News

Passport program to encourage awareness

To help students navigate through the staggeringly diverse range of student associations and opportunities for cultural enrichment available on Grounds, the Office of the Dean of Students has created a program to encourage students to go beyond their cultural "comfort zones" by attending meetings of various groups on grounds. The Passport Program was created in conjunction with the Coalition, UNiTE, the Office of African-American Affairs, the International Studies Office, the Women's Center, and the Cultural Programming Board. The program is a response to concerns raised by students, student groups and faculty about the level of cultural contact that most University students experience, Asst.

General Assembly removes in-state tuition limitations

The Virginia General Assembly lifted the limit on public in-state tuition rates Monday, potentially allowing Virginia public colleges and universities to regain their tuition-setting privileges taken away by the state during former Gov.

Scrambling to their own beat

Almost a month after its controversial performance during half time of the Continental Tire Bowl, the future of the Virginia Pep Band remains sure.

UNC to support race based admissions

The University of North Carolina law school is entering the nationwide fray surrounding the University of Michigan's affirmative action admissions policy, the largest national debate of such race-based policies in a quarter century. The Chapel Hill law school is filing an amicus brief with U.S.

A scramble band with a long history of controversy

In an era when it was perceived that many University traditions such as an all-male student body and a coat and tie dress were coming to an end, three men founded an organization they hoped would be a unique new tradition at the University in the early 1970s, the Virginia Pep Band. Concert bands had existed off and on at the University since the early 1900s, and had reached their highest point between 1934-1940 under the guidance of Chemistry Prof.

Bill to guarantee top percentile students university admission

Virginia State Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple presented a bill to the General Assembly on Jan. 8 that would guarantee college admission to the top 5 percent of graduating Virginia high school students. Whipple's bill is modeled after the "Top 10 Percent Law" passed in Texas in 1997.

Accidents force crosswalk relocation

The University and the City of Charlottesville will work together to move the crosswalk located behind Cabell Hall on Jefferson Park Avenue. The new crosswalk will be moved 150 feet east toward the University Medical Center. Several accidents occurring on the crosswalk -- including that of English Prof.

Tenure abolishment bill tabled after heavy criticism

Last week, Virginia State Del. David B. Albo, R-Springfield, proposed that the General Assembly consider abolishing tenure for all public colleges and universities in the Commonwealth -- but tabled the bill after receiving criticism from state universities and Assembly members. The measure would have effected schools after July 1. Albo said he wanted to advocate this measure after hearing complaints from his constituents about mediocre tenured faculty. Albo related a story about a friend who was a graduate student at Virginia Tech's Northern Virginia campus.

News in Brief

College endowments down by 6 percent A survey conducted by the National Association of College and University Business Officers found the average college endowment of 660 institutions to have taken a sharp, 6 percent downturn over the past fiscal year. The survey's results showed college's endowment levels at their worst since 1974.

Official may have accepted money from contractor

An official in University Facilities Management may have taken money and other gifts from a paint company who he was responsible for hiring. Documents from a Western Union money transfer indicate that L.

Rainbow Painting owner claims he was treated unfairly

Ed Kirby, owner of Rainbow Painting, is considering taking legal action against the University as a result of having his contract terminated last spring. Kirby had been hired by Facilities Management to paint part of Maury Hall, and his workers were using electric guns to remove paint from the facing of the building's roof. Kirby partially attributed his company losing the job to the relationship between competitor John Sandalis, owner of Dalis Painting Inc., and L.T.

Petition asks Congress for delay in war against Iraq

As the United States and its allies amass troops in the Persian Gulf, many Americans at home continue to voice opposition to war in various forms. In this spirit, citizens across the country will deliver an online petition, sponsored by MoveOn.org, to every Congressman's office today. "The petition states simply we urge President Bush and the United Nations to let the inspections work," said Josef Beery, a local volunteer coordinator for MoveOn.org and 1980 Architecture School graduate.

Early admission acceptances more selective than last year

Even as the fate of binding early decision programs remain in limbo at the University and other schools around the country, 912 future members of the class of 2007 received admission offers last month. The accepted students represent 38 percent of 2,410 total students who applied for early admission -- an increase in selectivity over last year, when 41 percent of the 2,397 early applicants were accepted, 973 students. This year's accepted students "are at least as strong, probably stronger, than the group admitted last spring," Dean of Admissions John A.

News in Brief

New York Architects to speak this Friday Guiseppe Lignano and Ada Tolla from the New York based architecture firm LO/TEK will visit the University this Friday to discuss their work. Featured in the University of Virginia School of Architecture Michael Owen Jones Memorial lecture, the two will deliver a lecture on the topic of "Urban Scans," focusing on metropolitan design. The lecture begins at 5 pm on Friday, Jan.

Two professors among top ten in Virginia

Two of the University's professors were named among the top 10 in Virginia by the State Council of Higher Education of Virginia last week. Gov.

A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

Thousands turn out to Lewis and Clark final ceremonies

Despite morning temperatures that fell into single digits on Saturday, nearly 3,000 people assembled on the West Lawn of Thomas Jefferson's home at Monticello for the beginning of a three-year, nationwide commemoration of Lewis and Clark's journey into America's Western frontier. "This is where it all started -- at Monticello, in the mind of Thomas Jefferson," said author and filmmaker Dayton Duncan, who served as the event's master of ceremonies.

Avoid getting Bushwacked by tax cut

The return of Reganomics and its tax cuts, curbed social spending and other supply-side economic concepts seems inevitable.

Man commits suicide in Chemistry building

On Thursday at approximately 9 p.m., a suicide occurred in the Chemistry building, according to University Police and departmental officials. Authorities have not yet released any details surrounding the incident and refused to identify the victim, who, though not a faculty member, held a position within the Chemistry Department. "He was a local employee who had an adjunct appointment," Chemistry Dept.