News

U. Maryland pilots gender-neutral dorm

As the University of Maryland prepares to implement a gender-neutral housing program for the upcoming fall semester, the University is unable to consider the implementation of such a program because of state law constraints, University Director of Accommodations John Evans said. Gender-neutral housing is defined as "an inclusive dormitory policy providing the option for two students to room together, in mutual agreement, without restriction based on sex or gender" by the Gender Public Advocacy Coalition's Web site. The University of Maryland will launch a pilot program, Apartment Living for Students of Different Genders, in the fall, said Kathleen Blankenship, University of Maryland coordinator of administrative operations for public/private partnerships. The program is open to any student in good standing at the university, Blankenship said. "We did not want gender to be an obstacle for students to live with the people they choose," Blankenship said. In this program, 40 students will live in apartments with four single bedrooms and two full bathrooms.

Banks addresses need forglobal education, mindset

Focused on the tools needed to teach students to become global citizens, James Banks, director of multicultural education at the University of Washington, Seattle, spoke at the University yesterday about the challenges and opportunities diversity presents for the U.S.

Darden, Law rankin top 20

US News and World Report recently released national graduate school rankings for 2009, naming the University's Law School ninth and the Darden School 14th in their classes.

Maintenance repairs continue on Grounds

While students are perhaps more familiar with current construction projects on Grounds such as the South Lawn Project and the new dormitories on Observatory Hill, University Facilities Management is also busy with maintenance and restoration efforts. Mark Webb, associate director for work management, said 79 maintenance reserve projects are currently in progress.

A gloomy day on grounds

Lu, Shu plead guilty to abduction charges

Former second-year Engineering students Guanyu Lu and Baichuan Shu pled guilty yesterday morning to abduction with the intent to extort money, according to attorneys involved in the case. The students were arrested in November in Fairfax County for kidnapping Fairfax County resident Paul Wang and holding him against his will in a Falls Church motel. Shu's attorney Daniel Krisky said Shu and Lu had separate hearings, and both pled guilty to the charges to avoid causing further pain to their victim. "The reason they pled guilty is they are guilty of the offense," he said.

U.Va. sees record number of '12 applications, accepts more

Following the elimination of its early decision admissions program, the University saw an increase in both the number of applications for admission for the Class of 2012 and the number of acceptance letters issued. Dean of Admissions John Blackburn noted the University received a record 18,758 applications, compared to last year's 18,046.

Cancer center construction to begin soon

Plans for the University's Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center are nearly set in stone, and construction will begin following a ground-breaking ceremony April 12. University Health System spokesperson Peter Jump said the center will be home to the latest technologies and will offer patients state-of-the-art therapies for cancer treatment.

Albemarle residents debate budget, proposed tax rate

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors' proposed three-cent tax increase from 68 cents to 71 cents for real estate property taxes dominated discussion at a public hearing last night regarding the Board's recommended fiscal year budget for 2008-09.

April Showers? Early flowers

Foxfield Races clamp down on drinking

Students planning to attend the Foxfield Races this year should expect harsher consequences for alcohol-related offenses than those from prior years. Authorities plan to treat Foxfield-related cases this year in exactly the same manner as offenses committed any other day of the year, Albemarle County Commonwealth Attorney Denise Lunsford said. "What in the past has been sometimes loosely referred to as 'the Foxfields discount' will not be the case anymore," Lunsford said. To support this effort, some policies have changed, primarily to cut down on excessive alcohol consumption, Foxfield Races Marketing Director Anne Susen said. For this year's races, all alcohol brought into the event must be contained within a 30-by-17-by-18-inch, "regular-sized" cooler.

Don't sweat it

Committee selects 47 new Jeff Scholars

After a selection process involving tests, seminars and interviews, 47 prospective University students were offered admission to the University as Jefferson Scholars Monday. The Jefferson Scholars Foundation is designed "to identify, attract, and nurture individuals of extraordinary intellectual range and depth who possess the highest qualities of leadership, scholarship, and citizenship" according to the Foundation's Web site. Prospective scholars received notice of their acceptance via e-mail Monday afternoon, following a weekend at the University, Jefferson Scholars Foundation President James H.

Corner Bank of America robbed

The Charlottesville Police Department took a suspect into custody following a robbery yesterday afternoon at the University Avenue branch of Bank of America.

Council discusses consultant program

Student Council discussed implementing a new CIO Consultant program and the possibility of increasing funding for the Blue Ridge Mountain Rescue Group at last night's meeting. President Matt Schrimper said Council has set a desirable precedent with the proposal of the CIO Consultant program. "This is exactly what Student Council should be doing; it's an example of Council fulfilling a very real need for University CIOs," Schrimper said.

U.Va. alters dormitory preferences

Starting this fall, incoming first-year University students will no longer be able to show a preference between the McCormick Road and Alderman Road areas when applying for on-Grounds housing. In its present state, the housing process can result in "artificial separation by area,"said Angela Davis, associate dean of students and director of resident life.

Judge rules in favor of newspapers in ABC case

A judge recently ruled in favor of The Cavalier Daily, Inc. and Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech, Inc., publisher of Virginia Tech's Collegiate Times, regarding their publications' right to sell advertisements promoting alcoholic beverages. The American Civil Liberties Union represented the publications in the lawsuit against the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Students prepare argument for Supreme Court

Thanks to the University's Supreme Court clinic, a group of Law School students recently had the opportunity to prepare an argument heard by the U.S.

Accident On Emmet Street

Executive Committee introduced

The Honor Committee introduced its newly appointed Executive Committee at its meeting Sunday night, also discussing a bylaw amendment and announcing two scheduled open trials. Outgoing Vice Chair for Trials Brian O'Neill said that while two open trials are scheduled, the possibility exists for the accused students to change their minds and close their trials. "Basically, [accused] students have the right to open or closed trials," he said.