News

Greek council host annual award ceremony

Greek leaders urged all members of University sororities and fraternities to continue their record of community service at their annual awards ceremony last night. At the event, hosted by the Inter-Gree Committee, each governing council received awards for its members based on philanthropy, community service and contribution to the Greek system. The presidents of the four Greek councils spoke on the state of their governing council, also addressing what they have accomplished so far and what they hope to achieve. Inter-Fraternity Council president Charlie Morgan said the IFC remained committed to philanthropy and academics, adding that the IFC has a higher average GPA than the general male population at the University. "I am particularly proud of our contributions to the community," Morgan said, noting inter-Greek involvement in the creation of the Mid-Autumns carnival and the Crimson War blood drive against Maryland in the fall. Morgan said such events were hugely successful and brought together the four governing councils and the larger community. National Pan-Hellenic Council President Zuri Darrell said his organization, which governs historically black fraternities and sororities, has continued to serve minority communities on Grounds.

Tech grants end of semester options

As students at Virginia Tech returned to classes Monday, they were given the option of finishing their classes or being allowed to head home. Tech administrators decided to give students the flexibility to choose whether or not they will continue to attend classes while hoping that finishing the semester will to help thereturn to normalcy for some students. This program of options, called "Student Choice," is designed to help students deal with the tragedy in their own way, according to Mark McNamee, provost and vice-president for academic affairs. Students have three options: taking the grade for the work submitted before April 16; turning in any additional assignments they choose to have factored into their final grade; or completing all the work that is normally required.

Prof. James Childress receives Jefferson Scholars Faculty Prize

The Jefferson Scholars Foundation recently recognized Religious Studies Prof. James Childress with the Jefferson Scholars Faculty Prize. The prize is awarded to a faculty member who has served the University in the areas of leadership, scholarship and citizenship, according to Foundation President James Wright.

"Gay? Fine by me."

Senators discuss campus safety

In response to the shootings at Virginia Tech last week, higher education administrators presented overviews of the condition of student mental health and current campus safety at a U.S.

Google awards computer science graduate students with scholarship

Google awarded two University computer science graduate students its 2007 Anita Borg Scholarship earlier this month -- a $10,000 award for females in the field of computer science to be used for academic purposes. According to Google spokesperson Sunny Gettinger, more than 250 applications were sent from over 150 schools. "The selection committee looked for [females] who are majoring in computer science or another technical field and are leaders in their schools and fields," Gettinger said. The goal of the program is to continue the legacy of Anita Borg, who "was committed to encouraging women to enter the field of computer science," Gettinger said. University Engineering graduate students Wei Le and Isabelle Stanton were among 20 female recipients of the award. With a family background in technical science and a master's in mathematics from the University, Stanton said she heard about the scholarship from another computer science graduate student. "One of our other graduate students ... won it last year, so she encouraged me to apply," Stanton said. The application process requires candidates to discuss everything from their technical achievements to their personal hobbies, she said. According to Stanton, the application required four essays.

Police respond to incident at Wilsdorf

At about 11:20 p.m. last night, the police dispatch received a call from a female student at Wilsdorf Hall reporting a sighting of a male with a gun. University and Charlottesville police dispatched approximately a dozen officers, who evacuated and searched the building.

israel in the Amphitheater

U.Va. dean to serve on investigative panel

Members of the University community have been recruited by Gov. Tim Kaine to serve on an investigative panel aimed at examining the response to conditions surrounding the Virginia Tech shootings. Last Friday, the governor appointed Medical School Assistant Dean Marcus Martin and Diane Strickland, Law School alumna and former dean of Student Legal Services, to the panel.Martin and Strickland are joining what will be an eight-member commission led by former Virginia State Police Superintendent Gerald Massengill. The panel will examine the particular circumstances before, during and after the events on the Tech campus last Monday, said Kevin Hall, press secretary for Gov.

U.Va. dean to serve on investigative panel

Members of the University community have been recruited by Gov. Tim Kaine to serve on an investigative panel aimed at examining the response to conditions surrounding the Virginia Tech shootings. Last Friday, the governor appointed Medical School Assistant Dean Marcus Martin and Diane Strickland, Law School alumna and former dean of Student Legal Services, to the panel.Martin and Strickland are joining what will be an eight-member commission led by former Virginia State Police Superintendent Gerald Massengill. The panel will examine the particular circumstances before, during and after the events on the Tech campus last Monday, said Kevin Hall, press secretary for Gov.

Dean finalists bring varied qualifications

After months of interviews, a committee has narrowed the field down to four finalists in the search to fill the position being vacated by College Dean Edward Ayers. The four remaining candidates for the position are University Environmental Science Prof.

Failure of student jurors to report postpones trial

The failure of randomly selected student jurors to report for duty caused the Honor Committee to postpone a trial this past Sunday. This is the first time in the past six years a lack of jurors has prevented an Honor trial from taking place, Honor Committee Executive Secretary Mary White said. The honor constitution requires at least two students on the jury to be from the school of the student being tried.

Reactions to Cho's ethnicity spark concern

In contrast to the outpouring of support for the Virginia Tech community in the wake of last week's attacks, some are concerned for a potential backlash against the Asian-American community because of gunman Seung-Hui Cho's South Korean roots. In an e-mail to Asian and Asian Pacific American students Thursday, Assistant Dean of Students Sarah Wilcox expressed personal shock at the killer's origin. "I am stunned by this senseless act of violence by an individual who hails from my country of birth," she stated. Wilcox outlined various sources of support in the University community and offered suggestions about how to deal with the media.

STUDENTS ENJOY EARTH DAY OUTDOORS

Corner restaurant revises dress code

Jaberwoke is beginning to overhaul its image, in part by implementing a revised dress code, co-owner Anderson McClure said. "A dress code will be reinstated in the next couple of weeks," McClure said. Last month the co-owner of the Corner restaurant and bar came under fire when he instituted a dress code that was perceived by some as discriminating against black patrons. In an interview yesterday, McClure said the dress code was not racially motivated. "My intentions were never to offend anyone, but I had to base this dress code on six years of experience in the Charlottesville restaurant community," he said. In response to the public outcry against the dress code McClure held a well-attended open forum for concerned members of the public.

Prof. questions gun restrictions for mentally ill

The Virginia Tech gunman should have been prevented from purchasing a firearm after he was found to be a danger to himself by a Virginia court in late 2005, according to a University professor. Prof.

Digital politics databases aim to inform public

In an age characterized by low voter turnouts and the popularity of the Internet, efforts are underway to improve the public's understanding of politics through various Web-based digital projects. A series of panel discussions this month are highlighting progress in developing Virginia-based digital databases geared toward making political information more accessible to the public. This month's panel discussions, sponsored by the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership, are focusing on three recently developed and updated Web-based digital projects: the Virginia Public Access Project, the Richmond Sunlight blog and the Virginia Elections and State Elected Officials Database Project. University Politics Prof.

Decision regarding single sanction ad hoc committee elicits response

Some students have expressed dismay about the Honor Committee's decision not to form the single sanction ad hoc committee.

Honor to consider new U.Va. 101 class for incoming students

Students may have even more opportunities to discuss honor with the formation of a new Honor ad hoc committee investigating the potential for an introductory U.Va.

Expressing support