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News

Student leader in Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship ‘pushed’ to step down after disclosing his sexual orientation

By Ava MacBlane | November 28, 2020

In October, third-year College student Alex Briegel said that leadership in Chi Alpha approached him privately and “pushed” him to step down as a leader in the Core Group when he told them he had a boyfriend. Briegel believes this action stemmed from his sexual orientation, and felt “distraught” by the conversation he had with Chi Alpha. 

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Student Council passes legislation denouncing discrimination against LGBTQIA+ students by CIOs

By Emma Gallagher | November 28, 2020

The University’s CIO Agreement states that student organizations may not restrict membership based on sexual orientation and a number of other factors — however, student organizations may limit membership based on political or religious affiliation, in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

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Student Council, YDSA at U.Va. rally student support for tuition freeze

By Jee-Ho Kim | November 24, 2020

73.7 percent of respondents to the Student Council survey said their family anticipates or may anticipate difficulties paying tuition for the 2021-22 school year. 64 percent said that the pandemic forced them to significantly change spending in important areas of their lives. In follow up responses, many respondents reported food insecurity.

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Student Council, OAS condemn racially insensitive comments made by University professor

By Zach Rosenthal and Eva Surovell | November 23, 2020

During the class, a concerned student used Zoom’s chat feature to state that his remarks were insensitive. Leopold reportedly emailed the concerned student and apologized during the next class.

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Dean Groves cites largely positive impression of student compliance with public health guidelines this semester, despite ‘recent slippage’

By Ali Sullivan and Eva Surovell | November 23, 2020

Generally, Groves said that he thinks students have observed the University’s health and safety guidelines — including mask-wearing, limiting travel and adhering to gathering restrictions — this semester.

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U.Va. panel discusses how to travel home safely for the holidays

By Ava Seccuro | November 23, 2020

The webinar, which had around 600 people in attendance, gave community members the opportunity to ask questions about the safest ways to self-quarantine and stay healthy to keep themselves and their communities safe while traveling home for Thanksgiving and winter break. 

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Charlottesville Police's response to alleged student call on Black community member condemned by several local groups

By Sierra Martin | November 22, 2020

Police officers demanded his Social Security number and identification and suggested that he find another way of walking to church. 

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Professors combat Zoom fatigue, seek to build classroom community during the first entirely remote semester

By Amanda Pallas | November 22, 2020

Professors said that although the transition online has been difficult, students and faculty have not given up.

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U.Va. leadership considers fall semester a success, looks ahead to spring

By Nik Popli , Ali Sullivan , Jenn Brice and Eva Surovell | November 19, 2020

Although there have been 1,056 total student cases, no University students have been hospitalized for COVID-19. Prevalence testing, symptomatic testing and wastewater testing will continue throughout the spring semester.

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Resident advisors serve as first year’s first line of support for classes, friends and COVID-19

By Stratton Marsh | November 19, 2020

Along with enforcing COVID-19 guidelines, RAs are responsible for all of the duties of a normal semester, such as helping first years make friends, adjust to college classes and find interests at the University.

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U.Va. Health workers begin to unionize against top-down management, inadequate staffing and subpar wages

By Maryann Xue | November 18, 2020

United Campus Workers of Virginia at U.Va. — a union open to anyone who receives a paycheck from the University — is seeking to organize hospital workers due to reasons such as “top-down approaches to management, inadequate staffing and subpar wages.”

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International students share logistics, challenges and bright sides of an unusual semester

By Sevy Van Der Werf | November 17, 2020

Even if visa laws remain stable in the U.S., international students also have to worry about their ability to return home due to measures other countries are taking to control the entry of travelers from the U.S.

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U.Va. reports 25 more COVID-19 cases over the weekend, 17 of which are among students

By Luke Stone | November 17, 2020

Of the 8,653 tests conducted from Sunday, Nov. 8 through Saturday, Nov. 14, the University reported 70 new cases for an overall positivity rate of 0.8 percent. 

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U.Va.’s Mutual Aid Fund received over $12,000 in grant requests since start of semester

By Jamie Jeong | November 16, 2020

Since launching last spring, the fund has received 460 requests for aid, totaling $42,974.

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Professors implement anti-cheating software, diversify exam questions in effort to discourage cheating ahead of finals

By Sierra Martin | November 15, 2020

After administering many midterms online, professors reported difficulty with anti-cheating technology and juggling students' accomodations.

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Student COVID Coalition delivers food, raises emergency funds for U.Va. and Charlottesville community

By Max Paley | November 13, 2020

The Coalition is currently working on several initiatives that they believe will positively impact both Charlottesville and University communities alike, such as the Virginia Threads Project and the Coalition’s food delivery service. 

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Northam limits gatherings to 25, bans on-site alcohol sales after 10:00 p.m.

By Ali Sullivan | November 13, 2020

The executive order, which goes into effect Sunday, expands the current mask mandate, prohibits on-site alcohol sales after 10:00 p.m., strengthens enforcement within essential retail businesses and limits gatherings to 25 people — down from the current maximum of 250

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U.Va. reports 66 active cases in the community, of which 47 are students

By Maryann Xue | November 12, 2020

In an email update to students, University Provost Liz Magill and Chief Operating Officer J.J. Davis acknowledged the increase in cases and emphasized the importance of staying vigilant as the semester comes to a close. 

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Students react to U.Va.’s decision to replace Spring Break with days off throughout semester

By Leigh Bierman and Ava MacBlane | November 11, 2020

The intended break days throughout the spring semester are Wednesday, Feb. 17; Tuesday, March 9; Monday, March 29; and Thursday, April 15.

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Students worry about program admissions, impact of credit/general credit/no credit grading on future

By Lauren O'Neil | November 11, 2020

Some programs  have simply moved information sessions and applications online, while others added additional questions to their application allowing students to elaborate on how COVID-19 has impacted them academically.