News

ISC, IFC see jump in recruitment

While most students are adjusting to new classes and avoiding the black ice around Grounds, hundreds of prospective fraternity and sorority members have crowded the Rugby Road area, resulting in a record number of recruitment participants for both the Inter-Fraternity Council and Inter-Sorority Council. Sorority recruitment drew to a close Monday morning, as 603 University women received bids. "We had the highest number of registrations with 829, and we matched 603," ISC President Laura Anne Kuykendall said, adding that sorority pledge classes are larger this year as well. According to Kuykendall, the women received their bids Monday morning and were then given approximately three hours to accept. Overall, Kuykendall reported that the week of recruitment was successful. "The whole week went really well," Kuykendall said.

Distinguished service award named for Miller Center director

The Virginia Bar Association recently renamed its Distinguished Service Award in honor of former Gov.

Committee to start search for new dean of students

Wanted: A strong leader with effective communication skills, great management skills, sound judgment, experience in policy and knowledge of university environments.

ITC expands employee access to Microsoft programs, cuts spending

A newly launched program from the Information Technology and Communication Office will provide more extensive Microsoft technology to University employees in the Academic Division.

These heels were made for walking

University students protest for stricter gun control laws

More than 30 University students are participating in a protest taking place at the Virginia State Capitol today to advocate for tighter gun laws in the Commonwealth.

Study uncovers method for repressing deadly parasite

University of Virginia Health System researchers released a study Friday concluding that blocking a protein could stop a cell-eating parasite from infecting human colons.

City revs up winter road safety

This winter season, the City of Charlottesville has put in place several new measures that officials hope will help make the roads more drivable during periods of inclement weather. These efforts were put to the test last Thursday when the area received three to four inches of snow, prompting the University to cancel all classes after 4 p.m., the first time classes had been canceled since 2003.

U.Va. ranks first for black enrollment

A recent survey completed by the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education ranked the University, along with Columbia University, first among the nation's top universities for enrolling the highest percentage of black students in the Class of 2011. The report surveyed the colleges and universities that top the rankings produced by U.S.

University hosts conference to share substance abuse prevention tactics

This weekend the University will host its annual Athletic Prevention Programming and Leadership Education conference with the hope of fostering communication among student-athletes regarding substance abuse prevention. Representatives from 40 colleges and universities are expected to attend APPLE.

Bill seeks to secure crosswalks

Students around Grounds could feel somewhat safer crossing the street if House transportation committee members approve a bill aimed at protecting pedestrians at crosswalks. According to Del.

University researchers explore the healing powers of magnets

Magnets could be the best thing since ice packs in reducing inflammation from injury, according to research by University Biomedical Engineering Chair Thomas Skalak and former doctoral student Cassandra Morris. The study shows that applying a fairly strong static magnet, which has about 10 times the strength of a refrigerator magnet, to soft tissue immediately after injury for 15 to 20 minutes could limit swelling significantly, Skalak said, adding that the magnet constricts small blood vessels to ultimately reduce swelling. Skalak said the source of the University's research on magnetic healing dates back to ancient Greece and China. "This is a breakthrough in an age-old medicine," he said, noting researchers believed traditional methods of magnetic healing had a scientific basis. "We had this feeling that static magnetic fields do change some biophysical properties of cell membranes and the ion channels," said Ann Gill Taylor, director of the Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies.

Applications rise despite lack of early admission

The University has seen a record number of undergraduate applications only one year after officials made waves in higher education by announcing that the University, like Harvard and Princeton, would no longer offer the option of early admission. Dean of Admission John Blackburn said the University has received more than 18,500 applications for the Class of 2012 and is currently anticipating a total upwards of 18,776.

Winter wonderland

University report responds to students

Earlier this week, University officials released a report proposing new academic directions for the University.

Statewide smoking ban bill reconsidered

Gov. Tim Kaine reintroduced expanded legislation last week that would ban smoking in all Virginia restaurants, including those in private clubs. Last year, the General Assembly considered a bill that would have allowed smoking only in establishments with a clearly labeled section for smokers.

Batten School finds a home

The University's Varsity Hall, built in 1858 as an infirmary, will house the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy beginning in mid-February. David Breneman, director of the Batten School's Public Policy program, said Varsity Hall will serve as a temporary location for the recently created school. "It's a lovely old building with three stories and fireplaces in many of the rooms," Breneman said.

Springing back into action

Gov. proposes education funding bill

Gov. Tim Kaine is proposing a $1.6 billion higher education bill, which if passed by the General Assembly will seek approval by a general referendum in the November election.

Bill could offer homeowners rebate

A recently proposed amendment to the Virginia Constitution could give localities the opportunity to lower property taxes by offering homeowners a real estate assessment rebate of up to 20 percent. Should the bill proposing the amendment pass this session in the House of Delegates and Senate, Virginia citizens will vote on the measure by public referendum Nov.