Throughout the 2014-15 academic year, the University has undergone several major policy transformations, most notably in protocol for adjudicating sexual assault, regulating of Greek Life and enforcing safety on Grounds.
The Cavalier Daily recaps the biggest events of the 2014-2015 academic year.
The Curry School invited Dr. Sandra Graham, an education professor at the University of California-Los Angeles, to speak Friday as part of its Education Lectureship Series. Graham discussed the recent research she has conducted demonstrating that racial and ethnic diversity within schools affect the social and academic development of minority children.
The University Center for Politics hosted U.S. Senator and former astronaut Bill Nelson (D-FL) Friday for a discussion about his political career and experience in space.
The past year has been one of extraordinary grief for the University and Charlottesville communities. As the academic year comes to a close, the student body honors the students who have passed away — Hannah Graham, Peter D’Agostino, Connor Cormier and Hunter Smith. We have lost beloved friends and family members, and they will be fondly remembered for the impact they have left in the short time we were given with them.
After transitioning to their new positions in the beginning of April, the new Honor Committee members are looking forward to a productive term.
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced his appointments to the newly-created Expert Review Panel, established on March 25 under Executive Order 40 for the purpose of improving ABC law enforcement.
The University announced the formation of the Student Tuition Advisory Committee and the Student Fee Advisory Committee last week, in response to student concern regarding the level transparency surrounding the University’s decision to increase tuition. Both seek to increase student involvement, and students can serve on the committees by application. Students also will be asked to participate in a Board of Visitors meeting in June.
The number of arrests at the 37th annual Foxfield Races on Saturday decreased substantially from last year. The Albemarle Police Department arrested six people and the Albemarle County Sheriff’s Office arrested one, totalling seven arrests. There were there 18 arrests in 2014, 33 in 2013 and 61 in 2012.
The new year has ushered in a number of new bills from the Virginia General Assembly pertaining to students and other members of the University community. These include a bill addressing the reporting of sexual assault cases, mental health assistance and barring discrimination of the LGBTQ community.
Elizabeth Armstrong, a sociologist at the University of Michigan, spoke at the University Thursday about the problem of campus sexual assault and what universities can do to help address the issue.
The Middle Eastern Leadership Council hosted Arab-American comedian and philanthropist Maysoon Zayid Monday.
University President Teresa Sullivan was appointed to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Wednesday, a prestigious honor society and leading center for independent policy research.
The 2015 Tom Tom Founders Festival concluded Sunday after a week of music, art and innovation. This year’s fourth annual festival was the most successful to date, hosting 30 events in nearly 60 locations April 13-19. A total of 26,230 people attended, a 58 percent increase from last year despite the rainy forecast. James Cunningham, the production coordinator of the festival, called the turnout “spectacular.”
Commonwealth Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam held a meeting with student leaders Wednesday to discuss problems on Grounds which included sexual assault, the recent violent arrest by ABC officers, the state drinking age and the new affordable excellence model.
The 24th annual Last Lecture Series was hosted by the University’s Housing and Residence Life in the Chemistry Auditorium Wednesday.
The Student Council Arboretum and Landscape Committee and the Office of the Architect Buildings and Grounds Committee announced plans to reconstruct the Student Memorial Garden between the Special Collections Library, Newcomb Hall and Clemons Library in order to fulfill the needs of the University community in times of grief and mourning.
Associate Dean of Students Nicole Eramo spoke out for the first time since the release of Rolling Stone’s “A Rape on Campus” in a letter to Rolling Stone CEO Jann Wenner dated Wednesday. Eramo wrote a scathing critique of how the magazine has handled the story and its reaction to public scrutiny.
Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed Executive Directive Four Monday, implementing a new collaboration between health, safety and justice officials and establishing the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice.
The College Council announced decisions on funds for certain student organizations on Grounds this past week. College Council provides full or partial funding for student research, Faculty-student interaction projects and organizations on grounds.
