News

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.

Bill alters CIO approval process

Student Council passed a bill to speed up and facilitate the approval process for forming contracted independent organizations last night.

City targets greenhouse gas emissions

In an effort to clean up the environment, the City of Charlottesville recently joined Cool Cities, a national campaign that encourages countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. John Cruickshank, chair of the Piedmont Group of the Sierra Club, said the campaign, which is sponsored by the Sierra Club, encourages cities to commit to the Kyoto Protocol, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions seven percent from 1990 levels by 2012. According to Charlottesville Mayor David Brown, increasing energy efficiency and lowering gas emissions are important issues facing Charlottesville. "There are really two categories in addressing the issue," he said.

Access for All

Representatives of the University's admissions office will tour around the country in November with representatives from Harvard University and Princeton University in an effort to recruit students from lower-income backgrounds.

Act of vandalism committed at Fayerweather Hall

University Police are investigating an act of vandalism committed at Fayerweather Hall Friday morning. University Police Lieut.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Engineering award focuses on industry

Chemical engineering students can expect better career preparation thanks to a $100,000 endowment fund donated by University alumnus Robert A.

State campaign aims to support charities

University and other state employees with a charitable itch to scratch will now be able to do so, thanks to the annual installment of the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign, which commenced yesterday at the University.

University revamps networking site

Cavalier Daily Associate Editor University students concerned that their Facebook pictures might not be conducive to job searching now have a new, career-oriented online networking option.

U.Va. embarks ondiabetes research

In hopes of treating children suffering from Type 1 diabetes and preventing future cases, the University signed a multi-million dollar contract for international genetic research of the disease. Using the facilities provided by Illumina, Inc., a developer of next-generation life-science tools and genetic analysis, the University is working with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases to research the role of genetics and environmental concerns in Type 1 diabetes, Illumina public relations manager Maurissa Bornstein said. "Because it is a disease that is caused by both genetics and environments it can be untangled, and we can find different correlations between gene expression and environmental influences," said Stephen Rich, head of the Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium and University professor. In order to research different environments, researchers took data samples from children around the world, NIDDK Program Director Beena Akolkar said. According to Akolkar, researchers recruited more than 800 affected children as well as their diabetes-free siblings, who have a similar genetic expressions, to give samples which Illumina is now analyzing to investigate the antibodies in the blood. "It is truly an international effort," Rich said.

Report analyzes curriculum

Ryan McElveen, chair of Student Council's Committee on Curriculum Internationalization, presented a report last night on ways the University could direct its efforts to internationalize its curriculum and the University community as a whole.

Firefighters respond to U.Va. calls

Two fire-related incidents occurred on Grounds Saturday, one occurring in Newcomb Hall and the other in the Maupin dormitory on Alderman Road.

Committee debates new amendments

Two proposals to amend the Honor Committee's bylaws regarding pre-trial evidence were discussed at last night's meeting. The first, proposed by the Procedures Ad-Hoc Committee, seeks to elaborate on rules dealing with the exclusion of evidence.

Darden profs make the grade

The Princeton Review recently recognized the Darden School as one of the country's leading business schools after its professors received top marks.

University professor finds drug effective in treating alcohol dependency

After heading a study spanning 2.5 years, Neuroscience Prof. Bankole A. Johnson found the drug topiramate to be a successful treatment for alcohol dependency. Johnson, also the chair of psychiatric medicine at the University, worked with colleagues to conduct randomized, placebo-controlled trials to determine the usefulness of the drug. "Our findings provided validation that individuals with alcohol dependence, while drinking heavily, can be treated safely and reliably with topiramate," Johnson said. The 14-week trials, conducted from 2004 to 2006 at 17 U.S.

Board plans new research facilities

In an effort to raise the standing of the University's science programs, the Board of Visitors recently approved the construction of a new science building as well as the expansion of existing plans for two additional buildings. According to Provost Arthur Garson, the construction will provide the University with much needed research space. "Every one of the three major schools involved in science has no space to put researchers today, so the University desperately needs space," Garson said.

Kaine releases final report of Transportation Commission

Gov. Tim Kaine recently released the final report of the Transportation Accountability Commission, which he created in 2006 to increase government accountability in Commonwealth transportation.

Science magazine to withdraw from partnership with JSTOR academic database

Starting at the end of December, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, publisher of Science magazine, will no longer contribute the magazine's content to JSTOR, an online database of academic articles and publications.

GOP criticizes use of rainy day fund

Virginia's Republican leaders have sparked debate in the General Assembly by arguing that Gov. Tim Kaine's proposal to take money from the Commonwealth's "rainy day fund" to cover the state budget shortfall is premature in light of the reported $170 million in unspent state agency funds. The governor recently approved over $300 million in immediate savings to cover the $641 million budget shortfall for 2008.