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Student political groups debate education

By Matt Galati | March 30, 2004

The Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society last night held a debate between representatives from the College Republicans and the University Democrats entitled "Education in America: A Political Perspective." The debate pitted the two student political organizations against one another in a series of prepared questions on educational political topics. Phi Eta Sigma Vice President Joshua Wu moderated the debate, which drew a crowd of about two dozen attendees. Wu opened the debate on the question of school vouchers' effectiveness in society and improving the educational system. "Educational attainment is directly tied to economic status," former University Democrats President Ian Amelkin said.

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Budget cuts spur community college tuition increases

By Cavalier Daily Staff | March 30, 2004

Virginia's community colleges experienced an increase in tuition per credit hour because of state budget cuts. According to Frank Friedman, the president of Piedmont Virginia Community College, the price per credit in the 2001-2002 school year to the 2003-2004 school year increased from $37.12 to $59.60 equating to a 60 percent hike in a two-year period. Even with the tuition hike, Piedmont administrators cut some courses and shortened the library hours. However, total enrollment at Piedmont has increased since the tuition hike. More students under the age of 20, especially those coming straight from high school, have been enrolling at Piedmont.

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Athletic Dept. to launch online ticket system

By AJ Frank | March 30, 2004

The University Athletic Department plans to implement a new online student ticketing system for the 2004-2005 men's basketball season, according to Director of Sports Promotion Andrew Rader. "In the last several years there has been an increased concern for the Athletic Department [because of] a declined interest and support in the Virginia basketball program," Rader said.

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Alderman residence hall suites burglarized

By Kathleen Meyers | March 30, 2004

Multiple break-ins at three of the Alderman Road residence halls early Saturday morning have many first-year residents on edge. In total, $5,700 in electronics and $25 in cash were taken from several suites in Dunglison, Dunnington and Courtenay dormitories sometime after 2:30 a.m., according to University Police Sgt.

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Police unveil new evidence display room

By Shannon Sturcken | March 30, 2004

The University Police Department celebrated the completion of a new evidence room Thursday that will feature a state-of-the-art computerized tracking system and consistent temperature regulation, University Police Lt.

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University alumnus tapped for space travel

By Christopher Jones | March 30, 2004

University graduate, scientist and entrepreneur Greg Olsen will be the next private citizen launched into space by Space Adventures, Inc., the company announced yesterday. Olsen, who earned his doctorate in materials science from the University in 1970, will become the third man launched into space by the Arlington, Va.-based Space Adventures, a privately-owned company that engages in space tourism and other space opportunities. Space Adventures, through an arrangement with the Russian Federal Space Agency, is set to send Olsen to the International Space Station for eight days in April 2005. Olsen said he is honored to be selected to travel into space. "I can't wait to get up there," Olsen said.

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Students not guilty of assault charges

By Corinne Shamy | March 30, 2004

Fourth-year College students and Sigma Chi fraternity members Kurt P. Rupprecht and John P. Selph were found not guilty yesterday of assault and battery charges stemming from an altercation in front of the Sigma Chi house Nov.

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BIS program sees large enrollment increase

By Sarah R. Gatsos | March 29, 2004

An increased number of adult students are seeking enrollment in the University's Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies program than in the past, BIS Student Services Coordinator Barbara Bragg said. "The program is growing by leaps and bounds," she said. Bragg said there currently are 150 students in the BIS program, adding that adult students are attracted to the educational atmosphere at the University. "It's U.Va, it's quality," she said.

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University Art Museum to present exhibit exploring racial identity, DNA

By Cavalier Daily Staff | March 29, 2004

The University Art Museum announced Friday it would feature a multimedia installation entitled "The Jefferson Suites," by contemporary artist and photographer Carrie Mae Weems, according to a University press release. The press release reported that Weems' work is meant to explore issues of racial and gender identity by examining advances in genetics and DNA technology.

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Students might help College pick new faculty

By Deirdre Erin Murphy | March 29, 2004

The University's tradition of student involvement may get an additional boost in the College. The Arts and Sciences Council, comprised of students representatives from the College, hopes to start a program that would increase student involvement in faculty hiring within the College. Although still in its preliminary stages, Council members said they hope the initiative will allow students to give input into who will be their next professor.

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DERBY DAYS GOES WESTERN

By Cavalier Daily Staff | March 29, 2004

As part of Sigma Chi Fraternity's philanthropic 'Derby Days' activities, first-year Chi Omega pledges Annie Coghill (center) and Libby Muldoon (right) performed a Western-style dance with their fellow pledges Saturday afternoon in the Amphitheater.

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Wisconsin students sue local bars for antitrust violations

By Cavalier Daily Staff | March 29, 2004

Two University of Wisconsin students have sued two dozen local bars, alleging the bars' agreement to end drink specials on weekends violates federal antitrust laws. According to a report in the Chronicle of Higher Education, the bar owners said they were convinced by Wisconsin Chancellor John D.

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Colleges cope with budget impasse

By Christopher Jones | March 29, 2004

As the time for Virginia public universities and colleges to set their budgets for the next fiscal year approaches, the Virginia General Assembly's budget impasse continues to keep those spending plans uncertain. With no state budget, universities and colleges are unsure how much money they will receive from the commonwealth next year and how much will have to be made up through tuition. Despite the uncertainty, most universities are dealing with the impasse by using tuition and financial aid estimates based on last year or based on proposed budgets in the General Assembly and waiting to see which budget will pass, according to school officials. James Madison University spokesperson Fred Hilton said a Board of Visitors meeting scheduled for last Friday was canceled because of the lack of a state budget.

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River oversight proposed

By Kevin James Wong | March 29, 2004

Virginia General Assembly members adopted a bill last Monday that would create a commission to protect the Rivanna river basin for Charlottesville and surrounding counties. The Assembly sent the bill, which passed without any objections, to the office of Gov.

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Honor officers elected at annual retreat

By Lauren Todd Pappa | March 29, 2004

Student Council President-elect Noah Sullivan is not the only student of that surname set to hold a high-ranking office next year.

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Recording Industry Association of America files lawsuits against students

By Cavalier Daily Staff | March 26, 2004

The Recording Industry Association of America continued its efforts to stop illegal online music swapping by filing federal lawsuits against users of university computer networks across the nation Tuesday. This round of lawsuits names 89 people with IP addresses from 21 different universities, including the University of Maryland at College Park, George Mason University, George Washington University, Georgetown University, Stanford University and University of California at Berkeley.

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Group monitors free speech

By Irina Bocarnea | March 26, 2004

An organization of campus judicial administrators called on universities across the country Monday to examine whether their policies protect their students' right to freedom of speech. The Association for Student Judicial Affairs passed a resolution urging colleges to review their rules for student conduct to ensure that the free speech rights of all university students are protected. ASJA President David Parrott said the group is concerned some college environments may stifle the expression of a broad spectrum of views. "We seek to provide resources that address the impact of offensive free speech and behavior on the university community and individual students," Parrott said.

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UJC elects Angela Carrico chairperson

By Lauren Todd Pappa | March 26, 2004

The University Judiciary Committee elected its new Executive Committee last night, choosing third-year College student Angela Carrico to head up the Committee as chairperson next year. "UJC has meant so much to me over the past three years, and this is just absolutely amazing that I'm now in a position to represent the Committee to the rest of the students," Carrico said.

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HooZone draws crowd for dinner, a cappella

By Neelam Patel | March 26, 2004

University students crowded Newcomb Plaza yesterday to listen to a cappella groups and eat free food donated by local restaurants for the first annual HooZone. HooZone, a new campaign launched by the Office of Health Promotion, was created by a group of University students who promote alcohol awareness, said Jennifer Bauerle, social norms coordinator for the Office of Health Promotion. HooZone was designed to educate University students about blood alcohol concentration and alcohol while providing a fun social atmosphere, she said. Students received wallet-sized cards that contain information about BAC. According to Bauerle, the BAC cards will help students be smart and safe when drinking.

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Film festival brings South Asian view

By Jayni Foley | March 26, 2004

The second annual Tasvir Film Festival opened Wednesday night with a more ambitious and diverse lineup of films than last year's debut, according to fourth-year College student Bilal Qureshi. Qureshi, along with third-year College student Shambhavi Singh, organized the festival, sponsored by the Center for South Asian Studies and Cinematheque. "This year we have films from Bangladesh and Pakistan, which is new," Qureshi said. The four-day festival will showcase seven films from across the South Asian region, ranging from the international hit "Bend it Like Beckham" to the Indian documentary screened Wednesday night. More than 50 people turned out to watch "Delhi Diary," a 2001 documentary on two critical events in the history of the Indian capital. Saturday's screening of "The Clay Bird" will be the Bengali film's East Coast premier.