News

University officials speak on diversity

University Chief Diversity Officer William Harvey presented his first public address to the University yesterday afternoon, highlighting the need for sustained efforts toward increased racial tolerance and diversity nationwide, In his address, entitled "Issues of Race at Predominantly White Institutions," Harvey noted that many of the racial issues he has studied throughout his professional career have yet to be adequately remedied, both at the University and nationwide. Harvey's address focused on the themes of affirmative action, diversity within curricula and the need for both students and faculty to take action. Institutional policies of affirmative action for faculty hiring have proven controversial and extraordinarily ineffective across the country, Harvey said.

University officials speak on diversity

African-American Affairs Dean M. Rick Turner said last night that while African-American students and faculty have had cause to celebrate in the past year, there is much room for improvement in race relations, equality and diversity both on Grounds and in the Charlottesville community. Turner reflected upon the achievements of the University's black community during his third annual State of the Office of African-American Affairs Address. During the last year, the nationally-acclaimed Peer Advisor Program and the Faculty-Student Mentoring Program have flourished, Turner said. "Students come with cultural, social and economic baggage," Dion Lewis, director of the Luther P.

Bill to increase student loan interest rates

The House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday that would raise the interest rates on student loans, according to the Library of Congress' database of legislation. John Noble, press secretary for Rep.

University anticipates additional science grants

The University is poised to take advantage of President Bush's new science and technology initiative introduced in his State of the Union Address, David Hudson, associate vice president for research in graduate studies, said. The president's plan entails allocating $50 billion to the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy Office of Science and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which will, in turn, be granted to institutions, said Barry Toiv, spokesperson for the Association of American Universities. The process for which universities acquire these grants is very competitive, Hudson said. First the agencies will need to decide in which areas they want to fund projects, and then, once the goal of the grant has been outlined, every research establishment is able to compete for the money, he said. Hudson added that the institution that presents the best proposal is the one that will be awarded the grant. "At this point we don't how these grants will take shape," Hudson said.

BOV discusses University's performance

The Board of Visitors Special Committee on Planning convened yesterday to review its financial policies and discuss the University's current performance as assessed by statewide objectives. Board members discussed the performance standards that the University must adhere to as established by the Higher Education Restructuring Act of 2005, legislation created by former Gov.

University football player arrested, dismissed by Groh

Second-year College student and University football player Bryan Lescanec was arrested early Wednesday morning on charges of assault and battery, according to Charlottesville police. Yesterday afternoon, 19-year-old Lescanec, a walk-on running back, was dismissed from the team by head coach Al Groh for "conduct detrimental to the program," the Athletics department announced in a press release. According to a press release from the Charlottesville Police, Lescanec allegedly fondled a 21-year-old University student at A.J.'s Grill and Bar on Elliewood Ave.

Charlottesville faces increasing property values, housing costs

Dramatic increases in property values over the past five years have caused a marked rise in housing costs, according to Charlottesville City Council member Blake Caravati. Property costs "have been rising precipitously since 2001, in the range from 12 to 18 percent and even 40 percent in some neighborhoods," Caravati said.

February is Black history month

Delegates sponsor military tuition bill

Two state bills concerning the allowance of in-state tuition for dependents of military personnel will be up for consideration in both the House of Delegates and the Senate. House Bill No.

Bill aims to limit liabilityof witnesses

Delegates Rob Bell, R-Albemarle, and William Janis, R-Glen Allen, are currently sponsoring a bill in the General Assembly that would protect criminal witnesses from liability whenever their testimonies or criminal identifications are made "with the good faith belief in its veracity." Some Virginia lawyers, however, say the content of the bill is already in practice. "It makes more clear what is already common law," Virginia attorney Tom Carter said. The bill comes in response to a lawsuit by Chris Matthew, a black Charlottesville resident who was accused of rape by a former University Law student.

BOV to review administration perceptions

Today the Board of Visitors will continue the process of developing long-term priorities for the University, taking into account the opportunities afforded by greater autonomy under the Higher Education Restructuring Act and the upcoming $3 billion Capital Campaign, when the Special Committee on Planning meets for the third time. The Committee will first seek to identify the measures by which state agencies will assess the University as a public, but financially more autonomous, institution, according to the meeting agenda.

Still a Work in Progress

Students react to Bush's address

University students and professors expressed mixed sentiments in reaction to President Bush's State of the Union Address last night. As President Bush delivered his address, he optimistically alluded to his administration's efforts to provide adequate healthcare, improve education, consider alternative energy sources and combat terrorism. Still, Politics Prof.

Car strikes University student on Emmet St.

A student was struck by a car while crossing the street at the intersection of Sprigg Lane and Emmet Street on Sunday evening, according to Charlottesville Police and Assistant Dean of Students Daisy Rodriguez. The student, College first-year Hao Min Wang, suffered a pelvic fracture as a result of the accident and is currently undergoing some physical therapy and ensuring that she can walk, Rodriguez said.

Student Health program offers more resources for HIV

Student Health initiated a new program in December that increased the number of certified HIV counselors available to students.

State of the Arts

Music professors work at desks crammed into small offices that were originally designed to be storage closets.

Council hears partner benefit resolution

Student Council met last night to discuss a resolution which supports the University's ability to offer domestic partner benefits. According to the resolution, a domestic partnership is defined as an "ongoing, committed relationship between two adults of the same or opposite sex who are not otherwise legally married." College Rep.

UBE presents standardized petition packet

The University Board of Elections announced changes to its election policies at an informational meeting last night, one of which included the printing of official petition packets for referenda sponsors. Students who wish to place a referendum on a student election ballot will be given a packet from the UBE after submitting their proposal.

Miller Center preserves Reagan's presidential leagacy in interviews

The Miller Center of Public Affairs released the first selection in its Reagan administration interviews from the Ronald Reagan Oral History program on Sunday, a subcategory of the Presidential Oral History program at the Miller Center. The Reagan project compiles information taken from people close to the former president, said Michael Greco, director of the Scripps Library at the Miller Center. "This is an attempt to preserve the memory of the top officials in the Reagan White House," Greco said.

Seeking to increase bandwidth