News

Dean unveils plans for new OAAA programs

The Office of African-American Affairs plans to establish new programs designed to promote graduate study among black and other minority students and to initiate more open interethnic dialogue among community members, OAAA Dean Maurice Apprey said last night during his "Student Affairs as Capacity Building" address. The OAAA, according to Apprey, will seek to promote greater black and other minority involvement in graduate programs and make the preparation such schools require more accessible.

Construction irks residents

The University's efforts to improve housing offered to future students also may have had the unintentional effect of creating a substantial amount of unrest.

Students see Hokie Bird charges reduced

Nine University students previously facing felony charges for involvement in the March abduction of a Hokie Bird statue in Blacksburg saw their charges reduced in court Friday. According to the students' attorney, James Turk, all nine students appeared in court Friday, and the prosecutor made a motion to have the charges against the students be reduced from felony destruction of property to misdemeanor destruction of property. "That motion was granted," Turk said.

College admissions: getting in without the guesswork

SECTION A (Virginia is for ... automatic admissions?) In December, Del. David Poisson, D-Sterling, introduced House Bill 165 to the Virginia General Assembly, proposing automatic acceptance for qualifying in-state students to any state-run institution of higher education in Virginia. To become eligible for automatic acceptance, the original bill stated, a student must be a resident of Virginia, attend a public or private high school in the commonwealth, place in the top 10 percent of his or her class and complete 320 hours of community service the semester before applying to college. Poisson said he included the 320 hours of community service because there are 32 weeks in a typical high school semester, explaining that he believed 10 hours a week seemed sufficient. "What we intended to say to young people in Virginia is that if you do well and if you give back to your community before you're admitted, you have the right to get [into these schools]," Poisson said. Poisson said he amended the class rank requirement to include the top 5 percent of one's class and removed the University, Virginia Tech and the College of William & Mary from the proposal.

Yes, Folks, this is February

Profs to star on Super Tuesday

University politics professors Larry Sabato and Paul Freedman will contribute to the BBC and ABC networks

Honor discusses flexible exams, faculty update

The Honor Committee discussed and updated committee members on the status of its flexible exam initiative during last night's meeting and also planned a continuation of its annual faculty update newsletter. According to College Rep.

ITC to begin implementing new e-mail services

University Information Technology and Communications will begin to transition student e-mail services to Google and Microsoft applications later this month.

Cuomo questionsstudy abroad links

The study abroad programs of several elite colleges and universities, including Harvard and Yale, are currently being investigated for potentially improper practices that could result in universities seeking financial gain at the expense of students' budgets and educational opportunities.

Committee narrows search for College dean

As Interim College Dean Karen Ryan's yearlong term approaches an end this spring, a search committee is working to narrow the number of candidates for the permanent College dean position. Presently, the committee is reviewing potential candidates' qualifications to select a group of finalists for more formal interviews.

Beta receives second chance at University

After being shut down in 2005, Beta Theta Pi fraternity is currently re-colonizing on Grounds with a renewed commitment to the traditional values of fraternity life and brotherhood.

Faculty Senate reviews survey results

The Faculty Senate addressed findings of the recent faculty survey, athletic programs and University security at yesterday's meeting. In his presentation of the faculty survey results, Senate Chair Ricardo Padron noted an increased dissatisfaction among the general faculty with their position at the University. The general faculty consists of those professors who are not yet tenured and therefore do not have access to the benefits available to tenured faculty.

Preparing for the future

Darden ranks 16th in the U.S.

The Darden School once again proved itself among the top business schools in the world, finding itself high in the Financial Times' Global MBA rankings.

U.Va. to expand as population grows

Virginia's population has grown by more than half a million residents since 2000, according to a report released Monday by the University's Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service.

He shoots, he scores!

University to sponsor mental health symposium this week

Policy makers and health care workers will gather at the University Thursday and Friday for a symposium about the role of mental health in violence. The symposium, held annually, is hosted by the University's Institute of Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy and is organized by Clinical Psychiatric Medicine Prof.

Appropriations co-chair resigns from StudCo

Tyler Boles, co-chair of Student Council's Appropriations Committee, announced his resignation at last night's Council meeting, citing changes in the makeup of the Appropriations Committee as a reason for his decision. Council members expressed their surprise at Boles' sudden decision to resign. "Tyler's decision came completely out of the blue," Graduate College representative Tom Bryan said.

BOV seeks studentmember

Finalists for the student position on the Board of Visitors are scheduled to appear before the Executive Committee of the Board next Wednesday before the representative is selected by Feb.

StudCo may amend voting representation

Student Council representatives will meet tonight to discuss changes proposed last week to amend the organization's constitution and bylaws.