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University names Ariel Gomez next research VP

The University has named Dr. R. Ariel Gomez, a pediatric physician and long time faculty member, to the post of vice president for research and graduate studies. Gomez has served as the interim vice president since August 2001. A professor of pediatrics, Gomez has been a member of University faculty since 1984.


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Court upholds pornography filter mandate

The Supreme Court decided in favor of maintaining current pornography prevention laws in public libraries, in a decision announced June 23. Libraries that receive federal funding, including public school libraries, are required through the Children's Internet Protection Act to implement anti-pornography programs to prevent child access to pornography. The court said that the state interest in protecting children outweighs the right to access first-amendment protected content online.


News

New students arrive on Grounds for orientation

Questions about course selection, how much spending money you need in college and how to get to the student health center filled the corridors of Newcomb Hall this week as four hundred students from the class of 2007 arrived on grounds for orientation. During the month of July, most of the entering first years and transfer students will come to the University to attend one of seven two-day orientation sessions.


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Warner announces Virginia Tech, JMU BOV appointments

Governor Mark Warner announced appointments to Virginia's higher education oversight boards and various college and university boards of visitors, including those of Virginia Tech and James Madison, which both met with controversy this year, on Friday. The Governors Advisory Commission on Higher Education Board Appointments makes decisions on nominees based on "merit, experience, sound judgment and proven leadership," according to a press release. Warner expressed approval of the Commission's recommendations. "The outstanding men and women I am appointing today have demonstrated a commitment to work for the best interests of higher education in the Commonwealth," said Warner in a press release.


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JMU Board does not discuss contraception

During the June meeting of James Madison University's Board of Visitors, the Board did not discuss the signatures students gathered in protest of the Board's April 18 decision to discontinue dispensing emergency contraceptive pill on campus. The April decision by the JMU Board came in response to pressure from State Delegate Bob Marshall, who also campaigned for the University and other state schools to stop offering the pill at campus health centers.


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VQR editor, University alumnus dies in crash

On Monday, June 23, out-going Editor of the Virginia Quarterly Review Staige Blackford died after his vehicle was struck broadside by another vehicle. "His wife was making a left turn onto Arlington Boulevard from Emmett Street when the car was struck by a vehicle moving south on Emmett," Secretary of the Board of Visitors and friend Alexander Gilliam said. Gilliam and Charlottesville native Blackford began a friendship during their undergraduate years.


News

Court allows use of race in admissions

In a case with national implications, the Supreme Court on Monday upheld the University of Michigan's right to consider race in admissions, but declared Michigan's system of awarding admission points for race unconstitutional. The court split its decision on the two raced-based admissions cases.


News

Jefferson letters sell for thousands at auction

A collection of eight pieces of the correspondence of Thomas Jefferson, ranging from a one-page note concerning payment to the contractor hired to build a greenhouse at Monticello to a letter discussing the Lewis and Clark expedition, was offered for auction by Sotheby's in New York June 20th. The papers were sold as part of a larger sale of fine books and manuscripts with an emphasis on Americana, Selby Kiffer senior vice president of books and manuscripts for the auction house said. The letters, which fetched between $2,700 and $48,000 were sold anonymously to private American collectors he said. The letters offer a valuable look into the diplomatic history of the young nation, History Prof.


News

Sandridge, Ayers present construction plans to community

Amid models and drawings of planned construction efforts, College Dean Ed Ayers and Leonard W. Sandridge Jr, University executive vice president and chief operating officer, met with community members Tuesday in the Newcomb Hall ballroom to preview the University's intended growth in the foreseeable future. The meeting was intended to offer community members a view of planned construction efforts at the "30,000 foot level," Sandridge said, emphasizing the continued need for individual communication with residents of affected areas before and during specific projects.


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Latest Podcast

The University’s Orientation and Transition programs are vital to supporting first year and transfer students throughout their entire transition to college. But much of their work goes into planning summer orientation sessions. Funlola Fagbohun, associate director of the first year experience, describes her experience working with OTP and how she strives to create a welcoming environment for first-years during orientation and beyond. Along with her role as associate director, summer Orientation leaders and OTP staff work continually to provide a safe and memorable experience for incoming students.