get us out of sight so no one would have to think about us anymore.”

Palmer said the group would continue to demonstrate and send its message even though it can no longer inhabit Lee Park.

“What everyone that I’ve personally spoken to is thinking is … we’ll keep doing active events and marches,” he said. “We’re not giving up … We’re doing whatever we can do form whatever position we find ourselves in.”

—Caroline Houck contributed with reporting

The Education and Darden schools announced Tuesday a new joint dual-degree program which aims to stimulate education reform. The program, which will admit 15 students next fall, will implement the Darden School’s case-based learning style within the framework of the Education School’s curriculum.

The plan will include a residency program to provide students with “real-world settings” in which to learn, according to a University press release. Upon completing the program, students will earn a master’s degree in business administration and education.

The major’s creation is a response to the flaws of the nation’s current K-12 education system. Thirty-thousand schools in the United States have failed to meet the standards of learning established by federal tests, and Darden Dean Robert Bruner said the number is expected to increase to 80,000 schools by next year.

“We wanted to see what we as the University could do to create leaders in innovation for education to respond to the glaring social needs in the United States,” Bruner said. He added that the program’s creation reflects the rising importance of interdisciplinary programs in the changing global marketplace.

“The appearance and proliferation of joint degree programs are a recognition that the world has needs that don’t conform easily to the traditional styles that the University have traditionally operated within,” Bruner said.

Education Dean Robert Pianta said the new program takes such a change into account. The connection between the Darden graduate program with a leadership focus in education will allow students in the program to work in the sector of public education and promote interdisciplinary study, he said.

“These ideas exist in some form in other schools, but there is no other place where the top tier business and top tier education school [collaborate],” Pianta said.

The program will set up summer internship opportunities for students with education reform organizations, large public schools and Teach for America.

Pianta hopes students graduating from the new program will be able to respond to the increasing need for improvements in education.

“Students who graduate from this program will be right in line with what the United States needs, which are bright minds that really are dedicated to regenerating programs in the United States,” he said.

Admitted students will have to complete 82.5 credit hours, with 52.5 Darden School credit hours and 30 Education School credit hours spread out across five modules.

Ultimately, administrators hope the program will encourage graduates to facilitate change in the nation’s education program, which ranks 14th in literacy and 25th in mathematics worldwide, according to a study conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

“This is a national crisis and demands leadership of an extraordinary nature to respond,” Bruner said, “not just an alter or tweaking of the situation. This requires a new mindset and our program will help create those leaders.”

A Scottsville resident assaulted a University student near the intersection of 14th Street and University Ave. Sunday. Photo by Thomas Bynum

A University student was assaulted early Sunday morning near the intersection of 14th Street and University Avenue by the Corner. Police are still looking for one of the two assailants.

Scottsville resident Antonio Jervel Booker-Eldridge has been charged with assault by mob. Charlottesville Police Lt. Ronnie Roberts said the victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

“[The student was] treated and released from the University of Virginia Medical Center … on the morning of the incident,” Roberts said.

The altercation occurred after the student bumped Booker-Eldridge while he was walking.

“It went from the bumping to the next level,” which was verbal and physical violence, Roberts said. “The student, at the time of the incident, was not engaged in any physical contact with anyone.”

The police are still looking for a second assailant, a 20- to 24-year-old black male, who witnesses described as between 5-foot-9 and 6 foot and weighing between 180 and 200 pounds, Roberts said.

University Police typically patrol the Corner, but the arrest was made by a Charlottesville Police officer, Roberts said.

Charlottesville Police are asking anyone with information to call Crimestoppers at (434) 977-4000.

—compiled by Joseph Liss

Education Dean Robert Pianta has introduced MyTeachingPartner, a new model for evaluating teacher performance. Photo courtesy University relations

A study conducted by Education Dean Robert Pianta released Tuesday recommends the use of a new model, called MyTeachingPartner, to assess K-12 teachers’ classroom skills.

Pianta said the majority of professional development programs currently being used are one-time only workshops which lack practical application in the classroom.

The new model is based on a system of classroom observations called CLASS, Pianta said. Teachers are rated on a 1 to 7 scale based on the emotional support they give their students, the quality of their methods of instruction and the organization of their teaching. Using these observations, researchers are able to identify and encourage the in-class practices and methods of the most effective teachers.

The study shows that the teaching standards encouraged by the new model have had a definitive impact on student behavior in the classroom.

“[We] applied this same coaching model in Virginia high schools and we saw that kids were more interested in the classroom,” Pianta said, adding that students’ scores on the Virginia Standards of Learning tests increased by 10 percent when the coaching model was used.

Pianta aims to use this model to improve instructors’ teaching methods and interactions with students.

The report, released by the Center for American Progress, highlights the failures of current teaching assessment models.

“Despite major investments in professional development from federal, state and local sources, research proves that most professional development in current use is ineffective,” said Cynthia Brown, the center’s vice president for education policy. “Developing new, evidence-based teacher-performance systems, such as the one highlighted in this report, is a critical factor in helping our students achieve academic success.”

MyTeachingPartner also provides personal coaching for teachers, who are provided with a flip camera to record lessons, Pianta said. These video files are then uploaded to the Internet for a second party to analyze and provide constructive criticism.

“What we’ve done with MyTeachingPartner is make video clips of teachers … in the classroom,” Pianta said. “We [then] compile a library of these good practices for other teachers to view and learn from.”

Pianta hopes his work will have a direct impact on University students. “Some of these ideas are part of our preparation of teachers here at the Curry School,” Pianta said. “We’re also thinking of ways in which these ideas may translate to other ways of teaching and learning at the University [and] thinking of how we can help our instructors do a better job.”