News

Democrats maintain hold on New Jersey Senate seat

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. -- With both parties vying for control of an evenly-split Senate in yesterday's elections, New Jersey voters handed an important victory to the Democratic Party by electing Frank Lautenberg over Republican challenger Douglas Forrester with 54 percent of the vote. An 18-year veteran of the Senate chamber, Lautenberg emerged from a two-year retirement five weeks ago to replace the state's Democratic incumbent Robert Torricelli, who abruptly withdrew from the race because of lingering questions about improper contributions he received that drew reprimand from the Senate Ethics Committee. "We squeezed 10 months into five weeks," Lautenberg said in a victory speech delivered to an auditorium packed with reporters, cameras and campaign supporters. "I'm here with a mandate to follow Democratic priorities," he added, standing behind a podium flanked by family members and fellow New Jersey Democrats, including Gov.

Warner looks to improve school safety management plans

Gov. Mark R. Warner approved a third set of recommendations from the Secure Virginia Panel on Monday, several of which suggest improvements to college and university safety plans. The report emphasizes that despite the state budget crisis, ample funding for improved campus security can be appropriated from non-state funds. "Most resources really need to come down from the federal level," Warner spokeswoman Ellen Qualls said. An executive order from Warner formed the Secure Virginia Panel in January of this year.

Goode captures 64 percent of vote in 5th District

DANVILLE, Va. -- Republican Congressman Virgil Goode retained his seat in Virginia's 5th District Congressional race yesterday with a solid 64 percent of the vote, defeating Democratic opponent Meredith Richards. Goode, who was first elected to the Virginia State Senate in 1973, originally ran for U.S.

City likely to add sobriety checks

Partying University students might want to think twice about driving in Charlottesville while intoxicated. The Charlottesville Police department soon could step up their patrols for drunk drivers in the city through a $13,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. City Council will vote tonight on appropriating the funds to the police department given to the city as part of a traffic safety grant from the DMV. The grant is likely to be approved with little or no discussion, Council member Rob Schilling said. "Because there's no budgetary impact and it requires no matching funds, I can't see why anyone would question it," Schilling said. The $13,000 in funds will enable officers working overtime to staff sobriety checkpoints and mobile patrols for drunk drivers.

Steppin'

Republicans take control of Congress

Republicans regained complete control of Congress last night, retaining their hold on the House and winning control of the Senate. All of the nation

NCAA alters academic standards for athletes

In an effort to change the way colleges recruit student athletes, the NCAA approved changes to rules governing academic standards for Division I sports eligibility -- a move that has everyone from university presidents to sports columnists talking. New standards that went into effect on Thursday lower the existing minimum SAT requirement for students with higher GPAs and force student athletes already in college to meet more stringent graduation requirements. "We've created academic profiles that prospective and enrolled student-athletes must meet to earn the privilege of competing in intercollegiate athletics," Division I Board Chairman Robert Hemenway said in a public statement.

Richards remains upbeat despite loss to Goode

A smiling Meredith Richards greeted throngs of Democratic supporters at the Flower Market on Second Street last night to celebrate gaining 36 percent of the popular vote in the 5th District Congressional race -- a 5 percent increase over Republican Virgil Goode's 2000 challenger, Democrat John Boyd, who had 31 percent. "Over the past six months, we opened some eyes, and we changed some minds -- just not enough," said Richards, flanked by her husband and son.

Council to advise administration on budget-cutting measures

University students now will have a voice in budget cutting measures across Grounds through the formation of a new Student Council committee. Council officially announced yesterday the formation of the Student Budget Advisory Committee -- a group that will consult with and advise administrators on University budget cuts. The committee "allows students to voice their concerns and complaints and offer suggestions," Council President Micah Schwartz said. The student members will attend administrators' meetings and give a student perspective on proposed budget cuts, and also will voice the comments and concerns of their peers. The committee members will meet with several administrators to receive a briefing on the details of the budget shortfall, according to Colette Sheehy, University vice president for management and budget. Pat Lampkin, University vice president for students affairs, is "setting up a training session" for the student members, Sheehy said. "All of the vice presidents will think of ways for those students to work with the administration," she added. Training for the committee begins this week, as will the first public forum in which students will be able to voice their opinions to committee members.

IFC decides to admit local fraternities

The University's local fraternities now will have the opportunity to join the Inter-Fraternity Council after an amendment Thursday to the Inter-Fraternity Council's Judiciary Committee bylaws and procedures. Local fraternities -- fraternal organizations not affiliated with national chapters -- had been banned as IFC members until now. Although the IFC's process of admission, requiring a two-thirds majority vote from the IFC's Presidents' Council, has not been altered, new standards have been instated to ensure the local fraternities admitted are viable chapters, IFC President Phil Trout said. "There are several advantages to being a member of the IFC for a local fraternity," Trout said.

Cantor solidly defeats Cooter for seat in congress

RICHMOND -- A predictable outcome for an unusual race occurred yesterday as Republican incumbent Eric Cantor defeated Democrat Ben "Cooter" Jones in the 7th District Congressional race. Cantor received 70 percent of the vote to Jones' 30 percent. In a year in which much attention was focused on Congressional races because of the possibility of a shift in party control, the race drew national attention not because it was hotly contested -- Cantor was expected to keep his seat -- but because of Jones' celebrity.

Officials alter Lawn committee make-up

Responding to a view held by many University students that certain organizations are favored in the Lawn selection process, a committee of student leaders and University officials modified the way Lawn residents are chosen. The Lawn Process Organizing Committee recommended the changes, which include overhauling the composition of the Lawn Selection Committee.

Cooter, Cantor race focuses on PAC money

Money makes the world go round. But where it comes from is the important issue, especially if you are a candidate in this year's race for the 7th District congressional seat. The race, between Republican incumbent Eric Cantor and former Georgia Rep.

Provost re-prints limited number of COD's

In the era of budget cuts, students welcome the reinstatement of services which once had been taken away. The University Provost's Office recently decided to re-offer paper publication of the Course Offering Directory which had initially been eliminated as a budget cutting measure in early October. "We are printing a limited number of copies because we were made aware by Student Council that some students preferred to flip through the paper copy, even though the material on the Web is far more up to date," said Shirley Menaker, associate provost for academic support and classroom management. Council President Micah Schwartz contacted Menaker in response to concern expressed by Council members and other students. "I think the print copies of the Course Offering Directory provide a service the online version cannot," Schwartz said.

Grant to bolster U.S. history education

A $1 million, three-year State Department grant will unite the resources of the University, historical resource organizations and the University's College at Wise to improve grade school American History education in Southwest Virginia. The U.S.

Lampkin sets high goals for student life

With the recent appointment of Pat Lampkin as the University's vice president for student affairs, a new set of goals has emerged as the basis for long-term, administrative student life policies.

News in Brief

Medical school applications decrease throughout nation For the sixth consecutive year, figures released by the Association of American Medical Colleges showed a drop in applications to medical schools. The statistics released Wednesday indicated 33,501 people applied to medical school this year.

Organizations confront issue of diversity in membership

Concerned that their organizations' memberships are too homogeneous, some student leaders are making a push to diversify their ranks. Although overt discrimination largely has vanished at the University, some students said they believe their groups need to work to create a more inviting atmosphere for minorities. Black Student Alliance President Tyler Scriven said he felt that the burden of recruiting minority members into an organization fell both on the groups themselves and the minority students. "It's a two-way street," Scriven said.

Council prepares for midterm elections

With the fall Student Council representative elections quickly approaching, the candidates are stepping their campaigns into high gear. Polls will open for voting on Monday and will remain open through Wednesday. Eleven official candidates are vying for four College positions, while no official candidates are running for the one Engineering position. Campaign issues range from solving the problems of off-Grounds housing to University safety issues.