Chicago-based investment company AJ Capital Partners recently announced plans to transform the Red Roof Inn on West Main Street into one of the first of its new hotel collection, Graduate Hotels.
The University Board of Visitors will convene a new committee later this week: the Committee on Diversity and Inclusion.
University Architect David Neuman will step down in October to pursue consulting work in California. Neuman began his post at the University in 2003 and since then has taken on numerous major projects, including the $100 million dollar South Lawn development, the prominent Rotunda renovation, the Arts Grounds facilities and the Emily Couric Cancer Center addition. Neuman said the diversity of the work is what originally attracted him to the University. “It was a place that I thought would be interesting and challenging at the same time,” Neuman said, citing the University’s historical roots and its Medical Center as unique challenges for the architect job.
The Board of Visitors will vote later this week on changes to the Board Manual, including a clause that allows for other Board members to remove the the Rector by vote.
Renovations to the McCormick Road dormitories are set to begin next summer. The Board of Visitors approved the $105 million project at their June meeting and will outline it in further detail at the Board’s meeting this Thursday. The University plans to conduct what is known as a “full MEP” on the McCormick Road residence halls — a complete renovation of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing utilities in the buildings.
The University’s Black Student Alliance held a Rally Against Police Brutality and Media Misrepresentation Friday in reaction to the recent events in Ferguson, Missouri, where an allegedly unarmed black teen was fatally shot by a police officer.
Meliora, a Charlottesville non-profit organization run by University students, is in the process of recruiting tutors to work with local high school students in need of college preparation and guidance. The group is led by Executive Director Yuhuan Fu, a second-year Batten graduate student, and Director of Operations Laura Kelly, a fourth-year College student. “Yuhuan and I started the program because we were both very interested in education and I, being in the Curry School of Education, had worked with Charlottesville High School in the past and had seen a need for something like this,” Kelly said.
The University’s Music Library in Old Cabell Hall was upgraded during the summer and now has extended weekday hours. The library will now be open until midnight Sunday through Thursday and close at 6 p.m.
The Honor Committee and Minority Rights Coalition held a forum Thursday on issues affecting minority student populations at the University.
The Rotunda renovations are proceeding on schedule, according to a presentation to members of the University community and Lawn residents Thursday evening.
Governor Terry McAuliffe has announced a new initiative to train workers for jobs in the film industry.
Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife Maureen were found guilty Thursday of accepting bribes from Jonnie Williams, CEO of the dietary supplements company Star Scientific, to promote a dietary supplement in exchange for nearly $170,000 in gifts and loans.
The University’s Women’s Center hosted about 20 people for Survivor Support Network Training in the Newcomb Hall Galley Room Wednesday.
The story of corruption and unethical behavior from within the Virginia governor’s mansion, marring former Gov. Bob McDonnell’s reputation and initiating a highly publicized trial this year, is coming to a close. Here is a timeline of the saga’s major events:
Sen. Mark Warner, D-VA, came to O’Hill Forum Wednesday as a stop on his Tackling Student Debt Tour, discussing with students the current issues involved with student debt and potential methods of resolution.
Monday marked the one-year anniversary of the passing of late second-year College student Shelley Goldsmith.
The University announced Tuesday that Academy Award winning actor Kevin Spacey will address the University as the second annual President’s Speaker for the Arts.
Student Council met Tuesday to discuss community concerns and their newly proposed fall budget.
Gov. Terry McAuliffe contacted Virginia’s public colleges and universities last Wednesday requesting they prepare strategies in anticipation of a five percent decrease in state appropriations this coming fiscal year, and a seven percent decrease the following year.
The Department of Justice announced the conviction of Monticello High School Athletic Director Fitzgerald Barnes in public a press release Friday. Barnes was involved in a bid-rigging scheme taking place at high schools around the Charlottesville area.
