News

Recent rainfall delays depletion but does not permanently ease shortage

Despite several inches of rainfall last week, the area's water crisis is still "very serious," according to University and local water officials. Richard Collins, chairman of the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority, said the rainfall did "not really change" Charlottesville's water supply. Thursday and Friday's showers raised the Rivanna reservoir, the main source of University water, by almost 1 percent, or 22 million gallons.

News in Brief

Local Wal-Mart violatesCity water restrictions The local Wal-Mart retail store, located on Rte.

Foreign student tracking system delayed

Recent Congressional subcommittee hearings have brought to light the possibility that an indeterminate number of foreign students could be unable to enter U.S.

Woman assaulted at Ivy Gardens apartments

A woman was physically and sexually assaulted in her apartment on Ivy Drive early yesterday morning. An unidentified male entered her third-floor apartment through an unlocked balcony door at approximately 2 a.m.

Messenger mail used for political fundraising

A printed invitation to a political fundraiser that solicited a $125 donation for Democrat Meredith Richards' Congressional campaign recently was mass-mailed through the University's free, intra-departmental postal service -- in a possible effort to cut campaign costs. This constitutes an abuse of University resources by an outside party, internal mail officials said. Richards is challenging the Republican incumbent Virgil H.

Virginia Film Festival plans celebrity hosting

A slice of Hollywood will be coming to Charlottesville next month as the 15th annual Virginia Film Festival arrives on Grounds. The three-day festival, scheduled for the fourth weekend in October, will present screenings of old and new films, as well as workshops and discussions. Festival Artistic Director Richard Herskowitz said the festival is unique among events of its kind. "Instead of just featuring premieres, we design it as though it is a three-day course," he said. The theme of this year's festival is "wet," so many of the films shown will use water imagery. "Water is an inspirational theme for movie makers.

Women's Center awarded $10,000

The project of a former Education School doctoral student has resulted in the presentation of a $10,000 award to the University Women's Center by a national gender equity organization. The American Association of University Women's Legal Advocacy Fund chose the Women's Center as this year's recipient of their Progress in Equity Award last week. Education doctoral student Cathy Barefoot nominated the center last spring after she focused on the Women's Center for an education course project. Barefoot found information about the award on the AAUW Web site and nominated the Women's Center. The Legal Advocacy Fund "supports women seeking judicial redress for sex-discrimination in higher education and it gives awards to institutions that advance equity," said Willa Lawall, president of the Charlottesville chapter of AAUW. The national chapter of AAUW chose the winner and will present the award to the Women's Center. According to a press release, the Progress in Equity award recognizes innovative programs that further gender equity at their institutions and in the community and provide diverse programs that can be emulated by other universities. Women's Center Director Sharon Davie said the AAUW award came as a surprise to the center when they received a congratulatory call last week. "The AAUW really were just so positive, and said that they wanted to support what the center was doing," Davie said.

Chewing the fat bad for health experts say

With McDonald's recent announcement that they will reduce the trans fatty acid content of its cooking oils by 48 percent, the restaurant industry has seen a resurgence of interest about the health risks associated with these unnaturally modified fats.

Telescope opponents argue before Congress

The controversial Mt. Graham telescope project, which the University might choose to support, came under fire yesterday morning before a hearing of the House of Representatives Resources Committee. The Coalition to Protect Sacred Places used the Mt.

Bond chosen as winner of annual freedom award

On Oct. 23, History Prof. Julian Bond will join the ranks of Rosa Parks, Colin Powell and Coretta Scott King as this year's recipient of the National Civil Rights Museum's Freedom Award. Bond played an integral role in the 1960s civil rights movement, leading sit-ins, working with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and helping to form the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee. The two groups organized peaceful rallies and protests to further civil rights causes. Gwen Harmon, the public relations spokeswoman for the museum, describes Bond as "a living legend." Bond "took injustice and met it head on.

Six Charlottesville teens face assault charges Six Charlottesville teenage boys and one 15-year-old girl who call themselves "The Belmont Crew" were arrested by police yesterday on charges of assaulting a male Charlottesville high school student. The beating occurred on Sept.

Researchers find new form of black holes

Astronomers from Baltimore's Space Telescope Science Institute and the University of Texas recently made what could be a giant leap in our understanding of the cosmos by detecting black holes that are neither "supermassive" nor as small as a single decayed star. A quick black hole history lesson might prove helpful in putting this latest development into perspective.

Sofka hopes to raise money to expand Echols

When University students hear the word "Echols," most just think of priority class registrations and waived area requirements.

Janine Jagger wins 'genius' award for doctor safety work

Yesterday the Chicago-based MacArthur foundation announced the University Medical Center's Janine Jagger as one of 24 recipients to receive its prestigious MacArthur award. Jagger is an epidemiologist in the department of internal medicine in the division of infectious diseases and international health. The award, casually referred to as the "genius award," was given to Jagger because of her groundbreaking work to protect medical workers from the dangers of blood-borne diseases. According to the foundation, secret nominators identify potential recipients, and approximately 25 winners are drawn from a pool of hundreds of nominations. The award incudes a grant of $500,000 to be used over the course of five years in any way the recipient chooses. "We are seeking to celebrate the creativity of extraordinary people in all forms," MacArthur Foundation Program Asst.

Boyd plans to file motion to dismiss honor case

Editor's Note: Cavalier Daily Executive Editor Jeffrey Eisenberg is counsel for Adam Boyd in this case.

Council urges end to first-year parking

The topic of first-year parking at the University has sparked constant debate this fall, and last night, Student Council officially weighed in on the issue. Council unanimously passed a resolution urging "the University to grant only students in their second year or beyond, special needs students, faculty and staff University parking permits, beginning in the 2003-2004 academic year," as stated in FR02-1, a Resolution Urging the University to Take Action on the Parking Shortfall. This proposed abolition of first-year parking permits will not affect current first-year students. Council does not have the power to implement the changes, but the administration often looks to Council to gauge the pulse of the student population. "After we pass the resolution, it will be sent to Leonard Sandridge's [executive vice president and chief operating officer's] office, and his office will make the official decision soon," said Will Sowers, Parking and Transportation Committee Chairman. In the resolution, Council further "urges the University to research and provide more efficient and effective transportation services throughout the University community." An amendment to research ways to provide more parking near central Grounds failed after considerable debate. Kevin Hanlon and Brandon Possin, Council representatives and parking and transportation committee members, sponsored the resolution. "Looking at the parking shortage and new zoning permits, it was obvious something needed to be done," Hanlon said. The committee has worked on this situation since last semester. "We have been working on this particular resolution since late August," Sowers said. In the spring semester of 2004, the University will face a shortage of 475 parking spots because of construction of the new basketball arena to replace University Hall. On average, first-year students obtain a total of 550 University parking spaces in their second semester at the University. "First years are the only group of students that are guaranteed to be on Grounds year after year," Hanlon said. First-Year Council President Noah Sullivan, a non-voting member who sits on Council with verbal privileges, raised concerns such as "passing the buck" to students who do not yet attend the University. "Many problems were brought up last night at the First-Year Council meeting," Sullivan said.

Police catch suspect in Starr Hill murder

Robert Leroy "Smokey" Martinez, the suspect in a Sept. 7 shooting near Starr Hill Music Hall, was apprehended in New Jersey early Saturday morning, according to Charlottesville Police. Eyewitnesses at the scene had identified 26-year-old Martinez as the gunman who allegedly killed 27-year-old Charlottesville resident Margues Lamont Carter in a parking lot at the 700 block of West Main Street. At 5:45 a.m.

New arena will serve more than just athletics

As plans for the new basketball arena move forward, students, alumni and the Charlottesville community will remain a primary focus of fundraising efforts, architectural planning and the overall vision of the athletic department. The basketball arena project is part of a broader effort to address the lack of adequate space for large gatherings, such as concerts, major speeches and exhibits and exhibitions, University President John T.

The money that runs the program

In the face of Virginia's ever-growing budget crisis, almost every institute of higher learning continues to make steep cuts and push for passage of the $846 million bond referendum package which would provide financial support for colleges and universities across the state.

Housekeeping agrees to clean Gooch, Brown temporarily

Student Council and the Housing Division reached an agreement last week regarding the cessation of cleaning suite bathrooms in the Brown College and the Gooch-Dillard residence areas. Housekeeping has agreed to limitedly clean the residents' restrooms until next semester. "Our shared goal, Council's and Housing's, was to see that the cuts were made in the best way possible for our students," Chief Housing Officer Mark Doherty said. Residents of Gooch-Dillard and Brown College were notified Friday of the new agreement.