News

Local groups clash over charter plans

The Charlottesville Chamber of Commerce and the local branch of the NAACP recently issued differing position statements on the proposed charter status for commonwealth colleges and universities. In mid-December, the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce issued a memorandum to the Virginia General Assembly and other area public officials in support of the "Charter Public University Concept" for the University, Virginia Tech and the College of William & Mary.

Female University student reports intruder in room

University students received a mass e-mail Friday which informed them of an incident involving an "unknown male" who woke up a female resident in the Hancock residence hall and fled.

Meeting aims to promote positive athlete behaviors

First-year student athletes soon will have more guidance from their peers as they begin their University experiences if the Athletic Department implements a student-formulated plan. A team of five University athletes presented a plan developed to enhance orientation procedures as a part of the 14th annual "Athletic Prevention Programming and Leadership Education" conference hosted this weekend by the University's Center for Alcohol and Substance Education at the Doubletree Hotel. Forty-five colleges and universities, from all NCAA athletic divisions, participated in this year's APPLE conference, which boasted approximately 230 attendees from Maine to South Carolina. Each participating school sent a team of five student athletes and a team leader to develop substance abuse policies for their respective schools. The University's tradition of student self-governance was the initial inspiration for the APPLE conference, said Joe Gieck, the conference's organizer and a University professor of sports medicine and life skills director. "The program is unique in the fact that it gives student athletes a voice to develop their own substance abuse policies," Gieck said.

Police report former student missing

Former University student and UTS bus driver Chyler Adam Ebersold was reported missing Saturday afternoon.

HAVING AN ICY BLAST

Local children took advantage of Saturday's significant snowfall yesterday afternoon to enjoy some serious sledding on the University's Nameless Field.

HAVING AN ICY BLAST

Local children took advantage of Saturday's significant snowfall yesterday afternoon to enjoy some serious sledding on the University's Nameless Field.

City hires off-Grounds inspector

Charlottesville City Council passed a resolution Tuesday to put off-Grounds student housing to the test. Council accepted a proposal made by the University to hire an additional housing inspector for the City specifically responsible for neighborhoods in the University area.

Failed pipe fitting brings fire engines to Carr's Hill

A team of fire engines arrived at Carr's Hill yesterday after a fitting on a heating pipe failed, emitting steam and hot water in the basement of the house, according to University spokesperson Carol Wood. Facilities Management repaired the damaged fitting shortly after the incident occurred. "Everything is back to normal," Wood said. --Compiled by Becca Garrison

Local charity events planned for tsunami relief

University student groups and local businesses are taking part in the global tsunami relief effort by organizing fundraising events on Grounds and in the Charlottesville community. Several student groups are collaborating on their tsunami relief events.

Correction

Yesterday's news article "Rail advocates optimistic about funding" reported that Meredith Richard was the vice-mayor of Charlottesville.

U.Va. awarded alcohol abuse prevention grant

The University's Center for Alcohol and Substance Education received a $675,600 grant this week to educate fraternities and sororities about the negative effects of alcohol abuse. The University is one of seven schools to be awarded the three-year grant from the National Institute of Health's National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. CASE members drafted the grant proposal for the Rapid Response to College Drinking Problem grant competition last June.

University provides services to students affected by tsunami

University officials hope to account this week for about 300 students who are residents of countries affected by the Dec.

New wait list receives mixed reviews

The new electronic wait list system is alive in its pilot semester but has been met with mixed reviews by professors. The departments of biology, economics, politics, and Spanish/Italian currently are utilizing the electronic wait list to combat course over-enrollment. There are approximately 2,000 filled spots on the electronic wait lists.

Curry School aids local elementary school in raising test scores

The University's Curry School of Education will extend a helping hand to Clark Elementary in Charlottesville. The Curry School will help third- and fourth-grade students reach an 80 percent pass rate for the English Standards of Learning by the end of the 2006-2007 school year, the Daily Progress reported Monday. Gov.

Rescue squad volunteer dies in helicopter crash

A University of Virginia graduate and local volunteer for the Charlottesville- Albermarle Rescue Squad died in the line of duty Jan.

University revises sexual assault policy

In response to recent criticism of the University's sexual assault policy, the University administration released a preliminary revision of the policy.

WINTER WEATHER

Finance committee meeting bolsters charter status

The charter initiative received another push forward Tuesday after a meeting of the Virginia General Assembly finance committee, chaired by Speaker of the House William Howell, R-Stafford.

Rail advocates optimistic about funding

Advocates of increased consumer rail service expect the Virginia General Assembly to appropriate funds for the demonstration leg of the TransDominion Express, a rail route proposed to span the state. According to Barbara Hartley, vice president of business advocacy for the Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, it is likely that the General Assembly will allot the needed funds. "While there is no part of the $23 million rail budget earmarked for the TransDominion Express, we are reasonably certain that the project will push forward," Hartley said. According to Rex Hammond, president and CEO of the Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, the route would stretch from Bristol, in the southwest corner of the state, to Lynchburg, where it would split into two legs, one culminating in Richmond and the other in Washington, D.C.

General Assembly focuses on charter, transportation

Over the next two months, Virginia legislators will address topics ranging from roadway panhandling to an $850 million transportation plan. The General Assembly began its 2005 legislative session Jan.