News

Preliminary construction begins at site of new arena

With $75 million in donations secured for construction of the University's new multi-purpose arena, early site work will begin today, ushering in over three years of construction around Grounds in support of the massive project. Some fencing already was erected Saturday at the North end of the Massie Road parking lot, where the majority of early site work will commence, Arena Project Director Richard B.

Virginia Tech mourns death of graduate in Iraq grenade attack

Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets graduate Jeffrey Kaylor was killed in a grenade attack Monday in Iraq. He is believed to be the fourth Virginian to have died during the war. Kaylor, 24, served as second lieutenant on reconnaissance with the C Battery, 39th Artillery Battalion, Fort Stewart, Ga. Fellow graduates recalled Kaylor's bravery during training at Tech. "If there was something we didn't want to do, he would be there doing it first," said Elizabeth Tedrick a senior cadet, who was a member of Kaylor's cadre her freshman year. Friends and family held a wreath laying ceremony in Kaylor's memory at the Virginia Tech War Memorial Chapel in Blacksburg, Va.

Honor elects new subcommittee chairs

As the Honor Committee switches hands, the new Committee voted last night to appoint third-year College students Okem Nwogu and Sean Driscoll as subcommittee chairs for 2003-2004. Nwogu will be the new chair of the diversity advisory board, a group devoted to increasing outreach to every group on Grounds, from minorities to athletes to Greek and non-Greek organizations. "It's a critical role, especially with the social climate of the University," Nwogu said.

Future Range residents choose rooms

The 51 graduate students living on the Range during the upcoming school year met Sunday to select their rooms. The future residents were chosen from a pool of 71 applicants in February and March through a process run by graduate students. Applicants submitted a 500-word essay about their contributions to a greater sense of community among Range residents and among all graduate students as well. The selected committee was composed of 17 current Range residents. Future residents already can look forward to some aspects of the 2003-2004 school year.

ON THE CATWALK

Epidemic halts programs in China

Following a State Department travel warning issued for China on April 3, the University decided to cancel summer study abroad programs in Shanghai and Beijing Wednesday. Close to 60 students planned to participate in the three programs -- the Shanghai Gateway Program, the U.Va.

Casteen delivers State of University Address

Budget woes, slipping national rankings and race relations were among the major issues which University President John T.

Greek Awards gather four councils together

The Inter-Greek Committee hosted its second annual Greek Awards Ceremony Wednesday night, marking one of the first major events organized collaboratively by the four Greek councils. The IGC is comprised of representatives from the four councils: The Inter-Fraternity Council, Inter-Sorority Council, Black Fraternal Council and Multicultural Greek Council. "It was good to see so many different diverse fraternities and sororities with different backgrounds and goals -- whether social or service," said Joe Obi, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. president and a presenter at Wednesday's awards.

Foxfield officials to offer ABC compromise

With the annual spring Foxfield races scheduled to take place in 15 days and the status of its liquor license in jeopardy, Foxfield officials said they will propose a settlement to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board later today. If Foxfield's offer is accepted, it will negate the need for an appeals hearing scheduled for Tuesday, April 15.

Spring Fling aims to sustain black enrollment

University officials and student groups hope to stave off a drop in the number of black students accepting admissions offers from the University by fielding difficult questions at this weekend's Spring Fling. Spring Fling is an annual orientation program held for black students who have been accepted to the University.

A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

Students gathered last night on the south steps of the Rotunda for a vigil organized in conjunction with "Lifting the Darkness," a week devoted to depression and suicide awareness.

Faculty asks BOV for non-voting member

In his semester report to the Board of Visitors this past Saturday, Faculty Senate Chair Michael J.

Budget cuts threaten museum's funding

A University branch of the Virginia Museum of Natural History could become the latest casualty of Virginia's slash and burn budget balancing if it can not raise $150,000 by August. The small museum, located across from the Cavalier Inn on Emmett Street, must acquire funds to pay its three part-time staff members or it will be forced to close, according to Branch Director Dela Alexander. An additional 15 percent cut to the state museum's total operating budget last October, on top of a 42 percent cut imposed during last year's legislative session, resulted in the decision to close museum branches at the University and Virginia Tech, said Judith Winston, interim director of the Virginia Museum of Natural History. "It was either the two branches or close down the main building" in Martinsville, Winston said.

Foxfield changes entrance procedures

As the April 26th spring races at Foxfield approache, officials clarify how students can attend the races. For the first time, all of the tickets must be pre-purchased.

Student groups appeal for increased Council funding

Tuesday night, 19 Contracted Independent Organizations appealed to Student Council, requesting additional funds above those initially allocated by the appropriations committee. The requests, which lasted 10 hours, resulted in Council granting 11 appeals and allocating around $13,000.

Warner mentioned as possible VP tap

With no clear frontrunner poised to contest President George W. Bush in the 2004 presidential election, analysts say the Democratic Party might be looking to the South. On his Crystal Ball election prediction Web site, Politics Prof.

Latin Student Union elects new officers

The Latin Student Union held its annual elections Tuesday night, slating second-year college student Alex Yec to serve as president. LSU's next vice president will be third-year Commerce student Ronaldo Sanchez.The Secretary position will be filled by third year college student Caterina Dutto.Dutto commented that she has high hopes for the projected restructuring of the organization next year in its efforts to encourage more diverse participation in the organization.Second-year college student Wendy Guerrero will serve as the next LSU treasurer. Outgoing president Lucia Cruz is optimistic about the new executive board. "I look forward to them expanding the organization to include more activities for the broader University community," Cruz said.

News in Brief

A life-size bronze statue of President Abraham Lincoln was disclosed in Richmond Saturday near the James River, sparking both jubilation and disdain. The statue, which also features Lincoln's son Tad, was greeted with both applause and boos by the assembled crowd.

Former trustee may have violated regulations

Radford Alexander Corporation, owned by Reginald Lathan, a former Darden School Foundation trustee, faces probation violation charges following a December 2000 indictment for Environmental Protection Agency regulation infringements, according to Rebecca Lonergan, U.S.

Special Collections receives two large gifts

With the anticipated completion of a new Special Collections Library just over a year away, the University announced last Friday that it has received two grants which total nearly half a million dollars which will benefit the collections. In December 2002 the Andrew W.