As the issue of domestic partner benefits is debated at institutions nationwide, the University remains bound by Commonwealth law which currently does not include such benefits. Recently, more colleges and universities have granted benefits to domestic partners, said Wendy Repass, a member of U.Va.
In the wake of Tropical Storm Gaston, which unexpectedly dumped 14 inches of rain on Richmond last week, state and local officials are taking precautionary measures in anticipation of the arrival of Tropical Storm Frances. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for Albemarle County yesterday morning and predicted that the remnants of Frances would progress northeast into the mid-Atlantic states and impact the Charlottesville area through tomorrow. According to the NWS Web site, rainfall from the system could be significant across the region and could amount to as much as four inches. Dawn Eischen, spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, said state officials issued a warning Monday to area residents to prepare for potentially bad weather as Frances makes its way up the coast. "Just a couple of days ago we were all thinking Frances was going to hit Kentucky and Tennessee," she said.
One state, one law, varying interpretations. Though it was developed to maintain uniform building code standards nationwide, the recently-adopted International Fire Code has been a common cause of confusion across the Commonwealth. Among other things, the new code regulates the amount of flame-resistant and flame-retardant material that can be attached to a wall or ceiling and prohibits the use of combustible materials as wall decorations in multi-unit dwellings, including apartment buildings and student dormitories, said Jim Tidwell, the national director of fire service activities for the International Code Council. "The idea is to limit the potential for flash fires, which travel at a speed faster than people will normally exit a building," Tidwell said.
Popping a pill may actually be the latest and most effective weapon against addiction. Dr. Bankole Johnson, the newly recruited chair of the University's department of psychiatric medicine, soon will begin a second clinical trial studying the effects of the drug topiramate, currently used to treat epilepsy, at a University alcohol treatment center set to open early next year. An initial clinical trial conducted by Johnson at the University of Texas Health Science Center indicated that topiramate can actually help alcoholics quit drinking. "It just so happens that the medication developed for epilepsy has the same chemical properties that you need to combat the effects of alcohol on the brain," Johnson said.
A graduate research journal titled "Amalgam: The Virginia Interdisciplinary Review" was launched earlier this year by third-year graduate Engineering student Christopher Taylor.
DontGivetoUVA.com stopped accepting donations in late April and collected little money during its existence, despite receiving significant attention when it launched in February. The Web site, founded by two gay University alumni, asked potential donors to abstain from giving to the University and donate to the Web site instead as a protest against the University not providing benefits to its employees' same-sex partners.
Local radio station WTJU's music collection got a boost two weeks ago when a box of more than 100 CDs arrived at its doorstep. "There was a mixture of world music, classical music and jazz," WTJU Director Chuck Taylor said.
Third-year College student Jessica Stallings signs up for the Migrant Aidprogram at Madison House.
It's take two for the men of the ETA Lodge fraternity, as they try a second time to push for acceptance into the Inter-Fraternity Council since losing their national charter in 2002. ETA Lodge will place a stronger emphasis on its community service projects this year, specifically Habitat for Humanity, which the fraternity became involved with last year, ETA Lodge President Tyler Cain said. ETA Lodge is currently in the process of organizing a golf tournament set for late October.
In the fall of 1960, 35 male students selected for a new honors program at the University arrived at Echols dormitory.
Around the nation yesterday, millions of working Americans observed the national Labor Day holiday.
After years of delays and false starts, an Asian-American Studies program may finally be getting off the ground. College Council representative Thomas Gibson, Asian Student Union President Todd Aman and Anthropology Prof.
Some argue that Virginia, normally a quiet state during presidential elections, is heating up this year. Polling data and an infusion of resources are giving Democrats hope that Sen.
Rousing applause and singing voices filled Newcomb Hall Ballroom yesterday afternoon as the Office of African-American Affairs welcomed incoming black first years to the University at its annual event, "Harambee." Yesterday marked the 20th anniversary of Harambee, Swahili for "working together." According to African-American Affairs Dean M.
Two University engineering professors, Jack Hudson and John Scully, have developed a new theory on how rust forms, the University announced Friday.
Third-year College student Catherine Neale said she could not have completed her classes without it.
Virginia linebackers Kai Parham and Rich Bedesem take down Temple quarterback Walter Washington during Virginia's 44-14 season opening win.
Officials in the Charlottesville area have begun taking precautions to prevent as much damages and injuries as possible in the event that Hurricane Frances strikes the region. Despite the likelihood that an approaching cold front will absorb most of the storm, City, Albemarle County and University officials set an emergency plan into motion last week, University Spokesperson Carol Wood said. The plan calls for officials to respond based on weather conditions, whether they require student evacuations or the emergency continuation of services, as happened last year during Hurricane Isabel when the Observatory Hill Dining Hall remained open during a power outage with the help of refrigerated trucks. In case the operation of services is threatened, those relating to community safety come first, Wood said. "Certainly what takes priority is the hospital and patient care," she said. According to a press release from University and local emergency officials, residents and students should avoid driving or wading through standing and flowing water.
Thanks to a new Web site, University faculty and administrators have a new tool that allows them to make their opinions available to the public for debate and discussion. The Web site, Faculty Opinions, allows faculty to electronically publish papers in op-ed or short essay form. "The style essentially means the length is usually from 600 to 800 words and in a conversational newspaper style," said Charlotte Crystal, opinion editor of the new Web site. Crystal said the essays will include a wide range of topical issues. "Hopefully, if an op-ed is going to be good, it has to be very timely, very targeted, and a pointed piece with a strong opinion," University Spokesperson Carol Wood said. The site -- linked off of U.Va.
The University of Pittsburgh announced Sept. 1 that it will begin offering health benefits to the live-in partners of its employees -- regardless of sexual orientation -- in January 2005, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported yesterday. The debate over extending benefits to the same-sex partners of Pitt employees began when Deborah M.
