News

A number of University groups held two screenings of the documentary film ?HAZE? in the Newcomb Hall Theater last night, highlighting the dangers of alcohol poisoning.The film, set to coincide with Substance Abuse Awareness Week, was co-sponsored by Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team peer educators, the Inter-Fraternity Council, the Inter-Sorority Council and the University Programs Council, said Susan Bruce, director of the Center for Alcohol and Substance Education.

AMA publishes U.Va. Alzheimer

A study led by Medical School Dean Steven DeKosky and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association yesterday found that gingko biloba is ineffective in treating Alzheimer?s disease.

Council begins Free Ride program

Last night Student Council?s Safety & Wellness Committee formally announced the creation of the Free Ride program, which provides students with free taxi cab service seven days of the week between midnight and 4 a.m.

U.Va. ranks No. 14 for study abroad numbers

The Institute of International Education announced Monday that the University is ranked 14th among U.S.

Children

The University Children?s Hospital?s Fitness Clinic is one of 16 hospitals chosen by the National Association of Children?s Hospitals and Related Institutions to take part in a collaborative focus group to combat childhood obesity through research and treatment, the University recently announced.The study, funded by Mattel Children?s Foundation, will continue for 18 months and will include three meetings with representatives of the participating hospitals as well as daily sharing of information through e-mail and telecommunications, explained Susan Cluett, a Children?s Fitness Clinic nurse practitioner and program director.The goal of the focus group is to bring together an interesting and diverse group of people to address the issue of childhood obesity in the United States, NACHRI Child Advocacy Director Karen Seaver-Hill said, describing obesity as being ?among the most vexing health problems facing children today in the world of preventative health.?Seaver-Hill added that this research is important because children today face adult diseases as a result of obesity.

U.Va. prof. sees research breakthrough

After four years of research, Pharmacology Prof. Fraydoon Rastinejad has made a significant breakthrough in his research on nuclear receptors, the University Health System announced Monday.

City receives

Charlottesville City Council announced at its meeting last night that the Virginia Municipal League certified the City of Charlottesville this fall as a ?green government? through its Green Government Challenge.The challenge sought to encourage localities in Virginia to make their communities more sustainable and reduce their carbon footprints.Charlottesville also won first place in the competition among midsize localities in Virginia as well as $3,000 in prize money.

UJC debates CLAS representation

The University Judiciary Committee is currently considering increasing the number of College representatives from three to five.

Pi Lambda Phi fraternity seeks IFC readmission

Pi Lambda Phi fraternity, which left the Inter-Fraternity Council last spring, is currently re-organizing in an effort to be readmitted to the IFC.Every year, fraternities within the IFC must fill out a fraternal organization agreement to be included in the body.

Council discusses city budget issues

Seeking to navigate successfully through uncertain economic times, Charlottesville City Council reviewed the city?s 2009 fiscal year budget yesterday and heard recommendations for the 2010 fiscal year budget as well.Leslie Beauregard, director of budget and performance management, said if the city continues on its current financial trajectory, it may face a projected deficit of $9 million dollars by 2014.

Business schools see increase in applications

Business schools have seen a sharp increase in the number of applicants since 2005, according to a recent Kaplan, Inc. survey, which is a trend that may continue during the national economic downturn, experts say.?The applications to business schools are on the rise,? said Dan LeClair, vice president & chief knowledge officer for Assocation to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International, adding that many speculators think it is due in part to the uncertainty of the economy.Liza Weale, director of graduate programs for Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions, noted that interest in graduate degrees generally rises during market downturns.

Lighting of the Lawn changes reflect environmental sustainability concerns

The Lighting of the Lawn Committee recently announced that its annual event will see a few changes this year to make the event more environmentally sustainable.

Two student-organized initiatives seek to promote University abroad

In an effort to improve the University?s name recognition outside the United States, two student-run initiatives are planning a variety of projects to better inform international students, parents and employers about how the University operates and the opportunities it offers.First-year College student Karissa Nanetta, project leader for U.Va.

WBC chooses not to protest performance

Hundreds of students lined the walkway near the University Chapel Friday night in a candlelight protest of the Westboro Baptist Church?s planned picketing of ?The Laramie Project,? a performance sponsored by Queer and Allied Activism as part of Proud to Be Out Week.The WBC ? a group based in Topeka, Kan.

U.Va. students step up safety after robbery

After last Wednesday night?s alleged robbery at gunpoint on Shamrock Road, about which the University community received an e-mail Thursday, some students are more aware of their safety.Since the incident, students living in the areas around Shamrock Road have been ?more conscious,? third-year College student Clay Abel said.

Charlottesville loses 500 jobs in one year

The Charlottesville metropolitan area lost 500 jobs during a one-year period from September 2007 to September 2008, according to data released Thursday by the Virginia Employment Commission.Despite the rise in unemployment, ?the Charlottesville area still doesn?t do that bad in terms of the national area,? said William Mezger, chief economist of the Virginia Employment Commission.

Honor discusses support officer demographics

The Honor Committee presented demographics data about the Committee and its support officers at last night?s meeting.Committee Chair Jess Huang said this is the first year the Committee compiled demographics data, noting that she hopes the Committee will continue to gather data about demographics to track the relevance of the information throughout the years.?It?s extremely important to first assess what we have,? Huang said.About 92.5 percent of students involved with the honor system responded to the survey, with 224 of 242 students responding to the demographics survey.

University researches cost-efficient social services

University economics professors and students are collaborating with the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County in an effort to make social services more cost-efficient and effective.The project focuses on the Charlottesville/Albemarle Commission on Children and Families, an agency charged with managing the Comprehensive Services Act, Commission Director Gretchen Ellis said.?The Comprehensive Services Act is a state-wide program that provides funding for kids that need foster care, are at-risk, or have special-[education] needs that can?t be met in public schools,? Ellis said.

Connecting gown with town?

Student Council has allocated about a quarter of its available University Unity Project grant money, $2,700, to student groups working within the Charlottesville community.With the help of a $10,000 donation from the University Bookstore, Student Council developed the initiative with the hope of creating a stronger connection between the student community and the Charlottesville community, University Unity Project Chair Rob Atkinson said.

ACT grows in popularity

While the SAT Reasoning Test remains the most widely taken college entrance exam, the ACT is gaining popularity among college-bound high school students in this admission season.According to data on The Washington Post?s Web site, the number of ACTs taken by students nationwide thus far in 2008 is about 20 percent higher than in 2005.