News

Students debate election issues

Members of the University Democrats and College Republicans sparred over myriad issues including the Marshall-Newman Amendment, the war in Iraq and education policies last night in a pre-election debate sponsored by ArgHOOers and Student Council. Fourth-year College students Katie Cristol and Charlie Harris argued for the UDems, while second-year College students Michael Gannon and Gary Lawkowski represented the College Republicans.

City Council opposes marriage amendment

Charlottesville's City Council unanimously approved a resolution encouraging residents to vote against the Marshall-Newman Amendment -- commonly referred as the same sex"marriage amendment" -- last night. The amendment defines marriage as being between a man and a woman.

U.S. schools react to plans for standard European B. A.

Registrars, administrators and others involved in graduate education programs in Europe, Australia and the United States met Saturday in Washington, D.C.

U.Va. prof. studies picture books' benefits

According to a study published in the November issue of Developmental Psychology by a University professor, parents who read picture books to their children are not only encouraging early reading skills, but are also teaching toddlers about the world around them. The study, conducted by University Psychology Chair Judy DeLoache and Gabrielle Simcock, a University of Queensland psychology professor, demonstrates that books with lifelike pictures aid childhood learning. "We were trying to determine the educational potential of picture books," DeLoache said.

Expert addresses "bamboo ceiling"

The Asian Student Union and other University organizations presented "Reaching the Bamboo Ceiling," a speech by Franklin Odo, Smithsonian curator in cultural history, in the Rotunda Dome Room last night. The speech was the first event in APAutumn, a week-long series of seminars that will address issues relevant to the APA community at the University.

Honor kicks off conscientiousretraction publicity campaign

The Honor Committee discussed the conscientious retraction campaign and the upcoming community forum meeting last night.

Law students play role in Hussein's death sentence

Saddam Hussein was formally found guilty in an Iraqi criminal court yesterday and has received the death sentence for therepression of a Shiite town north of Baghdad in the 1980s.

M. Warner leads C-ville rally

A large crowd of local residents and University students assembled on the Charlottesville Downtown Mall Sunday evening to rally for state Democratic candidates Jim Webb and Al Weed in the upcoming election.

JMU students protest Title IX athletic cuts

James Madison University students rallied together Wednesday, Nov. 1 and Thursday, Nov. 2 to protest the JMU Board of Visitors' decision to cut 10 athletic programs. The first protest occurred on the JMU campus on what is known as the Commons and involved approximately 100 students and parents, according to JMU spokesman Andy Perrine. Students took their protest a step further Nov.

Females disproportionately affected by mumps outbreak

As a mumps outbreak dies down with six fewer new cases last week than the week before, a notable trend in probable cases has become clear -- 28 out of the 31 reported cases have afflicted females. The high percentage of female infection has not surprised Lilian Peake, director of the Thomas Jefferson Health District. "That [ratio] has been consistent with what they've found in the larger outbreak in the Midwest that occurred last year," Peake said. Fourth-year College student Erin Levin, a mumps patient, said she was grateful that few men were afflicted with mumps. "I feel that's very fortunate that's the case," Levin said.

Sabato's Crystal Ball foresees Democratic gains in elections

Things could be looking up for the Democrats in this year's midterm elections--at least this is what Politics Prof.

McDonnell, Kaine debate Va. Senate Race

Last night the PBS show "NewsHour with Jim Lehrer" featured a debate between Gov. Tim Kaine (D) and Attorney General Bob McDonnell (R) on the U.S.

Errant e-mails compromise hundreds of student IDs

Notifications from Student Financial Services intended for students whose registration was blocked were erroneously sent to the wrong students in emails that included others' Social Security numbers.

U.Va. holds first annual symposium on race, society

The Office of Diversity and Equity kicked off its first annual Symposium on Race and Society yesterday at the Darden School.

Poll: young voters critical of Bush administration

A recent poll released by the Harvard Institute of Politics shows a majority of young voters are dissatisfied with the Bush administration, while nearly a third of the young electorate will "definitely be voting" in Tuesday's upcoming elections. Twenty-four hundred 18-24 year olds were polled in the survey which sought to compare the political importance of both college and non-enrolled youth. "Since 9/11, since the Iraq war, we've seen a growing relevance ... and a growing importance of politics in young people's lives," said Esten Perez, spokesperson for the institute. With a margin of error of three percent, the survey noted little difference between the two groups of youth voters with both showing similar disapproval ratings when it came to the makeup of Congress, the Bush administration and the Iraq War, Perez said. There is a "pretty consistent message that I think is on track with the national electorate," Perez said. Conducted Oct.

Students flock to flu fest

Polls show Webb leads Senate race

With election day next Tuesday, three polls, conducted last weekend by CNN, Rasmussen Reports and Zogby International, all found Democratic candidate Jim Webb has a slight lead in his senatorial race against incumbent Republican George Allen.

Athletic department to extend Wachovia Corp. sponsorship

The University athletic department announced Tuesday that it will extend its sponsorship agreement with Wachovia Corporation for seven years. The partnership, which began in 2003, provides the University with monetary assistance from one of the nation's largest financial institutions, according to a release from the athletic department.

Gallaudet Board ends new president's appointment

Some members of the Gallaudet University community -- from the student body, administration and Board of Trustees -- are encouraging the university to move forward following the recent Board of Trustees decision to terminate the appointment of President-Designate Dr. Jane K.

Va. Film Festival sees record-breaking attendance

The 19th Annual Virginia Film Festival, held from Oct. 26-29 set an attendance record this year, with a total turnout of almost 15,000 people over the course of the festival.