University Architect and Chief Planning Officer, David Neuman, spoke at the Student Council meeting on Tuesday. Newman emphasized numerous new projects the University will be undertaking in upcoming years. The main focus will be on renovating the science buildings as well as a new addition to the University hospital system.
The Inter Fraternity Council completed Safe Space training at the LGBTQ center Tuesday night in an effort to bridge the gap between the two communities. IFC Diversity and Outreach chair, Brian Head, said Dean Groves, who attended the session, acknowledged the fraternity system at the University as an intimidating environment for members of the LGBTQ community.
Charlottesville City Council met Monday evening to discuss the proposal for the city’s budget for the fiscal year of 2015. The proposed $150 million budget is 1.65% higher than last year’s, and includes $16.5 million toward the city’s Capital Improvement Program. City Manager Maurice Jones, who presented the budget at the meeting, attributes the proposed increase to a decrease in state funding of city schools.
Equality Virginia named Dean of Students Allen Groves a recipient of the sixth annual OUTstanding Virginians award last Wednesday, marking the group’s 25th anniversary.
For the fourth time this semester, the University canceled classes due to snow. At 5 a.m. Monday morning, the University announced classes would begin at 10 a.m., only to cancel classes completely at 7:45 a.m.
After being labeled “deadliest” fraternity by Bloomberg News, Sigma Alpha Epsilon has decided to eliminate the pledging process for all chapters across the nation. The change comes following a number of deaths within the fraternity and forced closures due to hazing. The change was not purely a result of media pressure, according to the SAE national website.
The University and the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello announced recipients of the 2014 Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medals in Architecture, Law and Citizen Leadership last week.
A new Charlottesville charity plans to build the first long-term shelter for human trafficking survivors in the city by next January.
For the fourth time this semester, the University has canceled classes due to snow. At 5 a.m., the University announced that classes would begin at 10 a.m., but shortly before 8 a.m.
The Commerce School completed its first round of admission decisions Friday, March 8. Of 577 University students who applied to the school, 239 were offered admission, 159 were deferred to decision at the end of this semester and 179 were denied. The school estimates that 85 to 90 of the deferred students will ultimately be offered admission.
U.S. News and World Report released its 2015 graduate school rankings last week, pegging several University programs among the top in the nation.
Following the November tragedy in which Gus Deeds, son of Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, stabbed his father before committing suicide, both the House and the Senate have proposed bills to prevent future incidents. The measures garnered broad, bipartisan support in a series of votes before the legislature left for recess earlier this month.
The Democratic National Committee launched a new campaign against voter ID laws last Tuesday. While the campaign focused on North Carolina, Florida and Pennsylvania, Democratic officials expressed concern with Virginia’s 2013 voter ID law. Northam, however, does not think the state legislature will pass changes to the law before the Fall 2014 elections.
The fight about Medicaid expansion in Virginia got more heated on Wednesday. Republicans and several local leaders called on Democrats to pass a budget and consider Medicaid expansion afterward, while Democrats said Republicans were ignoring a good business case for giving more Virginians health insurance.
Four segments of the Berlin Wall will arrive on Grounds next Monday and will be displayed on the courtyard outside Alderman Library. The panels feature two murals titled “Kings of Freedom,” made by graffiti artist Dennis Kaun. The display comes as part of a leadup to the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on Nov. 9, 1989.
History Prof. Andrew Jackson O’Shaughnessy will receive the American History Book Prize, the University announced Wednesday. O’Shaughnessy will receive a $50,000 prize, a medal and the title of “American History Laureate.”
The University would pay an additional $5 million per year to the Virginia Retirement System fund under proposed 2014 budgetary legislation in the Virginia General Assembly — an increase that will likely be offset by an increase in tuition rates at the graduate and undergraduate levels.
Law Prof. Douglas Laycock will go before the Supreme Court next term as a religious liberty expert in the case Holt v. Hobbs. It will be his fifth time arguing before the Court.
Charlottesville City Council heard the results of a student housing survey conducted in 2013 Wednesday night. Gay Perez, associate dean of students and executive director of Housing and Residence Life, presented the results.
The International Relations Organization hosted a panel Wednesday titled “China’s Third Revolution? Reform, Conservatism or Decay under Xi Jinping,” featuring Batten School Dean Harry Harding. His talk focused on his suggestion that modern China has experienced two revolutions thus far, but is in need of another to address deep-seated issues in the nation.
