News

Violence at parties sparks dialogue

Recent fights disrupting parties at rented-out fraternity houses not only have provoked concerns about safety, but also have sparked worry among students about a negative stigma associated with parties sponsored by black student organizations. This stigma, some student leaders said, has resulted in increased police presence at parties sponsored by black student groups and in students being increasingly wary about attending these off-Grounds parties for fear of violence.

Virginia Election Results

NEH gives University Web site $100,000 gift

A University Web site that provides a search engine for information about African-Americans living in the Charlottesville-Albemarle County area during the Jim Crow period has received a $100,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Couric trounces Maddux to retain state senate seat

"Emily whipped her. And she whipped her good. There was no question about this race." With that statement, Del.

INCIDENTS

Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, Maury Avenue *Two students assaulted, late Friday night, Feb.

Democrats face GOP power in state legislature

RICHMOND-Although the Democratic Party suffered an unprecedented loss in Virginia's General Assembly elections last night, democratic leaders said they hope to collaborate with the Republican Party on key issues including health care reform, transportation, and public and higher education. The Democratic Party now holds 19 seats in the Senate and 47 seats in the House of Delegates. Last night's election results give the Republican Party a majority in both the Senate and the House, a lead which has not occurred since the Reconstruction period after the Civil War. This shift of power probably will bring more emphasis to conservative issues in the General Assembly, officials said. "I think some right-wing social issues will come to the forefront," Virginia Democrats Executive Director Craig Bieber said. Issues including affirmative action and abortion will be more heavily influenced by the Republican Party, said Patrick Corey, a member of the Virginia Partisans, a gay and lesbian democratic club.

Wayland fails to capture Harris' seat

Ed Wayland, Democratic candidate for the 58th district House of Delegates seat, conceded victory to Republican incumbent Paul Harris last night shortly before 9 p.m.

Candidates show similar views on issues

As State Senate hopeful Jane Maddux (R) attempts to beat out incumbent Sen. Emily Couric, D-Charlottesville, her campaign is focusing on distinguishing herself from Couric, who is showing up much stronger in the polls. Couric has shown remarkable support, even though the ultimate goals of the two candidates are strikingly similar. Bettering education, lowering taxes, protecting the environment and reforming healthcare are some of the main promises made by both candidates. So what sets them apart? "The main difference is the philosophical difference on how much government should be involved in your life.

Police issue description of attackers

Police have released the physical descriptions of the two men who robbed a male University student at gunpoint on Alderman Road Sunday night.

University, city investigate pedestrian safety concerns

Dodging bikes and cars while walking around Grounds is no pedestrian's idea of fun, and University and Charlottesville officials are hoping to improve the situation. University officials are working to restrict bicycle usage in areas of heavy pedestrian traffic to make walking safer and easier. The University posed "pedestrians only" signs in those areas earlier this year, but has not been enforcing them yet, University Landscape Architect Mary Hughes said.

Polls predict Bush, Gore face-off Other candidates unlikely to win party support in 2000 primaries

With the presidential primaries and the next century less than three months away, voters are already beginning to consider the question of who will navigate the country through the next millennium. Although it is still early on in the campaign process, eight presidential hopefuls - including a son of a former president, an ex-pro basketball player and a former prisoner of war - have begun stumping, debating and defining their missions. Despite the array of candidates, some analysts say thisso far could be an election devoid of defining issues. Because there are no hot issues at the moment, it remains to be seen what issues will come to the forefront in the general elections, said Scott Keeter, chairman of the Department of Public and International Affairs at George Mason University. "We are in very good economic times now and the frontrunners are very similar," Keeter said.

Goode discusses voting record, unusual views on party politics

Maverick Democrat Virgil H. Goode spoke to 160 students about his personal approach to politics and his conflicts with the Democratic Party yesterday in Maury Hall. Goode represents the 5th district of Virginia - an area which includes Charlottesville.

Republicans could take both houses in Va. races

Virginians will vote today in a historic election that will decide if the Republican Party gains both houses of the General Assembly for the first time in Commonwealth history, giving them the potential to alter the balance of Virginia politics for the coming decade. The election threatens to sweep away the Democrats' tenuous hold in the House of Delegates, giving Republicans control of the General Assembly for the first time since Reconstruction, when after the Civil War, Virginia was a military district. "The stakes are huge," said Mark Rozell, Catholic University professor of politics.

Elections focus on taxes, gun control

During the frequent conversations between candidates and voters throughout this General Assembly campaign season, hot-button topics have ranged from health care reform to guns in schools to safer roads, but seldom higher education. Today, elections will be held for every seat in Virginia's bicameral state legislature, races which gain added importance because the partisan distribution of the House is nearly even.

Second year dies in his home after fight with cancer

Second-year College student Mark Brzozowski died yesterday morning in his home in Manassas, Va., after a battle with cancer that lasted nearly three years. Brzozowski's friends and family said he will be remembered for his courage, friendship and his love for music, creative writing and Spanish. Brzozowski was diagnosed with alveolar soft tissue sarcoma in his right arm in February 1997.

Republicans could take both houses in Va. races

Virginians will vote today in a historic election that will decide if the Republican Party gains both houses of the General Assembly for the first time in Commonwealth history, giving them the potential to alter the balance of Virginia politics for the coming decade. The election threatens to sweep away the Democrats' tenuous hold in the House of Delegates, giving Republicans control of the General Assembly for the first time since Reconstruction, when Virginia was a military district. "The stakes are huge," said Mark Rozell, Catholic University professor of politics.

Man in mask robs store at gunpoint

Following the latest crime in a string of violent incidents in the area, Albemarle County Police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred late Sunday night at the Top 100 Video Store on Hydraulic Road. Police received a call shortly before midnight Sunday reporting the robbery and officers responded within a few minutes, Ablemarle County Police Lt.

Survey reveals Y2K problems in schools

Although the University is already prepared for Y2K, a recent survey of 1,300 colleges and universities by the U.S Department of Education found that nearly 40 percent are not yet Y2K compliant in mission critical systems. During the first week of October, 1,300 colleges and universities were randomly interviewed in a telephone survey, which released the survey's results last week.

Harris, Wayland trade barbs in race

Today, as Ed Wayland (D) battles incumbent Del. Paul Harris (R-58th) for the spot Harris has held since 1997, both contenders say the defining issues are education, healthcare and the environment. "Our campaign is about three issues: the right to sue HMOs when they make medical decisions that cause harm, the protection of the environment ... and protecting, strengthening and supporting the public schools," Wayland Campaign Manager Michael Diz said. Harris has made similar assertions, emphasizing his stance on the importance of education. "Education is the number one issue," he said. The campaign has not been quite as straightforward as it seems, however.

IFC asks Rue to move rush to fall in 2000

Citing financial hardships, housing problems and discrimination against their organization, Inter-Fraternity Council executives requested Friday that Dean of Students Penny Rue open negotiations about rush dates for the 2000-2001 academic year. Inter-Fraternity Council President Wes Kaupinen said he wrote a letter to Rue after several fraternity presidents expressed concern about spring rush at the IFC Presidents' Council meeting Thursday.