News

News in brief

Va. Republican may face grand jury investigation Law enforcement officials following the case involving a top Republican's eavesdropping on a conference call between high-ranking Virginia Democrats are now considering a full grand jury investigation into the matter. Ed Matricardi, the executive director of the Virginia Republican Party, listened in on a conference call March 22 between 30 Democratic lawmakers and Gov.

News in brief

University works to reduce water usage by 10 percent As the Commonwealth suffers through the driest six months in recorded history, the University is working with other institutions to reduce water use. Current drought conditions, the worst in 70 years, prompted cuts that reduced University water use by 8 percent this fiscal year, but more are needed.

Bush taps Reynolds for civil rights post

During Congress' Easter recess, President George W. Bush opted to bypass the Senate confirmation process and appoint Gerald A.

Student Council appoints executive members

Student Council named its 2002-2003 executive committee appointments Friday. The group will be led by third-year College student Sarah Jobe, who will serve as next year's Council chief of staff. "I have done a lot of committee work during my time on Council," Jobe said.

Mental disorders affect honor case results

Seven students brought to trial on charges stemming from Physics Prof. Louis Bloomfield's comprehensive investigation of cheating and plagiarism were found to suffer contributory mental disorders, exempting them from honor code punishment. Students found to have a mental disorder are excused of charges, though some are asked to leave the University because of the significant risk they could pose to the community. Such figures emerged from the 2001-2002 honor case statistics, which the Honor Committee released Monday. "This means they were diagnosed with a contributory mental disorder that was contemporaneous with the act, meaning it directly affected what they did," Committee Chairman Chris Smith said. "Because students with such a condition are medically unable to form intent, we cannot deal with them, since the three parts of a conviction are act, intent and seriousness," Smith said.

Meyerle wins Saint Andrews award

Unlike many of his peers, James Meyerle won't leave the world of academia when he graduates next month.

Officials propose plan for instating printing fees

Students soon may not be allowed to use University printers without paying a price. The University administration is considering requiring students to pay for printing at computer labs and libraries on Grounds.

A Cavalier Advantage?

Third-year College student Matt Pluznick fumed as he stood in line attempting to buy a psychology textbook at the Student Bookstore on the Corner.

Police investigate GOP executive director

In a scandal that shocked Richmond lawmakers and party officials Friday, state police began a criminal investigation into whether Ed Matricardi, the Virginia Republican Party Executive Director, illegally listened in on two Democratic Party conference calls. The investigation began after Attorney General Jerry W.

University extends offers of admission

Many prospective University students dashed to their mailboxes this past weekend in hopes of finding a letter of admission from the University. Including both early and regular decision applicants, the University offered admission to 5,228 prospective students, a number down slightly from last year in which 5,534 offers were mailed. "Most of them wait until the end of April to decide," Dean of Admissions John A.

ASU sponsors APA history month

Along with the annual entourage of outrageous April Fools' jokes, yesterday marked the beginning of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. APAHM is nationally celebrated during the month of May, but is celebrated in April by the University and other institutions in order to designate a full academic month to APA culture and heritage. "I believe APAHM was created with the purpose of educating non-Asians about the contributions of Asians in America," Asst.

Honor Committee releases trial statistics

The Honor Committee released its official case statistics for the 2001-2002 Committee term yesterday.

Hate crime charges rejected

Commonwealth Attorney David Chapman decided last week not to seek hate crime charges against a group of Charlottesville High School students accused of perpetrating a series of assaults against University students occurring between last September and this January. The decision ends a controversy that has simmered since February over whether the alleged culprits should be brought up on hate crime charges in conjunction with other charges related to the assaults. Hate crime laws give harsher sentences to crimes motivated by characteristics of the victim such as race.

Phi Delta Theta sues Phi Delta Alpha

Five separate legal counts have been filed against the University's Phi Delta Alpha fraternity by Phi Delta Theta fraternity's international headquarters. The charges issued to the District Court for the Western District of Virginia include copyright violations, the exercise of unfair competition and the conversion of property. The two fraternities have suffered strained relations since Phi Delta Theta recolonized at the University in fall 2001.

Albemarle may change rules for gun permit

Albemarle County may eliminate its current requirement for a national background check to receive a concealed weapons permit because of concerns with the system. Albemarle County Sheriff Edgar Robb said current regulations "exceed the requirements of state law." Robb said the national background check takes six weeks, thereby adding a substantial delay for citizens seeking a concealed weapons permit.

A 21-year-old University male student was arrested on Wednesday on a charge of sexual battery on a 19-year-old woman. The offense occurred at the O'Neill's restaurant on the Corner. The woman was walking on a staircase at O'Neill's, and a male who also was on the staircase proceeded to make an inappropriate comment as they were on the staircase, Sgt.

Graduate students formally start union

University graduate students voted last week to form a student union and will vote next week on whether to affiliate with a larger professional union. Forty-two College graduate students in attendance at the meeting voted unanimously to form the union, which has been under consideration since the beginning of the year. "In the broad sense, the purpose is to give graduate students a voice in the decisions that affect their lives," fourth-year Graduate student Daniela Bell said. Bell said that particular goals of the union will be to acquire guaranteed health care, adequate wages and office space for graduate students. Three aspects of Virginia law weaken the union's ability to change University policy.

College fills Econ funding request

The cuts in the number of economics courses next year will not be nearly as severe as previously feared by some, thanks to funding provided by the Office of the Dean of the College to hire temporary faculty. The department hopes to offer only six fewer courses or sections of courses than were offered this year, Economics Chairman David Mills said.

Architects propose new look for Downtown Mall

If proponents of a new renovation plan have their way, a dramatic makeover of the Downtown Mall may be in the works. Plans to renovate the area were officially presented at City Hall on Wednesday night by architects of the design firm Wallace, Roberts & Todd.

Students discuss recent race events at forum

The Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. held a racial reconciliation forum, entitled "Partying While White," before a packed audience in Maury Hall yesterday in response to a party held by some architecture students and the ensuing backlash it caused. Panelists included Dean M.