1000 items found for your search. If no results were found please broaden your search.
(11/25/08 10:23am)
Utility installation and construction for two new science buildings, which were put on hold during the October Board of Visitors meeting, will begin Nov. 26. The construction will disrupt traffic and parking on Stadium Road and Whitehead Road at various times until Feb. 17, according to a University press release.The soon-to-be constructed buildings, the Information Technology Engineering Building and the College of Arts & Sciences Research Building, were put on hold during the Board meeting because of architectural concerns. University spokesperson Carol Wood noted, though, that “the projects themselves weren’t put on hold.” Wood added that the University is fully committed to building the structures, which have a combined cost of $165.2 million. She said because only the exterior architecture work must be reviewed at the next Board meeting, the University will start “extensive groundwork” in expectation of the project’s final approval. University Architect David Neuman is currently revising the plans for the exterior architecture work, Wood said. He was unavailable for comment.As a result of the project’s groundwork, Stadium Road, from south of Montebello Circle to north of Dunova Court, will be closed from tomorrow until Dec. 10, according to the release. The road will be reduced to one lane between Dec. 11 and Dec. 23, as well as from Feb. 4 to Feb. 17.The portion of Whitehead Road that meets Stadium Road will be closed from Dec. 11 until Dec. 23 and will be limited to one-lane traffic from Jan. 7 until Jan. 26.According to the release, the utility installation will also disrupt access to several University parking lots nearby and will force buses to re-route around the construction sites.—compiled by Thomas Madrecki
(11/25/08 10:22am)
The headline for an article in yesterday’s Cavalier Daily stated “Miller Center hosts 10th democracy conference.” The headline should have stated “Center for Politics hosts 10th democracy conference.” The Cavalier Daily regrets the error.
(11/25/08 10:15am)
The Virginia men’s cross country team put the final touches on what has been an impressive season for first-year coach Jason Vigilante with a 14th place showing at yesterday’s NCAA Championships in Terre Haute, Ind. Led by sophomore Emil Heineking, who earned his second career All-American honor with his 26th-place finish, the ACC Champion Cavaliers equaled their third-best NCAA performance.Heineking is the first Cavalier to be named an All-American in back-to-back seasons. The sophomore’s time of 29:42 was the fastest among ACC runners on the 10k course and marked a 61.6-second improvement against his 56th-place finish last season.Finishing 70th overall in 30:18.4, Virginia’s Ryan Collins was the fifth freshman to cross the line. He was followed for the Cavaliers by sixth-year senior Ryan Foster, who finished 99th overall. Senior Andy Biladeau (123rd), and junior Andrew Jesien (158th) rounded out the scoring for the Cavaliers, who were the highest finishing ACC team in the meet.On the women’s side, Virginia placed 26th overall. Senior Lauretta Dezubay led the Cavaliers, finishing 87th in the 6k race overall to close out her collegiate cross country career. Freshman Morgane Gay crossed in 108th, while junior Stephanie Garcia, a tableau editor for The Cavalier Daily, finished 133rd.Oregon successfully defended its national title on the men’s side, while Washington claimed the women’s team crown.—compiled by Cayce Troxel
(11/25/08 10:14am)
The No. 24 Virginia wrestling team fell to No. 14 Penn State 19-15 Sunday morning in a match that came down to the last wrestler at the Sprawl & Brawl held in Binghamton, N.Y.The surprise of the match was Cavalier freshman Jedd Moore, who beat the No. 2 wrestler in the country in the 157-pound division, Penn State junior Dan Vallimont.Both teams were able to win five bouts. Two Penn State wrestlers, however, won by fall and major decision at the 133- and 149-pound weight class, respectively, to secure the team’s victory. Virginia sophomore Chris Henrich, junior Brent Jones and senior Rocco Caponi won their bouts.The Cavaliers easily defeated American International College Sunday afternoon, winning 52-0, posting the third most points in the program’s dual-meet history. The Cavaliers will be back in Albany, N.Y. Saturday to compete in the Northeast Duals where they will face No. 7 Oklahoma State, Bucknell and Harvard.—compiled by Ben Gomez
(11/25/08 10:13am)
Womensfieldhockey.com named Virginia field hockey freshman midfielder Paige Selenski National Rookie of the Year yesterday. Selinski also was named a first-team All-American.The freshman racked up 19 goals and nine assists this past season to become the first Virginia player to ever receive the National Rookie of the Year honor.Also honored for the Cavaliers was freshman midfielder Michelle Vittese, who was named to the all-rookie squad along with Selenski. Senior back Inge Kaars Sipesteijn was named a second-team All-American.Selenski is the third Cavalier to be named to the All-American team during her first year, joining Meridith Thorpe and Michelle Vizzuso.—compiled by Aaron Perryman
(11/25/08 10:13am)
In the Monday, Nov. 24 Sports column titled “Groh must ... stay?”, the columnist wrote, “When Peter Lalich’s father Todd tells The Daily Progress that Al Groh turns boys into men after Peter is kicked off the team, that tells me something.” The sentence should have stated, “When Peter Lalich’s father Todd tells The Daily Progress that Al Groh turns boys into men after Peter is suspended from the team, that tells me something.” Todd Lalich’s statement was made before Peter Lalich officially left the Virginia football team. The Cavalier Daily regrets the error.
(11/25/08 10:11am)
The outlook for our nation might seem bleak right now, but it looked much bleaker in 1863 — the middle of the Civil War — when Abraham Lincoln established an annual day of thanksgiving on the last Thursday of November. Things were only a little better when Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the holiday into law in 1941. It is in this spirit of optimism that we offer this list of things we are particularly thankful for today.Student leaders’ sense of humor: Whether they work for Student Council, the Honor Committee or any other student group, we hold them to a pretty high standard in these pages. No hard feelings, right guys?Environmental sustainability efforts: This semester has seen practical improvements in several areas, ranging from biodegradable take-out boxes and composting in the dining halls to LED light bulbs at Lighting of the Lawn.An official winner in the Goode-Perriello race: Weeks after the election, we’re glad to see a winner finally declared, if only because it means election officials can get started on the recount.That grate behind Monroe Hall: The warmth wafting up from the steam tunnels feels so good on cold days, it’s worth taking a different route to class. Sports other than football: With the football team’s hopes at postseason play hinging on a win in Blacksburg, it’s nice to remember the field hockey team made it to the NCAA semi-finals last Sunday, the women’s soccer team played in the NCAA Round of 16 Saturday, the men’s and women’s cross country team competed at the NCAA Championship yesterday, and the men’s soccer team begins its playoff run tonight.Sam Leven and Josh Hess: Now in the Law School, these two arch-nemeses’s continuation of their undergraduate disputes has allowed us to re-print stories from our archives for most of the past week. The Shiba Inu puppy cam: The Internet will be a little less cute in about two weeks, when the owner of the six adorable puppies whose lives have been broadcast online for the past seven weeks says they will all go to new homes. We at The Cavalier Daily have found it difficult to focus on our — aww, look! He’s playing with his toy pumpkin!A week off for Thanksgiving: Oh ... right.Our staff: Hang in there, everyone! Just four more papers until Winter Break!
(11/25/08 10:05am)
PhiladelphiaA person who has spent even one autumn day in the City of Brotherly Love knows there are few better places to leave one feeling thankful than Philadelphia. The history and culture of this city attract millions of tourists each year, and for those unable to celebrate Thanksgiving at home filling up on holiday turkey and pumpkin pie, consider a road trip to the nation’s first capital. Philadelphia, a huge metropolitan city that offers an eclectic array of activities fit equally for a weekend adventure as for a week-long vacation, is a little less than five hours away by car, about five hours by train and about eight hours by bus.To begin your trip, get a taste of a hometown favorite, the Philly cheesesteak. The city offers dozens of restaurants that specialize in their own version of the authentically greasy and gooey local treat. The three most popular cheesesteaks come from Jim’s Steaks, Geno’s Steaks and Pat’s King of Steaks, sometimes called the “big three” collectively. Conveniently, each is located in South Philadelphia, and while the restaurant you choose is up to you, it may be best to try all three — just to be on the safe side. The lines are long, but the service is quick and the food is well worth the wait. Just remember: A real Philly cheesesteak has one of only three types of cheese: Provolone, American, or Cheez Whiz, a yellow cheese sauce that is the most characteristic of the sandwich. That means no Swiss or Cheddar cheeses — ordering either will no doubt gain you dirty looks by all who surround you. Fried onions and mushrooms are also popular toppings. After eating, you may want to burn calories by doing some shopping. You can find presents for everyone on your holiday list at the Franklin Mills mall, located about 15 miles from the downtown area with more than 200 stores to satisfy even the most cost-conscious shopper. For a more upscale shopping experience, visit Rittenhouse Row or Chestnut Hill. If you seek learning, rather than shopping, take a walking or bus tour of the city’s historic landmarks. Often led by an impersonator of Benjamin Franklin, most tours include stops at Betsy Ross’s home, the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the Constitution Center. Stop by the famed Philadelphia Museum of Art to experience one of the country’s largest art collections, then jog up the museum’s 97 steps in true Rocky Balboa fashion.Finish your trip at the Blue Cross River Rink, an outdoor Olympic-size ice rink that offers an unobstructed view of the scenic Delaware River and Benjamin Franklin Bridge. The rink opens for the season Nov. 28 and features a live DJ or karaoke event almost every Friday and Saturday night from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. A place of great fun and delicious food, Philadelphia is an ideal destination for those unable to spend this Thanksgiving holiday at home.—compiled by Stephanie WatiesGeorgetownA mere 2.5 hours away, Georgetown is a hip, exciting neighborhood with lots to offer, no matter what you’re interested in. Its wide variety of stores, restaurants, scenic parks and cultural attractions make Georgetown the perfect location for a brief last-minute roadtrip, whether you plan to stay overnight or even just go for the day.You will cross from Virginia into Georgetown passing over the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Far below rush the turbulent rapids of the Potomac River, and straight ahead rise the classic stone buildings of Georgetown University’s campus. Once in Georgetown, wander through the grid of narrow streets lined with charming old row-houses, many of which date back to the 18th century. You can check out the specialty boutiques at Wisconsin Avenue or the abundant shopping venues at Georgetown’s main strip, M Street. The Shops at Georgetown Park feature three levels of trendy stores, including Anthropologie, Dean & DeLuca, Fire & Ice, J. Crew, H&M, and White House/Black Market. After catching up on holiday shopping, wander along the Potomac waterfront, watching the crew teams and recreational kayakers disembark from Thompson Boat Center and paddle around the scenic Theodore Roosevelt Island. You can also admire the yachts docked alongside the Washington Harbor and stop to grab a bite at Tony and Joe’s, Nick’s Riverside Grille or, if you’re looking for something fancier, the more upscale Sequoia or Cabanas. Make sure to enjoy the remarkable views of the Kennedy Center and the Washington Monument while you dine.The newly constructed Georgetown Waterfront Park now sprawls over 10 acres of the Potomac shoreline, covering what was once a large gravel parking lot. Strolling through the park, you will see joggers, dog-walkers, roller bladers, cyclists and no shortage of tourists enjoying the view.If you enjoy the outdoors, a walk along the C&O Canal’s dirt towpath is a must. Check out the canal’s system of locks and aqueducts, which were used to raise and lower the water level in order to allow ships to pass through. The area is now a national park.When nighttime hits and hunger strikes, head back up to M Street where a young, bustling crowd is a guarantee. For dinner, check out The Guards, a relatively fancy venue with a British-inspired menu; Johnny Rockets, an old-fashioned diner featuring fancy milkshakes and dancing waiters; Bodega, a Spanish tapas restaurant; SweetGreen, a little street-side hut where you build your own salad; or Philadelphia Cheesesteak Factory, which is less pricey and especially popular among Georgetown students. After hours, the city’s younger crowd can often be found at one of the city’s many bars. Rhino Bar & Pump House, located on M Street, and The Third Edition, on Wisconsin Avenue, are guaranteed to be packed on any weekend night. Mr. Smith’s of Georgetown, a piano bar, also attracts a loud, fun-loving crowd. For those looking for something a little more low-key, the Dupont Circle area features a collection of clubs and bars. The wide variety of attractions and activities offered by the neighborhood, along with its quaint charm and its relative proximity to Charlottesville, make Georgetown the perfect destination for anyone looking to get away for a few days or even just a few hours.—compiled by Allison ComizioWilliamsburgThe first American Thanksgiving was celebrated in Virginia in 1619 at Berkeley Plantation, so this year, why not give thanks right next door? Colonial Williamsburg is just a short two-hour drive from Charlottesville and offers a multitude of fun and festive things to do.For those looking to chow down on traditional Thanksgiving fare, two of Williamsburg’s historic dining taverns, King’s Arms Tavern and Christiana Campbell’s Tavern offer a pre-fixed Thanksgiving feast Nov. 27 with seatings from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.As for the rest of the weekend, try Williamsburg’s famous fine-dining restaurant, the Trellis, or grab a quick bite at the Cheese Shop, Williamsburg’s equivalent to Take It Away.For Black Friday, shop in Binns Fashion Shop at Merchants Square, a luxury department store, or pick up a gift for Mom at Shirley Pewter or Williams-Sonoma. If you’re in the mood to burn off that piece of pumpkin pie, try fighting the crowds at the Patriot Plaza Premier Outlets.Looking for something a little less indulgent? Stroll around the historic colonial area to catch a glimpse of Williamsburg’s fabulous Christmas decorations, currently on display.—compiled by Julia Eckert
(11/24/08 5:26am)
The Seven Society revealed its donation to the University in spectacular fashion during halftime of Saturday’s football game. It is up to students now to spend it in an equally spectacular way.For all of the fanfare surrounding the society’s gift, its size is less than staggering. A one-time donation of a little less than $15,000 does not seem worthy of a skydiver all by itself. The exciting part of the gift is not its amount, but the challenge the society has presented to University students.The $14,777.77 the society plans to donate is not enough to found an institute. It’s not enough to build a new classroom building or laboratory. It’s not even enough to pay just one student’s tuition or hire just one professor. This limitation means many existing ideas for which students advocate are off the table — but it is an opportunity for students who have not yet been involved in efforts to improve the University to get involved.Spending only $15,000 on a lasting improvement to the University will require some creativity. But some projects require such a small amount — and some student out there has an idea for such a project.The Sevens contacted the presidents of each class council with details about this contest, but they didn’t do so hoping the class councils alone would propose ideas. The message encouraged them to promote the contest among students and stated the society looks forward to “a wide array of submissions from the student body.”In fact, we hope the majority of the submissions will not come from students involved in Student Council or class councils. Those organizations get a chance to spend large amounts of money every year. The winning project, we hope, will come from someone who has not had that opportunity. Likewise, we hope the project will not be an idea for which students already advocate. It’s not that students are not currently pushing some pretty good ideas, but the Seven Society gift should be an opportunity for new ideas — and for students who have not assumed a leadership role at the University to step up to the plate.The society’s contest fits the ideal of student self-governance well. Though the winning project apparently will be chosen by the society itself and not by students, the fact the society is seeking students’ input about how to spend its money, rather than donating toward an administration-approved project, demonstrates a trust in the student body that is a tradition at the University.The Seven Society cited author James M. Kouzes in a letter announcing the gift, stating, “Somewhere, sometime, the leader within each of us may get the call to step forward.” The University has no shortage of established leaders. We hope the Seven Society’s contest serves as a challenge to students who have not heard that call to submit their ideas to better the University.
(11/24/08 5:00am)
Eight months ago tomorrow, the Virginia women’s basketball team fell in a tight match to Old Dominion at the Monarchs’ arena in Norfolk, Va. that bounced the Cavaliers from the NCAA Tournament. Though the tournament is not on the line yet this season, history repeated itself Friday when the No. 11 Cavaliers fell 78-70 to the No. 25 Old Dominion squad.Junior guard Monica Wright again led the Cavaliers, with 23 points in 38 minutes. Also putting up double-digit scoring performances for the Cavaliers (3-1) were senior center Aisha Mohammed with 15 points, freshman guard Ariana Moorer with 11 points and freshman forward Chelsea Shine, who contributed 16 points and a team-leading 8 rebounds.Senior guard Jazzmin Walters, whose 3-pointer did in the Cavaliers when the teams played in March, again led the push against the Cavaliers. Her 24 points, along with 11-14 shooting from the free-throw line, was enough for the Monarchs (3-1) to topple Virginia. Also leading Old Dominion were senior center Tiffany Green, with 20 points and 12 rebounds, and junior forward Jessica Canady, with 16 points and 14 rebounds.The Cavaliers resume play tonight at 7 p.m. at John Paul Jones Arena against Colorado.—compiled by Dan Stalcup
(11/24/08 5:00am)
Virginia’s volleyball team lost both of its matches this weekend in the team’s final road trip of the season.Visiting Wake Forest (19-12, 10-9 ACC) in a match Friday evening, the Cavaliers (16-15, 8-11 ACC) fell 3-1 (18-25, 25-20, 25-27, 25-19). Virginia was led in Friday’s match by senior outside hitter Beth Shelton, who put up 19 kills while landing a double-double with 13 digs.The Cavaliers traveled Saturday evening to Durham where they fell 3-0 (24-26, 15-25, 21-25). Two seniors, Shelton and middle blocker Shannon Davis, led the team with nine kills apiece in their final road match.The Cavaliers play their final match of the regular season Friday at 6 p.m. in Memorial Gym, taking on Virginia Tech for senior night. The Cavaliers fell 3-0 in their previous match against the Hokies, a Sept. 23 duel in Blacksburg, Va.Friday’s match will likely be the final for Davis, Shelton, and senior Marlow Bruneau, as the ACC does not have a postseason tournament in volleyball and the Cavaliers likely will not get tapped for the NCAA Tournament.—compiled by Dan Stalcup
(11/21/08 6:04am)
The accolades continue to pour in for the Virginia field hockey team, as five Cavaliers were named to the Longstreth/NFHCA Division I All-South Region Teams.Senior back Inge Kaars Sijpesteijn and freshman midfielder Paige Selenski were selected for the first team, while junior midfielder/forward Traci Ragukas, freshman midfielder/back Michelle Vittese and freshman back Floor Vogels were named to the second team. For Sijpesteijn and Ragukas, this is the third time they have been named to their respective teams.Despite the honors awarded to individual players, the team already has finished its season with a loss in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament to Wake Forest.—compiled by Ben Gomez
(11/21/08 6:03am)
Following one of the biggest wins in team history, the women’s basketball team must turn around and face another tough opponent on the road tonight in Norfolk, Va.Then-No. 15 Virginia (2-0) upended then-No. 6 Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn. Monday night. Tonight’s 7 p.m. tipoff against No. 25 Old Dominion marks the second game in a row in which Virginia will face a ranked team on the road.Before Virginia toppled Tennessee, it easily defeated High Point 78-48 in its regular-season debut last Friday night. Junior guard Monica Wright has been the definite offensive leader for Virginia, averaging 25.5 points per game during the first two games of the season and putting up a career-high 35 at Tennessee. Senior center Aisha Mohammed has also been a strong performer, averaging a double-double with 15 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Freshmen guards Whitny Edwards (13.5) and Ariana Moorer (11.0) are also averaging double-figures in points.Old Dominion (2-1), easily defeated Saint Mary’s and Dayton in the World Vision Classic hosted by the University of Texas, 93-63 and 70-58, respectively, to begin its season. The Lady Monarchs fell in the finals of the Classic to No. 14 Texas 78-44 Monday night in their most recent game.Old Dominion is led on the offensive end by senior forward Tiffany Green, who is averaging 17 points per game.Green scored 13 points in the close 88-85 game that knocked Virginia out of last year’s NCAA Tournament during the second round.—compiled by Aaron Perryman
(11/21/08 5:57am)
Last night at an open forum hosted by the Single Sanction Ad-hoc Committee, Sam Leven, president of Hoos Against the Single Sanction, distributed a proposal for an amendment to the Honor Committee’s constitution creating a multiple sanction system. Leven’s proposal may not be a perfect solution, but it should mark the beginning of a serious discussion between the Honor Committee and the University community. The merits of this specific proposal — and not the merits of the single sanction — should be the focus of this debate.Students narrowly rejected a non-binding resolution supporting a multiple sanction system two years ago, by a margin of 62 out of 6,476 votes. That proposal would have given student juries a choice from among a list of penalties, including the possibility of expulsion. That proposal was met with a number of criticisms that the new proposal attempts to address.The new proposal’s strength lies in how much of the current honor system it keeps intact. Student juries will still be asked the same three questions: Did the student commit the act? Did he do so intentionally? Does this act constitute an offense that the community of trust cannot openly tolerate? If the answer to all three of those questions is “yes,” the student is expelled under the current system. The proposed system would not change that — it would only change what happens to accused students if the answers to the first two questions are “yes,” but the answer to the third — to the question of triviality — is “no.” This arrangement retains expulsion as the default sanction and should alleviate some fears that jurors would not choose to apply expulsion if lesser sanctions were available. In fact, that may still occur if jurors vote “no” on triviality. Some students who would be expelled under the current system might receive lesser sanctions, and some students who now receive no punishment might receive some sanction less severe than expulsion. That would be true of any multiple sanction system, however, and by changing very little about the honor system, Leven’s proposal attempts to mitigate any adverse effects.The current proposal also addresses the problem of consistency present in the proposal of two years ago. Instead of relying on student juries to decide sanctions, the new proposal puts that choice in the hands of Honor Committee members, whose experience and training would allow them to assign sanctions more consistently than jurors who have had only one day of training. The proposal also would empower the Committee to establish guidelines for sanctions that would help in providing consistency.There are still potential problems with the proposal, however. The application of the triviality clause would still rest with the student juries and would be as inconsistent as it is now. Since the proposal leaves expulsion as the default sanction, it may not address reporting issues. Students and faculty who find the idea of expulsion distasteful or draconian might still refuse to report a case to the Committee.Still, most of the objections to the current proposal are, in fact, objections to a multiple sanction system. An Honor Committee survey of committee members and support officers found 82.6 percent of respondents support the single sanction, and it is understandable that they would oppose Leven’s proposal. But over 49 percent of University students voted for a multiple sanction system two years ago, and the Honor Committee needs to be responsive to the community it serves. Objecting to this proposal’s specifics while offering no alternative multiple sanction system allows the Honor Committee to dodge the real issue for one more year. Instead, it should work with Hoos Against the Single Sanction to craft the best possible multiple sanction system — then put it on the ballot and have a real debate about the single sanction.
(11/20/08 6:12am)
After taking part in four first-place races at the double dual meet with Florida State and Penn State during the weekend, including an Aquatic & Fitness Center record time in the 200 back, junior Mei Christensen was awarded the Counsilman Hunsaker National Collegiate Swimmer-of-the-Week honors by CollegeSwimming.com.Christensen’s time of 1:56.42 beat the old time of 1:57.13, set in 2002 by Class of 2006 graduate Brielle White, a seven-time All-American backstroker and two-time ACC Swimmer of the Year in her career at Virginia.In addition to her record first-place time in the 200 back, Christensen also won the 100 back (54.59) and swam a leg of the first-place finishing 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay teams as the women’s team claimed two convincing victories, 216-129 against Florida State and 201-148 against Penn State.—compiled by Paul Montana
(11/20/08 6:09am)
Abderrahmane Sissako screens film selectionAbderrahmane Sissako, internationally acclaimed Mauritanian-Malian filmmaker, has been showing many of his films this month as part of his artistic residency in U.Va.’s French department. He will be screening two more of these films this month. The first selection, an exploration of Africa at the end of the 20th century entitled “Life on Earth”, will show tonight. The next, a film called “Rostov-Luanda” wherein Sissako travels Africa in search of an old classmate, will be screened Monday. Both take place at 7:00 PM in room 402 of Wilson Hall, and will be followed by discussions with Sissako himself.—by ethan hamlinArrested Development movie green-lightedThis is it. The moment you’ve been waiting for. Pull out your Cornballer and pull on your jean shorts — the much-talked about Arrested Development movie has been confirmed by all parties involved! Actors such as Jeffrey Tamboer and Jason Bateman and series creator Mitch Hurwitz have confirmed the concept of a film has been approved and a script is already in the works. Unfortunately, details — including a crucial production date — are far from clear, as Bateman cites monetary issues as a delay in the film’s progress. While the kinks are still being discussed, fans can celebrate — an Arrested Development revival is in the works! —by stephanie garciaBorat strikes againSacha Baron Cohen, aka Borat, is at it again. In preparation for his new film — in which he adopts another alter-ego, gay Austrian fashion reporter Bruno — the British comedian has been wreaking havoc worldwide. According to Entertainment Weekly, he disrupted fashion shows in Europe, crashed a pro-gay-marriage rally in California, and, most recently, infiltrated the set of the NBC show Medium. Production of the show was shut down Nov. 7 when “Bruno” (posing as one of the show’s extras) continuously disrupted a pivotal courthouse scene. Clearly, Cohen is aiming to take us all on another wild and crazy ride. —by david replogle
(11/20/08 5:57am)
Last night’s showing of the movie “HAZE” coincided with National GORDIEDay, a date the film’s producers chose to memorialize Gordie Bailey, a student at the University of Colorado-Boulder whose alcohol-related death is the subject of the film. Though the date was not set with the University in mind, the screenings came at a time when the University typically discusses its own alcohol-related tradition: the fourth-year fifth.Drinking a fifth of liquor before kickoff of the last home game is one of the University’s newest traditions — it only started in the 1980s — and it is also one of the dumbest. Sure, some students can drink the roughly 17 shots that make up a fifth without any permanent negative consequences, and if those students want to do so, that’s fine. But for most people, a fifth of a gallon is not a safe amount of liquor to drink, and establishing that amount as a goal is just begging for someone to push himself too hard.So fourth-years, if you’re going to attempt the fifth, know your limits. Above all, don’t pressure anyone into drinking more than they think they can handle. By all means, have fun — just don’t let anyone get hurt.
(11/20/08 5:56am)
The Lighting of the Lawn Committee’s announcement that the Lawn will be decorated this year with low-energy LED lights, rather than the traditional incandescent bulbs, is another step the University has taken this year toward greater environmental sustainability. We are happy to see the committee taking this initiative and setting a good example for the community.The Lighting of the Lawn tradition is only a few years old, but it has quickly become one of the most popular annual events on Grounds. But it doesn’t take an environmental activist to note the event celebrates the University essentially leaving the lights on for a month.So even though the new lights may not look quite the same, the committee was right to use such a public event to affirm the University community’s commitment to sustainability. We hope that commitment remains more than just a façade.
(11/19/08 5:00am)
Students stuck in Clemons Library after midnight have a new option for getting home. Student Council’s FreeRide program, officially announced at a meeting last night, offers to pay for any student’s ride home in a Yellow Cab taxi. The project, part of Council’s University Unity Project, will provide a useful service as long as Council has the funds to pay for it. Even if Council manages to fund FreeRide permanently, though, the project does not meet the Unity Project’s goal of involving a large number of students outside of Student Council. Thanks to corporate sponsorships and funds from the Inter-Fraternity Council and Inter-Sorority Council, FreeRide will be funded at its beginning without Council using any of its own money. Council President Matt Schrimper said he expects that money will run dry sometime next semester, however, and Council will have to dip into money from the student activities fee that went unused by contracted independent organizations last year and rolled over into this year’s budget. Some money is always left over, he said, and Council will depend on it to fund FreeRide in the foreseeable future.Schrimper understands that arrangement is not sustainable, however. He said Council hopes the University might take over responsibility for the service, as it did with the SafeRide program — originally a Student Council initiative. Council probably should not count on that solution, however, given the budget crisis the University faces. If Council can demonstrate the program is not too costly, surely the University will consider it. Otherwise, Council should look for permanent sources of funding that do not rely on surpluses in Council’s budget. If it cannot find an alternative source of funding, today’s first-year students will graduate with only a distant memory of free cab rides.The bigger problem with FreeRide, however, is that it does not fit the overall purpose of the Unity Project — engaging a large number of students in action. In a way it does fit the theme of this year’s project; Schrimper said the goal of this year’s project was in part to improve safety for students living off Grounds. Providing free cab rides will do that. Certainly some students will now choose to take a cab rather than walking home, and in that sense they will be safer.Improving student safety was one goal of this year’s project. The overall goal of the University Unity Project is broader than that, though. The project was supposed to bring as many students as possible together to work toward a single goal. So far, that has not been the case. The FreeRide project will not involve many other students either, since the project essentially consists of Council buying something.“I still think there is more we can do in terms of making [the University Unity Project] really a unifying project,” Schrimper said. In addition to implementing the several initiatives Council has announced this semester, as well as pursuing the one remaining proposal — free late-night parking in Central Grounds — Schrimper said Council will look to involve more students through greater outreach to CIOs in the spring.Part of the problem seems to have been that Council did not announce its theme until September, leaving little time for CIOs to plan projects for this semester that might be eligible for Unity Project grants. As a result, the project has mostly been driven by Council initiatives. In the spring, we hope to see that corrected.
(11/18/08 6:24am)
The No. 16 Virginia women’s basketball team upset reigning national champion No. 5 Tennessee last night 83-82 in Knoxville, Tenn. Virginia senior guard Britnee Millner hit a free throw with 6.4 seconds left in the game to finish off the Volunteers.This is just the second time that Virginia (2-0) has beaten Tennessee (1-1) in the team’s 13 meetings, and it is the first-ever victory in Knoxville in five tries. The last time the Cavaliers knocked off the Volunteers was in 1990, when Virginia took a 79-75 win in the East Regional Final of the NCAA Tournament in Norfolk, Va.Tennessee opened up a 13-point lead just before halftime, but Virginia clawed back to take a 50-49 lead with 15:27 remaining in the second half. The Volunteers regained control as they took a 1-point lead at the 11:46 mark and did not relinquish it until Millner’s game-winning free throw.The Cavaliers were led by junior guard Monica Wright, who played 39 minutes and put up a career-high 35 points, while also contributing eight rebounds and five steals. Senior center Aisha Mohammed added 19 points and seven rebounds.Freshman guard Whitny Edwards contributed the team’s third and final double-digit scoring performance with 13 points.Virginia managed the victory without the services of senior forward Lyndra Littles, who was suspended for the fall semester Friday because of academic ineligibility.The Volunteers had six players notching at least 10 points. A pair of freshmen — guard Briana Bass and forward Glory Johnson — put up 13 points each to lead Tennessee.Last night’s game marked for Virginia the first of two games this week against ranked opponents; up next is a rematch against No. 25 Old Dominion, which beat the Cavaliers in the second round of the most recent NCAA Tournament . Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday in Norfolk, Va.—compiled by Dan Stalcup