News

Lack of diversity hurts health care system, study finds

Lack of diversity in health care professions could lead to poor health care for minorities, according to a study issued yesterday and outlined in the Chronicle of Higher of Education. In a report by the Sullivan Commission on Diversity in the Healthcare Workforce, commission members found that "minority physicians, dentists, and nurses are more likely to serve minority and medically underserved populations." A shortage of minorities in health care professions harms minority populations, and since healthy communities tend to prosper, the population at large will suffer if the trend continues, the report concluded. "Cultural differences, a lack of access to health care, combined with high rates of poverty and unemployment, contribute to the substantial ethnic and racial disparities in health status and health outcomes," the report said. The report, titled "Missing Persons: Minorities in the Health Professions," was funded by Duke University's School of Medicine. The report suggests colleges and universities can play an important role in bringing more minorities into health care professions. The percentage of blacks, Hispanics and American Indians is not only disproportionate in the health care work force, it is also low in the faculty and student bodies of professional schools, the study found. Whether it is by shifting from loans to scholarships, decreasing the focus on standardized tests or boosting the image of two-year colleges in training minorities, the commission strongly advocated making education more achievable and financially reasonable to increase diversity. Officials at the University's medical and nursing schools could not be reached by press time. --Compiled by Esther Kim

Writing program pairs new, experienced profs

Struggling with term papers and theses is a constant for many liberal arts students. But professors, who write for a living, also suffer from occasional writer's block.

University to receive free cancer drug

The University's Medical Center will receive a free supply of the drug Taxol as a result of a recent legal settlement, according to the Hampton Roads Daily Press. States involved in the lawsuit claimed Bristol-Myers Squibb tried to keep the generic form of Taxol from reaching the market.

New program seeks to impart international view

The University's first "diplomat in residence," Leonard H. Robinson, Jr., spoke before an 80-person crowd dining in the Rotunda last night, marking the inauguration of the University's Diplomat Scholars Program. The program is designed for University students interested in foreign affairs and international service to receive mentorship and career advice from diplomats active in the world today. Robinson, the president and CEO of the Africa Society, a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit, gave a speech on "The Urgency of International Education." He said he hopes his work at the University will "overcome the barriers that divide us here [so that] as a nation we can modify our image of being indifferent to other nations." Fourth-year College student Devon Knudsen, a foreign affairs major, said she was excited to see the program finally commence. Last year, Knudsen began to act on what she described as a "void that needed to be filled" at the University -- support for students interested in international studies. Now, months later, Devon is seeing the result of her persistence -- the creation of the Diplomat Scholars Program. Knudsen took her idea for a "diplomat in residence" to many faculty members at the University and was told that she had "great ideas, but it wasn't going to happen," according to Knudsen.

Theater announces season lineup

Broadway casts and Grammy-winning musical performers will make their way onto the stage of Charlottesville's Paramount Theater in its upcoming inaugural season. After a 30-year intermission, the Paramount Theater on the Downtown Mall announced Friday the schedule for its upcoming season -- including 25-cent tickets to showings of "The Wizard of Oz" and "Casablanca" and a pre-opening fundraising gala featuring Tony Bennett. City leaders said they anticipate that the theater's reopening, set for Dec.

Prof. Rita Dove sworn in as poet laureate of Va.

University English Prof. Rita Dove was formally sworn in as Poet Laureate of Virginia yesterday at the U.S.

LAST DAYS OF SUMMER

Coalition of student groups promotes absentee ballots

As the presidential election draws closer, two local registration and absentee ballot drives already have done their part to encourage student voting. The Center for Politics and a coalition of student groups have passed the two-thirds mark in their goal of registering and distributing absentee ballots to 2,004 students.

Homecomings spirit shines through rain

A tornado warning didn't scare everyone away from Friday night's Homecomings festivities. Although the second annual event moved from the Mad Bowl to Memorial Gymnasium because of inclement weather, it managed to attract over 1,500 students, said Farah Dilber, University Programs Council summer programs chair. "It was really successful in spite of the rain," Dilber said.

Ivan spares Grounds; Northern Va. not so lucky

While the University escaped Ivan relatively unscathed, the former category-four hurricane wreaked havoc on several parts of Northern Virginia. Gov.

PREPARING TO MARCH

Tibetan activist opts for open trial

The University Judiciary Committee will hold what could be its first-ever open trial this Thursday, Committee Chair Angela Carrico announced last night. The trial is slated to begin this Thursday at 7 p.m.

Program eases transition to University for new faculty

Fitting in at the University can sometimes be a challenging undertaking. Whether it is standing in line at Observatory Hill dining hall or teaching history in front of a 100-person class, student and faculty newcomers alike can easily feel lost in the crowd. The University's Excellence in Diversity Fellowship Program, which establishes connections between first-year faculty and various members of the University community, has nearly doubled in size this year, according to program founder Jose D.

Students educated, entertained at hooFest

Students had ample opportunity to relax and have fun at the Office of Health Promotion's "hooFEST" last night in the Amphitheatre, where OHP staff passed out cards describing blood alcohol concentration and cups promoting alcohol awareness. Popular University a cappella groups, free snacks and "mocktails" provided the motivation for many students to attend hooFEST despite the ominous weather. "HooFEST is fun because I get free food and a card that tells me how to stay out of the red zone," third-year College student Amanda Smith said. Some students said they brought large groups of friends to the event. Third-year College student Megan Bernier, a resident advisor, attended the event with a group of her first-year residents. "I brought my residence hall so that they could learn about alcohol consumption in a non-threatening social environment," Bernier said. Social Norms Marketing Coordinator Jennifer Bauerle, who planned the event, said she hoped the attendees left with a new attitude toward drinking. "The aim of hooFEST is to create an event where students will have fun, while becoming more aware of the effects alcohol may have on them," Bauerle said.

Grow a replacement for your jaw... on your back

I had never really appreciated the importance of eating. Usually, I grab a quick meal at the hospital cafeteria and inhale it while reading the newspaper or the Internet before getting on with my day.

Local officials urge caution as Ivan heads north

Tropical Storm Ivan weakened as it made landfall on the Gulf Coast yesterday, but both University and commonwealth officials continue to urge caution on the part of students and the general public as the storm moves northward. The National Weather Service was predicting yesterday evening that the center of the storm would not cross Virginia.

New groups confront honor

As the honor system receives increased scrutiny from faculty and Honor Committee members, two new groups of concerned students emerged this week ready to raise their voices on honor issues. Students for the Preservation of Honor is dedicated to preserving the honor system's traditions, while another group formed this week, Hoos Against the Single Sanction, is dedicated to eliminating one of them. Third-year College student Josh Hess, an honor support officer, announced the creation of SPH on Tuesday. The group's two main goals are to "advocate for a set of policies which seek to preserve the honor system's greatest traditions like the single sanction and student self-governance" and to "energize the honor policy-making process by expanding it to the community of trust at large," according to a press release. SPH members support a platform they call the "Culture of Accountability." They say the creation of the honor system in 1842 marked a transition from a culture of violence and unruliness to one in which every student is responsible for his actions. "We are going to advocate for policies that remind us that we are accountable and that we do have a responsibility for honor's upkeep," Hess said. In an effort to maximize student exposure to the honor system, Hess said the group is looking into policy proposals that will help revitalize the "Culture of Accountability." At last Sunday's Honor Committee meeting, SPH member Matt Miller presented his "Honor Update" program which would post flyers containing "relevant, public information" about honor trials and initiations in dormitories, libraries and dining halls around Grounds. "We want to give honor a more public, approachable face," Miller said.

Italian Society President Laura Galante and Social Chair Maria Petrini eat gelato at the Italian Society's first meeting last night.

University named one of 50 best colleges for girls

The University was named one of the 50 "best colleges for girls" in the October issue of CosmoGIRL!

Pep Band awaits verdict on appearance

The Virginia Pep Band continues to worry about the way its role is evolving at the University. Band members are upset about ambiguity surrounding their ability to perform at tonight's Homecomings rally, Pep Band Director Rebecca Louie said. Louie, Newcomb Hall Director Bill Ashby and Patricia Lampkin, vice president for student affairs, are holding a meeting this morning to discuss the nature of the Pep Band's proposed skit and whether the Pep Band will be allowed to perform tonight. Since today's Homecomings activities are a University-sponsored event, Lampkin said she "wanted to understand what role [the Pep Band is] playing" in today's show. As of press time, the Pep Band's spot is held for tonight's rally, Lampkin said. But earlier yesterday evening, Ashby told Louie the Pep Band could not perform at the show. The Pep Band had planned since last weekend to perform a skit designed as a spoof on the Lord of the Rings in which a Pep Band member would play Frodo Baggins and take on Akron's mascot, Zippy.