News

News

Council to weigh two competing resolutions on admissions policy

By Jaime Levi | October 7, 1999

Student Council is facing an impending vote on two competing resolutions -- one of which voices support for continuing to use race as a factor in University admissions, and one which requests that the administration adopt an alternative admissions policy which would "not specifically involve race." The first resolution calls on the Board of Visitors to defend the University's current admissions policies and would create an ad hoc committee of Council representatives and community members to help maintain "a healthy dialogue" about the issue.

---

News

ITC, Microsoft sign deal for significant software rebate

By Margaret Chipowsky | October 7, 1999

The University, along with several other Virginia schools, has signed a deal with Microsoft Corp.

---

News

ADE kicks off diversity rally

By Abby Curran | October 7, 1999

Advocates for Diversity in Education kicked off their "October Camp" yesterday with a highly visible display of their support for maintaining race as a factor in admission to the University. Organizers set up about 15 tents on the lower Lawn for participants of the group's "teach-in," which was scheduled to continue overnight and conclude early this afternoon.

---

News

Plaintiffs withdraw balcony lawsuits

By Lindsay Wise | October 7, 1999

Three lawsuits filed following the fatal collapse of a balcony during the University's May 1997 graduation ceremonies have been withdrawn because the parties involved have agreed to try to reach out-of-court settlements. The trial for one of the cases was scheduled to go to court Nov.

---

News

Average tuition costs rise at lowest rate in four years

By Emily Turner | October 7, 1999

The cost of college still is on the rise, but tuition increases around the country are the lowest in four years, according to a recent report by the College Board. College tuition and fees rose less than 5 percent from 1998-99 to 1999-2000, the study found. At private four-year institutions, prices rose by 4.6 percent, while their public counterparts increased tuition and fees by 3.4 percent.

---

News

Student loan default rate drops across nation

By Jessie Kokrda | October 7, 1999

Students are paying back college debts successfully at the University and at schools nationwide, according to U.S.

---

News

What's UVAR?

By Supriya Jaiswal | October 7, 1999

The University nuclear reactor ceased operations in July 1998 and is now undergoing decommission, or complete dismantling.

---

News

Hurricane season threatens to strengthen

By Ashley Stanley | October 7, 1999

In June forecasters from storm centers all over the world predicted that this hurricane season would bring with it some of the worst hurricanes in decades.

---

News

University crime tops most Virginia schools

By John Clark | October 7, 1999

The University has one of the highest rates of reported on-campus crime among Virginia's major colleges and universities, according to compilations of last year's crime statistics. In 1998, University Police received 367 reports of crime on Grounds, in addition to 160 alcohol, drug, and weapon violation referrals and arrests. James Madison University received 273 reported crimes on campus and made another 293 arrests for alcohol and drug-related crimes.

---

News

CAPS screens students for depression

By Tracy Barger | October 7, 1999

Feeling hopeless, sad, worthless, empty, anxious or helpless? Experiencing decreased energy? Having difficulty concentrating or making decisions?

---

News

Dorantes describes Guatemala's strict military regulation

By Clark Williams | October 6, 1999

Government oppression and politically inspired crimes continue to plague Guatemala, Guatemalan citizen Irma Graciela Azmitia Dorantes said at last night's La Sociedad Latina meeting in New Cabell Hall. Dorantes fled Guatemala in 1982 after three members of her family were killed by whom she thought may be the Guatemalan military.

---

News

Illegal drug trends vary across city, county lines

By Claire Edwards | October 6, 1999

Charlottesville boasts a rich history, beautiful scenery and even celebrity residents -- all of which can make the city of just over 40,000 seem immune to the drug problems which plague large urban areas. Yet some areas of Charlottesville are experiencing problems with marijuana, powder cocaine, crack cocaine and drug-related crime. While there are not many stable, organized groups of drug dealers in Charlottesville, the city is sometimes beset by transient dealers who peddle their wares for a short time before moving on, said Lt.

---

News

IFCJC investigates

By Katie Dalton | October 6, 1999

Online Only: IFC Press Release The Inter-Fraternity Council announced yesterday that it has launched a formal investigation into hazing allegations made against the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

---

News

University grants FOA for new Asian sorority

By Rakesh Gopalan | October 6, 1999

The University approved the Fraternal Organization Agreement yesterday for the Fraternity-Sorority Council's second sorority, alpha Kappa Delta Phi. All fraternal organizations must sign an FOA to be officially affiliated with the University.

---

News

Police charge suspected armed rapist

By John Clark | October 6, 1999

Charlottesville City Police announced yesterday they filed charges of rape and armed robbery against Montaret D.

---

News

Honor to review policy on psychological evaluations

By Edward Hock | October 6, 1999

The Honor Committee is revising their psychological evaluation process because of concerns about delays and inefficiency. At the start of an honor case investigation, honor investigators ask the student suspected of the violation if "any mental or medical conditions affected the situation in question." If the student answers yes, the investigator provides them with the procedure for psychological hearings on honor offenses. Students who feel they may have had a contributory mental disorder when they committed the honor offense or now lack the mental capacity to stand trial can ask for an evaluation. Students must obtain a letter from a psychiatrist describing the nature of their illness and make a written request to the Committee's vice chair for trials. When these criteria are met, the vice chair for trials forwards the request to the Office of the Dean of Students.

---

News

NCAA sanctions basketball for violations

By Jed Williams | October 6, 1999

In an official statement released yesterday, the NCAA's Committee of Infractions concluded that the Virginia men's basketball program committed secondary violations of the organization's bylaws and recommended a punishment that reduces the University's number of grant-in-aids and official recruiting visits. The violations center primarily around improper payments made to a recruit early in 1996 by the basketball program, including a $50 deposit and rent payments of $200 per month for an apartment.

---

News

City construction may ease drug problem

By Amy Shapiro | October 6, 1999

The part of Charlottesville on "the other side of the tracks," of the Amtrak train station, known as Fifeville, may not look like the stereotypical run-down inner-city neighborhood, but over the years it has had a disproportionately high number of drug arrests, including a drug bust last spring. But now, the neighborhood of Fifeville will be safe enough for a University daycare center - one step in a series of many to improve the Fifeville economy and clean up remnants of a once-vibrant drug scene.

---

News

Campaign edges past $950 million

By Tina Hong | October 5, 1999

The University's Capital Campaign has raised $957 million as of Aug. 31, President John T. Casteen III told the Faculty Senate yesterday. The $957 million total includes $840 million in cash gifts and pledges and $117 in future support, Casteen said. Director of Development Communications William Sublette said the last few months have been particularly successful in bringing the University closer to its goal of $1 billion by Dec.

---

News

Rain postpones diversity rally on Lawn

By Lindsay Wise | October 5, 1999

Rain put a damper on students' plans for an "October Camp" demonstration yesterday on the Lawn as organizers had to delay the two-day long "celebration of diversity" due to bad weather. The event is designed to educate the University community about using race as a factor in the University's admissions process and was rescheduled for tomorrow and Thursday, organizer and third-year Education student Jenny Johnson said. "We were setting up camp at 7 a.m., but the rain just kept coming down," Johnson said. She said organizers made the decision to change the date of the "October Camp" at about 9:30 a.m.