News

Former University employee acquitted

Former University employee Raelyn Balfour, formerly charged with involuntary manslaughter for accidentally leaving her 9-month-old child in the back seat of her car, was acquitted of the crime last week. Balfour was on her way to work at the Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School at the University ?, March 30, 2007, when she forgot to take her son to his day-care center, according to her court testimony.

In the footsteps of our past

Several hours before President Bush addressed the nation yesterday, two University students found time to take a stroll through Mr. Jefferson?s Academical Village, an area restored by the late James Murray Howard.

Community remembers historical architect Howard

The University community remembered historical architect James Murray Howard yesterday afternoon at a memorial service in the University Chapel.

House tables donor privacy protection bill

A bill in the Virginia House of Delegates that could grant greater privacy to University donors has been tabled until next week following concerns about anonymous donations.

Garden named after University alumnus Woltz

University alumni John and Amy Griffin recently gave $100,000 to the Architecture School to name part of the school's renovation landscape design after alumnus John Woltz, a landscaper and part-time University lecturer. According to Architecture School Dean Karen Van Lengen, the Griffins donated the money in commemoration of Woltz's contributions to landscaping and to the University community. "He has made enormous contributions to the school and is deeply admired by people outside the profession," Van Lengen said, adding that the Griffins know Woltz through the work he has done for them. The garden will be called the "The Woltz Bioretention Garden" and is part of a larger landscaping project, Van Lengen said, noting that the garden's design addresses issues dealing with erosion and storm water.

Going out in Style

Pounding the Political Pavement

In what some are calling the most contested presidential primary season in recent memory, student volunteers are playing a big role.

University expands collection of early American artifacts

Thanks to the support of a University professor's father, a collection of early American maps from 1500 to 1800 is now on display in the Special Collections Library. "It dramatically strengthens our map collections and our early North American history collections," University librarian Karin Wittenborg said.

Gun control bill rejected by committee

Gun control advocates suffered a setback last week in the Virginia General Assembly when a bill intended to close the commonwealth's "gun-show loophole" was defeated in committee. Gov.

Honor Committee starts online discussion forum

In an effort to increase University community involvement and promote discussion, the Honor Committee released an online blog providing a new forum for honor-related discussions yesterday. According to Vice Chair for Community Relations Josh Hess, the blog is the Committee's latest attempt to facilitate interaction between students, faculty, the Charlottesville community and the Committee. The blog "will be a great venue to hear criticism and it will give us ways to reflect and change," Hess said. Previously and currently available forms of community participation, such as involvement in meetings, remain low, Vice Chair for Education Allie Moore said. "We found ourselves facing criticism for not reaching the community, and people are intimidated to attend Committee meetings," she said. The Committee is "always trying to keep our community involvement up to par with technology," Moore explained. According to Hess, the blog will present various issues facing the University's honor system that many people otherwise may not be aware of. "Honor is frequently a topic of debate, but it tends to focus on only one or two topics," he noted.

Cavalier Daily elects new leadership, begins 119th year of production

The Cavalier Daily held its annual elections in Jefferson Hall Saturday to choose the organization's 119th Managing Board, Senior Board and Junior Board, who began their term of office yesterday. Third-year College student Elizabeth Mills was elected editor-in-chief after having served as the paper's previous chief financial officer.

Capital Campaign presses forward in '08

The University's Capital Campaign designed to raise $3 billion by 2011 continues to experience success, with $1.6 billion collected since January 2004, placing the University on the same fundraising level as private institutions such as Yale and Columbia. "We're very pleased and proud because we recently hit the halfway point of the campaign," said Bob Sweeney, senior vice president for development and public affairs, adding that as of Dec.

Here Comes the Sun

Officials praise new faculty role on BOV

After the first semester of faculty representation on the Board of Visitors, both faculty members and administrators are calling the change a success. Last June, the Board invited former Faculty Senate Chair Kenneth Schwartz to serve as a non-voting member of the Board's Educational Policy Committee, the External Affairs Committee and the Special Committee on Diversity in an attempt to provide faculty with a more active voice on the Board. "The Faculty Senate Chair has attended Board meetings for several years, and has frequently spoken, answered questions, etc.," President John T.

New UTS technology sees delays

Though the University Transit Service hoped to introduce new technology at the start of the semester that would notify passengers of bus arrival times, the system's launch has been delayed while final testing stages are completed.

Development of University building projects continues

The University is alive and thriving, as shown by the number of construction projects underway around Grounds.

Va. House votes to abolish driver fees

This week the House of Delegates overwhelmingly voted in favor of a bill abolishing the Commonwealth's abusive driver fees that have prompted a similarly overwhelming public backlash since their implementation last year.

They've Got the Beat

House halts vaccine mandate

Republicans and Democrats clashed in the House of Delegates earlier this week before passing a bill that could delay mandatory human papillomavirus?

Proposal may alter state voting districts

A proposed bipartisan redistricting bill that would change how legislative boundaries are drawn is expected to be heard by the Virginia Senate Privileges and Elections Committee next week. Senate Bill 38, sponsored by Sen.