News

Electronic wait system reduces e-mail traffic

During the first four days of course enrollment via ISIS, the newly implemented electronic waiting list system has effectively restricted the often overwhelming amounts of e-mail traffic that professors receive from students requesting access into classes, according to University professors. Professors from the Spanish, biology, economics and politics departments -- the four departments now using electronic waiting lists -- praised its positive results. The new system "has been effective in reducing the amount of e-mail traffic; students seem to have gotten the word about the waiting lists," Politics Prof.

Study by University professor finds no difference between children of same-sex, heterosexual couples

Children of same-sex couples are no different from children in traditional families based on a variety of health indicators, according to a new study by University Psychology Prof.

Students stage silent protest

What began as an e-mail to 15 students calling for a response to the University's sexual assault policy turned into a silent crowd of hundreds of students, faculty and staff gathered on Grounds yesterday to call for changes in a system that organizers termed inadequate at responding to and preventing sexual assault. An estimated 400 students, faculty, staff and community members lined the sidewalk bordering the Amphitheater in a line stretching from the Lawn to the Bryan Hall bridge.

Spring break trip to benefit Nicaraguan orphans

While most students have not even begun to think about their Spring Break plans, members of the Nicaragua Orphans Fund have begun to organize their plans and spearhead a fundraising campaign. The group will hold a benefit concert tonight with all proceeds going towards its annual trip to Nicaragua during spring break 2005.

Rescue squad honored

The Commonwealth of Virginia commended the Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad Tuesday for its outstanding service to over 150,000 citizens. "I think it is an important message to our volunteers who don't always receive the proper recognition for the hard work they are doing," Squad President David Starmer said.

Casteen holds final employee charter briefing

University President John T. Casteen, III, held the sixth and final University charter initiative briefing before a crowd of faculty, staff and students in the Special Collections Library Auditorium yesterday afternoon.

MPAA to launch lawsuits against illegal movie traders

The Motion Picture Association of America announced it will follow the Recording Industry Association of America's lead and sue people who illegally trade movies online, according to a report in The Chronicle of Higher Education. The MPAA lawsuits, which began Tuesday, could target college students trading movies on their universities' networks.

REMEMBERING INGO

City calls for repeal of civil union ban

Local Charlottesville officials spoke out against Richmond legislation at Monday night's City Council meeting.

Charter opponents hold teach-in

University students, faculty and staff and Charlottesville community members held a teach-in last night in Clark Hall to address a charter initiative that may change the relationship between the Commonwealth of Virginia and the University. The legislation before the House of Delegates would give the Boards of Visitors at the University, the College of William and Mary and Virginia Tech the right to set tuition, increase enrollment, issue bonds, set faculty and staff salaries and commence building projects independently in exchange for a reduction in state appropriations. University President John T.

Council OKs late-night bus services

Student Council unanimously approved a resolution last night to endorse the implementation of late-night bus routes through the University Transit Service on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Currently, UTS stops bus routes at 12:20 a.m.

Study: Youth turnout increased

Despite national reports that the turnout rate for young voters in the presidential election was no higher than in 2000, a University of Maryland study found that 20.9 million voters between the ages of 18 and 29 participated -- 4.6 million more young voters than the 2000 election. Similarly, the number of youth voters in Virginia between the ages of 18 and 29 reached 550,000, reflecting a 12 percent increase from the 2000 election, according to statistics compiled by Virginia21, a Richmond-based political action tank.

Airport sets monthly passenger record

During the month of October, the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport broke its previous passenger record set in March. The October passenger record was 11.5 percent higher than the 2003 October mark, Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport Chairman Kurt Goodwin said. More than 18,000 passengers traveled through the airport this October -- 2,000 more travelers than in October 2003. "We are doing a lot to promote the airport," Goodwin said.

Single Sanction: Scapegoat or Suspect?

Since its creation in 1842, the honor system has employed the single sanction of expulsion to uphold the highest standard of academic integrity at the University.

Campers left in the cold

Despite the record-setting crowd for Saturday's ACC showdown with Miami, it wasn't all fun and games for some Wahoo diehards. Starting late last Wednesday night, the first groups of students could be found camping out for the prime seats for Saturday's ACC showdown.

QUITTING TIME

Week's events focus on international education

Yesterday kicked off the University's celebration of International Education Week, a series of events coordinated through the Lorna Sundberg International Center and intended to recognize and celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange. "I hope that this week will serve as a jumping off point to develop interest in the rest of the world, as well as a personal understanding to treasure it," Center Director Suzanne Louis said. The week is part of a national effort by the U.S.

Job prospects this year brighter for class of 2005

American employers expect to hire 13.1 percent more new graduates in 2005 than they did last year, according to a survey recently conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Students majoring in mechanical engineering, finance, electrical engineering, economics, computer science, business administration or accounting have the best chance of finding jobs, according to the survey. "Virginia graduates stand a great chance of finding employment opportunities," University Career Services Director Jim McBride said.

SOLD OUT CROWD

Students were turned away from a packed room at last night's lecture by Rev. Irene Monroe, who discussed the role religion plays in discrimination against the LGBT community.Daisy Lundy, graduate assistant for the Kaleidoscope, said the high attendance was unexpected."We were incredibly excited by the turnout," Lundy said.

Online education courses experience an increase in enrollment, satisfaction

Enrollment in online courses nationwide increased dramatically last year and is expected to continue to increase, according to a study by the Sloane Foundation reported in The Chronicle of Higher Education. The Sloane Foundation surveyed 1,170 institutions last spring.