University Police and the Charlottesville Fire Department responded to a fire alarm tripped by an unknown individual at Clemons Library around 1:40 p.m.
The City Board of Architectural Review heard a preliminary outline Tuesday for a project to convert vacant buildings in the Downtown Mall into living quarters, the Daily Progress reported yesterday. Developer Keith Woodard has put forth plans to build between 29 and 34 apartments or condominiums in three buildings currently boarded-up on the Downtown Mall. Woodard also proposed building a seven to 10-story tower for a vacant sight on the Downtown Mall. The preliminary design calls for the retention of at least the facades and possibly the entire buildings at 101, 105 and 111 E.
A new Contracted Independent Organization on Grounds now offers University students the chance to prevent blindness and improve eye care around the world, one pair of eyeglasses at a time. First-year College students Juliana Minak and Kory Forrest recently co-founded the University's chapter of Unite for Sight, a nonprofit organization that works to reduce health inequalities, specifically those pertaining to vision, both in the United States and abroad.
The student pro-life advocacy group First Right hosted two activists last night, marking the highlights of their annual pro-life awareness week. Kristen Day, executive director from Democrats for Life and Day Gardner, director from Black Americans for Life, spoke to members of the University community about their standpoints on abortion. First Right spokesperson Greg Chudy said the group chose these speakers in order to receive and present a different perspective on the issue of abortion and show that the pro-life movement encompasses diverse groups and transcends divisions of race and political party. First Right kicked off pro-life week by displaying over 4,000 silk roses that spelled out "Thanks Mom," in the Amphitheatre Monday. The roses commemorated the 43 million lives lost since the passage of Roe v.
Despite the economic downturn in the nation's airline industry after Sept. 11, 2001, a record-setting number of passengers utilized the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport in February. A total of 26,775 travelers either arrived at or departed from the airport last month.
Student Council passed a resolution Tuesday night supporting the extension of University insurance benefits to domestic partners and other family members.
The status of a proposed Student Council amendment included on the spring election ballot earlier this month remains a topic of confusion. The amendment, which would extend voting rights to the First Year Council President and the Transfer Student Liaison, received 3,640 "yes" votes and 1,296 "no" votes.
You remember the feeling. Grinding out application after application. Wondering if you took enough Advanced Placement classes.
The Virginia Senate rejected a resolution from Del. Mitchell Van Yahres, D-Charlottesville, to honor the University Pep Band's 30th anniversary, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported. Van Yahres proposed the resolution to praise the "joyful music and good-natured humor" of the Pep Band. The resolution was rejected in a voice vote. The University removed the Pep Band from the football halftime show after it portrayed West Virginians as hillbillies in the fall of 2003.
Virginia's budget stalemate continues, with no end in sight. After a final lengthy session, the General Assembly adjourned yesterday without passing a budget for the next two years, but Gov.
In an effort to prevent students from potentially submitting a dishonorable conscientious retraction, an ad hoc committee has recently been appointed to review the conscientious retraction policy, Honor Committee Chair Carey Mignerey said. "The Committee remains committed to the concept and philosophy of a conscientious retraction, and at the same time we're looking to ensure that the system is not exploited but rather helps maintain our community of trust," Mignerey said. The conscientious retraction allows a student who has violated the honor code to remain in the community of trust by coming forth on his own will, admitting the act and making amends for it, according to ad hoc committee member David Hobbs. In order for the conscientious retraction to be valid, the bylaw states that it must be submitted "before the student has reason to believe that the relevant act has come under suspicion by anyone." Hobbs said the creation of the ad hoc committee was not spurred by recent abuse of the system but rather was a preemptive measure to ensure that potential exploitation does not occur in the future. "It isn't a major problem right now," he said.
The Wahoo Informational Service to the Electorate is handing out pamphlets providing information about the general election around Grounds this morning, continuing an initiative to provide easier access to political information. Every week for the remainder of the semester, WISE will focus on an issue in the upcoming presidential election, outline it and give a brief description of each candidate's stance, all within an easy-access pamphlet, WISE founder Thomas Yeatts said. "The idea is that most students aren't regular participants in politics," Yeatts said.
The first student election under the management of the University Board of Elections proceeded without any major hitches, UBE President Brian Cook said yesterday. "Given the limited time we had to put together this election, it was a resounding success," Cook said. Cook said the UBE plans to send an e-mail to the University student body within the next week to garner interest in participating on next year's board. UBE member Justin Bernick said new members will become part of a vastly improved system, despite its rapid creation. "This year was much more successful, mainly because of the general quality of the people on the board," Bernick said. Bernick emphasized the amount of time and dedication this year's board members put into organizing the election. More endorsing organizations participated in this year's election process and more schools expressed interest in the new system, Bernick said. The system also drew a higher number of voters than usual.
Yesterday was Tornado Preparedness Day in Virginia, as proclaimed by Gov. Mark Warner. A state-wide drill took place at 9:45 a.m.
Charlottesville City Council members are debating a proposed 7 percent increase in this year's budget in response to continued cuts in state reimbursements to local governments. The proposed $100 million budget is a $7 million increase from last year. While Council has not proposed any new programs or any increases in programs already in existence, the City must make up the difference for a lack of funding from the state government. "The increase in our budget picks up where the state left off," Council member Blake Caravati said. This year's City budget must accommodate a $2 million decrease in state reimbursements for local public schools and a $700,000 decrease for local jails.
The University's Raven Society will commemorate its 100th anniversary Saturday in a black tie event, attended by over 600 of the Society's members. "We are very excited to be making our 100th anniversary," Raven Society President Cameron Howell said in a University press release.
A second chance at life is now a heartbeat away for patients with end-stage heart failure. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently approved the use of the HeartMate as a destination therapy, meaning that patients use the device for long-term treatment, University Cardiac Transplant Coordinator Beth Fallin said. The HeartMate is an assistive device, not an actual artificial heart, Fallin said.
A fourth-year College student was killed in a single-car accident March 5 on his way to Florida, and three other University students, including the driver, were injured. Ernest Trezevant "Bo" Buchanan, IV died in the accident, which occurred at the 19th mile marker of North Interstate 95 near Brunswick, Ga., according toGeorgia State Patrol Officer Brian Hood. Police were notified of the accident at 10 p.m., Hood said. The driver of the vehicle, a fourth-year College student who requested not to be named, said the accident occurred when she swerved to avoid hitting a deer in the middle of the road and lost control of the vehicle.
The Lawn selection committee recently determined the 185th class of students to live in Mr. Jefferson's Academical Village. The committee received 250 applications this year for 47 rooms. Formal decision letters were mailed Feb.
Charlottesville unemployment rose from 2.7 percent in December to 3 percent at the beginning of 2004 after heavy retail business tapered off following the fall and holiday seasons. The rise is a typical annual trend in employment, Virginia Employment Commission Researcher Bill Metzger told WINA news last week. "Most of the unemployment increase is a result of the higher retail business during the Christmas season at local shopping centers," said Aubrey Watts, director of the Charlottesville Office of Economic Development.
