News

Honor debates proposal to alter appeals process

Members at last night's Honor Committee meeting debated proposed changes in bylaws regarding appeals in the post-trial process. Submitted by the ad-hoc Committee on Procedures, the proposal seeks to simplify the appeals process and further involve non-Executive Committee members. Currently, the five-member Executive Committee, composed of the committee chair, vice chair for investigations, vice chair for education, vice chair for trials and the vice chair for community relations, decides whether there is a substantial basis for appeal. The proposal aims to change the members of the Appeal Review Committee from the five Executive Members to two executive members and three Committee members who are not part of the Executive Committee. Members of the ad-hoc Committee on Procedures said they felt this was a beneficial change that would allow "fresh eyes" on an Honor case, noting that Executive Committee members follow cases from the time they are reported to the trial. "The 'fresh eyes' idea stands out as a major point, because the Executive Committee is privy to a lot of information from previous cases," Commerce School Representative Eric Flow said.

U.Va. issues spring COD

While Friday marked the release of the spring 2008 Course Offering Directory for University students, the date also marked the culmination of months of planning on departmental and University levels.

Constitutional crisis?

Should we the people of the United States of America rewrite our Constitution by holding another Constitutional Convention?

Info. sessions offered in Spanish

In an effort to reach out to Hispanic and Latino applicants, the Admissions Office plans to hold information sessions in Spanish at four Northern Virginia high schools this week.

County eases water limits

The Albemarle County Service Authority has adjusted drought restrictions to allow more water usage under certain conditions and reduce the financial stress on companies depending on this use, according to Gary Fern, executive director of the Albemarle County service authority.

ITC wins award for internet security video

The University's Office of Information Technology and Communication recently won a national award for a video demonstrating how information posted on the Internet can lead to problems in professional settings. According to ITC systems analyst Scott Crittenden, the Special Interest Group on University and College Computing Services of the Association for Computing Machinery selected the University's 70-second video, titled "The Job Interview," as "Best of Category" in the promotional video/audio category Oct.

Jeff. Foundation may forego $3 million bond

The Jefferson Scholars Foundation may not seek an additional $3 million bond from Charlottesville City Council in its effort to construct a new headquarters, adding to the controversy that it might demolish a 93-year-old building. The Foundation, formed by the Alumni Association to offer merit-based scholarships to top University students, purchased the property located at the intersection of Maury Avenue and Clarke Court in February.

U.Va. profs. rank high onstudent site

As students peruse the new Course Offering Directory released today, they can expect to glean positive teacher recommendations when they check RateMyProfessors.com, since the Web site ranked University faculty 15th in the country. Faculty Senate Chair Ricardo Padron was pleased and not surprised that the University was rated so highly, because "there is a lot of good teaching here." The popular Web site, which is owned by MTV, is the largest online professor ranking site for universities.

Staph infection closes Va. schools

University students concerned about the recent staph infection outbreak in Virginia high schools can rest easy, according to Dr. James C.

String of robberies continues

Following a streak of robberies occurring on the outskirts of Grounds, an armed robbery involving a University student occurred at about 1 a.m.

FRAMING THE BEAUTY OF THE LAWN

Film sparks debate on terrorism

Students vociferously responded to Hoos for Israel and Students Defending Democracy's showing of the film "Obsession" last night. The film, an opinionated compilation of television footage and testimony, drew heated reaction from the mostly University student crowd in its portrayal of world terrorism, jihad, ideological movements and a supposed parallel between Nazi fascism and Islamic extremism. A discussion session after the end of the movie was mediated by Law School faculty member Frederick Hitz, who formerly served as inspector general of the CIA. "Immediately after 9/11, there was this great realization that terrorism could come to America," said Marie Cohen, Hoos for Israel president and co-president of Students Defending Democracy.

Fairchild receives grant to study business models

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation recently awarded Darden Prof. Greg Fairchild an $850,000 grant to support and further his study of the business models of successful community development financial institutions. CDFIs are organizations that invest in the revitalization of minority and lower-income areas, according to Fairchild.

Tech families preserve right to legal action

Dozens of notices of claims of wrongful death or negligence related to the Virginia Tech shootings were filed by a Tuesday deadline, preserving the right of families of victims to bring charges against Virginia Tech, local authorities and Commonwealth officials in the future.

Students seek '08 answers

Is America ready for a minority president? A discussion sponsored by University Democrats and Sigma Gamma Rho, Inc. sorority posed that and other questions to a panel of representatives from various student groups last night. Moderator Eugene Resnick, University Democrats minorities and women's affairs coordinator, noted the importance of the upcoming presidential election, given that it is the first time in history several major presidential candidates are from groups typically underrrepresented in the political field. "We are all here because we care about our country and the presidential election next year," Resnick said.

Ed School appoints diversity dean

Having recently appointed its first assistant dean of diversity and equity, the Education School is seeking both to examine its own diversity and to prepare its students for the multicultural world they will encounter after graduation. According to Education School Dean Robert Pianta, the appointment of Stanley Trent, associate professor of curriculum, instruction and special education, will advance the Education School's efforts to become even more culturally, racially and socioeconomically diverse. "I felt that if we were going to be serious about the issue of diversity and equity, we needed a school-wide leader position to do that," Pianta said, noting that Trent has prior experience working with historically black colleges and is fully prepared to take on the responsibility of the new position. Trent said being able to play a vital role in diversity issues is something he has wanted to do for a long time, adding that diversity is an important piece of the education puzzle that must be addressed.

Honor sees shorter investigations

After a significant overhaul of its investigative procedures last year, the Honor Committee released a report last week that highlighted some of the resulting changes, including a decrease in the length of investigations. According to Vice Chair for Investigations Linda Liu, since the changes were enacted Dec.

Remembering Virginia Tech

McDonnell highlights Va. success

Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell discussed his intentions to run for governor in 2009 as well as Republicans' role in the Commonwealth's recent successes while visiting the University for a College Republicans-sponsored speech last night. McDonnell focused on the Commonwealth's recent recognitions by several publications ranging from nomination as the best governed state in America and the most business-friendly state to the best place to raise a child based on education. "The reason Virginia is prosperous ... is the last decade of what Republicans have done," McDonnell said. Looking to the future, McDonnell said his future goals include spending cuts, decreasing cumbersome government regulations and increasing Internet safety.

U.Va. student escapes attempted sexual assault

The Charlottesville Police Department is searching for a suspect involved in the attempted sexual assault of a University student last weekend. At about 11:30 p.m.