The University Board of Elections is updating its election system by moving the endorsement process away from paper registration in favor of a streamlined online procedure.
The Charlottesville Fire Department received a call at 4:18 p.m. yesterday alerting the department of a potential gas leak in the area of 14th Street. According to David Hartman, Charlottesville Fire Department battalion chief, several units were dispatched to the Corner to locate the source of the odor. While searching for the potential natural gas leak, Hartman said someone pulled the alarm at the old University Hospital because of a similar odor. "There is an odor around here that is going through a 10-block area," Hartman said. The department, with the help of other area law enforcement officials, investigated all buildings and storm sewers in the area but was unable to locate the source of the leak. "We've completed [the search] and could not find a particular source," Charlottesville Battalion Chief Peter Sweeney said. At press time, there were no other reports of suspicious odors after the initial two, Sweeney said. -- compiled by Andy Mullan
George Washington University's Board of Trustees announced a 3.8 percent increase in tuition last week for undergraduates entering the university in the 2007-08 school year.
A memorial service was held yesterday at the University Chapel for former University Rector Hovey Slayton Dabney, who died Friday from complications of rheumatoid arthritis, according to family members.
Harvard University announced the appointment of its first female president in the school's 371 year history this weekend.
The Board of Visitors announced its newly chosen student member and discussed the proposed School of Public Health at its final session of the month Friday. First-year Law student Carey Mignerey was selected during last week's executive session to serve as the Board's student member for the upcoming year. Born in Atlanta, Mignerey received his bachelor's in government and foreign affairs from the University in 2004.
Amid constitutional controversy and issues surrounding efficiency and effectiveness within the Virginia Tech Undergraduate Honor System, former Associate Chief Justice Amanda Beringer was promoted to the position of chief justice, through what some have said is an unconstitutional action, following the resignation of former Chief Justice Greg Sagstetter.
The Honor Committee voted last night to place a proposal on the spring ballot that would amend its constitution by adding two representatives from the College of Arts & Sciences to the Committee. The goal of the reapportionment proposal is to increase representation of students from the College so it is proportionate to increases in the College's enrollment.
The Inter-Sorority Council and the University's Women's Center joined efforts to sponsor a sexual assault education program which was held this weekend.
The Board of Visitors announced a gift of $25 million granted to the University by Philip Morris USA in a press conference Friday. The gift will support tobacco research at the University on addiction and disease and represents "a significant deepening of the partnership" between the two institutions, according to Mike Szymanczyk, chairman and CEO of Philip Morris USA. Philip Morris USA gave the donation at the University's request, according to Brendan McCormick, senior director of corporate communications at Philip Morris USA. "Approximately $20 million will support research and projects at the University," Szymanczyk said.
University Human Resources will institute a new 13-week employee development program beginning Feb.
Despite student protests and a tumultuous change of leadership at Gallaudet University, the internationally known school for the deaf and hard-of-hearing recently received an improved rating of "adequate" performance from the Department of Education. The higher ranking has had a positive effect on the student body, according to Gallaudet spokesperson Mercy Coogan, who said students are "proud to be Gallaudet students." In October, Gallaudet students protested the selection of former Gallaudet Provost Jane K.
First-time enrollment of international graduate students in the Engineering School has risen four percent above the 2005-06 academic year level.
President John T. Casteen, III presented a speech outlining the role of the new Commission on the Future of the University during the Board of Visitors' first meeting of the semester yesterday afternoon. The commission, which is the third of its kind at the University, is an addition to the work already underway for the 10-year academic plan, according to University spokesperson Carol Wood. "The 10-year plan is really strong on nuts and bolts, but the Commission on the Future of the University will add a layer of aspiration," Wood said. The five committees of the proposed commission will use that aspiration to help improve various aspects of the University, according to Casteen. "It is the start of a plan that will carry us through six to eight months of intense work," Casteen said. According to Wood, Casteen hopes to finalize the commission by fall 2007. In its current state, the commission includes of Leonard Sandridge, executive vice president and chief operating officer, and Tim Garson, vice president and Medical School dean, who will serve as co-chairs. The committee on programmatic initiatives will work to analyze the "University's competitive posture," according to the draft of the commission presented by Casteen.
The state budget, student safety and a look at the University's accomplishments and plans for improvement were main topics in University President John T.
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito spoke before Politics Prof. Larry Sabato's Introduction to American Politics class Wednesday.
Jacqueline Irvine, professor of urban education at Emory University, spoke about the white-black achievement gap in education yesterday at the second annual Dr. Walter Ridley Distinguished Lecturer Series. Chief Diversity Officer William Harvey introduced Irvine, expressing his enthusiasm about her visit during Black History Month. Irvine, a graduate of Howard University, said she thinks the two most important issues to address are school segregation and the gap in test scores. She said 48 percent of schoolchildren today are from a diverse background, but noted that "growing diversity does not entail growing integration." Irvine attributed a lack of integration in public schools to the enrollment of white children in private schools. "Private school enrollment by white students today is comparable to white private school enrollment in 1968," Irvine said. The achievement gap that exists between black and white students affects every student at the University, Irvine said, because these students are the future. The disparity in test scores cannot be explained solely by a socioeconomic dynamic between whites and blacks.
The Virginia House of Delegates Higher Education Subcommittee recently proposed withholding funding from state colleges and universities unless they agree to keep tuition increases low. According to Colette Sheehy, University vice president for management and budget, the University created a six-year plan last year that lays out the optimal scenario for cost-sharing between the state government and students. "Every institution has a different rate of cost-sharing," Sheehy said.
James Garrison -- the father of 2006 College graduate Stephanie Garrison, who was acquitted in an open honor trial in September -- was charged Tuesday with the assault and battery of Gavin Reddick, University Judiciary Committee vice chair for sanctions, according to Patrice Winston, deputy clerk of Albemarle General District Court. According to the case report, the altercation occurred last Sept.
