News

Commerce application pool grows

This spring, 485 College second years applied for 300 spaces in the Commerce School, representing a 14 percent increase in applications over last year and the largest applicant pool since 1997. "We're all nervous until we get our acceptances back," said second-year College student Owen Jones, who turned in his application before the deadline last Friday afternoon. The 485 applicants, up from last year's pool of 428, are 57 people short of the record 542 that applied in 1997. The Commerce School generally receives between 400 and 450 applications from University students every year. "I don't think we'll enroll significantly more" students, said Rebecca Leonard, assistant dean for undergraduate student services at the Commerce School.

News in Brief

Car strikes pedestrian on Route 29 A driver traveling southbound on Emmet Street yesterday struck a pedestrian crossing from Lewis Mountain Road to Memorial Gym at 9:50 a.m., causing a traffic delay in the area due to emergency response and rubbernecking. Ronnie Roberts, a Charlottesville Police Sgt.

Community commemorates King's legacy

Students and community members were asked to examine the "legacy beyond the clich s" yesterday evening at the University's Martin Luther King, Jr.

Water rates may drop pending Rivanna vote

Board members of the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority will vote today on whether to reduce wholesale water rates. Any reductions approved by the board, which determines water rates for the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, would take effect this Saturday, Feb.

Intoxicated man allegedly vandalizes 14 cars with hatchet

Broken glass still litters the 2100 block of Jefferson Park Avenue after an intoxicated man broke the rear windows of 14 cars with a hatchet Saturday morning, according to Charlottesville Police. The vandalism occurred at approximately 5:20 a.m.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Commerce student passes away Friday Fourth-year Commerce student Ryan Crookston passed away last Friday, Jan.

Coalition proposes Diversity Center

A coalition of the five largest minority advocacy groups at the University proposed plans to University officials for a Diversity Resource Center last Friday, Jan.

Cheating scandal goes wireless

A cheating scandal that erupted last week at the University of Maryland has taken underhanded schoolyard behavior to a new level -- making it wireless. Maryland currently is investigating 12 students who allegedly used the text-messaging function on their cellular phones to relay answers to one another during last semester's finals.

Cavalier Daily elects Bernick editor-in-chief

The Cavalier Daily staff elected its 114th Managing Board Saturday with unusual speed and efficiency, entering Jefferson Hall at 9 a.m.

VIRGINIA TAKES ON DEMON DEACONS

AFC continues construction of 42,000-square foot fitness area

By the end of this year, the bland orange walls surrounding the Aquatic & Fitness Center should be gone -- revealing a new haven for both University fitness buffs and aspiring buffs alike, Intramural-Recreation officials said. The new wing of the AFC should be open to patrons by December 2003. The phase II project expansion, part of the original architectural plans drawn up in 1996 but delayed because of lack of funding, will enlarge the popular Alderman Road fitness center by 42,000 square feet. The new wing will include multipurpose rooms for yoga and aerobics, more cardiovascular equipment, a raised indoor track and three basketball courts. Doug Tammen, AFC associate director of informal recreation said the new space is sorely needed -- particularly when cold weather hits Charlottesville and students are forced to exercise indoors. "We're standing room only right now," Tammen said. When the new wing is finished late this year, there will be "no concern about not filling up," he added. Because of the building's expanded capacity, the facility is expecting more members and students to drive and park at the AFC, said Vicki Smith, also an AFC associate director.

New multicultural sorority begins recruiting

This spring, University women will have another option within the Greek community -- Theta Nu Xi, a multicultural service sorority. The Pi Colony of Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. hopes to appeal to University women with broad ethnic backgrounds and experiences. The sorority hopes "to promote leadership, multiculturalism and self-improvement through academic excellence; involvement in and service to the campus and community; as well as being living examples of sisterhood across different races, cultures, religious backgrounds and lifestyles," according to its mission statement. Fourth- year College student Bahareh Moradi founded the sorority in December 2002 with five other women from various ethnic backgrounds.

City Council to propose anti-war resolution

After a petition opposing a potential war in Iraq and bearing over 2,000 signatures was presented to Charlottesville City Council on Tuesday, Council members will vote to pass their own resolution addressing the threat of war early next month. "This is an issue that comes very, very close to home for us, and when 2000 citizens petition you to take a stand, I feel an obligation to be responsive," Mayor Maurice Cox said. The Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice presented the petition on Tuesday along with a resolution that it had drafted opposing war with Iraq. Board member Sarah Lanzman said the Center included the signatures in order to show Charlottesville's wide support for peace, and to encourage Council not to deviate too far from their original resolution. "You can go ahead and change it, but if you change it too drastically, it's not what the people are supporting," she said. Cox said it is the norm for Council to draft its own resolutions. "Resolutions have to reflect opinions of those on Council," he said. The center's resolution was "an extraordinarily forceful and decisive resolution against war with Iraq," Cox said. The original resolution joined 42 other cities, including Washington, D.C.

University power plant malfunctions, covers area in soot

While most of the city received light dustings of snow this past week, residents in the Venable Neighborhood woke to a layer of soot spewed on their cars, homes and walkways last Friday.

NEWS IN BRIEF

False alarm disrupts morning traffic flow on Grounds A fire alarm was activated on the West Lawn yesterday morning, causing fire trucks to rush to McCormick Road, according to Capt.

News in Brief

Abortion bill will be heard on Virginia House floor The full Virginia House of Delegates will consider legislation that would create tougher regulations for the state's abortion clinics. The measure would require abortion clinics to have resuscitating equipment on hand. The bill passed the House's Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee by a 14-8 vote, after more stringent legislation was defeated. Supporters of the bill, such as its sponsor, Del.

University looking into Weeks case, official says

Two days after reports surfaced that an official in Facilities Management, L. T. "Spike" Weeks, had accepted money transfers from a painter hired by the University, several employees have said Weeks was escorted off Grounds yesterday. Weeks originally was accused of misdeeds by Rainbow Painting owner Ed Kirby, who presented documents of Weeks having accepted money transfers and other gifts from John Sandalis, the former owner of Dalis Painting Inc. Weeks denied having done so. Two University employees reported that Weeks was escorted off Grounds.

Harris Teeter reopens after six day hiatus

University students filled the aisles of the newly reopened Harris Teeter yesterday, six days after the popular grocery store closed because of a fire. Harris Teeter offered a $5 off coupon for any purchase of $25 or more.

Virginia panel passes 'bad doctor' bill

A Virginia General Assembly panel passed a resolution Tuesday to target bad doctors. Introduced by Republican Del.

Deadline for new foreign student database nears

As of Jan. 30, colleges across the nation will need to be enrolled in a new Web-based data system in order for international students to enter and return to their campuses.