She speaks five languages, has lived in six different countries and dances Sevillanas at University cultural events.
Often working behind-the-scenes, Director of Dining Services Brent Beringer oversees the many dining programs at the University, such as the dining halls, retail locations, catering services and vending machines. A graduate of Florida State University, Beringer worked in the private sector before joining the University's administration.
Many students volunteer with Madison House -- more than 3,000 every week. But few participate in multiple programs or accumulate 350 hours of service by graduation day.
The University has witnessed a series of high-profile crimes this academic year, including a stabbing, a shooting and several burglaries. Despite the seemingly unusual crime rate this academic year, the University Police crime index statistics reveal a decrease in crime since 1999.
Fulfilling volunteer experiences in high school prompted Tamika Griffin to become a Madison House volunteer during her first year at the University.
Abortion rights organizations on Grounds sponsored a benefit concert and a film showing this week to mark Reproductive Rights Week, which will culminate Sunday in a trip to Washington, D.C.
Third-year College student Chris Zirpoli (left) works the grill for students and professors in the Politics Department's Honors program.
The French Department used online evaluations last semester for the first time, but this semester, French students again will write their evaluations in class following a low number of completed online evaluations in the fall, Chair Kandioura Drame said. "The online evaluations across the board were fairly low," Drame said.
The University's endowment surpassed $2 billion for the first time, the Board of Visitors announced April 15. According to a report released by the Board's Finance Committee, the University endowment's ending balance was $2,013,600,000 as of March 31. "The endowment does support a substantial part of the budget so it is important that growth is at least on pace with inflation," said Collette Sheehy, University vice president of management and budget. Vice President of Finance Yoke San Reynolds said the endowment is supported mainly by two sources. "We knew the endowment has been gaining steadily due to gifts and investment returns," Reynolds said.
Reports of an "epidemic of childhood obesity" in America recently have been in the news. And with the tobacco industry being taken to court for its alleged responsibility in the deaths of millions from lung cancer and other smoking related illnesses, a similar move is being made to take the snack food industry, or "Big Food" as some have labeled them, to court. Whether or not the industry is responsible for our nation's increasing average BMI is an interesting topic that I leave for others to discuss -- however, it does raise an interesting question for those who will be providing health care for children in the future. A lawsuit or the threat of a lawsuit such as the one being discussed against Big Food rests on the idea that childhood obesity is causing long-term mental and physical harms. If the courts establish that these harms are serious enough to seek damages from those who make products that contribute to obesity, an interesting dilemma could arise for the everyday practitioner. For example, if a mother comes in with her 11 month old girl and it is discovered that not only does the daughter smoke, but her mother provides the cigarettes and even taught the child how to smoke, there is a good chance that Child Protective Services would become involved. Imagining this scenario with other substances that allegedly cause harm (drugs, pornography, alcohol) and the result would also most likely be a call to CPS.
Writing college admissions essays, taking SAT prep courses and conducting mock admissions interviews may not sound like the ideal way to spend a summer before senior year of high school.
Paul M. Peatross, Jr., Albemarle County circuit judge and adjunct professor at the Law School, announced Friday that he will no longer preside over criminal cases involving county prosecutors and public defenders, according to the Daily Progress. Peatross, Albemarle County's only circuit court judge, who has served on the bench since 1994, offered no explanation for his decision. Previously, Peatross heard every felony case in the county. Judge William R.
Students returning to the University next fall will find the Virginia state government running under its next two-year budget.
The General Assembly approved many of Gov. Mark R. Warner's amendments Wednesday but rejected amendments to bills on controversial issues such as civil unions and feticide at its one-day veto override session. Virginia legislators rejected Warner's amendment to a U.S.
After spending the past year implementing an intricate online voting system for the University, the newly-selected University Board of Elections members used paper ballots to elect their new chair and vice-chair Friday. Seven of the 10 new UBE members were present and elected first-year Engineering student Steve Yang as chair and first-year Medical student Alanna Rice as vice chair. Two members ran for chair, and three members ran for vice-chair.
WAKEFIELD, Va. -- With many legislators in Richmond still deadlocked over a budget compromise, former politicians met with community members an hour southeast of the capital to discuss politics over fish and beer yesterday afternoon. As the General Assembly entered its 99th day in session, keynote speaker Larry J.
Peace Corps officials announced Tuesday that the University generated more Peace Corps volunteers this year than any other medium-sized school in the nation. "We are thrilled that U.Va.'s numbers are going up," said Sara Johnston, spokesperson for the Mid-Atlantic regional recruiting office of the Peace Corps. According to Johnston, the University also is the largest producer of volunteers from colleges and universities of any size in the Mid-Atlantic region, which includes Delaware, North Carolina, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia and Washington D.C. Presently, the University has 75 alumni serving in countries such as Ghana, Bulgaria and Uzbekistan, signifying a 10 percent increase from last year.
The spring semester is not the only thing about to draw to a close. University officials said yesterday that construction of the new Harrison Institute/Small Special Collections Library is nearing completion and will be finished this summer. Donald Riggin Jr., senior project manager at Facilities Management, said while an official opening date has yet to be determined, library officials plan to open the new facility in October. "We've made good progress," Riggin said.
University administrators are working to ensure that when prospective students learn about both traditions and daily life at the University, they also will learn about Access UVa, the University's new $16 million financial aid initiative. University spokesperson Carol Wood, who is spearheading the University's plans to market and raise awareness about the initiative, reported on the early stages of those plans to the Board of Visitors' External Affairs Committee last Thursday. Following intensive discussions between administrators such as Dean of Admissions John A.
The University Women's Center last night presented, Janet Napolitano, Arizona governor and University Law School alumna, with its 2004 Distinguished Alumna Award, according to University Relations. Napolitano delivered a public lecture entitled, "Closing the Gap: The Necessity for Women in Leadership Positions" in the Law School's Caplin Auditorium.
