News

Beebe sees early release

Former University student William Beebe, who was convicted earlier this year of sexually assaulting a fellow student during his time at the University, was released from the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail yesterday morning after serving a third of his 18-month sentence. According to Charlottesville Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Claude Worrell, authorities shortened Beebe's jail time because of good behavior and further shortened his sentence by an additional four days because of time Beebe served for the same charge in a Las Vegas jail.

Car hits student on JPA

A student was struck by a car at a crosswalk on Jefferson Park Avenue Wednesday afternoon. Third-year Nursing student Alicia Dean was involved in the accident, which occurred at 3:41 p.m.

Beta Bridge is Falling down

Recent graduate returns to U.Va. as professor

Many dream of graduating from the University, but few have the opportunity to return less than a decade after they obtain their degrees to walk the halls of this institution as professors.

Critics examine legality of Google Book Search web application

As the date for the beginning of the Google Book Search web application lawsuit draws near, many have continued to voice concerns about the legal aspects of the project, including a University professor. According to Google spokesperson Jennifer Parson, Google Book Search is an attempt by Google "to make all of the world's books discoverable online." The program, Parson noted, is intended to help readers find the book they are looking for online and then direct them to a library or bookseller for the entire text. Google is gathering this content by digitizing the books and other works available in certain university libraries, including at the University. According to Media Studies Prof.

$4.6 million grant to enable network security research

With $4.6 million in their pockets, a University-led team of researchers has just begun work on strengthening the Department of Defense's security systems. The five-year project, "Helix: A Self-Regenerative Architecture for the Incorruptible Enterprise," is backed by the Department of Defense's Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative award.

Report finds national trend of tuition increases

According to the latest edition of a yearly report released by the National Center for Education Statistics, University students are not the only ones who have been coping with tuition increases in recent years -- this increase represents the national norm. "For undergraduates attending public four-year institutions," the report states, "there was a six-percent increase (after adjusting for inflation) in in-state tuition and required fees and a three-percent increase in out-of state tuition and required fees charged between 2004-05 and 2006-07." A similar increase in tuition also occurred at private, not-for-profit institutions, but with a smaller increase of five percent.

Astronomy prof. receives international praise

Astronomy Prof. Trinh Thuan's work dealing with the relationship between light and philosophy has won him international recognition. The French Academy in Paris honored Thuan with the Grand Prix Moron award, an award comparable to the Nobel Prize, for his seventh book "The Ways of Light: Physics and Metaphysics of Light and Darkness," Thuan said. According to a University press release, Thuan's book was published by a French publisher earlier this year and is expected to be published in English at some point. As an award that generally signifies outstanding achievements in philosophy, the Grand Prix Moron is given to an individual who in some way revolutionizes French literature, according to Astronomy Prof.

Concerns arise over U.Va. donor privacy

Several state organizations have raised concerns about the University's request to maintain donor anonymity, despite laws that such information is to be made public. At Monday's meeting of the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council, the University asked for the Council to make an exception concerning preexisting public policy, according to the Council's staff attorney Alan Gernhardt.

Reflecting on student courage

Gas leak forces O-Hillevacuation

Potential health threats prompted Charlottesville fire officials to evacuate two University buildings Monday afternoon when a gas leak was discovered near Observatory Hill Dining Hall and strange odors were reported near Medical Research Building 4 on Lane Road. Fire department officials arrived at O-Hill at 5:11 p.m.

StudCo allocation bill aims to decrease excess rollover in budget

Student Council passed a bill last night that aims to decrease the amount of rollover money left in the appropriations budget at the end of each calendar year.

IN remembrance

U.Va. Capital Campaign closes in on $1.5 billion halfway point

Recent reports from the University indicate the Capital Campaign is progressing more quickly than expected and will soon reach the halfway point to its goal.

New director to lead CUE

Following a nationwide search for a new director of the Center for Undergraduate Excellence, a search committee including faculty members and one student recently settled on a candidate from within the University community. Lucy Russell, former executive assistant to the provost, said she took the position because it offers an opportunity to work more closely with students. In addition to her "very good organization and managerial skills," Russell was chosen because "[she has] a passion for the undergraduate experience, research experience of her own -- both abroad and at home -- and a real interest and commitment to making more of these opportunities available to students," said J.

Drought dries up Va. counties

While the University and City of Charlottesville have been working to minimize water use, Gov. Tim Kaine announced yesterday that eight Virginia counties have been declared federal disaster areas in response to the drought plaguing much of the Commonwealth.

Virginia Republican leaders present plan for mental health reform

Republican leaders in the Virginia General Assembly?? introduced a threefold plan for mental health reform Thursday that draws upon recommendations from the ad-hoc panel that studied last April's shootings at Virginia Tech. "Clearly the focus on mental health has intensified since the Virginia Tech tragedy," said Del.

Cultivating the College's Curriculum

The world of higher education is rapidly changing. As news breaks and the world turns, new and different fields of study gain popularity among professors and students.

posters galore

SCPS offers new nonprofit certificate

Nonprofit professionals and volunteers alike can earn a certificate in nonprofit management beginning this semester through the University's School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Although the school has offered courses in nonprofit management for the past two years, the nonprofit certification program is new this semester, according to SCPS Program Director Barbara Kessler. To earn the certificate, students must take 35 hours of nonprofit-focused courses that are offered at SCPS, she said. Because there are no required classes, students determine their curriculum based on individual needs, Kessler said. "Our goal is for individuals to get the skill development they need," Kessler stated. Most classes are workshop style and are completed in one to two sessions.