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IFC sanctions three fraternities for 'dirty rush'

By Natasha Altamirano | September 3, 2003

The Inter-Fraternity Council sanctioned three fraternities Thursday for allegedly engaging in "dirty rush" activities. Each of the three fraternities allegedly took groups of mostly first-year "potential rushees" tubing on the James River prior to the official start of fall and spring rush, IFC President Ryan Ewalt said. Ewalt declined to discuss details regarding the sanctioned fraternities and their respective punishments, which were administered at an IFC Judiciary Committee hearing Thursday night. "Each fraternity was fairly but severely sanctioned," he said. David Bowman, IFC vice president of judiciary, presided over the hearings. "We are trying to set a strong precedent now and prevent dirty rushing in the future," Bowman said. "Dirty rush" is a term given to activities that resemble recruitment efforts which take place outside the designated time frame for rush.

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Formula could limit financial aid

By Anthony LaMesa | September 3, 2003

Many students will have to dig much deeper into their pockets to pay for college next year because of a little-publicized change in formulas used for federal financial aid eligibility. The United States Department of Education updated the formula the federal government uses to calculate estimated financial need for student aid in May. According to Larry Zaglaniczny, director of congressional relations for the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, the update allows students and their parents to count less of the money they pay in state taxes against the cost of their education. "They calculated for the year 2000 and that was at the height of a good economy and as a consequence, a number of states reduced their tax burden," Zaglaniczny said.

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Books, beer generate controversy in Nebraska

By Cavalier Daily Staff | September 3, 2003

A private bookstore near the University of Nebraska-Lincoln no longer will offer a coupon for free beer at a local brewery to students buying textbooks at their store after receiving criticism over the promotion. UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman and Lincoln Police Chief Tom Casady said the sales promotion, which has sparked national attention, spreads the wrong message about college life and alcohol. Bookstore General Manager Chuck Bills said while he could understand the reaction against the promotion, he still hopes his store can run "outrageous promotions" in the future to compete with UNL's university-owned store. Linda Major, director of UN Directions, a program created to curb UNL student alcohol consumption, said she supported the right of Nebraska Bookstore to run marketing campaigns and promotions, as long as they do not further contribute to the intertwining of alcohol and college life.

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Michigan announces new admissions policy

By Jon Breece | September 3, 2003

The University of Michigan unveiled a new undergraduate admissions policy Thursday, which both promises substantial changes to the mechanics and structure of undergraduate admissions and a continued commitment to diversity. The announcement comes a little over two months after the U.S.

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Council gets approval for new reading days

By Whitney Garrison | September 3, 2003

As of the 2004-2005 school year, students will enjoy the relief of an additional reading day in both their fall and spring exam schedules. Student Council President Daisy Lundy presented an amended University calendar last night at the Council meeting, complete with the addition of the long sought-after reading days. The new exam schedule guarantees there never will be more than three consecutive exam days in a row and marks the culmination of a year-long effort by Council. Lundy worked closely with the administration over the summer in order to ensure the execution of the reading days proposal last year's Council President Micah Schwartz initially proposed last fall. The University published the 2004-2005 calendar July 30 with President John T.

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Health system receives $5.5 million grant for research

By Spencer Baumgardner | September 3, 2003

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development recently renewed a grant to the University Center for Research in Reproduction.

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TIME FOR AN ARK?

By Cavalier Daily Staff | September 3, 2003

As if last week's downpours were not sufficient reminders of the storm season, a thunderstorm of celestial proportions passed over Charlottesvilleyesterday afternoon, leaving unlucky students drenched in its wake.

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Virginia tax amnestyprogram set to begin soon

By Cavalier Daily Staff | September 3, 2003

Under a new program designed to help close Virginia's seemingly constant budget gap, Virginians who pay overdue state tax bills between now and Nov.

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Group aims to create gay frat at U.Va.

By Mary Pumphrey | September 2, 2003

Date functions at the University might have a new spin next year with the potential addition of a new fraternity to the University. "Out on Rugby," a probationary fraternity, hopes to promote the interests of male homosexual University students while offering its members the benefits of Greek life associated with mainstream fraternities.

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Feds nab high school 'Blaster' worm suspect

By Dawn Saur | September 2, 2003

Federal agents believe they have apprehended the cyber-hacker responsible for unleashing one version of the Blaster worm, which recently has infected many University computers. Jeffery Lee Parson, an 18-year-old student from Hopkins, Minn., may face up to 10 years in jail and a fine of up to $250,000 for intentionally causing damage to protected computers, news services reported yesterday. By order of U.S.

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Radford makes strides toward fundraising goals

By Cavalier Daily Staff | September 2, 2003

Fellow Virginia public school Radford University has raised more than 65 percent of its goal fund during the first phase of its $40 million capital campaign, which kicked off in 2000. School officials attributed the bulk of the funds to several generous donations from private donors. Donations include a 78-acre hospital property given by Carilion Health system, valued at $8.5 million, as well as $800,000 from the estate of the late Hazel Winesett, class of 1938. Radford's "Building a Legacy" campaign follows on the heels of a previous effort which reaped $26.6 million, overshooting the target by $5 million. The money is earmarked for a range of endeavors including scholarships, fellowships, wellness programs, athletics, facilities enhancements and improvements to the university's Business Technology park. The university has been actively pursuing frequent donors likely to make major contributions during this first wave of the effort and will expand in May 2004 with an effort to reach out to a larger audience likely to make smaller gifts.

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IFC drops fraternities from 2003 active roster

By Natasha Altamirano | September 2, 2003

The Inter-Fraternity Council officially will recognize fewer Greek organizations than in years past after they dropped two of their affiliated fraternities last week. Low membership numbers prompted Sigma Alpha Mu alumni to revoke the charter of the fraternity's University chapter, according to IFC President Ryan Ewalt. "The alumni decided it was time to close down the house and refocus their efforts on starting brand new," Ewalt said. Although the decision was made in the spring, it did not officially go into effect until the first day of classes last week. "I had a conversation with the [Sigma Alpha Mu] president last spring, who indicated that they wanted to continue as an IFC fraternity," said Aaron Laushway, associate dean of students and director of fraternity and sorority life.

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Davis gears up for Senate Chair role

By Lauren Pappa | September 2, 2003

As the University begins a new semester, leadership of the Faculty Senate has shifted to newly elected Chair Robert E.

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Martha Jefferson Hospital Turns 100

By Cavalier Daily Staff | September 2, 2003

The historic Martha Jefferson Hospital, located in downtown Charlottesville, will turn 100 soon. The hospital has plans to celebrate their centennial from September to July. The facilities' history is rife with heroism and quirks.

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University avoids game day parking congestion

By Nick Chapin | September 2, 2003

Despite fear of a parking shortage, power outages, heavy storms and the largest recorded crowd at a University sporting event, transportation and parking problems were few and far between Saturday as the Cavaliers hosted Duke in their season football opener. Though a new garage at the intersection of Ivy Road and Emmet Street designed to provide added game day parking has not yet opened due to construction slowed by weather and local protests, officials said no fans were turned away from University parking facilities. "We're always trying to make things better," said Parking and Transportation Director Rebecca White.

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SCHAUB SPECULATIONS ABOUND

By Cavalier Daily Staff | September 2, 2003

Following Heisman hopeful Matt Schaub's sudden injury during the Cavaliers' season opener against Duke, both Virginia and ACC circuits were flooded with rumors concerning when the quarterback would return.

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Storms bring inconvenience, fun for students

By Sarah Gatsos | September 1, 2003

Some students lit candles and did homework. Others stood and watched the sky. And for many students, last week's severe thunderstorm provided an opportunity to take a break from schoolwork and just play in the rain. Following a power transmission failure between the University and its electrical provider, Virginia Power, approximately 12,000 residents located throughout Central Grounds and surrounding areas lost power Thursday from 9:10 p.m.

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New Board Created to Help Staff Union

By Cavalier Daily Staff | September 1, 2003

The University has formed a new advisory board that will aid the Staff Union. The board consists of community members, business and political leaders.

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Residence staff implements new fire code

By Angela Manese-Lee | September 1, 2003

When the state's new international standard fire code goes into effect in October, University housing will already be safely in line. Since move-in, members of the residence staff have been educating on-Ground residents on the new rules, which include a decoration policy banning paper lanterns, combustible wall hangings and decorative items suspended from the ceiling. "We started informing residents when they moved in, so, instead of them getting fined in October when the fire chief comes around, they know beforehand," said Tricia Amberly, a fourth-year College student and Alderman Road co-chair of residence staff. According to Amberly and third-year senior resident Barrie Moorman, opposition to the restrictions has been minimal among new students. "In the first year area it's easier to enforce because they don't have anything to compare it to," Moorman said.

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Lost Toys Soon to Arrive on East Coast

By Cavalier Daily Staff | September 1, 2003

A shipment of nearly 29,000 floating toys was lost at sea in 1992.The cargo included rubber duckies, beavers and turtles. While typically it takes water six years to travel completely around the North Pacific, it took the ducks only three with the aid of strong winds. They were half way between China and Seattle when a violent storm lodged 20 containers of rubber duckies into the ocean. The toys were said to have been frozen in the artic, which has caused the once yellow hue of the plastic to turned white.