News

Some universities settle speech code suits

This summer two large public universities settled lawsuits relating to speech codes on college campuses by backing away from provisions of their policies that restrict expression of certain viewpoints that were directed at other students. At Georgia Tech, students Orit Sklar and Ruth Malhotra accused the school of restricting their ability to voice their opposition to homosexuality.

Special advisor to Honor resigns

Nicole Eramo, special advisor to the Honor Committee, announced her resignation at the first meeting of the Honor Committee in the 2006-2007 year last night. Eramo will become an assistant dean in the Office of the Dean for Students beginning Sept.

GMU: no SAT for top applicants

George Mason University recently announced that starting next fall it will no longer require some applicants to submit their SAT scores.

'Morning after' pill approved for over-the-counter sale

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced yesterday that it approved the over-the-counter sale of the emergency contraceptive pill, better known as the 'morning after' pill, to women 18 years or older. Many University organizations, including VOX: Voices for Planned Parenthood, praised the decision as "a huge step" in preventing unplanned pregnancies.

U.Va. students partake in Reading for the Record

University students helped elementary school students set a new reading record. Over 150,000 children nationwide participated in Reading for the Record, which set the record for children reading the same book at the same time. Setting the record is not the most important thing, University Jumpstart Coordinator Sarah Rude said, rather, the primary goal is to promote early literacy.

Ed School tests Spanish PALS program

A pilot program which would allow teachers to assess the literacy skills of Spanish-speaking students is set to begin field testing this fall in the Curry School of Education. PALS, or Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening, is an assessment used by teachers to gauge the English language comprehension of children in kindergarten through third grade.

Montpelier returns to Madisonian era

The former home of James Madison, the fourth U.S. President and second rector of the University's Board of Visitors, is undergoing major renovations to restore it to its original form.

Darden welcomes record-sized class

s 338 incoming first-year MBA students at the Darden Graduate School of Business adapt to their courses and life as graduate students, faculty and staff are working equally hard to accommodate the largest enrolling class in school's 52nd year history. Darden faculty normally anticipate the arrival of about 300 to 310 students, according to Jim Clawson, Director of the First Year Program; this year, however, a high yield resulted in a history-making first-year class. Clawson attributed the high yield to a number of factors, including global economic activity and the increased number of students from India, where economic conditions are increasingly favorable. This year's yield "is a function of increasing the reputation of the school internationally, the booming global economy, and the booming economy in India," Clawson said.

Delta Tau Delta has charter revoked

The national Delta Tau Delta fraternal organization revoked the charter of its University Beta Iota chapter over the summer, according to a Delta Tau Delta press release made available Tuesday. The Beta Iota charter was withdrawn after DTD's national Arch Chapter investigated a number of policy violations involving hazing and abuse of alcohol. One of the primary reasons for the investigation was a hazing incident that occurred during the last school year, DTD national Executive Vice President James Russell confirmed. Neither former Beta Iota president Kyle Estep nor Russell commented on the details of the incident, though Russell said it was "against both the spirit and the rules of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, in addition to the student code of conduct at the University of Virginia." The Beta Iota chapter was suspended April 6, according to Russell.

Webb, Allen to engage in Senate debates as gap in polls narrows

As Senator George Allen's poll numbers continue to fall in the wake of his reference to University student S.R.

U.Va. lands spot on list of "New Ivies"

The University was named one of the 25 "New Ivies" in Newsweek's 2007 edition of the Kaplan College Guide, which profiled 25 of the top schools in the nation. The guide attempts to show that universities do not need ivy on their walls to give their students a top-notch education, according to Brandon Jones, one of the contributing editors of the article.

Controversy emerges over use of "state climatologist" title

Disagreement continues between University officials and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine's office surrounding the contested power of appointment of the Virginia state climatologist.

Moonlight serenade

Study Abroad Soars

Participation in study abroad at the University this past year, including this past summer, has reached an all time high.

Back into the swing of things

University Medical Center gains Magnet status for nursing

The University Medical Center was recognized Friday with Magnet status by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, a branch of the American Nurses Association. The Magnet Recognition Program, an international program which recognized its first organization in 1994, awards organizations that meet the ANCC's 14 Points of Magnetism, their criteria for nursing merit, said Jan Moran, assistant director for Magnet operations at the ANCC. "It's a recognition of nursing excellence and it actually is attributed to a positive and dynamic environment where nurses work," Moran said.

Annual Student Activities Fair features nearly 300 CIOs

Yesterday the annual Student Activities Fair was held in the Amphitheater. The event featured a collection of nearly 300 organizations of every kind, from intramural sports to service clubs and cultural organizations set up booths and advertised their offerings to prospective members from 10 a.m.

Honor, UJC offer programs, explain roles to new students

The Honor and University Judicial Committees introduced themselves to incoming first years during summer orientation. The groups co-hosted a session at summer orientation entitled "Joining the U.Va.

Administration lowers maximum credit hours

College of Arts & Sciences students will no longer be able to hoard courses because the administration has lowered the maximum number of allowed credit-hours per semester.

Family, friends remember University student Brett Gosnell

University student Brett Gosnell passed away last Thursday at his home in Hickory, N.C. after a three-year battle with cancer. A diligent student and passionate football fan, Gosnell graduated as his class valedictorian at Hickory High School in 2004 after being diagnosed with a rare form of childhood cancer known as rhabdomysarcoma during his junior year, his father, Mark Gosnell said. After attending classes at Lenoir-Rhyne College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Gosnell was finally able to live out his dream of attending the University last year, Gosnell's father said. "He went to UNC and he really liked Carolina, but he asked me to drive him up to U.Va.