News

State council recommends higher funds for colleges

A governor-appointed council in Richmond recommended Wednesday that more state resources be devoted to higher education -- but lawmakers and Virginia school administrators disagree on whether the funds are available. The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia said the state's higher education system needs greater funding to weather the Commonwealth's ballooning student bodies, declining national research standing and faltering job market. "The question isn't how can we do this, but how can we not find ways to address these concerns," SCHEV Acting Communication Director Fran Bradford said. But state officials say there simply is not enough money in state coffers for increased higher education funding. "Under the present environment in Richmond, there's no chance for passage" of the recommendations, said State Del.

College Board urges greater tuition aid

The results from the College Board are in: The U.S. government needs to invest more dollars in tuition aid for lower-income prospective college students. The organization concluded a yearlong study on Wednesday with recommendations that the federal government make a greater investment in need-based financial aid, according to a College Board press release.

University to offer a neuroscience major

This spring the University will join a growing number of institutions that offer a neuroscience major to undergraduate students.

Long-awaited fifth Harry Potter book to be released in June, publisher says After a two year stint on the big screen, Harry Potter will return to print this summer with the fifth installment of the seven-part series, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." Mr. Potter's publisher, Scholastic, announced yesterday that publication for the book will begin worldwide June 21, 2003.

Bush voices opposition to race-based admissions

In a controversial move yesterday President Bush announced his opposition to the University of Michigan's race-based admission policies, soon to be questioned before the Supreme Court. Today the Bush administration will file a brief in support of two students challenging Michigan's affirmative action admission policy before the high court.

Poe's cosmic insight predates Big Bang theory

Why is the sky dark at night? The obvious answer is that the sun lights up the sky during the day but is on the opposite side of the planet at night, leaving half of the world in darkness.

Vacant class spots sparse as students return

Although the first day of classes has come and gone, many students' schedules remain in limbo and professors in several departments find themselves turning away record numbers of students. Yesterday "there were millions of people in line at the computer labs all trying to get into ISIS" and find slots in classes, third-year College student Tehrae Heflin said. According to several department heads, many of those students are likely to come away disappointed.

Council votes to support tuition hike

The University is one step closer to seeing an in-state tuition hike. Student Council passed a resolution Dec.

After a long year in office, Warner looks to future

Despite Gov. Mark R. Warner's challenging first year in office, he still has plans for his next three. Warner laid out his plans for the coming year in the State of the Commonwealth Address on Jan.

Harris Teeter shut down by 6 a.m. blaze

A fire at the Barracks Road Harris Teeter early yesterday morning left the potato chips section in ashes and the remainder of the store covered in soot. The Charlottesville Fire Department responded to the three-alarm fire at 6:30 a.m.

Long's death may be indicative of a trend of domestic violence, according to some University officials

Fourth-year College student Monica Long's untimely death may direct attention to the often-ignored presence of domestic violence at the University. Domestic violence is a more pervasive concern than many students realize, according to Claire Kaplan, a sexual assault coordinator for the University's Women's Center. "There seems to be a high level of denial among undergraduates that this is a problem," Kaplan said.

Pep Band's Tire Bowl show offends WVU

Despite the University's 48-22 victory over West Virginia University in the inaugural Continental Tire Bowl on Dec.

Woman assaulted in Greenleaf Park

Charlottesville police are encouraging students to be alert following a Dec. 30 assault in Charlottesville's Greenleaf Park.

200 years later, great trek remembered

Hundreds of people, including dozens dressed as early 19th century military officers and explorers, gathered on Monticello's West Lawn yesterday to kick off the commemoration of the 200 year anniversary of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Representatives of over 20 Native American tribes also attended the ceremony, some dressed in traditional regalia.

Student dies in murder-suicide

The University tragically lost a member of its community Jan. 4 when fourth-year College student Monica Long was killed in what police are now calling a murder-suicide case. According to Albemarle County police, Long's husband, 42-year-old Arnold R.

English professor passes away over holidays

Charles A. Vandersee, 64, an associate professor of English and a former dean of the Echols Scholars Program, passed away earlier this month. Vandersee's sister Barbara Foster said he died of natural causes at his home in Charlottesville.

News in Brief

Martin Luther King Jr. Day organizers choosekeynote speaker The Rev. L. Tyrone Crider, a nationally renowned pastor and community and civil rights activist, will be this year's keynote speaker at Charlottesville's Martin Luther King Jr.

A Look Behind, A Look Ahead: Putting the Pieces Together

For many it has been a rocky semester. While students were still flooding the University Bookstore and reuniting with old friends in the limbo before classes began, the budget cuts were already striking: Libraries closed earlier and printers quietly disappeared from the libraries while page quotas were implemented. Comfort, however, was not to be found in a long, hot shower.

Faculty Senate discusses budget woes, Casteen warns of additional cuts

The Faculty Senate met yesterday in the chilly Garden Room of the Colonnade Club to discuss the similarly frigid budget situation. University President John T.

University initiates race relations group

More multicultural education in the curriculum, diversity training during first-year orientation, a change to the dorm selection policy -- all these options are being considered by an informal group of students and administrators dedicated to improving race relations at the University. The group has seen its discussions intensified since the recent "blackface" incident, in which fraternity brothers at Zeta Psi were widely criticized for having painted their faces black as part of their costumes at a Halloween party, said Pat Lampkin, vice president for student affairs and leader of the group.